Chicago offers a variety of attractions, including museums, shopping districts, and nightlife. For knowledge-based activities, visit Grant Park,the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. There are many things to do in Chicago for a more Chicago-centric experience. Such as taking an architectural boat cruise along the Chicago River or Lake Michigan.
Explore the city’s history at the Museum of Science and Industry and enjoy quintessential Chicago experiences like Wrigley Field and Michigan Avenue.
Best Fun Things To Do In Chicago
For family-friendly fun, take a ride on the Navy Pier Ferris wheel, visit Millennium Park, and explore the Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo and Children’s Museum, Maggie Daley Park.-line tickets and self-guided tours to the city’s most sought-after attractions, continue reading to know the best things to do in Chicago today.
1. Millennium Park And Cloud Gate
201 E. Randolph St. Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
- Free
- 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Millennium Park in Chicago is a 25-acre park that showcases avant-garde art, architecture, and landscaping. This location belongs to the things to do in Chicago for the features of the Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate, known as “The Bean,” which showcase the city’s skyline.
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an architectural masterpiece with steel ribbons, hosts concerts and the Millennium Park Summer Music Series. The park also connects to Maggie Daley Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge.
Visitors can enjoy ice skating in winter and picnics on sunny days. Admission is free, and access is facilitated by biking, driving, walking, or using the L. The park is served by various bus lines and is featured in several city tours. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
2. Grant Park And Buckingham Fountain
337 E. Randolph St. Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
- Free
- 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Grant Park, known as Chicago’s “front yard,” spans 313 acres and features top attractions like The Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and Shedd Aquarium. It also features baseball diamonds, flower gardens, paths, and lush grass.
Grant Park, located in downtown Chicago, features the Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest water features globally. The fountain, which has 133 jets propelling water up to 150 feet, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from early May to mid-October.
Visitors can enjoy the park’s beautifully maintained grounds and stunning vistas of downtown Chicago. Admission is free, but some attractions may charge nominal fees.
The park is accessible from various L train stops, with parking garages and limited street parking options available. Additionally, nearby Divvy bike-share stations make navigation easy.
3. Art Institute Of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave. Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
Adults: $32
Teens (14-17): $26
Kids (13 and younger): Free
Mon: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thurs: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fri-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nestled at 111 South Michigan Avenue, the expansive Art Institute of Chicago stands as a repository of The Art Institute of Chicago houses nearly 300,000 pieces of impressionist and post-impressionist art, spanning from the Byzantine era to recent paintings.
Museum features notable pieces like Jacob Lawrence’s “The Wedding,” Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Sky above Clouds IV,” and Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions, showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres.
The museum is located south of Millennium Park and offers convenient accessibility via stations or buses. Admission is $32 for adults, $26 for seniors, and free for children under 14. CityPASS holders enjoy complimentary admission.
4. The Magnificent Mile
North Michigan Avenue Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
- Free
- 24/7 daily
The Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago offers an unparalleled shopping experience with over 450 retailers, dining establishments, and opulent lodgings. The area is home to the iconic Chicago Water Tower, the Wrigley Building, and the iconic Tribune Tower.
The avenue is easily accessible by bus routes 3, 10, 29, 65, 66, 125, 143, 146, 147, 148, 151, and 157. Visitors can also take advantage of the Red Line’s Chicago stop, taxi or rideshare, and parking garages at an additional fee.
Why does this location come under the best things to do in chicago?The Water Tower Place shopping center provides public restrooms. The Magnificent Mile is open at any hour of the day or night, with individual stores and facilities adhering to their operating hours.
5. Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave. Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
- Sun-Thur: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Navy Pier, located over Lake Michigan, is a family-friendly entertainment destination with a towering Ferris wheel, drop tower, and carousel. Visitors can enjoy rides, cruises along the Chicago River, or explore the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Adults can enjoy shows at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, boutiques, or the Navy Pier Beer Garden. The pier hosts frequent live concerts and spectacular firework displays from Memorial Day to Labor Day and New Year’s Eve. Go City Chicago cards offer four rides at Navy Pier.
Most of the best things to do in chicago places and activities are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with admission free. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and a cruise dock for sightseeing and dinner cruises along the Chicago River. Transportation options include driving, bus services, Uber, Lyft, or taxis.
6. Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St. Website Tours & Tickets Price & Hours
- Free
- 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
The Lincoln Park Zoo, located in Lincoln Park, is an urban oasis with nearly 200 species, including zebras, sloths, and hippos. Visitors can observe gorillas, harbor seals, and seal training and feeding sessions.
The zoo is free to enter and offers limited parking options, with fees ranging from $20 to $35 per day. Bus routes 151 and 156 service the zoo, while buses 22 and 36 drop off passengers nearby.
Operating hours vary by season, but the zoo’s exhibits are open daily. Visitors can also enjoy carousel and train rides, gift shops, and cafes.
Bottomline
These six come under the best things to do in chicago. According to the poet Carl Sandburg Chicago is a city of the big shoulders. This phrase capturs the midwestern metropolis. This is a single place where you can experience the most beautiful structures around the world and magnificent skyscrapers. You can enjoy these beautiful places and make travel plans accordingly.
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