28 Best Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago, known as the "Windy City," boasts a stunning skyline, renowned deep-dish pizza, and a lively arts scene, blending rich culture and history.

All Things To Do

24/7 daily
take-a-tour-of-the-university-of-chicago-campus

Take a tour of the University of Chicago campus

#28 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

5801 S Ellis Ave.
1 to 2 hours
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10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
visit-the-chicago-cultural-center-an-architectural-marvel

Visit the Chicago Cultural Center: an architectural marvel

#27 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

78 E Washington St.
1 to 2 hours
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$20 for adults; free for kids 12 and younger
the-richard-h-driehaus-museum

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum

#26 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

40 E Erie St.
1 to 2 hours
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$10 for adults; $5 for kids 7-17
admire-colorful-plants-and-flowers-at-the-garfield-park-conservatory

Admire colorful plants and flowers at the Garfield Park Conservatory

#25 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

300 N Central Park Ave
1 to 2 hours
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Cover charges vary
listen-to-jazz-at-the-green-mill

Listen to jazz at The Green Mill

#24 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

4802 N Broadway
2 hours to Half Day
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$35 for adults; $20 for kids 10 and younger
take-an-offbeat-street-art-tour

Take an Offbeat Street Art Tour

#23 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1649 N Damen Ave.
2 hours to Half Day
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$25 for adults; $13 for children 3-11
marvel-at-the-stars-at-the-adler-planetarium

Marvel at the stars at the Adler Planetarium

#22 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1300 S Lake Shore Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
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$16 for adults; free for kids 12 and younger
american-writers-museum

American Writers Museum

#21 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

180 North Michigan Ave.
1 to 2 hours
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$25 per person ages 1 and older
let-the-kids-play-at-the-chicago-children-s-museum

Let the kids play at the Chicago Children's Museum

#20 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

700 E Grand Ave.
1 to 2 hours
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$14.50 for adults; $5 for kids 6-11
visit-the-dusable-black-history-museum-and-education-center

Visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

#19 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

740 E 56th Pl
1 to 2 hours
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Ticket prices vary
the-chicago-theatre

The Chicago Theatre

#18 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

175 N. State St.
1 to 2 hours
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Ticket prices vary by performance
see-a-sketch-comedy-show-at-the-second-city

See a sketch comedy show at The Second City

#17 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1616 N Wells St.
1 to 2 hours
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11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day-Labor Day
swim-at-north-avenue-beach

Swim at North Avenue Beach

#16 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1600 N. Lake Shore Drive
2 hours to Half Day
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Adults from $32; kids from $24
skydeck-chicago-at-the-willis-tower

Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower

#15 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

233 S. Wacker Drive
1 to 2 hours
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6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
stroll-the-chicago-riverwalk

Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk

#14 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

Downtown Chicago
1 to 2 hours
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Prices vary by day
shedd-aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

#13 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
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Tours cost $30; game ticket prices vary
catch-a-cubs-game-at-wrigley-field

Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field

#12 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1060 W. Addison St.
2 hours to Half Day
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$25.95 for adults; $14.95 for kids 3-11
griffin-museum-of-science-and-industry

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

#11 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
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Free
bring-the-kids-to-maggie-daley-park

Bring the kids to Maggie Daley Park

#10 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

337 E Randolph St.
1 to 2 hours
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Prices vary by tour operator
take-a-chicago-architecture-river-cruise

Take a Chicago architecture river cruise

#9 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

224 South Michigan Ave.
1 to 2 hours
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$30 for adults; $23 for kids 3-11
visit-sue-the-t-rex-at-the-field-museum

Visit SUE, the T. rex, at the Field Museum

#8 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
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$30 for adults; $20 for kids 3-11
enjoy-expansive-views-at-360-chicago-observation-deck

Enjoy expansive views at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

#7 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

875 N. Michigan Ave.
1 to 2 hours
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Free
see-the-animals-at-the-free-lincoln-park-zoo

See the animals at the free Lincoln Park Zoo

#6 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

2001 N. Clark St.
2 hours to Half Day
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Hours vary by day
ride-the-ferris-wheel-at-navy-pier

Ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier

#5 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

600 E. Grand Ave.
2 hours to Half Day
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24/7 daily
shop-till-you-drop-on-the-magnificent-mile

Shop till you drop on The Magnificent Mile

#4 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

North Michigan Avenue
2 hours to Half Day
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$32 for adults; $26 for teens 14-17; free for kids 13 and younger
art-institute-of-chicago

Art Institute of Chicago

#3 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

111 S. Michigan Ave.
2 hours to Half Day
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Free
visit-chicago-s-front-yard-grant-park

Visit Chicago's front yard: Grant Park

#2 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

337 E. Randolph St.
Half Day to Full Day
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Free
see-the-bean-cloud-gate-at-millennium-park

See The Bean (Cloud Gate) at Millennium Park

#1 in Best Things To Do in Chicago

201 E. Randolph St.
1 to 2 hours
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