Chicago IL is a land of incredible diversity, with something to offer everyone who visits. There are many great places to visit in this city, but if you are looking for the ultimate Chicago IL experience, then you need to head to one of the places below. Whichever part of Chicago IL you choose to visit, you’re sure to have an amazing time.
The Best Place to Visit in Chicago IL
Millennium Park
- Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (71897)
- Phone: +1 312-742-1168
- Website: Link
- Price Info: Free
- Opening hours:
Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PMTuesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PMWednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PMThursday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PMFriday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PMSaturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PMSunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
5 Replies to The 15 Best Places in Chicago IL to Visit This Year
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Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Chicago IL
Navy Pier
- Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (65571)
- Phone: +1 312-595-7437
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Reviews:
Ferris wheel was very fun. There were other carnival ride options as well. Great food options too!. Great options for boat tours. We had kids and did a quick 40 min boat tour. Overall, navy pier seems to amaze me everything I go. Been going since I was a kid and was able to share this with my kids for the first time.By Matthew Alvarez (3 months ago)Beautiful in the day time and even more beautiful at night. We visited on the weekend and it’s a place for everyone to walk, hangout, eat, relax, ride the Ferris wheel and lots to do. It gets packed and busy but fun for sure. I recommend this place.. one of the must visit in Chicago places. Fire work show was awesome as well it was not a disappointment. Was worth staying there till 10pm.By Salim Khodari (5 months ago)Our experience was very nice despite the hot weather. The staff was friendly and very informative. The Chicago Architect boat ride was fun. 1 The narrator was very informative and very friendly. I will not recommend taking this ride during 12 to 4 PM if the sun is out brightly. You will be sitting directly in the sun. There is some shade on the boat but you have to get there early.By Alma L Scott (5 months ago)A must place to visit….
Free sightseeing place to roam around and explore…Hours are different in google… They are open till 10PM ( We were told by an employee working there)
We had city pass to redeem at Centennial wheel. Which saved us sometime…
Centennial wheel was amazing… very nice for people to look around the surroundings and beautiful Lake Michigan
Navy pier is a huge area.. more than 5 mile if we just walk around…
Lot of food options, restrooms available, scenic views, a place to view fireworks for free when scheduled, Gift shops available, different rides for adults and kids are available…. and many more things to do…
Ship docker/anchors with lot of party boats are seen…
By AP SAI (4 months ago)I love Navy Pier especially on a beautiful day! They decorate it very nice and the inside keeps evolving and changing. There are plenty of food options for all budgets from fast food to sit down. The Children’s museum is their secret weapon and one of the best highlights! We did the boat tour that leaves from Navy Pier which is wheelchair accessible. I’ll review that separately.By Meli A (a month ago)
The Art Institute of Chicago
- Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (28081)
- Phone: +1 312-443-3600
- Website: Link
- Price Info: Expensive
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Forever captivated by the beauty and history encapsulated in the Art Institute. Not a place to visit too often as the gallery is largely full of permanent installations, but there is always some sort of special exhibition/gallery taking place when they are open. Entire building is extremely clean with staff and maps scattered around in order to make your experience more enjoyable. Many famous works that one recognizes from pop culture or past studies are able to be seen here. One of the top art museums in the world and an undeniable staple in Chicago’s history. Do not miss out on viewing everything it has to offer.By Dylan Ivanov (4 months ago)Thia museum was enormous and I am pretty sure a week in this place still wouldn’t be enough time. I wish I would have had more time to appreciate each piece but what I did see was amazing in every single way. The museum is beautiful, spacious, and clean. They have attendants in every room to help you find your way. I would absolutely recommend a visit here and be prepared to spend the way and wear comfortable footwear. They have 4 levels and multiple buildings and wings. I typically don’t use elevators unless its a high rise but I did today. There are multiple entrances and exits as well.By Cassie Ware (7 months ago)This place is immense and worth every penny of the admission fee. See some highlights like American Gothic or that famous Seurat painting at the park you recognize from studying pointillism back in school. But don’t miss some hidden gems: creepy Goya etchings from 1800s Spain, the picture of Dorian Gray from the 1945 film, and a fascinating collection of miniature rooms that look ready for Stuart Little to move in. They also have a very wide range of Picasso styles collected under one roof and the impressionism section truly is a must-see!By Stephen Dysert (2 months ago)It is so famous that I had expected the exhibit to be as informative and comprehensive as the British Museum or the Metropolitan. That might be too challenging. The display in each section is lack of clear plot/storyline, by which I mean the items are like various bread slices in a basket, correlated but not unable to compose a full piece. I understand this is an art museum, so the explanation notes mainly focus on art perspective. Still, for visitors who might come from different backgrounds, the museum could have done a better job of interpretation.By Cidane CG (10 months ago)Beautiful building filled with beautiful paintings. I especially enjoyed the Monet collection. I thought I would be taken by the lilies, but wheat piles just took me to another dimension, and i was sober, alright ;). I also liked Van Gogh and other impressionists. The collection of eastern ceramics and wall paintings was also impressive. We stopped by only for few hours, so we didn’t see everything, but i definitely plan to come back ;).By Katarína Kmeťová (9 months ago)
Lincoln Park Zoo
- Address: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (28054)
- Phone: +1 312-742-2000
- Website: Link
- Price Info: Free
- Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Reviews:
The zoo is free and is in the nice Lincoln Park area. Great views nearby and it is at a relatively convenient location with respect to the main attractions downtown. It is a little over an hour of leisurely walk from the Millennium station. The zoo is not large so there are not many animals to been with. I was able to see some animals but a few were not available. I did not check out the farm, train, food options or the gift shop, so no comment on those.By Feryal Alayont (3 months ago)Small zoo with it’s own charm! I think it’s one of the few zoos in the US that has free admission and they do accept donations from visitors. It’s a nice place to just walk around and see animals although there were a few areas where I didn’t see animals in them. There are also rides for kids and food available in the main court. It’s not the biggest zoo you can be in but it’s definitely worth the time to see what they have; and the best part about it is that it’s free.By Lennon Garcia (a month ago)I was shocked this is free entertainment. Our local zoo is a $25 per person which is fine to help out the animals but it is quite nice that this zoo is able to keep it free. Go NOW if you haven’t seen the baby lion. One of the cutest things I have seen!! It is a smaller zoo but had a perfect variety of animals. I really enjoyed visiting.By TJ Berch (2 months ago)Fantastic.
Will go again.
Clean.
There are a lot of places to use facilities all around Zoo.
Lot’s of Great experiences. Can get very close to the animals.
Free to get into (can leave a donation in a box, if you like) for all ages.
A great way to spend a day (if not too warm!).
Food & drink a wee bit more expensive, but you can bring your own, there are places to sit (with tables).
151 (as of 24/06/2022) bus stops right outside.
Have Fun.By Patricia Farrell (5 months ago)I took my son on his first trip to the zoo and he had a blast. Due t his age, he rode in a stroller. The entire place was very easy to navigate and my son was able to get good views of the animals. Given the time of year, there was a fair amount of grounds and exhibit maintenance happening. Although disappointed we couldn’t see everything, it’s great to see that the city is doing a great job to keep the facilities looking good.By Brady Campbell (8 months ago)
Shedd Aquarium
- Address: 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (27822)
- Phone: +1 312-939-2438
- Website: Link
- Price Info: Expensive
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
We wanted a fun day in Chicago with a family of five, it was between the shed and the Museum of science and industry.. there are many discounts but none for families very sad. Wound up buying the membership as it was the most economical.. there are many great exhibits to look at. We were able to catch one of the 10 minute main shows,. would’ve been nice if they were a little longer. We had an enjoyable day. Will have to go back to get use out of our one year annual pass now.By Jeff Rhine (3 months ago)Be sure to buy tickets beforehand and save yourself a lot of time. Also worth it to take a ride share instead of parking. Great adventure for the whole family. Most people moved at a pretty good pace around the exhibits therefore not too much waiting time. Multiple options to grab a bite to eat and the prices were reasonable.By Cindi James (2 weeks ago)I went here with my family during the week and it was timed entry, which helped with the crowds earlier in the day. We spent a little over 3 hours there and by the early afternoon, it was pretty crowded. We saw all the attractions (no movie or shows), ate lunch in the cafeteria and went to the gift shop. There were a lot of great photo opportunities and it looked like all of the exhibits were open. The cafeteria offers awesome views of the Chicago skyline too! My family and I had a great time!By Karen Kendzierski (4 months ago)A wide collection of species from all over the world. It is a bit smaller than other aquariums I’ve been to but it’s activities really make up for it. There are a lot of interactive activities for families, couples, groups, and people going alone. Best time to go is about May- October which is when most, if not all, interactive touch the animal exhibits are open. Very expensive if you are either not a resident or if you decide to go on a regular price day. Check the calendar before planning your trip so you don’t miss out on the discounted/free days. Once you get there definitely check out the animal meet-n-greets (which are often free) or the aquatic mammal shows put on by the trainers. The 4D experience is alright, but to be honest not very much worth the price. It’s about 15 min long and plays out like a documentary. You get 3D glasses but they’re not very good quality and they also use the same pair on multiple crowds. Not much goes on and if you’re expecting to get splashed with water, it’s mostly just bubbles. As a chicago native I would always recommend this to someone visiting but just be prepared to spend a good amount.By Angie Conejo (4 months ago)Really awesome aquarium with lots to explore. The dolphin show is fun even for adults. It can take a while to get through if you want to stop for every exhibit. 2-3 hours for casual aquarium goer; 4-5 hours for super aquarium lovers. You will not be able to do the aquarium and museum in one day if you really want to appreciate everything.By Thomas Brackett III (5 months ago)
Skydeck Chicago
- Address: 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (25100)
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
- Address: 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (24610)
Cloud Gate
- Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (24107)
Field Museum
- Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (20859)
Willis Tower
- Address: 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (20810)
Grant Park
- Address: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (18859)
Riverwalk
- Address: Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (14295)
Buckingham Fountain
- Address: 301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (13892)
360 CHICAGO
- Address: 875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (11799)
Maggie Daley Park
- Address: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (8189)
Garfield Park Conservatory
- Address: 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (7482)
Although Chicago IL is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 15 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
Such an amazing place to visit and a must in your in the Chicago area. Great place to capture amazing photos of the famous Bean and downtown area. I really enjoyed hitting the ice skating ring for a few laps. I highly recommend coming here to visit a iconic piece of Chicago.
Beautiful place!!! You can spent so much time taking pictures around the bean but we also enjoyed the ice skaters. It was not too cold so we could spend quite a while around. Lots of nice places close too.
If you’re going to Chicago, then you definitely need to stop by Millennium Park and visit Cloud Gate (The Bean). It’s such an amazing place to visit and spend an afternoon walking around the park or simply have nice picnic. Great atmosphere! Highly recommend it.
We are never tired of this place. It’s almost like a ritual to visit this place whenever we are on a trip to Chicago irrespective of the season. Be it watching the reflections of the majestic Chicago skyline on Cloud gate AKA Bean or the nearby Crown Fountain or catching bands perform in the pavilion, or the Christmas tree during holiday season, or taking a stroll upto the Buckingham fountain in nearby Grant park, or the Ice-skating rink, there are lots of things to see/experience here. Absolutely must visit. Roadside Parking is a hit or miss here depending on the crowd.
I came here a while back, around a couple years ago, and recently and it was so nice both times. I love the big bean and the metal rails and amphitheater (we actually saw a live practice session today in preparation for their performance in a couple days!). I also like how you can take lots of cool photos from the metal road thingy and the well maintained lawn and flowers. It’s genuinely a nice place to be. There was also a place where you could rock climb, rollerblade and skate during the summer and during the winter, they freeze the area so you can ice skate!