One Day in Chicago Itinerary

Whatever the reason for your whirlwind trip to Chicago, there are plenty of ways to have a great time without breaking the bank (and making sure you're back at the airport on time!)

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
Chicago

Traveling to Chicago with only one day to explore and a tight budget? It can be hard to decide what to do with such limited time in your schedule. Fortunately, we’ve put together a budget-friendly, one day in Chicago itinerary to help you make the most of your time during your trip, while keeping spending under control. 

This one-day itinerary includes:

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour
  • Millennium Park (free!)
  • Navy Pier Centennial Wheel
  • The Field Museum
  • Shedd Aquarium

📅 Spending more time in Chicago? Then take a peek at one of our sample weekend in Chicago or popular 3-day itineraries.

Stop #1: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour

The hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour is one of the best ways to start your one day in Chicago--it's the perfect introduction to the city layout and you'll get an overview of all the top monuments, museums, and historic sites.

The best part? You'll be able to hop on and off at any of the stops along the way to help make your trip as customized as possible. Popular stops along the route include:

  • Skydeck
  • Art Institute
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Navy Pier
  • John Hancock Center & 360 Chicago
  • And more!

If you want to combine this bus ride with other attractions to maximize your one day in Chicago, keep in mind that it takes about 2.5 hours to ride the entire route.

Getting In: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Chicago tour tickets are included on all Go City® Chicago passes.

Stop #2: Millennium Park

cloud-gate-bean-black-white

One of the country’s most beautiful urban parks, Millennium Park is the heart of downtown Chicago. Filled with gardens, fountains, musical venues, and more, it’s a must-see for any Chicago visitor. Don’t forget to explore the art and architecture within the park itself, including the Crown Fountain and the classic Cloud Gate sculpture (aka The Bean). Snap some photos while you’re at it!

Depending upon what time of year you are visiting, there might be some amazing free or inexpensive events going on in the park. Check the attraction website or download the new Millennium Park app to see what's on during your visit!

Getting In: Entry to Millennium Park is free. You may wish to purchase souvenirs or food from some of the vendors. Leave at least an hour to visit the park.

Stop #3: Explore Navy Pier

time-photo-navy-pier-centennial-wheel

Head down to this premier entertainment destination and marvel at all the wonders of Chicago’s historic pier. There are museums, performing arts venues, an IMAX theater, and other attractions, but kids will most likely want to ride the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel.

You'll probably want a good hour or two to explore everything that Navy Pier has to offer, whether that's going on the wheel, delighting in some of the rides, or just taking in the view of the city with the lake glimmering behind you.

Getting In: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel tickets and rides are included on all Go City® Chicago passes.

Stop #4: The Field Museum

Where else in the world can you find 4.6 billion years of history under one roof? The Field Museum’s legendary collection of fossils, artifacts, gemstones, and other objects of natural and historic importance is practically unparalleled.

Their most famous exhibits span the gamut from dinosaurs to tombs to pottery, with highlights like SUE, the world’s largest and most complete T. Rex skeleton, and the Ancient Egyptian tomb that holds over 20 real mummies!

Another popular exhibit with the kids is the Underground Adventure area, where you get the chance to experience life on a bug-sized scale. This is one of the top attractions in the entire city and should be on your must-see list for one day in Chicago.

Getting In: Field Museum tickets are included on all Go City® Chicago passes.

Stop #5: Shedd Aquarium

shedd-aquarium-chicago

Since you'll already be on Chicago's amazing Museum Campus after your last attraction, your final stop of the day should be a no-brainer: the fascinating Shedd Aquarium. Filled with maritime creatures great and small, Shedd has something to appeal to the entire family. It’s both educational and fun, so it's an ideal kid-friendly attraction.

Given the size of both the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, if you think you'll want to spend multiple hours at each it might be worth heading down to the Museum Campus earlier and skipping another attraction or part of the hop on-hop off bus tour to give yourself more time.

Getting In: Shedd Aquarium tickets are  included on all Go City® Chicago passes.

Save up to 50% on Chicago attractions  

Planning your Chicago trip? With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  

☀️See all Chicago attractions ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a Chicago pass ✈️ 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Made up of a long list of neighborhoods and districts each offering something different, deciding where to stay in Chicago can be a bit of a headache, especially if you’re a first-time visitor to the city. Whatever you’re looking for out of a leisure trip to the windy city, our pick of the best areas of Chicago to stay is sure to be a help! The Loop Enclosed by the Chicago River to one side and Grant Park to the other, the Loop is probably the best place to stay in Chicago for those new to the city since its streets include the central business district and many of the city’s top attractions, including the Willis Tower’s Skydeck observation level and the Art Institute of Chicago. It takes its name from the elevated railway which has looped around it since the Great Fire of 1871. Synonymous to most with the downtown area, it’s also one of the commercial hubs of the city. Being at the heart of the action (Route 66 starts here too), there’s no shortage of hotels either. 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Its rides include Centennial Wheel, which replicates the world’s first Ferris Wheel, built in 1893 for the World’s Fair. Lincoln Park A little further out, but linked to the rest of the city by a number of metro stations and lines, Lincoln Park is one of the largest and most affluent districts in Chicago’s North Side. It is popular with young families and urban professionals, ensuring it feels fresh and ever changing. Named after the city’s largest park, which sits beside Lake Michigan for an uninterrupted seven mile run, the area is one of the best parts of Chicago for those on a budget. Attractions include the 32,000 creatures which call Lincoln Park Zoo their home, as well as Chicago History Museum, the first port of call for anyone interested in discovering how Chicago became one of the world’s leading cities. Lincoln Park also contains the northern half of Old Town, where buildings remain low to the ground – at least by Chicago standards – to create a homely feel. 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