10 Places to visit & do in Chicago, Illinois
Want to explore the top 10 destinations & activities in Chicago, Illinois? From the awe-inspiring Willis Tower's Skydeck, with its spectacular views and the human presence in the cultural environs as represented by the Millennium Park's & the upscale Magnificent Mile, as the most popular areas for shopping and exploring the city's architecture. You will definitely fall in love with the laid back & scenic natural beauty of the city in between.
1. Willis Tower
Chicago's former tallest building, known previously as Sears Tower but now called Willis Tower, is a skyscraper of towering prominence. It originally smashed the world's record for height at the astonishing altitude of 442 meters (1,450 feet), a triumph that enabled it to provide jaw-dropping city views and spectacular landscapes. From the 103
floor Skydeck, you can take in as many as four states with your eyes on a particularly clear day. It is part of the thrill to experience "The Ledge" - a glass floor panel that does not just minimize the gaping yaw but actually pops out from the structure that is vertically right overhead of the city streets with a descent of over 400 meters.
Business hours: In general it is open 9am-10pm daily (besides the seasons)
Admission fee: Adults are charged approximately $30 and children just $23
A suggestion: The ticket lines can be incredibly long so for this reason it is better to buy tickets online and visit in the early morning or the late afternoon.
Last tip emphasis: The ideal time for seeing the views is at sunset, and the sun will be setting behind the skyline, which photographers will find absolutely incredible.
2. Millennium Park
Millennium Park is Chicago's most famous and a cultural hotspot in the city that it is a popular tourist destination bringing in locals and tourists alike. The park's most iconic attraction is Cloud Gate, which is commonly referred to as "The Bean", a sculptural structure by artist Anish Kapoor with dazzling reflective characteristics. It reflects the Chicago skyline to be a gigantic mirror, and so it provides a myriad of creative pictures. It is also the po...A pars of the colors of soccer Cricket in sculpture fountain case is a plan though is not fictional". The park also hosts other art installations, for example, The Crown Fountain is an interactive fountain with the videos of locals&a thing being transmitted onto two towers, which pleases people of different age groups, and The Pritzker Pavilion is a place where people can enjoy the outdoors and listen to live music.
Hours: The always open will still have its even hours, but specific events may have their own hours
Price of tickets: It is free to enter.
Tip: It will be a perfect place to take a simple walk, especially during the summertime when the park is usually home to free concerts and cultural events.
3. Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is considered to be the best shopping street in Chicago, and it can be found on Michigan Avenue. When you pass this way, you get to encounter a number of high-end boutiques, large department stores, luxury hotels, and exclusive gourmet dining places. This blooming shopping area is also rich in architectural and cultural spots, for example, the Water Tower, the last edifice left after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Opening hours: Change due to stores and restaurants, while the place always bustles with life.
Tip: Enjoy a walk throughout the entire boulevard, marvel at the architecture and in the meantime, you can also visit another museum and art gallery there.
Tip: This is an ideal spot for those who really love shopping as well as those who are enthusiasts of architecture and of course, people who want to be part of the vibrant urban life.
4. Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is a stunning path on the Chicago River, where you can be around the buildings, nature and the energy in a city. And you will have the opportunity to enjoy the brews, restaurants, artwork and boat tours that will get you up close to the city's impressive high-rises and past. This is the best place to go during the summer months which is perfect for strolling, riding a bike or taking a boat tour through the river.
Opening hours: Always open.
Ticket price: Admission is free (boat tours are an additional charge).
Tip: Take a Chicago Architecture Boat Tour, a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience of the city's most famous buildings.
Tip: The river is majorly lighted up at night contributing evening walks along the Riverwalk to be extra special.
5. Grant Park
Grant Park, also known as the city's front yard, is an enormous central park area that links the city with Lake Michigan. The park is the proud home of some of the city's main attractions, besides the Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world, and the Art Institute of Chicago, which is one of the greatest art museums in the US. In addition, the park is a venue hosting several annual events, including the Taste of Chicago, which is one of the largest food festivals in the world.
Opening hours: Around the clock and 24/7.
Ticket price: It is free for a general visitation. However, there is a fee for specific museum exhibitions and events.
Tip: It's a marvelous space for a picnic, a park to practice sports or a place to enjoy the green side of Chicago.
Tip: Go there in the evening and admire the fantastic light and water show of Buckingham Fountain.
6. Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is not only a zoo but one of America's oldest
zoos and is situated in the picturesque neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago. As one of the few free zoos in the country, Lincoln Park Zoo caters to all ages, and comes with a wide variety of animals from all over the world, including lions, monkeys, giraffes, and polar bears. In addition to that, it is very near to Lincoln Park Conservatory, where there are beautiful botanical gardens to explore as well.
Opening Hours: Normally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: Free admission.
Tip: Schedule your visit to coincide with animal feeding times or other regularly arranged zoo events.
To Consider: If you are a plant lover, consider visiting the Lincoln Park Conservatory next to the zoo to see some of the rarest plants and the most beautiful gardens.
7. Chinatown
Chicago`s Chinatown is a colorful and vibrant neighborhood, rich in Chinese culture, history and culinary delights. You can visit antique Chinese shops, tea houses, temples, and enjoy the authentic Chinese food from different areas. The Chinatown gate is the principal sign that covers the section and with the details brings in customers.
Opening hours: Most of the shops and restaurants get open at 10:00 a.m. and close around 9:00 a.m. but the time may not suit all.
Ticket price: No admission fee.
Tip: At this time of year, Chinatown puts on a spectacular dragon dance, and other events which are visually stunning.
Tip: Chinatown is a fun place to get the cultural and culinary experience of China locally and many restaurants basically offer real Chinese dishes.
8. Pilsen Neighborhood
Pilsen is a richly colored and lively neighborhood in Chicago, which is embraced by the Latin American scene. The area is alive with murals of all styles and colors mad on the walls of buildings and the most exquisite traditional Mexican restaurants you can find. The National Museum of Mexican Art is here and offers the whole art and culture world from Mexico, with even the latest adolescent art pieces and all the documented from the last century and more.
Opening hours: Opening hours may vary by specific attractions, but most shops and restaurants open around 10:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.
Ticket price: Free admission to many of the galeries and the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Tip: Give yourself a few hours to walk around 18th Street and stop at one of the great art galleries and local design shops. It's hard not to give a look at the colorful murals on the walls, as they seem to be everywhere.
Tip: Pilsen, besides being an art place with so much color, has annual events like the Day of the Dead festival which you could also participate in.
9. Chicago River Boat Tour
One of the most popular things to do in Chicago is to take a Chicago River Boat Tour while you are being given a guided tour of the city's historical architecture from the boat, which sails along the river. In addition to this, the tour will bake memories for you as gigantic landmarks like the Willis Tower, which is the second tallest building in the USA and Trump International Hotel & Tower are visible, for instance. This expression of the architectural heritage and the ancestor's determination to build these towers with the limited technology available is just one part of the story.
Opening Hours: Most boat rides are available during the spring and late fall months, when the weather is nice.
Ticket price: Although the cost of the activities conducted by boat companies is subject to change, the usual price is generally around $40 per person.
Tip: Choose a tour that will allow you to be fully immersed on a telling journey through Chicago's architecture and tell the player; the one is the best.
Things to consider: Prepare your raincoat and scarf for the morning which might be a little bit chilly
10. Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain, one of the world's largest fountains, which is situated in Grant Park, has become an iconic Chicago landmark that was initially inaugurated in 1927. Crafted in the French Rococo style, the fountain personifies Lake Michigan and the four seahorses symbolize the four states that line the lake. It is during the time of day that the fountain is in use, which throws out 45 meter water sprays into the air, but in the evening, it is in the rainbow mood and the music shows are performed that cause the increased popularity of the fountain.
Opening hours: The fountain is operational from April to the mid-October, from 09:00 to 23:00 every hour with a light show.
Ticket price: Free of cost.
Tip: The fountain is on from April to October but visit the evening when the light show with the music is on, it is the best time to go there. Each of the light shows goes on for about 20 minutes.
Think about it: Buckingham Fountain, indeed, is a soothing area where a person can leisure after the tourist spot safari. The other attractions in Grant Park are well connected to the fountain, and therefore, it is easy to bring multiple stops together.
Chicago provides a vibrant blend of culture, past, buildings and dining, all of which make it a very favorite spot for tourists. As you visit the city's magnificent skyscrapers, meandering along the Chicago Riverwalk, or having a great time at Lincoln Park Zoo, you will be ecstatic and never want to leave the city! We trust that you have found everything you wanted to inform you about the city of Chicago from our comprehensive guide!
