Sightseeing
Chicago has an incredible 18-mile walking/biking trail along the lake, going north and south from downtown! Rent bikes or just walk to enjoy views of the lake, harbors, beaches, and skyline.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailChicago has an incredible 18-mile walking/biking trail along the lake, going north and south from downtown! Rent bikes or just walk to enjoy views of the lake, harbors, beaches, and skyline.
The Chicago Architecture Center offers a ton of tours highlighting Chicago's history and important sites. Check out their website for details:
https://www.architecture.org/
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrThe Chicago Architecture Center offers a ton of tours highlighting Chicago's history and important sites. Check out their website for details:
https://www.architecture.org/
Millennium Park definitely lives up to the hype! Take pictures of your reflection in "The Bean" (Cloud Gate), walk through the gardens, play in the water of Crown Fountain, or catch a free movie or concert in the summer at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
1242 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StMillennium Park definitely lives up to the hype! Take pictures of your reflection in "The Bean" (Cloud Gate), walk through the gardens, play in the water of Crown Fountain, or catch a free movie or concert in the summer at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
This park has an AWESOME playground for kids, along with a put-put golf course, rock wall, and an ice skating ribbon in the summer.
175 locals recommend
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StThis park has an AWESOME playground for kids, along with a put-put golf course, rock wall, and an ice skating ribbon in the summer.
Chicago has a beautiful riverwalk path through the heart of downtown. Walk the path from beginning to end to admire the art installations, floating gardens, fountains, and beautiful views of the river and skyscrapers. There are also a number of bars and restaurants that you can stop at along the way.
273 locals recommend
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrChicago has a beautiful riverwalk path through the heart of downtown. Walk the path from beginning to end to admire the art installations, floating gardens, fountains, and beautiful views of the river and skyscrapers. There are also a number of bars and restaurants that you can stop at along the way.
Join a kayak tour or rent kayaks and paddle around on your own! This is a great way to experience downtown Chicago.
22 locals recommend
Urban Kayaks on the Chicago River
435 E. Chicago RiverwalkJoin a kayak tour or rent kayaks and paddle around on your own! This is a great way to experience downtown Chicago.
Food scene
A great alternative to paying $30 to go to the Willis (Sears) Tower skydeck. This restaurant is at the top of the Hancock Building and offers great panoramic views of the city.
521 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveA great alternative to paying $30 to go to the Willis (Sears) Tower skydeck. This restaurant is at the top of the Hancock Building and offers great panoramic views of the city.
If you're a fan of Starbucks, you'll love this 4-story experience! https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us
31 locals recommend
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
646 N Michigan AveIf you're a fan of Starbucks, you'll love this 4-story experience! https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us
This lively rooftop bar and restaurant has great views of Millennium Park.
139 locals recommend
Cindy's
12 S Michigan AveThis lively rooftop bar and restaurant has great views of Millennium Park.
This bar on the rooftop on the London House hotel has amazing views of the Chicago River and the heart of downtown.
38 locals recommend
London House Rooftop Bar
85 E Wacker DrThis bar on the rooftop on the London House hotel has amazing views of the Chicago River and the heart of downtown.
The classic Chicago deep dish pizza experience! Keep in mind that deep dish pizzas take about 45 minutes to cook after you order, so plan your schedule around your hunger level accordingly.
59 locals recommend
Gino's East
162 E Superior StThe classic Chicago deep dish pizza experience! Keep in mind that deep dish pizzas take about 45 minutes to cook after you order, so plan your schedule around your hunger level accordingly.
A local favorite and great place to try a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef sandwich!
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StA local favorite and great place to try a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef sandwich!
If you have good weather, this outdoor restaurant is a great place to have a few drinks and enjoy views of the river. They even have outdoor games like bags/cornhole that you can play.
Island Party Hut
355 Chicago RiverwalkIf you have good weather, this outdoor restaurant is a great place to have a few drinks and enjoy views of the river. They even have outdoor games like bags/cornhole that you can play.
This historic German restaurant and brewery has been popular since it opened its doors in 1898.
14 locals recommend
The Berghoff Restaurant
17 W Adams StThis historic German restaurant and brewery has been popular since it opened its doors in 1898.
In addition to great food and cocktails, this place has an incredible location right on the river.
16 locals recommend
Beatnik On The River
180 North Wacker DriveIn addition to great food and cocktails, this place has an incredible location right on the river.
BomboBar
832 W Randolph StTreat yourself to a delicious snack or hot chocolate!
Quartino Ristorante
626 N State StA great experience if you're craving Italian!
Come for the cool warehouse-like venue, stay for the incredible barbeque!
107 locals recommend
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StCome for the cool warehouse-like venue, stay for the incredible barbeque!
La Josie
740 W Randolph StThis cute, intimate place serves up classic Mexican dishes from Jalisco.
This Chicago favorite is owned by beloved chef Stephanie Izard and features a seasonal menu of creative dishes served small-plate-style.
496 locals recommend
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StThis Chicago favorite is owned by beloved chef Stephanie Izard and features a seasonal menu of creative dishes served small-plate-style.
Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
108 N Green StLively ambiance, great pizza, and great drinks!
This indoor Italian marketplace features a number of cafes, counters, and restaurants. Have a sit-down Italian dinner or buy ingredients to cook at home. Eataly also offers cooking classes, wine tastings, and other events. Check out what's going on at https://www.eataly.com/us_en/classes-and-events/
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StThis indoor Italian marketplace features a number of cafes, counters, and restaurants. Have a sit-down Italian dinner or buy ingredients to cook at home. Eataly also offers cooking classes, wine tastings, and other events. Check out what's going on at https://www.eataly.com/us_en/classes-and-events/