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Chicago, United States

Top things to do in Chicago

60 attractions, landmarks and museums worth your time, ranked by traveler reviews.

Millennium Park
Park & nature4.7

Millennium Park

25,285 reviews

A 24.5-acre public park featuring the futuristic Jay Pritzker Pavilion, interactive Crown Fountain, and Cloud Gate.

Art Institute of Chicago

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Good to know

What is the most visited attraction in Chicago?

Millennium Park draws the most traveler reviews of anywhere we track in Chicago, with 25,285 of them, rated 4.7 out of 5. Review volume is the closest honest proxy we have for how many people actually turn up, so it is what this list is ranked by.

Which place in Chicago do visitors rate highest?

Chicago Skyline holds the highest rating in Chicago among places with a meaningful number of reviews, at 5.0 out of 5 from 748 reviews. It is less busy than Millennium Park, which is often exactly why it scores better.

Which part of Chicago has the most to see?

Central holds 16 of the 60 places on this list, more than any other area, so it is the sensible base if you would rather walk between sights than commute to them.

Browse Chicago by type: museums, parks & nature, markets. Planning your trip to Chicago? See where to eat, build a Chicago itinerary, or check visa requirements.
Museum
4.8

Art Institute of Chicago

24,591 reviews

Home to the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works outside Paris, including Seurat's 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte'.

Cloud Gate
Landmark4.7

Cloud Gate

18,321 reviews

A 110-ton stainless steel bean-shaped sculpture that perfectly reflects the Chicago skyline and clouds.

Chicago Cultural Center
Museum4.6

Chicago Cultural Center

3,095 reviews

A stunning free-admission landmark with the world's largest Tiffany glass dome, hosting diverse art exhibitions and live performances.

Crown Fountain
Landmark4.5

Crown Fountain

2,161 reviews

Interactive public art with two 50-foot glass towers projecting video faces that periodically spout water from their lips.

Richard H. Driehaus Museum
Museum4.5

Richard H. Driehaus Museum

1,491 reviews · Central

The Richard H.

Maggie Daley Park
Park & nature4.5

Maggie Daley Park

1,352 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A sprawling 20-acre park in downtown Chicago featuring a playful ice skating ribbon, climbing walls, and whimsical gardens, perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Loop
Neighborhood4.5

The Loop

1,263 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

Chicago's bustling downtown core, home to iconic skyscrapers, world-class dining, and cultural landmarks.

Buddy Guy's Legends
Entertainment4.5

Buddy Guy's Legends

904 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

Experience legendary blues at Buddy Guy's iconic Chicago club, featuring live music nightly and Southern-inspired cuisine.

Chicago Theatre
Entertainment4.6

Chicago Theatre

825 reviews

Historic 1920s movie palace turned performance venue, famed for its six-story marquee and opulent French Baroque interior.

Symphony Center
Entertainment4.8

Symphony Center

756 reviews

Home of the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra, offering superb acoustics and an intimate concert experience in a historic venue.

Landmark
Landmark5

Chicago Skyline

748 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

Iconic skyline of Chicago, best viewed from Lake Michigan or observation decks, with architectural highlights.

Christkindlmarket, Chicago
Market3.5

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

653 reviews

A traditional German Christmas market held annually in Daley Plaza with festive foods, crafts, and a giant tree.

Entertainment
Entertainment4

Andy's Jazz Club

643 reviews · Central

Intimate jazz club in Chicago's River North neighborhood, featuring live music nightly from local and touring artists since 1951.

Museum
Museum4.5

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum (ISAC)

568 reviews · South Side

A world-class museum on the University of Chicago campus showcasing artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Near East.

Sight
Sight4

Howl at the Moon Chicago

534 reviews · Central

A high-energy dueling piano bar in River North where the audience sings along to rock, pop, and requests.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Entertainment4.7

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

481 reviews

Frank Gehry–designed outdoor bandshell in Millennium Park with swooping stainless steel ribbons and free summer concerts.

American Writers Museum
Museum5

American Writers Museum

444 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

Interactive museum celebrating American authors and their works, located in downtown Chicago.

Cadillac Palace Theatre
Entertainment4.5

Cadillac Palace Theatre

333 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A historic theater in Chicago's Loop, hosting Broadway tours and live performances in a lavish 1920s setting.

Wrigley Building
Landmark4.5

Wrigley Building

318 reviews · Central

A historic skyscraper on Michigan Avenue known for its gleaming white terra-cotta facade and iconic clock tower.

Landmark
Landmark3

Gray Line Chicago

280 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

Explore Chicago's top attractions on a guided bus tour with Gray Line, offering convenient hop-on-hop-off service and expert narration from The Loop.

Market
Market4.5

Eataly

253 reviews · Central

Italian marketplace with restaurants, cooking classes, and gourmet food counters in downtown Chicago.

National Museum of Mexican Art
Museum4.5

National Museum of Mexican Art

252 reviews · Lower West Side

Explore the largest Mexican art museum in the U.S., showcasing vibrant works from ancient to contemporary times in Chicago's Lower West Side.

Entertainment
Entertainment5

Bad Axe Throwing Chicago (West Loop)

236 reviews · West Loop

An exciting axe-throwing venue in Chicago's West Loop, offering coached sessions for all skill levels in a fun, safe environment.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Entertainment4.5

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

235 reviews · Ranch Triangle

Award-winning Chicago theater known for groundbreaking ensemble performances and intimate productions in Lincoln Park.

Museum
Museum4.5

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

210 reviews · North Side

Explore Chicago's nature and science at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, featuring the iconic Judy Istock Butterfly Haven and interactive exhibits on local ecology.

Landmark
Landmark4.5

Nightly Spirits

190 reviews · North Side

Join a ghost tour through Chicago's North Side, exploring haunted pubs and historic sites with eerie tales.

Landmark
Landmark5

WeVenture Chicago

171 reviews

WeVenture Chicago offers immersive food tours that explore the city's diverse culinary scene, led by expert guides.

Auditorium Theatre
Entertainment4.4

Auditorium Theatre

169 reviews

A historic Beaux-Arts theater renowned for its perfect acoustics and opulent interior, hosting world-class performances.

Marina City
Landmark4.1

Marina City

169 reviews

Iconic twin corncob-shaped towers on the Chicago River, a pioneering mixed-use complex with apartments, parking, and a marina.

Merchandise Mart
Landmark4

Merchandise Mart

156 reviews · Central

Explore the iconic Merchandise Mart, a massive Art Deco landmark on the Chicago River, home to showrooms, design centers, and public spaces.

Entertainment
Entertainment4.5

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Chicago (Lincoln Park)

148 reviews · Central

iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Chicago's Lincoln Park offers a thrilling, safe indoor skydiving experience with a vertical wind tunnel, suitable for beginners and experts.

French Market
Market4

French Market

142 reviews · West Loop

The French Market in Chicago's West Loop is a bustling indoor food hall offering gourmet groceries, prepared foods, and a vibrant dining experience.

Entertainment
Entertainment4.5

Supernatural Chicago

134 reviews · Central

Experience Chicago's haunted history through a theatrical show at the Castle Nightclub in the heart of the city.

Chicago Board of Trade Building
Landmark4.3

Chicago Board of Trade Building

129 reviews

A 1930 Art Deco skyscraper housing the world's oldest futures exchange, topped with a striking statue of Ceres.

Lurie Garden
Park & nature4.4

Lurie Garden

128 reviews

A 2.5-acre perennial garden in Millennium Park showcasing native and exotic plants with a dramatic 'shoulder' hedge.

Wicker Park
Park & nature4.5

Wicker Park

125 reviews · West Side

A vibrant Chicago park with sports fields, a playground, and a historic fieldhouse, popular for relaxation and community events.

Apollo Theater Chicago
Entertainment4.5

Apollo Theater Chicago

119 reviews · North Side

Historic North Side venue hosting live theater, comedy, and concerts in an intimate setting.

Entertainment
Entertainment4.5

Royal George Theater

111 reviews · North Side

A historic North Side theater hosting Broadway shows, comedy, and concerts in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The Palmer House Hilton
Landmark4.3

The Palmer House Hilton

108 reviews

A historic hotel famed for its opulent lobby and for being the first hotel to feature electric lights and telephones.

Sight
Sight4

Haymarket Pub & Brewery

102 reviews · West Loop

A bustling brewpub in Chicago's West Loop, known for its craft beers and hearty American fare in a historic building.

Entertainment
Entertainment3.5

Laugh Factory Chicago

90 reviews · North Side

A comedy club in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood featuring stand-up shows from local and national comedians.

Sight
Sight4.5

Three Dots and a Dash

83 reviews · Central

A tropical tiki bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood, serving elaborate rum-based cocktails in a Polynesian-inspired setting.

Oak Street
Neighborhood4.5

Oak Street

77 reviews · Central

A charming residential street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, lined with historic brownstones and tree-lined sidewalks.

Museum
Museum4

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

76 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A museum and library in downtown Chicago dedicated to military history and the citizen soldier, with extensive archives and exhibits.

Museum
Museum4.5

Jane Addams Hull-House Museumo

70 reviews · University Village/Little Italy

Historic settlement house museum preserving the legacy of social reformer Jane Addams, with exhibits on immigration, labor rights, and social justice.

Sight
Sight4.5

Public House Chicago

68 reviews · Central

A lively gastropub in Chicago's River North district, known for its extensive beer list, elevated pub fare, and vibrant atmosphere.

Landmark
Landmark4.5

Windy City Ghosts By Us Ghost Adventures

67 reviews · West Loop

Explore Chicago's haunted history on a guided ghost tour through the West Loop, led by experienced storytellers.

Old Town School of Folk Music
Entertainment4.5

Old Town School of Folk Music

64 reviews · Far North Side

Old Town School of Folk Music is a legendary music school and venue in Chicago's Lincoln Square, offering classes and concerts.

Market
Market4

The Shops at North Bridge

61 reviews · Central

A historic market building on Michigan Avenue offering a curated mix of gourmet food, artisan goods, and local souvenirs.

Sight
Sight4

The Drifter

60 reviews · Central

A stylish cocktail bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood, known for its craft drinks and speakeasy vibe.

Pilsen
Neighborhood4.5

Pilsen

59 reviews · Lower West Side

A vibrant, historically Mexican neighborhood on Chicago's Lower West Side, known for its colorful murals, authentic cuisine, and thriving arts scene.

James R. Thompson Center
Landmark3.5

James R. Thompson Center

59 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A striking postmodern government building in Chicago's Loop, known for its colorful atrium and controversial architecture.

Carbide and Carbon Building
Landmark4.5

Carbide and Carbon Building

58 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A striking Art Deco skyscraper in Chicago's Loop, recognizable by its dark green and gold facade, now a luxury hotel.

Daley Bicentennial Plaza
Park & nature4

Daley Bicentennial Plaza

58 reviews · Downtown / The Loop

A park in Chicago's Loop offering green space, sports courts, and views of the lakefront, popular for recreation and events.

Smart Museum of Art
Museum4

Smart Museum of Art

57 reviews · South Side

A free museum on the University of Chicago campus featuring modern and contemporary art, with a focus on Asian and American works.

Randolph Street Market
Market3.5

Randolph Street Market

54 reviews · West Loop

Vintage and antique market held monthly in Chicago's West Loop, featuring furniture, fashion, and collectibles from dozens of dealers.

Entertainment
Entertainment3.5

Back Room

54 reviews · Central

An intimate, speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Chicago's Gold Coast, known for its craft drinks and cozy, dimly lit ambiance.

Sight
Sight4

Snickers Bar & Grill

53 reviews · Central

Quirky Chicago-themed bar and grill with playful candy-bar decor, offering American comfort food and drinks in River North.

Pizzeria Uno
Market4

Pizzeria Uno

53 reviews · Central

Historic Chicago pizzeria where deep-dish pizza was invented, serving hearty Italian-American fare in a bustling downtown setting.