10 Best Things to Do in Chicago

Enter Chicago’s great 'front lawn', Millennium Park. This public space contains some of the city’s most iconic scenery. Stroll through the blooming perennial Lurie Gardens, which are enclosed by a 15-foot-high hedge. Admire art installations along the tree-lined Chase Promenade, with different exhibitions held throughout the year.

A must-see is Cloud Gate, fondly nicknamed 'The Bean' for its shape. This giant sculpture features a smoothly polished mirror-like stainless steel surface, reflecting the skyscraper scene around it. For activities, take a loop around the skating rink or enjoy one of the city’s many music festivals from the outdoor pavilion.

The Navy Pier is a great spot for families to head to on Chicago’s Michigan lakefront. The pier juts out for over 3,000 feet into the lake and is filled with green spaces, shops, exhibitions and restaurants. Experience traditional fairground attractions like the charming carousel or bizarre funhouse maze. Then refuel your energy with treats such as sugary churros, juicy burgers and the Original Rainbow Ice Cream Cone.

One of the pier’s main features that dominates its skyline is the Centennial Wheel. This Ferris wheel is open daily, but the coolest experience must be during the Navy Pier Summer Fireworks that display in sync to music over Lake Michigan every Wednesday and Saturday.

875 North Michigan Avenue is a 100-storey skyscraper in the Magnificent Mile district of Chicago. This glistening building is one of Chicago’s tallest structures and one of the most recognisable in the world. The Observation Deck on the 94th floor provides a 360-degree vista of the city. If you visit on a clear, sunny day, your views stretch for 80 miles, and into 4 different states.

Thrill-seekers can brave 'The Tilt' attraction, which tilts you outwards while standing on an enclosed glass and steel platform, allowing you to see Chicago from a never-before-seen angle. If adrenaline rushes aren’t for you, there is a café and bar where you can relax with a craft beer or cocktail.

Before the flows of the Chicago River meet Lake Michigan, it runs through most of The Loop. One of the best ways to see the city from up close is the Chicago Riverwalk, a gentrified waterfront path through downtown, along the river’s south bank. Start your walks from Lake Shore Drive and up to Lake Street.

Along the way, you have plenty of restaurants, park gardens and bridges where you can pause and take in the high-rise city views. If you want the best view of the public art along the river, consider a boat excursion accompanied by an elegant dinner or an architecture talk. You can even rent a kayak for a unique perspective.

Founded in 1930, Adler Planetarium is a monumental science facility occupying the north-eastern tip of Chicago’s Northerly Island. It has a vintage charm with its prominent planetarium dome and Art Deco exterior embellished with bronze zodiac reliefs. They make for some epic photographs.

From inside the dome, you can travel through the universe via the Grainger Sky Theater’s digital projection. Launch a rocket, stargaze and check out a working laboratory. Scenic offerings outside include the 12th Street Beach, the boat docks of Burnham Harbor, and ultimately, the Skyline Walk from where you can take in the best views of Chicago.

If you’re looking for the most luxurious shopping scene in Chicago, head down to the Magnificent Mile. It’s part of North Michigan Avenue, where you can find a series of upscale shops, hip dining spots and some of Chicago’s finest big-brand hotels, such as the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, The Conrad and Park Hyatt. As you indulge in some retail therapy, take a moment to appreciate the grand architecture: a unique blend of Parisian boulevards, Art Deco facades and contemporary engineering.

Shopping centres here include Nordstrom and Water Tower Place, which houses a Macy’s. Come in the summer and you can experience the Gardens of The Magnificent Mile festival, where its blooming planters are sometimes graced with designer fashion.

Skydeck Chicago literally stands you on the edge of the 103rd floor in one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, at over 1,300 feet high and overlooking the Chicago cityscape. You can get a wonderful view from The Skydeck observatory itself, but the real highlight is the appropriately named 'The Ledge'. You step into either of the 2 glass boxes which extend out, with your feet seemingly hovering over the dizzying heights below. 

While you’re here, check out the brand new interactive exhibit showcasing the history of Chicago’s tallest building. For a truly memorable event, why not visit the Skydeck’s very own restaurant? Dine like a VIP with a decadent 3-course meal looking out at the glittering Chicago horizon.

Just south of Shedd Aquarium, you can deepen your knowledge of the animal kingdom, geology and palaeontology at the Field Museum of Natural History. Permanent exhibitions showcase everything from the evolution of life on Earth and the diversity of mammals on the world’s continents to human history in the Ancient Americas. 

Among the main highlights are Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil the world has ever seen, and Maximo, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. For an experience that’s truly unique, if a little unpleasant, you can even smell what Sue’s breath might have been like when she roamed the earth.

Chicago Harbor is the collective name for all the piers, marinas, waterways and lakes along the city's lakefront. There are plenty of things to do here that won’t cost you a dime. You can stroll the Navy Pier and take in all the views and the comings and goings of yachts. The popular pier juts out into the lake a few blocks east of Downtown Chicago.

If the weather is pleasant, sun-seekers can spend the day on North Avenue Beach, located in Lincoln Park on Lake Michigan. For a quiet morning, the prettily landscaped Garden of the Phoenix will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

A high-rise Chicago landmark that features eye-catching French Baroque architecture 7 storeys tall, the Chicago Theatre is where you can watch the latest rock bands, Broadway musicals and comedic acts perform. Whether you take the kids to see their favorite cartoon character’s touring show or you opt for an evening of glamour complete with a VIP experience, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable time.

Those interested in the theater’s history will love the guided tour, which details the venue’s most exclusive areas and lets you stand where the stars do.