Visitors relaxing in front of the bean sculpture

Top things to do in Chicago in April

By Ian Packham

Whilst still chilly, Chicago in April blooms both literally and metaphorically. Its parks are enlivened by the arrival of the first flowers of the spring and the start of the baseball season ensures there’s plenty to keep sports lovers entertained too.

Brace yourself though, even its fans would describe Chicago weather in April as indecisive, shifting from days hot enough to swing by the city beaches to those that would drive even the hardiest of urban explorers to the warmth of exhibition spaces such as the Field Museum.

On average, you’ll need to be prepared for temperatures ranging between 39 and 57°F. Bring a windcheater as the ‘windy city’ lives up to this moniker in April, although this does blow showers through quickly to leave 13 hours of sunshine a day.

Chicago sunny day activities

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With the sun on your back Chicago in April is the ideal time to explore the city from the water. Although Lake Michigan – the USA’s largest lake – might be your first thought, cruising along the three branches of the Chicago River will reveal much of the city’s history, from the great fire of 1871 to the Willis (Sears) Tower, the tallest building in the world for 25 years and still the second-tallest in the western hemisphere. As a result, its 103 story Skydeck provides unrivalled views, especially from its protruding glass boxes together known as The Ledge.

Rated as one of the most walkable cities in America, the architectural landmarks of the city are also eminently explorable by bike. Take advantage of half-day (four hour) bike rental and you can cover much more ground than would ever be possible on foot, with dedicated cycling tracks linking up many of the attractions lining the shoreline, including the Centennial Wheel and other rides at Navy Pier and 31st Street Beach.

Grant Park, and its western extension Millennium Park, are also popular spots on warmer days. Often called ‘Chicago’s front yard’ and renamed in honor of President Ulysses S Grant, this 320 acre urban oasis includes several major attractions. Tulips and other bulbs are a major April draw, alongside year-round works of public art including a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, who served Illinois in the House of Representatives before becoming president.

Rainy day activities in Chicago

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Wondering what to do in Chicago in April if the weather isn’t playing ball? Thankfully, Chicago in April has plenty of covered attractions to look out for without having to resort to second best.

Occupying an entire city block within Grant Park is the Art Institute of Chicago. Fronted by majestic bronze lions, it is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the world, having been established in 1879. Amongst no fewer than 300,000 artworks are some of the US’s most important works, including American Gothic by Grant Wood and Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks.

Equally grand in outlook is the lakefront’s Shedd Aquarium. Not just for kids, this gateway to the world’s waterways comprises sections recreating the globe’s most important ecosystems, from coral reefs to the poles. Containing 5 million gallons of water, it’s home to around 32,000 individual animals, of which crowd pleasers include the Beluga whales and bonnethead sharks.

Only in town for a couple of months, from March through May, the FRIENDS Experience – or ‘The One in Chicago’ – brings the world of Central Perk to The Shops at Northbridge shopping mall on North Michigan Avenue. Twelve rooms from the sitcom are brought to life, alongside memorabilia such as Monica’s purple door, and even a display of Rachel’s changing haircuts – yes, really!

One off events in Chicago in April

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If you thought the city’s culinary scene began and ended with Chicago-style pizza, think again during Restaurant Week – which now lasts for a gut-busting 17 days straight. Participating restaurants put on special fixed-price menus, with multi-course meals available for as little as $40 for a dinner reservation in some of the city’s top picks.

For something a little different, why not time your vacation in Chicago to coincide with International Tom Hanks Day? It may have started as a prank in 2004, but today the Saturday closest to April 1 has movie fans meet up to watch the great man’s back catalogue and buy raffle tickets in the hope of winning signed memorabilia, with all the proceeds going to charity.

Alternatively, you could book your place at the Chicago Latin Film Festival (CLFF) to participate in deciding who takes home the Audience Choice Award. Each edition screens around 100 movies, with the festival’s emphasis placed on the artistic and educational rather than box office potential, meaning you’ll see movies here you might see nowhere else.

Best of the rest

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Home to Major League Baseball teams the Chicago Cubs and White Sox, visit Chicago in April and you’ll see the crowds returning to Wrigley Field on the northern side of the city and Guaranteed Rate Field on the southern side of the city, providing two opportunities for visitors to take in the vibrancy of America’s national pastime.

Author – and Nobel Prize for Literature winner – Ernest Hemingway was a huge fan. Born in Oak Park, now a central park of the city, in 1899 his attractive birthplace is now a museum dedicated to his life and works, with the house set up as Hemingway would have known it during his childhood.

The nearby American Writers Museum celebrates the written word in all its forms and genres, and manages to achieve the near impossible in discussing the important role of writers in the history and culture of the entire country through a range of interactive exhibits.

Save on attraction admission in Chicago in April

With so many things to do in Chicago in April costs can soon rack up. However, it’s simple to take control of your vacation budget and save whilst you’re doing it by opting to travel with Go City. Our passes give incredible saving rates on admission to many of the top attractions in the city, ensuring you can have the vacation of your dreams without the bank statements of your nightmares!

Take a look at how former Go City users have fared by checking out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook, where you can also join in the conversation by adding your own vacation snaps. Don’t forget to smile!

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Chicago in January

Winter doesn’t stop Chicagoans getting out and about, and even outdoor events continue to enliven and entertain those living in the city. Anyone looking to experience the festive season with reduced crowds and cheaper accommodation costs might also look to Chicago in January rather than in December, since many seasonal attractions extend their stay into the first month of the year. There are plenty of permanent attractions to enjoy too, from the Art Institute of Chicago to Shedd Aquarium. Here’s our guide to the windy city’s top January sights. Weather in Chicago in January It’s fair to say you don’t travel to Chicago in January for the weather! There’s no hiding the fact that it gets very cold in Chicago in January, with average temperatures of just 30°F. With windchill – this is the windy city after all – and with cloud free nights, temperatures can fall as low as 12°F. However, as those other defenders of cold climates – the Norwegians – say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Woolen items will be your best friends, whether that’s thermal underwear and base layers or thick knitted sweaters, beanies, scarfs and gloves. A little over 1.5 inches of rain and snow means you’ll want to add a waterproof jacket or umbrella to your packing list, whilst weatherproof shoes or boots comfortable enough to walk in all day are also going to give you a major win over the weather. Cling on to the Christmas spirit January is known to be one of the most depressing times of year, but you can help keep the blues at bay by stretching the Christmas frivolities beyond the New Year’s Eve fireworks above the rides of Navy Pier and into the first week of January. The city’s official Christmas tree, a Blue Spruce topping out at 50 feet high, remains lit in Millennium Park from 6AM until 11PM daily until January 9. So close you can get the two in the same photograph, Millennium Park is also the location of one of Chicago’s newest landmarks – Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture. The Museum of Science and Industry’s annual Christmas Around the World exhibition is another attraction which continues into January. A further reason to pay a visit to this phenomenal museum, this seasonal exhibition contains around 50 Christmas trees, each decorated to symbolize festive celebrations around the world. Entrance is included as part of a standard ticket. Explore the four corners of the world It may be missing the crabs of Christmas Island, but Shedd Aquarium should still be high on the list of things to do in Chicago in January for anyone with an interest in our marine habitats. A stone’s throw from Lake Michigan, its location couldn’t be better. Being entirely enclosed, it doesn’t really matter what the weather might be doing either. In addition to uncovering life below the surface of the Great Lakes, the aquarium does an excellent job at revealing the wonders in all the world’s oceans. Taking a 360° tour of a Caribbean reef populated by turtles and sharks, and Pacific waters with beluga whales, dolphins and sea otters are just a few of a long list of highlights. As neighbors go, few could be better than the Field Museum. Covering pretty much everything Shedd Aquarium doesn’t, its grand halls hold an apparently endless stream of natural marvels, from the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered – called Sue – to artefacts from the ancient Americas. For a modern look at the world, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). Sandwiched between Lake Shore Park and Historic Water Tower, its immense collection is focused on the years from 1945 to the present day. Its asymmetric staircase and views across Lake Michigan are worthy of inclusion in its collection. Don’t ignore the parks and gardens Green spaces aren’t necessarily at their best in the winter months. However, Lincoln Park Conservatory is just one spot with year-round color. This gem of the Victorian age comprises four different halls. The Palm House contains a fiddle-leaf rubber fig put in place in 1891, whilst the Orchid Room boasts hundreds of these tropical blooms. The cooler houses are also bright with the red leaves of Mexican poinsettias as part of the winter show – ending a week into January. Back in Millennium Park, the bare trees provide a backdrop to McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, which has skaters gliding across its surface right through to the spring. Situated on the plaza of the same name, it’s one of America’s biggest inner city rinks, but still dwarfed by the area covered by the skating ribbon which meanders through Maggie Daley Park and is twice the size. Humboldt Park has a much more residential feel, located amid the neat grid of streets to the west of the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood. At its heart lie a series of lagoons, though its paths are better trod for the architectural and sculptural landmarks dotting the park. These include the Bavarian-style stables and receptory building, acting as the visitor center and Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, as well as two bronze bison at the east entrance of the Formal Gardens. Head to the heights Birthplace of the steel-framed skyscraper, Chicago is known for its high-rise central districts. One of the best ways of getting a bird’s eye view is from the Skydeck observation station on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. From almost 1400 feet up, most of the city’s landmarks can be spotted from its windows – and parts of Illinois’ neighboring states too. Outdoing even this is The Ledge, a group of three glass boxes which overhang the sides of the tower. Make sure you’ve got a head for heights before stepping onto their glass floors! From ground level there’s still plenty to see though, with many of Chicago’s best-known buildings recognizable from movies including Home Alone, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Saving in Chicago in January Far from being shut down for the winter, Chicagoans seem to bask in the snowy scenes their city sees. And because of the range of winter and seasonal attractions in Chicago in January, you could say the month is actually one of the best times of the year to visit. Whenever you choose to take your vacation in Chicago, be sure to do it with Go City. Month after month and year after year we’ve provided visitors to cities around the world with incredible savings on admission to top attractions.
Ian Packham
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Visiting Chicago in February

Sun worshippers look away now. February in Chicago lies in the depths of the Illinois winter. But beyond the building snow and icy temperatures you’ll find Chicago in February remains a top pick for a vacation. How can this be? To begin with, the windy city has plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained. However, there’s lots to lure you outside too, from public ice skating rinks to Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day celebrations. We start though with the all-important weather, so you know exactly what to expect. Chicago weather in February Those movie and TV scenes of people wrapped up like the Michelin man in the Chicago winter are no exaggeration. You’ll want to pack your winterproof clothing, and shouldn’t leave home without a pair of gloves, scarf and wooly hat either. Daytime temperatures average a frosty 34°F and can drop as low as 17°F overnight. At the same time, there’s only around 1.5 inches of rain, spread across seven non-consecutive days. Roughly half the month sees clear skies and sun, making it feel much warmer than the temperature would otherwise suggest. Get all loved up If there’s one day in the calendar sure to raise the temperature it’s Valentine’s Day. Home of the 1929 Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre ordered by Al Capone – the site on North Clark Street is now the parking lot for a nursing home – takes nothing from the annual indulgence of heart-shaped chocolate boxes or the dozens upon dozens of red roses which must be purchased. Reservations at the city’s best restaurants get booked up quickly, so if it’s a candle-lit dinner you’re after make sure to stay ahead of the curve and call in your own booking ahead of time. The same rule applies for anyone who fancies treating their better half to a night at the Chicago Theater. A behind-the-scenes Marquee Tour at the same venue will come a close second, especially during February’s Theater Week. Elsewhere, there’s the chance to snuggle up in one of the glass-bottomed gondolas of the Centennial Wheel, one of several rides at Navy Pier now running throughout February. It’s even possible to make it extra special by reserving one of the VIP gondolas for you and up to three others. Embrace the cold for these epic attractions Long after the outdoor rinks in most other cities have melted away for the year, Chicagoans are still able to enjoy the sensation of gliding across the ice (and the glee of watching others fall over) right through February. Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink has the finer location, right in front of Cloud Gate, the gleaming ‘bean’ sculpture which rapidly became a symbol of the city after its installation in 2006. But Maggie Daley Park’s Skating Ribbon offers the more unusual experience as it winds through the green space. Whilst many of the parks in Chicago in February are looking a little sorry for themselves, this isn’t the case with Garfield Park Conservatory west of downtown. Having one of the USA’s greatest areas under glass, there’s no shortage of color or tropical warmth amongst the plants of the so-called new conservatory – completed in 1907 – including those of the Palm Room and Fern Room. For sumptuous food without a booking head to Chinatown, which comes alive with the sound of drumming and sight of traditional lion dances during the annual Chinese New Year parade. Indoor attractions you won’t want to miss Visiting Chicago in February doesn’t have to be about wooly hats and insulated jackets though, and you could easily pass several days wandering through the vast collections of the city’s world-class museums. For insight into how the city developed, including after the horror of the Great Fire of 1871, there’s nowhere better to head than Chicago History Museum. Its vast collections include objects from the first street car of Chicago’s L system, to Abraham Lincoln’s deathbed and the table at which the American Civil War was ended. It occupies a fine example of the Federal style of architecture which flourished in the early United States and is one of several styles that can be found in the city. No wonder then that Chicago was chosen as the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the twentieth century’s most important building designers. His home and studio of ten years has been restored to echo how it would have looked in 1909, complete with Egyptian motif children’s playroom and open-plan studio where the great man brought to life 125 much-celebrated structures. These include Chicago’s Robie House, one of just a handful open to the public anywhere in the world. Cheer on a local team Rich in sporting heritage, Chicago is also a great destination for sports fans. Mid-February sees the city host basketball’s NBA All-Stars event, bringing some of the best players of the moment to venues across Chicago including Navy Pier. Meanwhile the United Center Arena – shared with the Chicago Bulls – is home to the Blackhawks, one of the six original National Hockey League teams. The atmosphere that develops inside during a match is something no behold, with games taking place throughout February. You might also like to pay a visit to Chicago’s 23,000 foot Sports Museum. Located inside the Magnificent Mile’s Water Tower Place mall, it not only includes artifacts relating to the city’s sporting history but several interactive skill challenges too. Getting the best out of Chicago in February Whether it’s participating in the city’s sporting life, admiring its art or simply spending some time with a loved one, there are so many things to do in Chicago in February you won’t know where to begin! We’d suggest your first port of call is Go City. Travel with us to Chicago in February and you can explore the very best the city has to offer without breaking the bank. Our passes provide incredible savings on admission to many of Chicago’s top attractions so that the only thing you have to worry about is cramming it all in!
Ian Packham
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Things To Do in Chicago When it's Hot Out

Looking for ways to beat the heat in the Windy City? Even though Chicago's nickname implies that the breeze is always flowing, on a sweltering day that may not be the case. And while there are plenty of things to do in Chicago, when it gets this hot you might start to plan your day around where you'll find the most AC exposure. Luckily, Chicago is full of diverse attractions that will keep you busy on the hottest of days. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Chicago when it's hot out, including... Shedd Aquarium SkyDeck Chicago or 360 Chicago Shoreline Architecture River Cruise Art Institute of Chicago Adler Planetarium The Field Museum Chicago's Children Museum LEGOLAND Discovery Center The Escape Game Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Chicago Children's Museum This is the perfect place to bring the kids when they've had enough of the heat. Located right on Navy Pier, the Chicago Children's Museum will keep everyone busy for hours. Each exhibit at the museum is aimed to teach children a different learning experience through interactive and fun displays. At Play it Safe, kids can explore a realistic firehouse. In the Tinkering Lab, they'll have the freedom to innovate and create with various different DIY projects. The kids will be entertained all day long and parents can sit back and enjoy the learning process. Getting in: Chicago Children's Museum tickets are included on Go Chicago Card. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Another great place to go with the family is the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center. This massive indoor space is filled with LEGO®-themed exhibits, construction demonstrations, interactive areas, and exciting attractions. Kids of all ages can enjoy the different activities and demonstrations that take place throughout the day. They'll learn the best LEGO® building secrets from Master Model Builders, become part of the LEGO® story at the 4D Cinema, and can save the princess on the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride. LEGO® lovers will cherish their time spent here as they learn and build firsthand. Getting in: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center tickets are included on Go Chicago Card. The Escape Game Chicago Can you escape? Test your skills, grit, smarts, and ability and see if you have what it takes at The Escape Game Chicago. An escape room is the perfect place to go on a day when the heat is just unbearable. At Escape Game Chicago, you'll have your choice between four different themed escape scenarios. Choose from Mission Mars, Gold Rush, Prison Break or The Heist. You'll race against the clock during each of them to escape! While children are allowed to participate in The Escape Game Chicago, it is recommended for players age 13 and up as some of the content may be too difficult for younger children to understand. Getting in: The Escape Game Chicago tickets are included on Go Chicago Card. More Chicago Attractions There’s no shortage of things to do in Chicago when it’s hot out, and the suggestions above are just some of our favorite indoor activities. We hope you'll add a few to your Chicago to-do list. Check out a Go Chicago Card to see all 28 Chicago attractions, and see what you can do this summer in Chicago!
Nicole Muto

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