Keep the teens happy on your next family trip with this list of fun Chicago attractions!

It's never easy planning a vacation that keeps everyone happy, but we think Chicago has got you covered. Read on for our top tips and crowd-pleasers for teenagers.

10+ things to do in Chicago with teens

<p>Searching for a fantastic city to take your teenagers to? Look no further than Chicago! There&#39;s amazing art and architecture, intriguing museums, dazzling sky-high views and so much more for teens to get stuck into. Plus, we think the grown-ups will have a fabulous time too...</p>

<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for things to do in Chicago with teens, check out our list of the top attractions and activities, including...</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Shedd Aquarium</li>
	<li>Skydeck Chicago</li>
	<li>360 CHICAGO</li>
	<li>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel</li>
	<li>The Field Museum</li>
	<li>Adler Planetarium</li>
	<li>Brookfield Zoo</li>
	<li>Ride a Bike around Millennium Park</li>
	<li>and more...</li>
</ul>


<p>Trust us, the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium</a>&nbsp;is the mother of all aquariums. This is one of the most popular things to do in Chicago for a reason. Your teens will be able to enjoy seeing animals that hail from waterways and ecosystems all across the globe, from the nearby Great Lakes to the vast rivers of Asia.</p>

<p>One of our favorite nifty things about Shedd is the Caribbean Reef exhibit, where visitors can actually take a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community &ndash; it&rsquo;s a stunning up-close sight and is almost as good as snorkeling in Hawaii.</p>

<p>Bonus for everyone: you can skip the line with our <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" target="_blank">Chicago pass</a>, which is a huge benefit during busy tourist seasons. It will keep you and your teens from driving each other crazy during a long wait!</p>


Head to the Shedd Aquarium

<p>Encourage the kids to enjoy the great outdoors during the warmer months with a refreshing&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/bike-and-roll-chicago-four-hour-bike-rental" rel="noopener" target="_blank">bike ride around the city</a>. Pedal leisurely along the waterfront, throughout Millennium Park, or along the 26 miles of gorgeous trails that wind around the lakefront. It&rsquo;s also a great activity that teens can pursue independently, giving them some &ldquo;alone time&rdquo; amidst a family vacation.</p>


Ride a bike around Millennium Park

<h3><strong>Shop &lsquo;til they drop</strong></h3>

<p>Chicago is also a shopper&rsquo;s paradise. Whether they&rsquo;re on a tight budget or have some cash to spend, teens will love the chance to explore Chicago&rsquo;s amazing shopping districts. Even window shopping alone can be a real treat! From the Magnificent Mile and its unique mix of high-end couture and fast fashion to the more traditional offerings of the Water Tower Place Mall, there&rsquo;s a store to suit every taste.</p>

<h3><strong>Save on admission to Chicago attractions teens will love</strong></h3>

<p>Many of these teen-friendly&nbsp;Chicago attractions&nbsp;are included on&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.&nbsp;Discover our full line-up of <a href="http://gocity.com/en/chicago" target="_blank">Chicago attractions</a> from 360 CHICAGO to the Architecture River Cruise.</p>

<p>🤩 &gt;&gt; If you want to see and do as much as you can, our <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes/all-inclusive" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"> All-Inclusive Pass</a> is for you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>😎 &gt;&gt; If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes/explorer" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explorer Pass</a> is the perfect option.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Teens into natural history and science will find much to love in Chicago&#39;s museum scene. The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/field-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Field Museum</a>&nbsp;is one of the world&#39;s most prestigious natural history museums, featuring tons of fascinating stuff, from gemstones to fossils (like the largest intact T-Rex skeleton - above).</p>

<p>For astronomy buffs, the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium</a>&nbsp;is amazingly fun. Or, for fans of general-interest scientific subjects, the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/museum-science-and-industry" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Museum of Science and Industry</a>&nbsp;is filled with interactive exhibits like a 40-foot indoor tornado.</p>


Explore the famous museums

<p>Your whole family will love the stunning, panoramic views of one of the country&rsquo;s most beautiful cities. So visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/skydeck-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Skydeck Chicago</a>&nbsp;today! Even the most skeptical teenagers will be amazed at &#39;The Ledge&#39;, an all-glass balcony that puts visitors four feet out from the edge of the building into space!</p>

<p>Looking for another perspective, and maybe a little more interactivity with your amazing views? Try&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/360-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">360 CHICAGO</a>&nbsp;for another vantage point that&rsquo;s equally as cool. 360 CHICAGO is also conveniently located near a good deal of shopping hotspots. What&#39;s not to love?</p>


Get a bird’s eye view of the city

<p>There&#39;s nothing like a good old-fashioned boardwalk stroll. And you don&#39;t need to hit up the Jersey Shore to find one! You and the teens will love spending some time at Navy Pier. There is a slew of activities to choose from, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/navy-pier-centennial-wheel-and-ride" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Centennial Wheel</a>&nbsp;and a bunch of fun rides.</p>

<p>There are also plenty of places to eat and pick up fun souvenirs to remember your trip to Chicago. Want some more ideas? Check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/navy-pier-attractions/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">post on things to do at Navy Pier and nearby spots</a>.</p>


Stroll Navy Pier and ride the Centennial Wheel

<p>Chicago is an amazing city for architecture. With a diversity of influences and an eclectic building history, the skyline of Chicago is quite remarkable. One of our favorite ways to survey this beautiful scenery is on an&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shoreline-architecture-river-cruise" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Architecture River Cruise</a>&nbsp;that highlights the city&#39;s architectural history.</p>

<p>Teens will relish the chance to get that awesome photo, and it&#39;s fun for everyone to be able to identify famous Chicago buildings.</p>


Snap photos on the architecture river cruise

<h3><strong>Get inspired by art</strong></h3>

<p>Artsy teens (and their parents!) won&#39;t want to miss out on the chance to visit Chicago&#39;s top-rated museum. The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/art-institute-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Art Institute of Chicago</a>&nbsp;is an international favorite and draws in so many people to its amazing collections of art and artifacts that span the entire globe and all across history.</p>

<p>Be especially sure to check out the Modern Wing. Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano and filled with only the most exciting modern and contemporary art, it&#39;s the place to be.</p>

<p><strong>Insider Tip:&nbsp;</strong>Download their innovative mobile guide to help navigate the museum.</p>


<p>For fans of animals, Chicago is a delightful destination. The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/lincoln-park-zoo-vs-brookfield-zoo-comparison-of-chicago-zoos" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Brookfield Zoo</a>&nbsp;features a diversity of animal exhibits, a massive nature park, and a fun animal-themed carousel. Teens will especially appreciate majestic creatures like big cats. Or, if you prefer to stay closer to the city, Lincoln Park offers a fun, small-scale zoo with an equally entertaining selection of animals. If you&#39;re really feeling like letting loose and acting like a little kid again, there are also some fun rides.</p>


Chill with animals at the Brookfield Zoo

Check out our favorite things to do in Chicago with teens. Save on admission to many of these popular attractions that are fun for teenagers.

10+ Things to Do in Chicago with Teens - Go City

How to spend a week in the Windy City

It’s an expansive urban setting, with many diverse neighborhoods that all have unique offerings in the way of sightseeing and attractions. While it’s simply not possible to visit each and every neighborhood, we’ve put together a list of the major areas of Chicago that you shouldn’t miss on your trip. 

A week in Chicago for first timers

<p>You can visit some, or all of these neighborhoods as part of a week-long vacation in Chicago. This list of suggested areas also includes our favorite attractions to explore, including world-class museums, popular tours and cruises, an amusement park, a zoo, and many more.</p>

<p>This itinerary includes popular attractions grouped by neighborhood or type of activity, including:</p>

<p><strong>Magnificent Mile / River North:&nbsp;</strong>Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Tour, 360 CHICAGO, Mag Mile shopping<br />
<strong>The Loop:&nbsp;</strong>Art Institute of Chicago, Skydeck Chicago, Millennium Park<br />
<strong>Museum Campus:&nbsp;</strong>The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium<br />
<strong>South Lake Shore / Hyde Park:&nbsp;</strong>Museum of Science &amp; Industry, Robie House, University of Chicago museums<br />
<strong>Lincoln Park:&nbsp;</strong>Lincoln Park Zoo &amp; Rides, Chicago History Museum<br />
<strong>Navy Pier:&nbsp;</strong>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Rides, Architecture River Cruise, Classic Lake Tour</p>

<p>Spending less time in Chicago but still want to see the best of the city?</p>

<p>Check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/one-day-in-chicago">1 Day</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/weekend-in-chicago">2 Days/Weekend Getaway</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-itinerary">3 Days in Chicago Itinerary</a>.</p>

<h2><strong>Magnificent Mile / River North</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Tour</strong></h3>

<p>First-time visitors to the city, or those who haven&rsquo;t been able to see and do a lot on previous visits, should take advantage of the opportunity to take a bus tour. Choose this hop-on hop-off option for maximum flexibility and fun.</p>

<p>They&rsquo;ll narrate your progress as you go along in a fun and informative way, and you can get off at anything that interests you. Win-win! It also picks up conveniently at the Hancock Tower, which is great for travelers who want to see 360 CHICAGO, Water Tower Place Shopping, and other Mag Mile attractions.</p>

<h3><strong>360 CHICAGO</strong></h3>


<p>360 CHICAGO makes for another perfect introduction to the city &ndash; from a totally awesome perspective! See the city from some 94 floors above ground level, and snap some amazing photos. There are also some fun exhibits to explore at the top, explaining the tower&#39;s background, the history of the city, and important events.</p>

<p>This observation deck is located in the Hancock Tower, conveniently right in the middle of the Magnificent Mile attractions.</p>


<p>Another option for seeing the city from a bird&#39;s perspective is Skydeck Chicago. Located in the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), this fantastic observation deck provides unparalleled views of the city below. From your perch 103 stories in the air, you&rsquo;ll see everything from Navy Pier down to Soldier Field. The Skydeck Chicago also features several interactive exhibits and displays, so you can learn about the history of the city and the building itself.</p>


Skydeck Chicago

<p>Navy Pier is a major cultural destination in Chicago and everyone should spend some time there. Come here for the rides, the entertainment, the cruises, the bike rentals, and more. Visit the Children&rsquo;s Museum (also on the Go Chicago Card). Take in a play at the exciting Chicago Shakespeare Theater space. Then hop aboard the Centennial Wheel!</p>


<h3><strong>Architecture River Cruise</strong></h3>

<p>An excellent way to learn more about the city and enjoy a relaxing hour on the water is to take the famous Architecture River Cruise, which departs from Navy Pier. This informative cruise will tell you all about Chicago&rsquo;s famous architectural history, and point out the major buildings by the most renowned architects. Plus, you&rsquo;ll get some killer pictures out of it!</p>


<p>Along with Oak Street, Michigan Avenue is one of the shopping hotspots in the city. While shops do tend towards the high end, you&rsquo;ll also find fast fashion and more affordable fare like H&amp;M, Target, and UNIQLO. There are so many fun places just to window shop. If you&rsquo;re visiting in December, be sure to keep an eye out for creative holiday window decorations.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;It&rsquo;s free to stroll Michigan Avenue.</p>


Mag Mile shopping

<h3><strong>Chicago History Museum</strong></h3>

<p>The Chicago History Museum is one of the city&rsquo;s best resources for learning about Chicago history and culture. Even natives love to come here and explore their impressive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the important cultural history of their city. Definitely spend an hour or two here with the kids exploring exhibits like &ldquo;Chicago Authored&rdquo; and &ldquo;Imagining Chicago.&rdquo;</p>

<h2><strong>Navy Pier</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Rides</strong></h3>


<p>Located on the campus of the University of Chicago, this is one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the area open for touring. Built for Frederick C. Robie in the early years of the twentieth century, this beautiful home is an excellent example of Prairie-style architecture. There are only a few FLW buildings in the world, so don&rsquo;t miss the chance to see one of them up close.</p>


Robie House

<h3><strong>Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago</strong></h3>

<p>For another museum option in the area, head to the small but fantastic Smart Museum of Art. It&rsquo;s an art museum affiliated with the University of Chicago, and it&rsquo;s filled with rotating exhibits on a variety of artistic and cultural topics. You should also stop by the outdoor sculpture garden, which is a nice place for fun photos.</p>

<h2><strong>Lincoln Park</strong></h2>


<p>If you&rsquo;re in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, then a visit to the zoo is in order. Come here to see a nice selection of your favorite animals in recreated natural environments, from grand polar bears to tiny turtles. The kids can also enjoy a few rides aboard the historical carousel and the Lionel Train Adventure.</p>


Lincoln Park Zoo & Rides

<h2><strong>Let&rsquo;s Recap</strong></h2>

<p>This week in Chicago itinerary is designed to be a great introduction to the city, from top to bottom. It&rsquo;s the perfect way to truly feel as though you&rsquo;ve gotten to know the fantastic Windy City. Choose from any of these top attractions to craft your perfect week in Chicago!&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Save up to 50% on Chicago attractions with Go City&reg;</h2>

<p>Planning your Chicago trip? With Go City&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>☀️<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">See all Chicago attractions</a> ☀️ &ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations</a> 🌏 &ndash; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes?choices=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a San Antonio pass</a> ✈️&nbsp;</p>


<p>Another cruise option for the Navy Pier area is the Classic Lake Tour. This 45-minute excursion takes you out onto Lake Michigan &ndash; a lake so big it has massive tides and many popular beaches &ndash; to see the city skyline from afar. As you sail along, you&rsquo;ll be treated to professional narration about the city&rsquo;s heritage and history.</p>


Classic Lake Tour

<h2><strong>The Loop Attractions</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Art Institute of Chicago</strong></h3>

<p>One of the best art museums in the entire world, the Art Institute of Chicago should definitely be on your list. Their collections are impressively diverse, so even if you&rsquo;re an accomplished museum-goer, you&rsquo;re sure to find something new to enjoy at the Art Institute. You&#39;ll see everyone from classical Greek statuary to ancient Asian jewelry and modern painting. Plus, they have some awesome gift shops, so souvenir shopping = solved.</p>


<p>In this part of the city, you simply can&rsquo;t pass up the opportunity to explore Millennium Park a little bit. This expansive greenspace is one of the modern marvels of the city, and plays host to a growing host of activities year-round, from yoga in the park to free concerts. Come here for fun free activities, and be sure to check out the public art, like &ldquo;Cloud Gate,&rdquo; aka, The Bean.</p>


Millennium Park

<h2><strong>Museum Campus</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>The Field Museum</strong></h3>


<p>On another day of your Chicago vacation, you&rsquo;ll want to head down to the Museum Campus. This fantastic area of the city boasts three top museums, all of them must-visits. The Field Museum is one of the world&rsquo;s leading natural history museums, offering exhibits of artifacts from millennia of world history. You&rsquo;ll find all the most important natural artifacts, from precious gemstones to dinosaur fossils to ancient Chinese art and architecture. For those of you who have visited before, keep an eye out for SUE the T. Rex.</p>


<h2><strong>Shedd Aquarium</strong></h2>


<p>Come here to see an amazing collection of aquatic critters, big and small. In fact, you&rsquo;ll be able to see about 32,000 of them! You can explore diverse marine and freshwater habitats and learn all about their fascinating inhabitants. Featured exhibits include &ldquo;Waters of the World,&rdquo; &ldquo;Amazon Rising,&rdquo; and the &ldquo;Polar Play Zone.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Bonus:&nbsp;</strong>Go City&reg; Chicago pass holders get priority entry! This can save loads of time during the busy summer months.</p>


Shedd Aquarium

<h3><strong>Adler Planetarium</strong></h3>


<p>Opt for all-access admission to the Adler Planetarium on your visit and you&rsquo;ll get to see exhibits that study all facets of space, both known and unknown. A fun exhibit is the sky show &ldquo;Planet Nine,&rdquo; which focuses on the search for the new ninth planet. You should also check out the Historic Atwood Sphere &ndash; Chicago&rsquo;s oldest planetarium! Adler even hosts frequent monthly &ldquo;Adler After Dark&rdquo; events which can be fun, too.</p>


<h2><strong>South Lake Shore / Hyde Park</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Museum of Science &amp; Industry</strong></h3>

<p>Voted one of the top 25 museums in a recent TripAdvisor poll, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is a must-visit for fans of science and engineering. Here you can explore over 14 acres of exhibits and interactive displays at the largest (and arguably the coolest) science museum in the country. Featured exhibits include an indoor tornado, a real WWII submarine, an Illinois coal mine, and a mirror maze.</p>


This popular one week in Chicago itinerary includes the best things to do during your 7 days, or even 5 days in Chicago. Save on admission & more. Enjoy!

A Week in Chicago Itinerary - 5 to 7 Days in Chicago

Navigate the Windy City like a pro.

Voted America's most walkable city, Chicago is great to explore on foot and it's also very bike-friendly. Otherwise, you've got the reliable L train, taxis, and more. Let's go!

A guide to getting around Chicago for tourists

<p>Planning a trip to Chicago? We&#39;ve put together a go-to guide packed with information and insider tips for getting around Chicago and beyond, including getting to and from the airports.</p>

<p>Chicago is a large city but it&#39;s easy to navigate by walking, taxi, and public transportation. Plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-neighborhoods" rel="noopener" target="_blank">explore Chicago by neighborhood</a>&nbsp;to reduce transportation time and make the most of car or bike rental days.</p>

<p><strong>Insider tip:</strong> It&rsquo;s helpful to think of Chicago as a vertical city, with Lake Michigan as a natural border to the east. Chicago&rsquo;s numerical grid system is an easy reference point for directions. Every address is relative to the 0/0 mark at the State Street and Madison intersection, and every 8 blocks equals 1 mile.</p>

<h2>Walking</h2>


<p>Despite its size, Chicago was recently voted America&#39;s most walkable city! Many of the city&rsquo;s top attractions are a short walk or ride away from each other. Weather permitting, walking is the best way to see the city and the hidden treasures of architecture and public art in the downtown area. You never know what you might find.</p>


<h3>Midway International Aiport</h3>

<p>Although it&#39;s smaller than O&#39;Hare, Midway is closer to the Loop and services more discount airlines (but fewer airlines overall). If you&#39;re looking for a good deal on plane tickets, check out flights to Midway.</p>

<p>The options for getting into town by car are similar to those for O&#39;Hare &ndash; taxis and Airport Express vans are both easily available (reservations required for the latter). The car ride takes about 20 minutes without traffic. Getting downtown from Midway by public transportation is fast and easy, but the Orange Line, which services Midway, stops operating between the hours of 11:30pm and 5:00am.</p>

<p>For those traveling with lots of luggage, beware that the train station is a good walk from the terminal. The Orange Line runs every 6-15 minutes and takes about 25 minutes to get downtown.</p>


<p>Chicago&#39;s O&#39;Hare is one of the world&#39;s busiest airports. It&#39;s about 15 miles northwest of the Loop in downtown Chicago. O&#39;Hare has 5 terminals, all of which have information booths and multilingual employees to assist you.</p>

<p>If you have a lot of baggage and want to get into town by car, you have 2 main options: taxis or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.airportexpress.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">GO Airport Express</a>. Taxis are everywhere at the airport. Airport Express vans provide service to most hotels in Chicago and must be reserved ahead of time. For either option, you can expect the ride to downtown to take at least 30 minutes, but up to 2 hours in heavy traffic so plan accordingly.</p>

<p>Public transportation provides an affordable alternative and avoids traffic. From O&#39;Hare, the Blue Line takes you downtown in about 40 minutes. Trains leave every 6-10 minutes during the day and every half-hour in the evening and overnight.</p>


<h2>Planning to visit lots of Chicago attractions?</h2>

<p>With <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Go City&reg;</a> you won&#39;t miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do. So go grab your <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" target="_blank">Chicago attraction pass</a> and go see the sights!</p>

<p>☀️<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Compare Chicago passes</a>☀️ &ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations </a>🌏 &ndash;&nbsp; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes?duration=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a pass</a> ✈️&nbsp;</p>


<p>The buses and trains of the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) are a fast and cost-effective way to get into and around the city. Known as the &quot;L&quot; (though they may be elevated or underground) the trains are a fun way to see The Loop from a new vantage point.</p>

<p>CTA visitor passes offer the best value, with unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses and passes are easy to use. They activate the first time you use them and are valid for the number of consecutive days purchased. Just tap your pass at the bus fare machine or the train station turnstile. Check the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.transitchicago.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">CTA website</a>&nbsp;for the latest fares, travel alerts, and trip planners.</p>

<p><strong>Insider Tip:&nbsp;</strong>You can&#39;t add money onto your pass while on the bus, so be aware of how much is remaining on your card if you don&#39;t opt for an unlimited ride pass. However, you can add money at train stations and at places like Walgreens.</p>


<p>Taxis are abundant throughout most of Chicago so finding a cab is typically easy. Taxi rates depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. They can get a little pricey, but taxis provide a fast and convenient way to get around the city, particularly beyond downtown.</p>

<p>More affordable options include ride-share apps like Lyft or Uber, which are plentiful in Chicago and easy to use. They do, however, require the app, so if you&#39;re interested in these options be sure to download it in advance.</p>


<p>If time and weather permit, consider&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/bike-and-roll-chicago-four-hour-bike-rental" rel="noopener" target="_blank">renting a bike</a>. Chicago&rsquo;s lakefront boasts 26 uninterrupted miles of easy bike and walking trails. Half-day rentals are available from Bike and Roll at Navy Pier and Millennium Park.</p>


<h2>Other options</h2>

<p>You can also take a&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/attractions/hop-hop-big-bus-chicago-1-day-classic-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of Chicago</a>&nbsp;to see the sites at your own pace. This fun bus tour is an excellent way to get around the top areas of the city (just keep in mind that you will be subject to traffic, especially on Michigan Avenue). So, if you&#39;ve got a reservation, you would be better off using public transport.</p>

<h2>Driving and parking</h2>


<p>Navigating the grid by car is easy but securing a parking spot downtown can be difficult. Parking garages are the easiest option but keep in mind hourly rates can be expensive. (Think upwards of $30 per hour in the most popular neighborhoods.)</p>


<h2>Beyond Chicago</h2>

<p>For trips outside of the city, consider a rental car or the&nbsp;<a href="http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Metra System</a>&nbsp;that services nearby communities and suburbs of Chicago. Metra is inexpensive and easy to use - it&#39;s a smart way to get to the South Shore and the University of Chicago, for example.</p>

<h2>From the airports</h2>

<h3>O&#39;Hare International Airport</h3>


The best way of getting around Chicago to explore the city during your vacation. A quick how to get around Chicago guide for tourists.

Getting Around Chicago - How to Get Around Chicago for Tourists

Planning a vacation to Chicago?

Chicago offers a myriad of things to do that are fun for the whole family. From world-renowned museums to beautiful urban parks, there are plenty of family-friendly sights for you and your children to enjoy.

15+ things to do in Chicago with kids for an amazing trip

<p>Chicago is a great city for families traveling with children. What&#39;s more, the Windy City also boasts many kid-friendly free year-round activities, including concerts from local and internationally acclaimed musicians, art exhibits, and theater performances. Check out our list of things to do in Chicago with kids, including...</p>

<ul>
	<li>Shedd Aquarium</li>
	<li>The Field Museum</li>
	<li>Chicago Children&rsquo;s Museum</li>
	<li>Museum of Science and Industry</li>
	<li>LEGOLAND&reg; Discovery Center</li>
	<li>Brookfield Zoo</li>
	<li>Lincoln Park Zoo &amp; Rides</li>
	<li>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Rides</li>
	<li>JourneyMaker at The Art Institute of Chicago</li>
	<li>and more...</li>
</ul>

<h2>Shedd Aquarium</h2>


<p>Shedd Aquarium is known for being one of the best things to do in Chicago with kids. It&#39;s packed with kid-friendly exhibits and explores topics they&#39;ll find both fascinating and educational. For example, you&#39;ll get a diver&#39;s-eye-view of the underwater world&#39;s most interesting creatures.</p>

<p>The floor-to-ceiling exhibit windows put you eye-to-eye with beluga whales, moon jellies, parrotfish, sharks, and even the giant octopus.&nbsp;Shedd Aquarium&#39;s unique exhibits give your children the opportunity to be explorers for the day. Other popular exhibit areas include the Caribbean Reef and the Polar Play Zone, which both highlight important marine habitats and provide tons of interactive fun.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>The Field Museum</h2>

<p>Come meet SUE, the world&#39;s largest T-Rex, in her own &quot;throne room&quot; at this famous science and anthropology museum. At this larger-than-life exhibit and many others, you and your family will travel back in time and all around the world.&nbsp; In addition to these astounding educational displays, the younger kids will enjoy &quot;interpretative stations&quot; that host hands-on activities like writing in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.</p>

<p>You&#39;ll also find exhibits to appeal to older children as well, like the Cyrus Tang Hall of China, which details millennia of Chinese history, or the Evolving Planet exhibit, which explores 4&nbsp;<em>billion</em>&nbsp;years of the history of Planet Earth. With Go City&reg; Chicago passes, you also get admission to one special exhibit. Be sure to scope out their selection of visiting exhibitions to see what tickles your fancy!&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/field-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Field Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>

<h2>Adler Planetarium</h2>


<p>Navy Pier and its surrounding attractions are full of fun activities for kids and adults alike (see above for some more details on all the stuff you can enjoy while there). Take a stroll around the pier, sample some classic boardwalk eats, and take a spin on the iconic Ferris wheel for unbeatable views of the city. Use your Go City&reg; Chicago pass to get a 4-Ride pass for Navy Pier attractions, including the ever-popular Centennial Wheel.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/navy-pier-centennial-wheel-and-ride" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Navy Pier Centennial Wheel &amp; Ride tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>Bike and Roll Chicago</h2>

<p>Looking for things to do in Chicago with kids that just don&#39;t stop? Burn off some excess energy and explore the city by bike. Chicago is a very bike-friendly city with 26 miles of easy lakefront trails. Use your rental as transportation to and from attractions you plan to visit, just ride north to Lincoln Park (home of the zoo and Chicago History Museum) or south to Grant Park and the Museum Campus. Bikes are also a good way to keep your kids active and to get the whole family some exercise.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/bike-and-roll-chicago-four-hour-bike-rental" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago bike rentals from Navy Pier</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>

<h2>Museum of Science and Industry</h2>


<p>Kids will love exploring the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere. Filled with exciting interactive exhibits, fun hands-on activities, and enlightening films, this museum is an educational haven for kids of all ages. Highlights of the museum include a replicated 40-foot tornado, a real German submarine dating from WWII, a 727 aircraft, a fully functional eco-friendly home, and much more! It&rsquo;s the ideal attraction for the curious.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/museum-science-and-industry" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Museum of Science and Industry admission</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<p>No trip to Chicago is complete without a stop at the Art Institute, celebrated worldwide as a leading museum for high-quality art. With the huge variety of exhibits the Institute offers, there&#39;s bound to be something for the whole family. Be sure to try out JourneyMaker - a fun tool that allows your family to create your very own tour of the museum.</p>

<p>Choose one of eight storylines&mdash;like Superheroes, Time Travelers, or Strange and Wild Creatures&mdash;and then select works from the museum&rsquo;s collection within that story. After you&rsquo;ve made your selections, print out your personalized Journey Guide, which includes information, activities, and wayfinding directions. Then head into the museum for an art-filled adventure! There&#39;s also a convenient mobile app that you and your older children may find useful and entertaining.</p>


<h2>Tall Ship Windy</h2>

<p>Grab the family and jump on board Navy Pier&#39;s 148-foot, four-masted traditional schooner for a sailing adventure to remember. Whether you&#39;re a first-time sailor or more experienced on the open water, this unique view of Chicago is one you won&#39;t want to miss. Your boat-loving children will never forget this memorable experience.</p>

<p>Marvel at unparalleled views of the Chicago skyline while learning about the history and practice of sailing from the Windy&#39;s knowledgeable and creative crew. After some instruction, practice hoisting the sails yourself. Don&#39;t forget the camera!&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Millennium Park</h2>


<p>Take a stroll around this impeccably designed urban green space and be sure to note some of the park&#39;s design highlights and top attractions. The Pritzker Pavilion is where you&#39;ll find free or low-priced concerts in the warmer months. The kid-friendly Lurie Garden is the perfect place for them to explore nature, especially native Midwest flora. They&#39;ll love playing near the Crown Fountain come summertime, and the famous Cloud Gate Sculpture (also known as &quot;the Bean&quot;) is the perfect place for silly photos.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong>Admission to Millennium Park is free.</p>


<h2>Save up to 50% on kid-friendly Chicago attractions&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Planning your Chicago trip? With Go City&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>☀️<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">See all Chicago attractions</a> ☀️ &ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations</a> 🌏 &ndash; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes?choices=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a Chicago pass</a> ✈️&nbsp;</p>


<p>Who doesn&rsquo;t love LEGO&reg;? There are plenty of things to do with kids here. Take the whole family to explore this totally immersive indoor LEGO&reg; wonderland, populated by exciting and interactive exhibits that bring your children&rsquo;s favorite toys to life. Some of the most popular attractions at LEGOLAND&reg; include the 4-D cinema experience, the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, and construction demonstrations by the Master Model Builder.</p>

<p>Little ones will especially enjoy MINILAND, the interactive LEGO&reg; world built just for them! This attraction is specifically geared toward younger children, although older kids and teens will still love the opportunity to play around with their favorite blocks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions/legoland-discovery-center-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">LEGOLAND</a>&reg;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions/legoland-discovery-center-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&nbsp;Discovery Center tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<p>Experience outer space without leaving Chicago at America&#39;s first planetarium. Let your child become a space voyager at &quot;Planet Explorers,&quot; the most immersive, hands-on exhibition the museum has ever offered. Be sure to also check out &quot;Planet Nine,&quot; their most exciting sky show, which follows the quest for a new ninth planet.</p>

<p>Catch a stellar space show in one of the museum&#39;s three full-size theaters. And don&#39;t let the fun stop when you leave; walk out onto Adler&#39;s north or south terraces to view the breathtaking Chicago skyline. This is a great place for photos, too. You&#39;ll love having pictures of the kids with Lake Michigan or the Chicago skyline in the background.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>Chicago Children&rsquo;s Museum</h2>

<p>Amid dozens of restaurants and shops, the Navy Pierce Family Pavilion houses the Chicago Children&#39;s Museum (CCM). The CCM is a first-rate museum where play and learning come together for families with children through the age of 10. An especially popular exhibit is &quot;Dinosaur Expedition,&quot; where little ones can explore a real fossil pit where the remains of a massive Suchomimus (a large, fish-eating dinosaur) were found.</p>

<p>The Tinkering Lab is ideal for creative kids, giving them space to invent anything they please with a variety of age-appropriate tools and materials. While you&#39;re in the area, check out the Navy Pier IMAX Theater to view re-mastered Hollywood hits on a 60-foot screen. Just beyond the pavilion, explore the famous Crystal Gardens, an enormous indoor botanical park that hosts over 70 full-size palm trees.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/chicago-childrens-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago Children&#39;s Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>

<h2>360 CHICAGO</h2>


<p>360 CHICAGO is the popular observation deck on the 94th floor of the iconic John Hancock Tower located on Michigan Avenue. You&#39;ll get excellent views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier (keep an eye out for the Ferris wheel), the city skyline and its surrounding suburbs, and more. Many interactive and engaging exhibits trace the history of Chicago.</p>

<p>Have adventurous kids? Consider purchasing a ticket to experience Tilt. You&#39;ll be able to look out over the Magnificent Mile below as the floor, wall, and ceiling move downwards to a 30-degree angle. Not for the faint of heart!&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/360-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">360 CHICAGO tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<p>Spend a day at Chicagoland&rsquo;s largest zoo and meet some of the world&rsquo;s most charming and fascinating creatures. This 216-acre nature park is filled with a wide variety of animals, plants, and even an animal-themed carousel &ndash; so your kids will find plenty to enjoy.</p>

<p>Don&rsquo;t forget to take a ride on the Motor Safari tram, explore the &ldquo;Great Bear Wilderness,&rdquo; and pop into the &ldquo;Butterflies!&rdquo; exhibit. Little ones will particularly enjoy the Family Play Zoo, where they can explore and play to their heart&#39;s content. They can play at being zoo keepers, dress up like a playful lemur, and even exercise their creativity with some animal-themed crafts.</p>


<p>This smaller urban zoo is nestled in the heart of one of Chicago&rsquo;s most popular parks, and its accessibility makes it a popular attraction for local families. Popular creatures at the Lincoln Park Zoo include the darling Red Pandas at the Kovler Lion House, the playful snow monkeys, the young snow leopard Taza, and many more.</p>

<p>They also offer fun attractions that kids will especially enjoy, including the marvelous Endangered Species Carousel, lovingly painted and crafted, and the Lionel Train Adventure, which all the little ones will love.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong>Lincoln Park Zoo admission is free; your Go City&reg; Chicago pass&nbsp;provides tickets to the Endangered Species Carousel and the Lionel Train Adventure.</p>


<h2>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Rides</h2>


Check out our favorite things to do in Chicago with kids. Save on admission to many of these popular Chicago family friendly attractions & more!

15+ Things to Do in Chicago with Kids - Go City

This popular Chicago itinerary includes the best things to do during your three days in the Windy City!

Chicago offers diverse cultural experiences, world-class museums, exciting culinary adventures, and renowned architecture.

Chicago itinerary – 3 days in Chicago for first timers

<p>We just made your trip a lot easier with our 3 Days in Chicago itinerary. From arts and culture to science and entertainment, you&rsquo;ll find a little bit of everything on this itinerary. As Chicago weather varies so dramatically between seasons, we&#39;ve also included some indoor and outdoor options, so you can make this itinerary work for a vacation at any time of year.</p>

<p><strong>This 3-day itinerary includes:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour</li>
	<li>Shedd Aquarium</li>
	<li>The Field Museum</li>
	<li>360 CHICAGO</li>
	<li>Magnificent Mile (free!)</li>
	<li>Navy Pier Centennial Wheel &amp; Rides</li>
	<li>Skydeck Chicago</li>
	<li>The Art Institute of Chicago</li>
	<li>and more!</li>
</ul>

<p>🗓️ &gt;&gt; Only have a few days in Chicago? We&rsquo;ve also put together a&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/one-day-in-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">1 day</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/weekend-in-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">weekend in Chicago itinerary</a>.</p>

<h2>DAY 1 Stop #1: Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Chicago tour</h2>

<p>This is the perfect introduction to the Windy City. The Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour will take you past all the top attractions and landmarks, and your knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will fill you in on important facts and insider info. It&rsquo;s a great way to get oriented within the city as a whole before you start exploring on your own.</p>

<p>A few of the highlights of your tour include the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and more. You&rsquo;ll be able to disembark at most landmarks, so it&rsquo;s easy to use this to further your itinerary (traffic can be a factor, so don&#39;t rely exclusively on your Big Bus for transportation). Or, as the tour lasts two hours, you could stay on the bus for the whole route to see as much of the city as possible.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/attractions/hop-hop-big-bus-chicago-1-day-classic-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hop On Hop Off Chicago Bus Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago&nbsp;passes.</p>

<h2>Stop #2: Shedd Aquarium</h2>


<p>Next, head down to Chicago&rsquo;s Museum Campus and pay a visit to its crown jewel &ndash; the Shedd Aquarium. Home to 32,000 fascinating and unique creatures from a range of diverse habitats, Shedd is one of the best aquariums in the country. Popular exhibits included with your admission are Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, Abbott Oceanarium, Wild Reef, and the Polar Play Zone. Be sure to check out their new attraction, Underwater Beauty.</p>

<p>Shedd Aquarium also allows you to get up close with the animals &ndash; you can feed stingrays at &quot;Stingray Touch&quot; at no additional cost. However, if you want a truly memorable experience, you can meet a beluga whale, a sea otter, or a penguin, for an additional fee. Check out the Shedd Aquarium&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/Advance-Ticket-Options-Tickets/Extraordinary-Experiences/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Extraordinary Experiences</a>&nbsp;for more information. We recommend reserving at least 2-3 hours for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on the&nbsp;Go City&reg; All-Inclusive Chicago pass only.</p>


<p>After lunch, head down to the Navy Pier area to get a little exercise. Rent a bike and enjoy the waterfront on two wheels! Chicago is a cyclist&rsquo;s paradise, filled with trails, parks, and pathways just waiting to be explored.</p>

<p>There are 26 miles of lakefront trails for you to enjoy, so you&rsquo;ll really be able to get a feel for the beautiful scenery. Your rental is valid for 4 hours, but if you want to see an additional attraction today we recommend reserving only 2 hours for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/bike-and-roll-chicago-four-hour-bike-rental" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bike and Roll Chicago rentals at Navy Pier</a>&nbsp;are included on all Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>Stop #4: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel</h2>


<p>Check out Chicago&rsquo;s other sky-high attraction &ndash; SkyDeck Chicago at the Willis Tower. From the 103rd floor of the tower, you&rsquo;ll be treated to stunning and unbeatable views &ndash;1,353 feet up in the air! Some of the highlights you&rsquo;ll be able to see in the city below include everything from Navy Pier to Soldier Field and the Museum Campus. Don&rsquo;t forget to bring your camera to this attraction! We recommend reserving 1 hour for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/skydeck-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">SkyDeck Chicago at Willis Tower tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>Save up to 50% on Chicago attractions&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Planning your Chicago trip? With Go City&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. So pick up your <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" target="_blank">Chicago pass</a> and get exploring!&nbsp;</p>

<p>☀️<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">See all Chicago attractions</a> ☀️ &ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations</a> 🌏 &ndash; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes?duration=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a Chicago pass</a> ✈️&nbsp;</p>


<p>Whether you&#39;ve tootled around on a bike or explored the Children&#39;s Museum, be sure to also reserve some time to explore the Pier itself. It&rsquo;s Chicago&rsquo;s most-visited free attraction and has tons to offer the out-of-town visitor. With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children&rsquo;s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here!</p>

<p>One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city. There are also a few other theme park-style rides to enjoy, from swings to a mini-golf course. Although entrance to the Pier itself is free, your Go City&reg; Chicago pass covers the admission costs for the Centennial Wheel and other rides. We recommend reserving 1 hour for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/navy-pier-centennial-wheel-and-ride" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Navy Pier Centennial Wheel tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>Stop #2: The Art Institute of Chicago</h2>


<p>Now&rsquo;s the time to explore the artsy side of Chicago with a visit to one of the country&rsquo;s most prestigious art museums. The Art Institute of Chicago features celebrated collections of modern and contemporary art, architecture, design, and photography, as well as Impressionist paintings, decorative arts, and more.</p>

<p>Some of the most famous pieces at the Art Institute include the Chagall stained glass windows, Grant Wood&rsquo;s&nbsp;<em>American Gothic,</em>&nbsp;Matisse&rsquo;s&nbsp;<em>Bathers by a River</em>, and Georgia O&rsquo;Keeffe&rsquo;s&nbsp;<em>Black Cross, New Mexico.</em>&nbsp;We recommend reserving at least 2 hours for this attraction, perhaps more if you&rsquo;re an art lover.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


<h2>Stop #3: Millennium Park (free!)</h2>


<p>Take some time to stroll around this beautiful urban greenspace. Be sure to note highlights like the Pritzker Pavilion &ndash; an architectural marvel &ndash; and the charming Lurie Garden. You can also explore some of the park&rsquo;s iconic works of art. Be sure to check out the Crown Fountain and the Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as the Bean, pictured above).</p>

<p>Get your cameras at the ready when you&#39;re at the Bean. It&#39;s one of Chicago&#39;s most recognizable spots and a go-to for a vacation snap! There will also be several special events going on in the park from late spring to early fall. Do a little research before your visit to see what&#39;s on. You can expect everything from prestigious concerts to food festivals and free yoga. We recommend reserving about 1 hour to explore the park; more if you&#39;re participating in an event.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong>It&#39;s free to explore Millennium Park, but any additional activities may incur extra costs not covered by the pass.</p>


<h2>Chicago has something for everyone</h2>

<p>So, doesn&rsquo;t that sound like the best three days in Chicago you could wish for? With a great mix of art, culture, entertainment, education, and just plain fun, we know this Chicago itinerary will please first-time visitors and returning customers alike.</p>

<p>Don&#39;t forget to make the most of your evenings in Chicago too. Check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/best-nightlife-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago nightlife guide</a>&nbsp;for some more fun ideas to add to your itinerary.</p>


<h2>Stop #1: Architecture River Cruise (outdoor option)</h2>

<p>Start off your morning with a beautiful cruise down the Chicago River. This cruise only runs during the warmer months (and can be a bit too chilly during the early spring and late fall, even if it is running), so we recommend reserving this attraction for the warmest times of the year. This insightful cruise will provide you with background information on Chicago&rsquo;s most iconic landmarks and its famous skyline, practically building by building.</p>

<p>Some of the highlights you&rsquo;ll see on your Architecture River Cruise include buildings by Mies van der Rohe, Skidmore Owings Merrill, and Helmut Jahn, plus the Willis Tower and the Old Post Office Building. It&#39;s a must not only for fans of architecture but for anyone who wants to get a feel for Chicago&#39;s history, particularly the history of the built environment after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions/shoreline-architecture-river-cruise" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago Architecture Boat Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on the Go City&reg; Chicago Explorer pass only.</p>

<h2>Stop #2: 360 CHICAGO</h2>


<p>At the top of the iconic John Hancock Tower, you&#39;ll find the awesome 360 CHICAGO observation deck. From your 94th-floor vantage point (over 1000 feet in the air!) you&rsquo;ll get unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the city below, especially if you&#39;re daring enough to lean out on the tilted glass.</p>

<p>What&#39;s more, the elevator to the top is the fastest in the city, whizzing you from the ground to the observation deck in under a minute.</p>

<p>A visit here is both a great photo opportunity and a good chance to learn more about Chicago&rsquo;s famous architecture. As a bonus, this attraction is very conveniently located in the heart of an area you&#39;ll want to explore anyway: Michigan Avenue. We recommend reserving at least 1 hour for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/360-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">360 CHICAGO tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg;&nbsp;Chicago passes.</p>


<p>After lunch, head to this popular natural history museum for an educational and entertaining afternoon. The Field Museum has spent over 100 years curating and adding to its collections, so you know their selection and breadth of artifacts and objects will be impressive.</p>

<p>Some of the highlights of their collection include SUE, the famous T-Rex (the most complete skeleton of her species), the notorious Tsavo Lions, an extensive collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, a beautiful selection of gemstones and minerals, and the fun &ldquo;Underground Adventure&rdquo; exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/field-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Field Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on the Go Chicago pass.</p>


<p>End your day with a visit to the last (but by no means the least) of the Museum Campus institutions. The Adler Planetarium has a lot to offer curious visitors. With nine special exhibits, multiple theaters, and the historic Atwood Sphere experience, there are tons of fun activities that the whole family will enjoy.</p>

<p>Popular exhibits include Chicago&#39;s Night Sky, Planet Explorers, Imagine the Moon, Our Solar System, and more. This is a must-see attraction for any aspiring scientists or space lovers in the family. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>


<h2>DAY 2 Stop #1: Chicago Theatre tour (indoor option)</h2>


<p>Take a tour of the iconic Chicago Theatre, home to legendary performances by world-class actors. One of the most well-regarded theaters in the country, the Chicago Theatre is a must-visit for history buffs and culture lovers.</p>

<p>On this tour, you&rsquo;ll get to walk across a stage that&rsquo;s played host to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and gaze at the French Baroque interiors. Plus, you&#39;ll see the walls with tons of celebrity autographs scrawled across them. This venue is a beauty from top to bottom.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/chicago-theatre-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago Theatre Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all&nbsp;Go City&reg;&nbsp;Chicago passes.</p>


<p>Once you leave 360 CHICAGO, wander along Michigan Avenue (aka. the Magnificent Mile) in search of some more fun. There&#39;s a boatload of shopping around, including everything from affordable fashion to high-end boutiques that are just perfect for window shopping. There are also endless dining choices, so you&#39;re sure to find something of interest down Michigan Avenue.</p>

<p>You&rsquo;ll find plenty of options, especially if you explore side streets. The nearby Water Tower Place Mall has a food court, too, which offers a selection of options that even the pickiest eater will find delicious.</p>


<h2>Stop #3: Chicago Children&#39;s Museum (indoor option)</h2>

<p>Located right on Navy Pier, the Chicago Children&rsquo;s Museum is a family favorite. Full of interactive exhibits, dynamic displays, and educational fun, there&rsquo;s so much to do at this institution that your kids will never tire of it. Featured exhibits and areas include Dinosaur Expedition, where kids can explore a real excavation pit where dinosaur fossils were discovered, and Tinkering Lab, which allows kids to exercise their creativity and analytical skills by playing around with different parts and tools.</p>

<p><strong>Getting In:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/chicago-childrens-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago Children&rsquo;s Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on all Go City&reg; Chicago passes.</p>

<h2>Stop #3: Bike rental (outdoor option)</h2>


This popular Chicago itinerary includes the best things to do during your 3 days in Chicago. Save on admission & more. Enjoy!

Chicago Itinerary - 3 Days in Chicago for First-timers

As a hub of architectural style and advancement, there is quite a bit to marvel at from above in Chicago.

From panoramic views of unique skyscrapers to the Chicago River, SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO both offer incredible views of the Windy City.

360 CHICAGO vs SkyDeck Chicago: comparing the differences between the two observation decks

<ul>
	<li>Entrance to the observation deck</li>
	<li>Unbeatable views of the city and beyond - see parts of four&nbsp;different states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana &amp; Michigan), Soldier Field, Chicago River, and more</li>
	<li>A chance to step out onto The Ledge - an all-glass balcony that extends from the side of the building</li>
	<li>Access to Reaching for the Sky, all interactive exhibits and displays</li>
</ul>


<p>From 1,353ft up there&#39;s very little you won&#39;t see up at SkyDeck Chicago. The 103rd floor provides panoramic views through all-glass windows and The Ledge, a glass balcony that extends from the side of the building. Take in the architectural style of the skyscrapers, look for Navy Pier and other landmarks, and see if you can spot the four different state lines visible from the top!</p>


SkyDeck Chicago

<h2>Can&#39;t choose? Visit them both with&nbsp;Go City&reg;</h2>

<p>We can make it even simpler for you - don&#39;t even choose! With Go City&reg; you can visit&nbsp;<strong>both&nbsp;</strong>observation decks and more top Chicago attractions. Use your pass to visit both, and compare the two for yourself. You&#39;ll enjoy completely unique experiences at SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO.</p>


<h2>Upgrades &amp; Other Experiences</h2>

<p>In addition to observation decks and interactive displays, one of these offers even more to do...</p>

<h3><strong>SkyDeck Chicago</strong></h3>

<p>Your SkyDeck Chicago tickets already include all that there is to see at this observation deck! Enjoy taking a step onto The Ledge, learn more with the interactive exhibits, and see the entire city atop the all-glass floor. Before visiting, check their&nbsp;<a href="https://theskydeck.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;to see if any special events are happening when you&#39;re there.</p>

<h3>360 CHICAGO</h3>

<p>While your 360 CHICAGO tickets already include admission to the observation deck and all interactive exhibits, there&#39;s even more to see here.</p>


<p><strong>TILT</strong>&nbsp;is 360 CHICAGO&#39;s moving all-glass balcony. It is the first of its kind and extends from the building, offering never-seen-before views (if you dare!) The balcony can hold up to 8 visitors at a time and moves around to give you different vantage points.&nbsp;</p>


<h2>Save on admission to top Chicago attractions with Go City&reg;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Discover our full line-up of <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/attractions" target="_blank">Chicago attractions</a> including the Adler Planetarium, Skyline Lake Tour, Robie House, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>🤩 &gt;&gt; If you want to see and do as much as you can, our <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes/all-inclusive?duration=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">All-Inclusive Pass</a> is for you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>😎 &gt;&gt; If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes/explorer?duration=3" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explorer Pass</a> is the perfect option.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So pick the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" target="_blank">Chicago pass</a> that suits you and get our there!</p>


<ul>
	<li>Entrance to the observation deck</li>
	<li>Panoramic views of the city - see Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, Magnificent Mile and more</li>
	<li>Discounted admission to TILT - experience Chicago in a whole new dimension as you&#39;re tilted forward away from the building and over the Magnificent Mile.</li>
	<li>Access to all interactive exhibits and displays</li>
</ul>


<p>So, how do you decide which to visit on your trip? We&#39;re breaking down the differences between the two popular observation decks in Chicago so you can choose between them. Of course, you could always visit both!</p>


<p>360 CHICAGO is located between Oak Street Beach and the famous Navy Pier. Also easily accessible by car or public transportation, you&#39;ll find plenty to do in the area after your trip to the top of Chicago.</p>

<p>Navy Pier is another famous Chicago landmark. Stretching far out into Lake Michigan, the pier is full of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Ride the Centennial Wheel or pop into a store while enjoying beautiful views of the water.</p>

<p>The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Chicago Children&#39;s Museum are also located close by. Whether you&#39;re traveling with family or you&#39;re a major art-lover - or both - checking out these two institutions is a must.</p>


360 CHICAGO

<h2>Location</h2>

<p>Sometimes when choosing between SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO, it simply comes down to the logistics of getting there or what fits your sightseeing schedule. Luckily for you, both of these decks are located in prime locations full of other great Chicago attractions and sights.</p>


<p>SkyDeck Chicago is located just blocks from Millenium Park and the Museum Campus and is very easy to get to by car or public transportation.</p>

<p>Millenium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate (aka &quot;The Bean&quot;) sculpture. You can&#39;t take a trip to Chicago without snagging a picture in front of it. Aside from housing one of the city&#39;s most famous works of art, the park is also a lively greenspace with plenty of other installations and things to see.</p>

<p>Journey a bit further down into the park and you&#39;ll find the best museums in the city. Explore the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, and more.</p>


<p>Here you&#39;ll find unparalleled views of the city and Lake Michigan. From the 94th floor, you can take in the sheer beauty of the coastline, Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and beyond. Make sure to have your camera at the ready - from 1,000 feet up you can just see just about everything in the Windy City.</p>


360 CHICAGO vs SkyDeck Chicago? Compare the major differences between these 2 popular Chicago attractions and see which one is better for your trip.

360 CHICAGO vs SkyDeck Chicago - Compare Major Differences

NASCAR is coming to Chicago in 2025! Get the lowdown on the event with our visitor guide.

In Chicago for NASCAR 2025? Then read this!

<p>Have you heard? NASCAR&#39;s returning to the streets of Chicago for another spectacular race. On the <strong>weekend of July 5-6</strong>, the Windy City will play host to this special Grant Park event, featuring two days of racing, music, and much more!&nbsp;</p>

<p>With plenty going on to mark the occasion, there&#39;s no better time to visit. Whether you&#39;re heading to the race or just vacationing in Chi-town that weekend, we&#39;re here to get you up to speed on all you need to know about the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read on for some handy tips on navigating Chicago during NASCAR Street Race 2024!</p>

<h2>Where is NASCAR Chicago taking place?</h2>

<p>Grant Park in Downtown Chicago is where you&rsquo;ll find most of the weekend&rsquo;s action. The actual race days are <strong>Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6.</strong></p>

<h2>How easy will it be to get around Chicago that weekend?</h2>

<p>During and on the lead up to the event, you can expect some road closures, parking restrictions and traffic diversions around Grant Park. The latest traffic information can be found on <strong><a href="https://www.nascarchicago.com/know-before-you-go/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the NASCAR website</a></strong>. Be sure to check this before you travel! If you&#39;re planning on sightseeing in Chicago around this time, we recommend allowing for extra travel time between attractions, as public transport and roads are expected to be a bit busier than normal. If you can, explore on foot. It&#39;ll be your best option in most cases.</p>


<h2>Will Chicago&#39;s attractions be open during NASCAR Chicago Street Race?</h2>

<p>If you&rsquo;ve bought a <strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago pass</a></strong> from Go City, you may be wondering whether or not the Street Race will affect local businesses&#39; opening hours. With many of Chicago&rsquo;s top attractions such as <strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium</a>, <a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium</a> </strong>and the<strong> <a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/field-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Field Museum</a></strong> being located around Grant Park, that&#39;s a fair question. It&rsquo;s likely that attractions will have reduced opening hours during the race days, and some may close for the weekend. If you plan on using our pass between late June and early July, we recommend you check each attraction&#39;s page on our website or app directly for the latest information on opening hours and closures.</p>

<h2>Are there still tickets available for NASCAR Chicago Street Race?</h2>

<p>If you want to get in on the action, tickets are still available for the racing event of the year! Weekend tickets start from $187pp, giving you access to all the racing and music action.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Premium access tickets are also available if you&rsquo;ve got some extra cash to splash. All options can be purchased on the <a href="http://www.nascarchicago.com/2024ticketinformation/" target="_blank">official website</a><strong>.</strong></p>

<h2>Is it worth going to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race?</h2>

<p>With all ticket options, you&#39;ll get access to a snazzy trackside vantage point to watch the races. Saturday&rsquo;s race&nbsp;&ndash; The Loop 110&nbsp;&ndash; is a 50-lap extravaganza taking place over 110 miles, and Sunday&#39;s event &ndash; the&nbsp;Grant Park 165&nbsp;&ndash; is a 75-lap race over 220 miles.</p>

<p>As well as the race, enjoy a live performance from the multi-platinum, GRAMMY&reg; Award-winning, Zac Brown Band.</p>


<h2>Are there any free NASCAR events I can go to?</h2>

<p>If you&#39;re not too bothered about seeing the race up close, you can still enjoy the exciting atmosphere of the event by heading to Butler Park, where there will be free festival activities, without the pricey admission ticket.</p>

<p>And if NASCAR&#39;s not your thing, there are still plenty of <strong><a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">top attractions and experiences in Chicago to be found with Go City!</a></strong></p>

<h2>Where&#39;s best to eat and drink near Grant Park?</h2>

<p>If you&#39;ve got tickets to the race, NASCAR&#39;s got you covered for food and drinks. They&#39;re promising plenty of delicious foodie options within the event!</p>

<p>If you&#39;re just looking to be near the action, Downtown Chicago has literally endless options for wining and dining. First off, we recommend you make your way to Eleven City Diner, where you can load up on big plates of classic breakfast food. For lunch on the move, we recommend hitting Devil Dawg&#39;s South Loop venue and grabbing a loaded Chicago-style hotdog. Sticking with Chicago classics, if you&#39;d rather a sit-down meal, we cannot hype up Lou Malnati&rsquo;s Pizzeria&#39;s deep dishes enough!</p>

<p>When evening rolls around, there&#39;s nowhere we&#39;d rather be than The Gage. With its large mahogany bar, well-poured pints of Guinness, and sage green tiles, this gastropub has all the makings of a great Irish bar.</p>

<p>Check out this <a href="https://www.nascarchicago.com/resourceguide/" target="_blank">handy resource guide&nbsp;</a>to find more dining spots that are close to the race.&nbsp;</p>


<h2>What other events are taking place in Chicago?</h2>

<p>NASCAR aside, July is a great time to be in Chicago, with plenty of summer celebrations to keep you busy. You&#39;ve got the award-winning&nbsp;Grant Park Music Festival starting from July 12 and taking place on select weekends.</p>

<p>Down by Navy Pier, there&#39;s the fabulous Live on the Lake event, which runs throughout the summer. Here, you can enjoy great live music against a backdrop of gorgeous lakeside scenery - and it&#39;s totally free!</p>

<p>If you&#39;re in the Windy City in early August, you can&#39;t miss Lollapalooza&nbsp;&ndash; Chicago&#39;s world-famous music festival, with Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler the Creator and Sabrina Carpenter headlining.</p>

<p><strong>Got more questions about NASCAR Chicago Street Race? Then check out<a href="https://www.nascarchicago.com/frequently-asked-questions/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> their FAQs page</a>.</strong></p>

<p>Ready to plan your Chicago trip? Then find out more about our <a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chicago passes</a>!</p>


Chicago will be hosting another fantastic NASCAR street race – read on for our tips for navigating Chicago during NASCAR Street Race 2025! 

NASCAR Street Race 2025 Information | Go City®

Art Deco architecture, mid-century Modernism, beautiful Beaux-Arts buildings and early examples of the skyscraper: you’ll find it all in the Windy City.

Chicago is a treasure trove of architectural marvels, from century-old riverside skyscrapers and Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces to movable bridges and the eye-popping sculptural showpieces by Anish Kapoor and Frank Gehry in Millennium Park. Read on for our guide to seeing all these and more on Chicago’s top architectural tours.

Architecture Tours in Chicago

<p>There are few better ways to get a broad overview of Chicago&rsquo;s architectural significance than on a cruise of the shoreline. This sightseeing boat ride covers three branches of the Chicago River, taking in skyline icons like the Willis Tower, Jeanne Gang&rsquo;s shimmering Aqua skyscraper, and the distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival Style of 1920s stalwart the Wrigley Building. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll learn how Chicago rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871, see how its architecture has evolved over the years, and hear about the city&rsquo;s pioneering approach to skyscraper construction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There will also be a photo opportunity or six at historic Wolf Point.</p>


Shoreline Architecture River Cruise

<p><strong>Top tip #1:</strong> If you&rsquo;re in the market for something a bit more in-depth, the Chicago Architecture Foundation cruise is a good bet. This one&rsquo;s led by bona fide architecture experts who should be able to answer all your most pressing questions about the city&rsquo;s prevailing styles, as well as ticking off the feats of engineering innovation that led to Chicago having more movable bridges than any other city on the planet.</p>

<p><strong>Top tip #2: </strong>the standard shoreline architectural sightseeing cruise is included with <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><strong><u>a pass from Go City</u></strong></a>, which <strong>can save you up to 50%</strong> on entry fees when sightseeing in Chicago and also includes access to several Frank Lloyd Wright attractions, plus the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and more. It also includes a guided tour of Chicago&rsquo;s Riverwalk, which gets you even closer to downtown titans including the Tribune Tower and Jewelers Building, once the tallest building outside of NYC.</p>


<p>Book a guided tour or go it alone on a self-guided walk of the Chicago Loop in the heart of downtown. Here&rsquo;s where to get up close to some of the city&rsquo;s best-loved architectural masterpieces. We&rsquo;re talking the likes of the Willis Tower with its space-age modular design, which held the record of world&rsquo;s tallest building for nearly a quarter-century before Malaysia&rsquo;s Petronas Towers took the title in 1996. Then there&rsquo;s the Chicago Cultural Center with its distinctive Tiffany glass dome, the Rookery with its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed atrium, and the Monadnock Building, a monolithic early skyscraper, built way back in the 1890s. At 215 feet, the Monadnock remains the tallest load-bearing brick building ever constructed. They don&rsquo;t make &#39;em like they used to.</p>


The Loop Walking Tour

<p>Chicago led the world in skyscraper construction, with its first (indeed the world&rsquo;s first) high-rise going up in 1885. Run by <a href="https://www.architecture.org/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><u>the Chicago Architecture Center</u></a>, this tour of the Windy City&rsquo;s most iconic tall buildings calls at the site of the aforementioned Home Insurance Building (sadly no longer with us), plus the opulent Art Deco grandeur of the Carbide and Carbon Building (pictured), and the Reliance Building, one of the world&rsquo;s first fully glazed high-rise buildings. Expect fascinating insights into Chicago&rsquo;s early urban development, plus photo opps at some of the oldest steel-framed buildings on the planet.</p>


Historic Skyscrapers Tour

<p>No visit to Chicago would be complete without nabbing a selfie or six in front of (and underneath) Anish Kapoor&rsquo;s extraordinary Cloud Gate sculpture, better known as &lsquo;The Bean&rsquo;. This huge gleaming icon creates twisted, ever-morphing reflections of the surrounding cityscape and its inhabitants. You&rsquo;ll find it in Millennium Park, where Frank Gehry&rsquo;s astonishing Jay Pritzker Pavilion is a futuristic vision in stainless steel and makes for a memorable venue for open-air concerts. Also in the Millennium Park neighborhood, Renzo Piano&rsquo;s design for the Art Institute of Chicago&rsquo;s Modern Wing is another fine example of modern architecture. And the collection within &ndash; Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Dal&iacute;, Mir&oacute; and more &ndash; is no less spectacular.</p>


Tour of Millennium Park

<p>If your appetite has been whetted by our round-up of top architectural tours in Chicago, you&rsquo;ll be pleased to know that many of the tours mentioned above are included with a pass from Go City. <strong>The pass can save you up to 50%</strong> and includes entry to Frank Lloyd Wright attractions, plus a movie locations tour, the Skydeck Chicago observation platform at the Willis Tower, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, and more. Click the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass!</p>


See Chicago for Less!

See unique Frank Gehry designs, early-20th-century skyscrapers, and Anish Kapoor’s mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture on our favorite architectural tours of Chicago. 

Architecture Tours Chicago | Go City®

A weekend in Chicago itinerary you'll love

Got a couple of days to spend in Chicago? You'll want to be smart about how you spend your time. This city has all the museums you could ever wish for, jaw-dropping skyline views, and of course, Chicago deep-dish pizza.  Let's go!

2 Days in Chicago

<p>Planning a weekend in Chicago, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? We&rsquo;ve put together a great itinerary for 2 days in Chicago that will showcase the range of all that city has to offer in just a couple of days.</p>

<p><strong>This weekend itinerary includes:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour</li>
	<li>Skydeck Chicago</li>
	<li>Art Institute of Chicago OR Architecture River Cruise</li>
	<li>Navy Pier (free!)</li>
	<li>Museum of Science &amp; Industry</li>
	<li>Adler Planetarium</li>
	<li>Field Museum</li>
	<li>Shedd Aquarium</li>
</ul>

<p>We&rsquo;ve also put together a&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/one-day-in-chicago/">1 day</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-itinerary/">3-day itinerary</a>, so if your trip doesn&#39;t quite fit into a weekend, you&#39;ve got more options!</p>


<h2>Day 1, Stop #1: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour</h2>

<p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/attractions/hop-hop-big-bus-chicago-1-day-classic-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hop-On Hop-Off Chicago Bus Tour</a>&nbsp;is the perfect way to get an overview of Chicago&#39;s many landmarks and hotspots. Since you probably won&rsquo;t get the chance to see everything on your 2 days in Chicago, this will allow you to learn a little about all the major landmarks.</p>

<p>Some of the highlights you&rsquo;ll see include all the big names in Chicago tourism: the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, the Water Tower Mall, and many more.</p>


<p>Be sure to head to one of Chicago&rsquo;s most recognizable buildings, and a quintessential tourist must-do -&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/skydeck-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Skydeck Chicago</a>&nbsp;in the Willis Tower. Skydeck Chicago provides some of the best views of the city, from 1,353 feet up in the air. This is a great photo opportunity. You&rsquo;ll see the downtown skyline, Millennium Park, Soldier Field, Navy Pier, and the entire sweeping coast of Lake Michigan.</p>

<p><strong>Insider Tip</strong>: Visit first thing in the morning for beautiful early views of the city. As a bonus, you&#39;ll avoid long lines. All visitors are required to go through a security line, which will add some time to your visit.</p>


Stop #2: Skydeck Chicago

<h2>Have an amazing weekend in Chicago!</h2>

<p>So there&rsquo;s your perfect 2 days in Chicago weekend itinerary. From museums to bus tours to boardwalks and cruises, you&rsquo;ll leave the Windy City feeling like you&rsquo;ve literally seen all there is to see. Pick up a 2-Day&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Go City&reg; Chicago pass</a>&nbsp;and save up to 50% on admission prices when you visit these included attractions.</p>

<p>The pass gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.</p>


<h2>Can&#39;t choose? No need, see it all with Go City&reg;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your San Diego must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you&#39;ve chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you&#39;re dreaming of ticking off.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>☀️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Compare Chicago passes</a> ☀️&ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations </a>🌏 &ndash;&nbsp; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes/all-inclusive?duration=1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a pass ✈</a></p>


<p>If something wins #1 Museum in the World in a Tripadvisor poll, you know it&rsquo;s a must-visit. The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/art-institute-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Art Institute of Chicago</a>&nbsp;should definitely be on your weekend in Chicago itinerary, whether you&rsquo;re a huge art lover or just someone who appreciates inspirational things. The Art Institute boasts renowned collections of art and artifacts that include everything from Roman and Greek sculptures to modern and contemporary paintings.</p>

<p>Some of their most popular pieces are drawn from an impressive collection of Impressionist paintings and their extensive George O&rsquo;Keeffe holdings. You&rsquo;ll also get to see some famous pieces that we&rsquo;re sure you&rsquo;ll recognize, like the Chagall stained glass windows, Grant Wood&rsquo;s &ldquo;American Gothic,&rdquo; and Henri Matisse&rsquo;s &ldquo;Bathers by a River.&rdquo;</p>


Stop #3: Art Institute of Chicago (Indoor Option)

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/explorer/attractions/shoreline-architecture-river-cruise" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shoreline Architecture River Cruise</a>&nbsp;is one of the most informative tours you&rsquo;ll ever take, and it provides a unique perspective on Chicago&rsquo;s glorious architecture. Learn all about the history of Chicago&rsquo;s skyline as you glide down both branches of the Chicago River for 75 educational minutes.</p>

<p>From the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 through various artistic movements to the modern architectural boom, Chicago&rsquo;s skyline has undergone a number of architectural shifts that make for a fascinating, eclectic skyline.</p>

<p>You&#39;ll board right by Navy Pier, so don&#39;t forget to leave time to explore that amazing site upon your return. (More on that just below!)</p>


Stop #3: Architecture River Cruise (Outdoor Option)

<p>Navy Pier is Chicago&rsquo;s most popular free attraction for a reason! Wander around and just enjoy the environment, or opt to visit any of the exciting museums, theaters, and other attractions.</p>

<p>One family favorite option is the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/navy-pier-centennial-wheel-and-ride" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Navy Pier Centennial Wheel</a>, which is included with your pass. There are also other amusement park-style rides, like swings and mini-golf! Should you get hungry or feel the urge to track down some souvenirs, there are plenty of shops and restaurants right on the Pier itself.</p>

<p>Also, if you&#39;re interested in exploring further, there is an acclaimed children&#39;s museum, a Shakespeare Theater, an IMAX theater, and a gallery of stained glass. Admission to the pier itself is free, although additional attraction visits may incur admission fees.</p>


Stop #4: Navy Pier

<h2>Stop #5: Millennium Park (free!)</h2>

<p>This beautiful park is a lush urban green space in the heart of Chicago that locals love to gather in, day or night. Filled with art installations like Cloud Gate (aka the Bean) and famous architecture like the Pritzker Pavilion, it&rsquo;s a great free attraction for when you&rsquo;ve got some time to roam.</p>

<p>We also advise checking out their event calendar before you visit, as there are regularly free or inexpensive events going on in the park during the warmer months.</p>


<p>Start your second day with a visit to one of the country&rsquo;s most exciting science museums (and the largest!). The Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/museum-science-and-industry" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Museum of Science &amp; Industry</a>&nbsp;is filled with interactive and informative exhibits that will delight children of all ages. Did you know that this museum is housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World&rsquo;s Fair?</p>

<p>Some of their fascinating offerings include a genuine WWII German submarine, a recreated coal mine, an eco-friendly home, and more!</p>


Day 2, Stop #1: Museum of Science & Industry

<p>Explore 91 billion light-years of all things related to the Universe at the oldest planetarium in America, the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium</a>. A visit here is a great way to immerse yourself in the magic and wonder of space. Explore their several different exhibits, take in a show, and experience the historic Atwood Sphere.</p>

<p>The museum&#39;s exhibits are all highly educational and entertaining; familiarize yourself with Earth&#39;s cosmic backyard with a fast-paced tour of&nbsp;<em>Destination Solar System, </em>and&nbsp;catch one of the planetarium&#39;s popular shows like&nbsp;<em>Planet Nine&nbsp;</em>or&nbsp;<em>Skywatch Live,</em>&nbsp;kids especially will love getting to climb and fly through the&nbsp;<em>Planet Explorers</em>&nbsp;exhibit, and more.</p>


Stop #2: Adler Planetarium

<p>One of the premier natural history museums in the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/field-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Field Museum</a>&nbsp;has something to offer everyone. Featuring objects and artifacts from literally billions of years of history, this museum is a one-of-a-kind institution in Chicago that will particularly appeal to history buffs.</p>

<p>Meet &ldquo;Sue,&rdquo; the museum&rsquo;s famous T-Rex skeleton (one of the most complete skeletons of its type), marvel at their gorgeous collection of gemstones, explore collections of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, and wander through the &ldquo;Underground Adventure&rdquo; exhibit.</p>


Stop #3 – The Field Museum

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium</a>&nbsp;is every kid&rsquo;s favorite Chicago destination. Filled with wondrous creatures, great and small, this iconic institution is the perfect place to indulge the animal lover in all of us. Home to more than an astounding 32,000 specimens from marine habitats around the globe, Shedd has more than 1,500 different types of creatures on display. From sharks and sea otters to jellies and tropical fish, you&rsquo;ll find all your favorites here.</p>

<p>If you think you&#39;re not going to have enough time to do justice to all four of these attractions on Day 2 (say, if you&#39;ve got a big fan of sharks in your party who just can&#39;t be dragged away from the Shedd), then we recommend just skipping ahead to the Museum Campus and spending the entire day there. There are plenty of dining options, too, so you don&#39;t even need to leave for lunch.</p>


Stop #4 – Shedd Aquarium

Spending 2 days in Chicago? Here's a list of places you've got to visit. This popular weekend in Chicago itinerary covers it all. Trust us.

2 Days (48 Hours) in Chicago - Weekend in Chicago Itinerary - Go City

Chicago's premier museum of natural history.

The Field Museum is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Chicago, covering 460 billion years of natural history under one roof. Here's our lowdown on planning your trip.

Visiting The Field Museum Chicago

<p>The Field Museum was originally founded in 1893 and called the Columbian Museum of Chicago, after the World&#39;s Columbian Exhibition of the same year. It brought together artifacts, objects, and exhibits from the World&#39;s Fair and has preserved them ever since.</p>

<p>It has served as a center for scientific exploration for over 120 years and is one of the most prominent natural history museums in the country, so there&#39;s lots to see and explore. Be sure to use some of these insider tips to make the most of your visit.</p>


<p>Download The Field Museum Mobile Tour App for exclusive content, experiences that will help you make the most of your visit, and curated tours based on an interest or theme of your choice.<br />
​​​​​​<br />
<strong>Insider tip:</strong>&nbsp;use the scavenger hunt on the app to keep kids entertained and engaged with the exhibits in the museum!</p>

<p>Join in on one of the&nbsp;<strong>FREE</strong>&nbsp;daily tours led by the museum staff.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Museum Highlights Tour:</strong>&nbsp;11:00 am daily, learn about the Museum&#39;s history, most popular collections and exhibitions, and the ongoing science and research being conducted. (45-60 minutes)</li>
	<li><strong>SUE Talk:</strong>&nbsp;12pm daily. Learn about SUE, the world&#39;s largest Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the world. (15-20 minutes)</li>
	<li><strong>Pawnee Earth Lodge:</strong>&nbsp;Weekdays, 1 - 2pm and weekends, 10am - 4:30pm. Learn about Native American life out west on the Great Plains and walk through a traditional 1800s home of the Pawnee.</li>
	<li><strong>Additional Tours:</strong>&nbsp;Check the&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/a/smartdestinations.com/file/d/0B_VfbljmIN9qYmUyZmFzY29tZXM/view" rel="noopener" target="_blank">online calendar</a>&nbsp;for additional docent-led tours.</li>
</ul>

<p>Pick up a&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Go City&reg; Chicago pass</a>&nbsp;to save money on admission to The Field Museum&nbsp;and other top attractions right in the Museum Campus, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/shedd-aquarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shedd Aquarium</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/chicago/en-us/products/all-inclusive/attractions/adler-planetarium" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Adler Planetarium</a>.</p>

<p>Visiting Chicago on a budget? Avoid convenient but pricey food options and pack a lunch.&nbsp;The Field Museum has designated areas in the Siragusa Center where visitors can have a snack.</p>

<p>Strollers and wheelchairs are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.</p>


Tips for visiting the Field Museum

<h3>When to visit</h3>

<p>Like many Chicago attractions, The Field Museum is most popular between mid-morning and early afternoon and on weekends. To avoid the biggest crowds, head to the museum early in the morning, later in the evening, and on a weekday. We recommend planning to be at the Field Museum for at least three hours to explore the exhibits fully.</p>


<p>Just south of the planetarium, nature lovers will enjoy exploring Northerly Island, a 91-acre peninsula dedicated to nature with walking paths, play areas, and some of the best fishing in the city.</p>

<p>Plus, it&#39;s one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/things-to-do/top-ten-pictures-to-take-in-chicago" rel="noopener" target="_blank">best places to take pictures in Chicago</a>.</p>


<h2>Planning to visit lots of Chicago attractions?</h2>

<p>With <a href="https://gocity.com/los-angeles/en-us" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Go City&reg;</a> you won&#39;t miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning!&nbsp;</p>

<p>☀️<a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Compare Boston passes</a>☀️ &ndash; 🌏 <a href="https://gocity.com/en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Explore other destinations </a>🌏 &ndash;&nbsp; ✈️ <a href="https://gocity.com/en/chicago/passes?days=3&amp;choices=3#choose-your-pass" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy a pass</a> ✈️&nbsp;</p>


<p>See the world&#39;s largest, most complete&nbsp;<em>Tyrannosaurus rex</em>&nbsp;ever found in the world. SUE the T. rex is 42 feet long from snout to tail and 13 feet tall at the hip. Examine SUE&#39;s original skull from all angles, even underneath, and learn about what scientists believe caused the holes in her jaws and what new discoveries a CT scan of her skull revealed.</p>

<p>Another highlight of this exhibit is the displays depicting the differences between fact, theory, and speculation with clips from pop culture that portray how the scientific knowledge and understanding of the&nbsp;<em>T. rex</em>&nbsp;has evolved through the years.</p>


SUE the T. rex

<h3>Grainger Hall of Gems</h3>

<p>One of the most popular exhibits at The Field Museum, Grainger Hall is home to over 600 gemstones and 150 pieces of jewelry. The display includes many pieces from the legendary Tiffany &amp; Co. Collection offered at the 1893 World&#39;s Colombian Exposition, combining the beauty of nature with the creativity of human artistry.</p>

<p>You&#39;ll learn about the process of discovering, extracting, and transforming natural rare jewels and turning them into stunning stones and spectacular jewelry. Of course, it&#39;s also a stunning exhibition of really striking stones. From beautiful gemstones to bizarre-looking metals and minerals, it&#39;s a fascinating exhibition.</p>

<h2>Nearby attractions</h2>

<p>The Field Museum is conveniently located in Museum Campus, a picturesque park on the water, near a few other top Chicago attractions, including...</p>

<h3>Shedd Aquarium</h3>


<p>This working, state-of-the-art DNA research facility is host to dozens of scientists currently analyzing the DNA of thousands of species. The DNA Discovery Center has helped in answering lots of basic and complex questions about DNA and making progress on what we know about life on this planet.</p>

<p>It&#39;s one of only a few museums in the world that has a DNA research facility right inside their walls. Visitors can see DNA research in action and speak directly with scientists about their work in the laboratory viewing area (*weekdays from 11:00 am-12:00 pm).</p>


DNA Discovery Center

Buy The Field Museum tickets included in these Pass options. Make the most of your visit with these tips, highlights & discount tickets.

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