Skydeck Willis Tower
Located at the top of the Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago is one of the most popular attractions in Chicago. The 103rd floor observation deck rises 1,353 feet above street level.
The Ledge is one of the most exciting experience’s at Skydeck Chicago. Standing in an enclosed glass box that extends five feet out over the Chicago River and Wacker Drive.
A gallery of interactive displays and exhibits are also worth checking out with fun facts and trivia about Chicago.
233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
312-875-9447
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago.
The amazing Centennial Wheel that soars to 200 feet, with year-round, climate-controlled gondolas.
Ride the Pepsi Wave Swinger musical carousel and other fairground rides all with skyline and waterfront views. Boat cruises and tours on Lake Michigan and Chicago River.
There are a variety of dining options at Navy Pier from fast food through sit down restaurants.
600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
1-800-595-7437
Millennium Park
The park located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue.
This 25acre park is used to showcase cutting-edge art, architecture and landscaping. It also acts as a backdrop for concerts and festivals. Most visitors come to Millennium Park to see the Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate.
The Crown Fountain two glass brick towers, 50 feet in height. They face each other across a black granite reflecting pool.
Explore the park’s interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space offers a full day of things to do.
201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
312-742-1168
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute is rated among the world’s top museums. Home to the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, and Van Gogh.
Explore the Modern Wing and its extraordinary collection of works by Chagall, Dalí, Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock.
The permanent collection has plaster casts to works of art ranging from Chinese bronzes to contemporary design. Textiles to installation art.
111 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603
312-443-3600
Lincoln Park Zoo
It’s open 365 days a year and is one of the few zoos across the country that offer free admission.
The zoo’s exhibits include big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species totaling about 1,100 animals from some 200 species.
Make sure to check out the award-winning Regenstein African Journey exhibit, with houses giraffes, rhinos, and pygmy hippos.
2001 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-2000
Field Museum
The Field Museum is your chance to travel the world and back in time with 4.5 billion years of history under one roof.
This outstanding natural history museum is home to collections of fossils and artifacts from all over the world.
It is especially well-known for its iconic dinosaur skeletons and Ancient Egyptian tomb replica.
Popular permanent exhibits include the Grainger Science Hub, the Cyrus Tang Hall of China, the Grainger Hall of Gems, and Inside Ancient Egypt.
1400 S Lake Shore Dr Chicago, IL 60605
312-665-7669
Grant Park
Grant Park is a large urban park with 319 acres between the downtown Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan. Grant Park offers many different attractions in its large open space.
It’s a place for the city’s biggest events, a green oasis in the heart of downtown, and a space that holds some of Chicago’s most famous landmarks.
Grant Park is also home to baseball diamonds, tennis courts and breathtaking gardens.
Buckingham Fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park.
331 E Randolph St Chicago, IL 60601
312-742-7648
Shedd Aquarium
The aquarium contains over 32,000 species of sea life which includes 1500 species of fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences, such as shark feedings and much more.
Walk through a flooded forest in Amazon Rising and marvel at sharks swimming overhead in Wild Reef. Explore Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins.
1200 S Lake Shore Chicago, IL 60605
312-939-2438
360 Chicago
360 Chicago is on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building. 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, Lake Michigan, and three surrounding states.
It’s the only place to enjoy TILT – Chicago’s highest thrill ride! This one-of-a-kind marvel tilts guests out from the 94th floor.
Take the elevators to the 94th floor where you’ll be greeted by breathtaking 360-degree views of Chicago’s dazzling skyline and majestic lakefront from the 17,000-square foot observation deck.
875 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611
888-875-8439
Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is an open, pedestrian waterfront located on the south bank of the main branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The 1.25mile long path has a little of something for everyone.
Hear about the fascinating storied behind some of the city’s most iconic buildings Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises.
105 W to 485 East Riverwalk S, Chicago, IL 60601
312-315-4469
Adler Planetarium
Chicago’s Adler Planetarium is America’s first planetarium and a premiere resource for inspiring the next generation of space explorers. The museum is home to three full-size theaters.
Adler Planetarium hosts an extensive assortment of exhibits, shows, and collections. Its popular exhibits include Mission Moon, which tells the story of early Apollo and Gemini NASA missions.
Our Solar System, which has displays on each one of our solar system’s planets, as well as actual moon rocks and pieces of meteorites that have crashed into Earth; The Universe.
1300 S Lake Shore Dr Chicago, IL 60605
312-922-7827
Children’s Museum
Located at Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum is home to a wide range of activities, events, and adventures sure to delight all kids.
This museum is three stories high and filled with engaging, educational exhibits including a dinosaur dig.
Kids build things in the Tinkering Lab; splash around in the flowing, squirting, pumping Waterways playground; camp, climb, burrow, and make believe in the Treehouse Trails enchanted forest.
700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
312-527-1000
Maggie Daley Park
Maggie Daley Park became popular due to its Skating Ribbon and magical Play Garden.
At the center of the Skating Ribbon sits two stunning rock-climbing structures that form Chicago’s first and only Climbing Park
The18-hole miniature golf course features several replicas of iconic Chicago structures, golfers can putt underneath a 6-foot-tall Willis Tower and putt up a Plinko-inspired replica of a Picasso sculpture.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
312-742-3918
Chicago Cultural Center
The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained–glass domes. Located on the south side of the building, the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome ― 38 feet in diameter with some 30,000 pieces of glass.
On the north side of the building is a 40-foot-diameter dome with some 50,000 pieces of glass.
Critically acclaimed art exhibits, performances, lectures, and film screenings are available to you every day.
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-3316
Lincoln Park Conservatory
The Conservatory offers visitors a tropical experience within its four display houses, the Palm House, Orchid House, Fern Room, and Show House.
This historic facility continues to provide an escape to nature to the millions that live in and visit Chicago. No matter the time of year, Lincoln Park Conservatory is always green and lush.
2391 N Stockton Dr Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-7736