A boat traveling along the Chicago River

How to spend 5 days in Chicago

You’ve done the sensible thing and decided to spend 5 days in Chicago. Fantastic! The US ‘second city’ has a range of attractions that many other destinations simply can’t compete against – from magnificent art galleries to lake shore beaches.

With a 5 day Chicago itinerary you’ll have the time you need to take in the city’s atmosphere alongside its landmark buildings. You’ll also be able to enjoy some of the city’s more off-beat things to see and do.

For a round up of all that’s going on in Chicago, check out our favorite way of spending 5 days in the city.

Day 1 – Downtown Chicago

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With your first hours in Chicago, it’s a good idea to get to grips with the downtown area – otherwise known as the Loop. The location of many of the city’s major landmarks, you’ll be spending much of your time here so it makes sense to get a feel of what’s located where.

Whilst one of the most walkable cities in North America, you’re not going to want to wear out your shoe leather on day 1. Nor are you going to want to tackle Chicago’s public transportation, so instead head to one of the dozen stops included on the city’s Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus.

The whole circular tour lasts for two hours and is accompanied by an audio narration providing a perfect introduction to the city. However, it’s unlikely you’re going to be able to avoid jumping off at a couple of points of interest.

North Michigan Avenue – better known as the Magnificent Mile – is one of the city’s top places to be, blending suited office workers with luxury brands, much-loved restaurants, historic landmarks such as the Old Water Tower and views from 1000 feet up from the floor-to-ceiling windows of 360 CHICAGO in the John Hancock Center.

Showing all that Chicago has to offer, it’s just a short stroll to the Museum of Contemporary Art – turn off on either East Pearson Street or East Chicago Avenue to get there for an afternoon amongst the greats of twentieth century art.

Day 2 – Lake Michigan

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You will have already seen its vast expanse from 360 CHICAGO, but day 2 gives you the chance to explore the Lake Michigan shoreline. Start to the north of the Loop in Lincoln Park for views of western lowland gorillas and kangaroos at Lincoln Park Zoo. Then soak up the sun on North Avenue Beach (weather permitting).

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful setting, keep the shoreline to your left as you wander south back into the Loop by way of the upmarket Gold Coast neighborhood. On reaching Navy Pier, there are further options for taking in the Chicago skyline, by slipping into one of the gondolas of Centennial Wheel, which rise to a height of almost 200 feet.

Swap gondolas and sidewalks for the lakeshore cycle track by picking up a bike at the pier’s Bike and Roll rentals. Ease yourself into the saddle by making the short journey to Chicago’s Museum Campus, incorporating the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, either one of which will round off the afternoon hours with aplomb.

Day 3 – Chicago from the water

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You’ve taken it in from high up and cycled along it, so there’s nothing more to do than get onto the water and explore Chicago from another angle, especially if your visit to the Shedd Aquarium gave you a feel for life in and on the waves yesterday.

Unveiling hidden gems amongst the world-famous landmarks, taking a cruise along the three branches of the Chicago River is like slipping through the city’s two centuries of history. Its shift in architectural styles reveals itself as you cruise the calm blue waters beneath bridges and past structures including the giant art deco Merchandise Mart building and Willis Tower – for many years the tallest building in the world.

Follow the river to its natural conclusion and you’ll find yourself floating on Lake Michigan. A Skyline Lake Tour does a similar job to river cruises, but arguably on an even greater scale. Departing from Navy Pier, tours take in the lakeshore forming the natural eastern boundary of the Loop, with commentary providing interesting tidbits of information, such as the fact Batman’s Gotham City is based on the skyscrapers of Chicago.

But for an extra-special tour on the water don’t miss your chance to board Windy, Chicago’s official tall ship. With its sails filled with the wind the city is famous for, you’ll tack across Lake Michigan in a fashion almost entirely unchanged since the birth of steam.

Day 4 – Chicago culture and more

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Keep up the pace of your Chicago in 5 days trip by starting day 4 with a few hours in another of the city’s top museums – the Museum of Science and Industry. A great choice for all the family, there are plenty of interactive exhibits, alongside flight simulators, important landmarks in transport and a gallery of exquisite model ships – should your trip aboard the Windy have gotten you hooked on all things nautical.

Continue your exploration of Chicago’s culture by seeing a show. The Second City theater is well-known in comedy circles as the place to head for improv and the chance to catch the next big thing before the rest of the world. The Chicago Theater has a busy schedule of plays and pop concerts. Failing that, it’s also possible to head behind the scenes with a Chicago Theater Marquee Tour.

Then enjoy a bite to eat. AT&T Plaza beneath the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park is home to an open-air restaurant during the warmer months of the year – replaced by one of the city’s top skating destinations during the winter.

Day 5 – Get active

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End your 5 days in Chicago by mixing up the museum visits and river tours with some physical activity. Maggie Daley Park – immediately east of Millennium Park – has plenty of ways to do this, from free climbing walls and tennis courts to a skating ribbon from November to March.

If you need a breather, there are shady groves for picnics in the sun, alongside one of the finest children’s playgrounds we’ve seen rising high above it all.

One of Major League Baseball’s oldest arenas, Wrigley Field is a must-see for sports fans. Home of the Chicago Cubs, there’s no better way to understand the city psyche than attending a game. Alternatives include basketball from the Chicago Bulls and ice hockey from the Blackhawks both at the United Center.

Save on admission in Chicago

Sounds expensive? 5 days in Chicago doesn’t have to be! Go City lets you enter many of Chicago’s top attractions and landmarks with incredible savings versus advertised prices. It means you can do much more on your trip to Chicago than you thought you could without having to worry about your bank balance once!

Ian Packham
Go City Travel Expert

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The Field Museum in Chicago.
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Shedd Aquarium Vs Field Museum Comparison

You like animals, right? Of course you do! What kind of monster doesn’t go all gooey at the sight of cute kitties, playful pups and adorable aardvarks? Well, good news: Chicago has animals in spades. We’re talking Lincoln Park and Brookfield zoos, dedicated dog parks, cat cafés and, more specifically, critters both alive and dead at, respectively, the mighty Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. These Museum Campus giants are two of Chicago’s biggest, best and most popular attractions, but how do they compare against one other? We got to know their resident critters (and other key exhibits) to find out... Shedd Aquarium Vs Field Museum: A Short History First opened way back in 1930, this vast, purpose-built aquarium was for many years the largest indoor facility of its kind in the world. Almost a century later, it remains one of the biggest and most-visited aquariums in the States, welcoming over two million visitors every year. The aquarium, bankrolled by retail magnate and philanthropist John G.Shedd back in the 1920s, doubled in size in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with the addition of the vast Abbott Oceanarium and Wild Reef. As of today, it holds around 32,000 animals across 1,500 species including fish, marine mammals, amphibians, birds, snakes and insects. In 1987, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. Quirky fact: Shedd Aquarium was home to an enigmatic lungfish named Granddad who arrived at the facility for the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair and remained there until his death in 2017, claiming the title of longest-living fish in a zoological environment. Whether he was born with the name Granddad or had the moniker bestowed in his twilight years is unconfirmed. The Shedd Aquarium was actually built as a companion attraction to its older sibling the Field Museum, a natural history museum conceived around exhibits acquired from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and opened in 1894. The museum was largely funded by entrepreneur and department store magnate Marshall Field, John G. Shedd’s mentor. It was, and remains, one of the biggest and best natural history museums on the planet, drawing in around two million visitors annually to a collection of some 40 million specimens and artifacts that includes – deep breath – animal dioramas, dinosaur skeletons, meteorite fragments, Ancient Egyptian mummies and a vast library. Quirky fact: the phrase ‘the customer is always right’ is attributed to OG museum benefactor Marshall Field. Shedd Aquarium: What to See and Do You’ll want to dedicate at least a half day to exploring this massive aquarium, with its multiple showcases of aquatic habitats from around the globe in zones including the Caribbean Reef, the Oceanarium and Amazon Rising. Daily shows and presentations allow you to learn more about the many thousands of critters here; you can even book behind the scenes tours and close encounters with some of the animals. Must-see highlights include... The Abbott Oceanarium Not just any old oceanarium, the Abbott is the planet’s biggest. This fabulous coastal ecosystem contains three million gallons of water and is home to majestic marine mammals including beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. The lower level allows you to observe these graceful animals in their natural habitat. Amazon Rising Step inside this flooded forest exhibit to get up close and personal with some of the most exotic, colorful and downright dangerous creatures in the Americas. We’re talking red-bellied piranhas, emerald green boas, dwarf caimans and electric blue poison dart frogs. Caribbean Reef Take a peep into the huge rotunda-style tank, inside which cownose rays hang out with endangered green sea turtles, bonnethead sharks cruise up to the glass to peer right back at you, and schools of colorful tropical fish including angelfish, butterflyfish and parrotfish paint rainbows in the water. Polar Play Zone Penguin suits, a mini submarine and an icy-cold touch pool make the Polar Play Zone great fun for kids. There are also (real) penguins, friendly belugas, cute sea otters and otherworldly moon jellies to keep everyone entertained. Yes, even the least-easily-impressed teen. Field Museum: What to See and Do So, if you’ve spend half a day at the Shedd Aquarium, surely the logical thing to do is pop next door and spend the other half at the Field Museum, am I right? That said, the sheer variety of things to look at here means no visit can ever really be long enough. There’s 4.6 billion years of history in the massive collection – that’s even older than some US presidents! We’re talking ancient meteorite fossils, a menagerie of stuffed animals (some of them quite famous!), Ancient Egyptian mummies and the largest, most complete T Rex skeleton ever discovered. Must-see highlights include... Inside Ancient Egypt Learn about how the Ancient Egyptians lived – and died – in this utterly fascinating exhibit. Step inside an authentic burial chamber and try to stifle a shiver as you come face to mummified face with the preserved remains of 23 humans and 30 animals. Floor-to-ceiling heiroglyphs, scenes from the Nile River Valley and a shrine to the cat-goddess Bastet add to the chilly atmosphere. The Dynamic Dino Duo Probably the most Instagrammed pieces in the entire collection, Sue the T Rex and her even larger companion Máximo, an aptly named titanosaur, are absolute must-sees on any visit. You’ll find Sue terrorizing visitors in The Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet and her somewhat more placid plant-eating pal towering over the Stanley Field Hall, where he stands at a whopping 28 feet tall and 122 feet long. That’s even longer than your average blue whale, fact fans! Animal Antics The Field Museum boasts some of the most realistic animal dioramas on the planet, with many considered to be artistic masterpieces. Check out Carl Akeley’s celebrated Four Seasons diorama, a large-scale exhibit depicting wild white-tailed deer across the seasons of the year. You can also meet the fearsome man-eating lions of Tsavo and a polar bear protecting her cubs. Fast facts: Shedd Aquarium Tickets An All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City includes general admission and saves you money when visiting multiple attractions in Chicago. Buy a 1, 2, 3 or 5-day pass to access as many attractions as you like in that time period, including the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Museum of Contemporary Art. You can book tickets for general admission as well as experiences including shark-feeding and sea otter encounters via the Shedd Aquarium website. Opening Hours Generally open daily from 9AM to 5PM daily, with some seasonal variation. Check the calendar on the Shedd Aquarium website for the most up-to-date information. Getting There Both the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum are in Chicago’s Museum Campus. Get there via Chicago’s Lakefront Trail and park up your bike in dedicated racks at the East and West entrances. Buses 130 and 146 also service the museum and paid parking is available at several locations on campus. Fast facts: Field Museum Tickets You can buy tickets with add-ons including a 3D movie plus access to ticketed exhibitions direct from the Field Museum website. Alternatively, an attraction pass from Go City includes general admission plus one ticketed exhibition at the Field Museum, as well saving you money when visiting multiple attractions such as the Skydeck Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. Opening Hours Open daily from 9AM to 5PM, with last admission at 4PM. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Save on attractions in Chicago Save on admission to Chicago attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Black Friday Giveaway
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Win Dinner for two at Sepia Chicago this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. WIN a Gift Voucher for Dinner for two people at Sepia Chicago At Sepia Chicago you’ll dine in decadence with a four-course dinner for two, including drinks and a bottle of wine. A Michelin Star Restaurant and winner of the Wine Spectator’s Best Award of Excellence 2022, Sepia Chicago is based in an 1890s print shop and takes you back to bygone eras of the Windy City. From the Art Nouveau floor to the expertly handcrafted millwork, the easy elegance of the restaurant will transport you to a life of luxury. Attention to detail runs from the décor to the plate and is the perfect backdrop for you to enjoy their creative American cuisine. Sepia’s product-based menu showcases the quality of the ingredients and uses local artisan and sustainable options wherever possible. Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s passion for both the product and the dishes shines through in every bite. At Sepia you’ll enjoy couture cuisine celebrating traditional food with a unique modern twist. How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Chicago passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
guide to the field museum
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Guide to the Field Museum

Explore the history of our planet at the Field Museum! Bursting with fantastic exhibits, wonderous sights, and plenty of hands-on experiences, it's one of America's best museums. Kids and grown-ups alike can get lost for hours in its history-soaked walls. Come face-to-face with the world's largest dinosaur, experience a bug's life, and learn about ancient civilizations. If you're in Chicago and looking for some culture to invigorate you, the Field Museum has got you covered. Image courtesy of Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock How to get Field Museum tickets? We've got you covered – Field Museum tickets are available with the below money-saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to over 25 attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 7 attractions. Tips for visiting the Field Museum When you arrive at the Field Museum, you may enter through the main South entrance on McFetridge Drive. The East entrance is also open and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. It is no longer a requirement to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or wear masks for museum visitors. However, we strongly encourage guests to wear masks while in the building. Wear some comfortable shoes, because you'll be doing a lot of walking and standing. It's a museum, after all, and there are lots of things to see! When is the best time to visit the Field Museum? The Field Museum is an indoor experience, so no matter the weather, your discoveries will be undisturbed. As such, feel free to visit any time of year! Image courtesy of Vlad G/Shutterstock What is there to see and do at the Field Museum? From fossilized dinosaurs to 10,000 years of Chinese history, you'll be doing a lot of learning and discovering at the Field Museum. But don't worry, all that information is given a fun twist, with plenty of interactive to get your hands on, and surprising things at every turn. Field Museum highlights Máximo – meet Máximo the Titanosaur - the largest dinosaur ever discovered. Cyrus Tang Hall of China – explore a culture of deep tradition and dynamic change, and travel across thousands of years of Chinese history. Underground Adventure – in this immersive exhibition, you'll shrink to the size of a bug and explore the world at one hundred times its normal size. Inside Ancient Egypt – walk along the Nile River to see how the ancient Egyptians celebrated life--and death. Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet – check out 4 billion years of life on Earth, walk among dinosaurs, and see scientists prepping fossils in the lab. DNA Discovery Center – watch actual research in the making as you observe and interact with DNA-extracting scientists. Grainger Hall of Gems – see exquisite rare jewels sparkle and gold objects gleam in one of the world's largest collections of gems and stones. What attractions are near the Field Museum? The Adler Planetarium is a short walk from the Field Museum, as both are located in Soldier Field. The Museum of Contemporary Photography is a 5-10 minute walk from the museum. The Arie Crown Theater is a 10-minute walk through Soldier Field. Image courtesy of Creativity lover/Shutterstock Where is there to eat nearby? Fancy some delicious authentic pizza? Check out Giodano's, which is just a few minutes walk from the museum. Want to have your pizza in a pub environment, and wash it down with a refreshing beer? Flo & Santos has got you covered. Want something spicy? Check out the Mexican affair at La Cantina. In the market for some dumplings? Qing Xiang Yuan has plenty to offer. Need to know Your pass includes all general admission exhibitions and one ticketed exhibition. For more information, visit the Field Museum website. Directions and Address The Field Museum 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605 United States Image courtesy of James Kirkikis/Shutterstock Closest Subway Stops Museum Campus/11th St., or 18th St. Save on Tickets with Go City Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which can include Field Museum tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. You'll make great savings on entry to top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Dom Bewley

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