Things to Do in Chicago

The Frederick C. Robie House was built in Prairie Style by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1910, today it is known as one of the finest examples of American architecture, perhaps the first architectural style that is uniquely American. The exterior is characterized by its art-glass windows, sharp edges, and horizontal Roman brick work. A contemporary space with an open floor plan that is still being restored, it is considered a precursor to modernist architecture. 

In 1957, the house was placed under threat of demolition. Frank Lloyd Wright himself lobbied to save it at the age of 90. It was one of the last houses designed in his Oak Park studio. The American Institute of Architects named the Frederick C. Robie House one of the ten most significant structures of the 20th century.

Chicagoans take their baseball seriously, and one of best places to see a Major League Baseball game in the United States is at the ivy-covered home of the Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field. Built in 1914 and known as the "Friendly Confines," Wrigley Field is the oldest baseball park in the National League and should be on the bucket list of any baseball fan.

Wrigley Field is filled with traditions and curses, as well as a team that once suffered from the longest dry spell in US sports history. Travelers can purchase tickets to one of the Cubs' 81 home games between April and September, and serious baseball fans can take a 90-minute guided tour through Wrigley Field that goes through the clubhouse, dugouts, and press box on non-game days during the season. You can also get a bird's-eye view of Wrigley Field by taking a helicopter tour of Chicago, or combine a visit with stops at other Chicago sports landmarks as part of a sports tour.

Set in the residential neighborhood known as Wrigleyville on the North Side of Chicago, Wrigley Field is located at the corner of W. Addison and Clark streets, just a block from the Addison stop on the Red Line and a short walk from the Belmont, Sheridan, and Southport stops. The 21 (Clark Street) and 156 (Addison Street) buses also run right by Wrigley Field, but may be rerouted on game days.

The best time to visit Wrigley Field is during baseball season, which runs April to September—and into October if the Cubbies are making a playoff run. Arrive well before game time to experience the atmosphere in Wrigleyville, where Cubs fans pack the bars surrounding the field.

Chicago fans were the longest-suffering fans in baseball until 2016, when the Cubs finally won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. The Cubs had last appeared in the World Series in 1945, when local Billy Sianis allegedly cast the "Curse of the Billy Goat" upon the Cubs after he was refused entry into Wrigley Field with his pet goat. The team wouldn’t make another World Series appearance until their championship win in 2016.

This 14-acre (6-hectare) complex pays homage to both natural wonders and the ingenuity of man. The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, it features life-size working replicas, a 5-story domed movie theater, 2,000 exhibits, and more than 35,000 artifacts. The museum is designed to spark imagination and inspire creativity.

 

Originally built as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (later the World's Fair), the museum is home to several larger-than-life permanent exhibits and innovative, educational programming. Its very first exhibit, the Coal Mine, opened in 1933 and still takes visitors to this expansive, subterranean world today. Other permanent exhibits include a real German U-505 submarine from World War II, a whispering gallery investigating the reflection of sound, a model ship gallery, and a miniature castle.

 

Prebook admission so you can skip the lines upon arrival or visit as part of a Chicago city tour. Several tourist cards"”like the Chicago Explorer Pass and Chicago CityPASS"”also include admission to the museum.

 

 

The museum entrance is at E. 57th Street and S. Cornell Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood, very close to downtown and Lake Michigan. CTA bus nos. 2 and 6, and the Metra Electric Line stop just blocks away. Bike the Lake Shore Drive path to reach the museum; racks are on each side of the main entrance.

 

The museum is typically open from 9:30am"“4pm, but extends its hours during spring break, summer, and winter holidays. It's a popular destination for children's groups and field trips, so expect to see a number of large groups during the school year. The complex is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

 

You may not think "shopping" when visiting a museum, but you'll think differently after seeing the variety of souvenir options available here. Some shops are exhibit-specific, such as the U-505 store and Launch Pad, in the submarine and space center exhibits, respectively. Find educational games, gifts, toys, and fun trinkets for all, or take souvenir photos at the photo studio.

This popular Chicago neighborhood may be best known as the home of the Cubs, but locals recognize the fun-filled destination about more than just baseball. Even travelers who don't have tickets to one of the big home games will find tons of ways to pass the time during a stop in Wrigleyville, whether it's on a pizza walking tour or a leisurely afternoon on a bike.

In addition to sports bars and popular pre-game restaurants, the neighborhood is home to several interesting shops to pop your head into. With easy access via public transportation, visitors will find getting in and out of Wrigleyville a breeze.

A prominent Chicago neighborhood and public space, Hyde Park is an area full of historic sites and museums. It is also the home of the University of Chicago, and has seen more attention recently as the former residence of President Barack Obama.

When the neighborhood was established in 1853, it was the first suburb of the rapidly growing city. It remains known for its architecture, culture, and open-air spaces. Of particular note is the Museum of Science and Industry (great for families,) and the historic Robie House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.

Two scenic parks include Promotory Point, with great views of the Chicago skyline, and Jackson Park, a natural space with a small Japanese Garden. Hyde Park has also become known as one of the best dining and shopping spots in the city, with independent bookstores, street fairs, and farmers markets.

The 1920s were an important time for Chicago architecture, and when the Wrigley Building opened in 1925, it set the pace for the city’s development. When owner William Wrigley Jr. (of the Wrigley gum company) scouted locations for the building that would become his company’s headquarters, he chose a unique triangle shape of land that eventually became the bustling Magnificent Mile.

Standing tall at the point where Michigan Avenue crosses the Chicago River, this crown jewel of Chicago architecture is best known for its iconic clock tower, which draws inspiration from the Seville Cathedral Giralda Tower. The Wrigley Building is perfectly situated so pedestrians, cars, and even boats can see it from various angles. You’ll likely see the building on most architecture and history tours, as well as river cruises. Alternatively, its central location makes it an ideal spot to visit on your own.

Conveniently situated off Michigan Avenue, near the Chicago River, the Wrigley Building is an easy walk from many other Chicago landmarks. City buses 850, 851, 855, and 856 stop at the Michigan/Wrigley Bldg. bus station located outside. If arriving by subway stop at the Grand/State station and take  a short walk to the building.

Since the building is walkable from many other landmarks, it’s easy to make a stop at any point of your visit. You can view the lobby anytime during regular business hours. In the warmer months, see the building light up at night with the rest of the skyline while on a river cruise.

The Wrigley Building is located just off Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s bustling main thoroughfare full of restaurants, hotels, and shopping. It’s also home to other Chicago architectural landmarks like the Tribune Tower, the John Hancock Center, the Park Tower, the Palmolive Building, and more. 

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is the heart of shopping in the Windy City and Water Tower Place is what keeps it beating. While the Magnificent Mile was originally home to the city’s most exclusive and expensive stores, the opening of Water Tower Place brought more affordable retailers to the famed shopping area. The eight-level mall covers over 700,000 square feet and features more than 100 shops, including Macy’s and the flagship American Girl Place store.  One of the first vertical malls in the world, Water Tower Place is part of a 74-floor skyscraper of the same name that also includes a Ritz-Carlton hotel and luxury condominiums. After riding the escalators up from the ground level, take the glass elevators the rest of the way to the 8th floor and work your way down.

After you shop ‘til you drop, grab a bite to eat at one of Water Tower Place’s several dining options, including Mity Nice Grill, Wow Bao, and Foodlife, a cafeteria style collection of 14 different kitchens with something to suit every palate.  For dessert, swing by the Godiva Chocolatier or the Sacred Grounds Bakery & Café.

Chicago is known as the home of the blues, so it is fitting that one of the most popular venues for live music in the city is the House of Blues. However, this local outpost of the national chain isn't just a venue for blue musicians (and in fact, if the best blues acts are what you want to see, there are better venues in the city), but rather a showcase for international musical acts of every genre. Opened in 1996, the concert house, which was modeled after an opera house in Prague, has hosted some of the world's most renowned musicians, including the Who, Pearl Jam and Al Green.

On nights when there are no ticketed acts, the Back Porch Stage offers shows with a $10 cover, which is waived if you dine in the restaurant before the show. The restaurant also serves lunch Monday through Saturday, and every Sunday, the House of Blues hosts its World Famous Gospel Brunch at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The brunch is a great opportunity to be inspired by a rousing gospel music performance while enjoying a hearty buffet complete with seafood, waffle, omelet and carving stations.

Once the world’s tallest building when it opened in 1973 as Sears Tower, Willis Tower is still way up in the clouds. The 1,454-foot (443-meter) skyscraper reigns as the tallest building in the Midwest and the second-tallest building in all of North America with its spires just 325 feet (99 meters) shorter than Manhattan’s One World Trade Center. Though it functions as an office tower, the skyscraper’s 103rd-floor Skydeck Chicago draws 1.7 million annual visitors for a trip out onto The Ledge, an enclosed glass balcony extending four feet (1.2 meters) outside the 103rd floor, and for panoramic views that, on clear days, extend as far as Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Willis Tower can be seen from around the Windy City and is a highlight on most sightseeing tours and Chicago River cruises. Those looking to head to the top should book admission tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long ticket lines. The journey to Skydeck Chicago starts with interactive exhibits and the “Reaching for the Sky” film presentation, which covers the tower’s history and plays during the 70-second elevator ride up to the 103rd floor. At the Skydeck, you can admire the city from above and take a turn on the glass-bottomed Ledge, set 1,353 feet (412 meters) above the streets. For a unique Chicago dining experience, book lunch or dinner at Willis Tower, where you can eat Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza on either the 99th floor or at the Skydeck. Early risers can opt for an early-access breakfast experience at the Skydeck, 90 minutes before it opens to the public.

Willis Tower is located on the west side of the Loop, not far from the Chicago River and several popular Chicago attractions such as the Art Institute and Millennium Park. It’s serviced by several bus lines and is near the blue, brown, orange, pink, purple, and red lines on the L train. The Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station are both under a half-mile (0.8 kilometers) west of Willis Tower. The entrance to the Skydeck experience is off of Jackson Boulevard.

Willis Tower is open 365 days a year, with the Skydeck and The Ledge open October through February from 10am to 8pm and March through September from 9am to 10pm. Last entry to the Skydeck is 30 minutes prior to closing. Views are equally good on sunny days year-round, but Chicago winters are notoriously snowy. To beat the crowds, it’s best to visit just after the building opens. Sunset is a popular time to visit, while the midday sun can create shadows and glares on the viewing windows and Ledge platform.