Things to Do in Chicago

See amazing animals, incredible views, fascinating science, world-class art, and more with Chicago CityPASS tickets.

Choose between a full-day or half-day bike rental and explore Chicago at your own pace.

The ultimate custom sightseeing experience in Chicago! Enjoy the City from great vantage points and photograph the world-famous skyline. We zip you to many sights around the local waterways including the Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Fort Dearborn, Vietnam Memorial, Wolf Point, Shedd Aquarium, and many others. Come aboard our safe and seaworthy US NAVY built Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), and experience a unique & personal tour of the City!

Interact with installations and explore emotional projections

The Windy City has a wealth of attractions, museums and galleries you'll fall in love with. Discover them all with the Chicago CityPASS®.

• Enjoy a 90-minute architecture cruise on the Chicago River with an expert guide providing engaging live commentary throughout the journey.
• Discover over 130 years of Chicago’s architectural history as your guide shares fascinating stories behind the city’s most iconic and innovative buildings.
• Cruise along the main river and its north and south branches, taking in skyline views from an open-air deck or a comfortable climate-controlled cabin.
• Pass landmarks including the Amtrak Rail Bridge, Goose Island, NBC Tower, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Trump International Hotel & Tower, and AMA Plaza.
• If you're an architecture buff or love seeing cities differently, this cruise offers a unique view of Chicago along with benefits such as skip-the-line access and onboard refreshments (available for purchase onboard).

Enjoy a 90-minute comprehensive boat cruise of Chicago's legendary architectural wonders from the best seat in the house, the river.

Learn about the stories of gangsters, politicians, and more in the spaces where it happened on a bus or walking tour. Visit the speakeasies that made the famous, infamous.

Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment. What's New looks at some of the most recent additions to the built environment surrounding the Chicago Architecture Center. This walking tour focuses on each building's height, structure, materials, ornament and its impact on the environment, the neighborhood and the city's economy. The tour showcases several recently completed buildings, including 462 N. Park and the St. Regis, and compares them to each other in order to observe emerging patterns. These new additions are also contrasted with some of the older buildings downtown as a way to highlight developments. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Rocket to the 103rd floor and enjoy spectacular views of the Windy City

Get the most stunning views of Chicago from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, at the absolute best price! A must if you're in Chicago.

• Sail through the heart of Chicago on a 45-min guided architecture cruise, enjoying expert commentary, gorgeous skyline views, and comfortable viewing decks.
• Glide along all three branches of the Chicago River, including the North Branch, the Main Stem, and the South Branch, as your guide shares fascinating insights into the city's 130-year architectural evolution.
• Capture unobstructed views of Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers from the open-air upper deck, offering perfect photo opportunities of the cityscape.
• Spot famous buildings like the Tribune Tower, Willis Tower, AMA Building, and the Wrigley Building.
• Increase your time on the water by upgrading to a 90-min guided cruise for a more in-depth experience with a lot more Chicago gems to explore.

Admire Chicago from the 94th floor. Learn about Chicago's history and architecture and discover the CloudWalk and the 3D mural by Nate Baranowski.

Unlock the secrets of Chicago's most-photographed venue with The Chicago Theatre Tour Experience. Marvel at the grandiose architecture and walk in the footsteps of legends on this exclusive tour.

Enjoy a private two-hour sailing experience for up to six people along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. Kick back, relax, and let the US Coast Guard licensed captain treat you to stunning views of Chicago’s spectacular skyline. Make the experience your own. The flexibility of a private charter allows customization of virtually any aspect of the sailing adventure from guest list to music selection to sailing route. Three departure times offered daily. This experience is not meant to be an in-depth guided tour; however, our captain is always happy to point out interesting sights with anecdotes and historical information. Just ask you captain. Looking for a sunset sail, see our other product listing "Come Sailing with us at Navy Pier - Sunset Sail on Lake Michigan". Looking to watch the Navy Pier Fireworks from a private sailing charter, see our other product listing "Come Sailing with us at Navy Pier - Saturday Fireworks Sail". All charters are NON-SMOKING experiences.

Hang out with Picasso, Dalí, Monet, Renoir, Warhol, and many more!

Cruising down the Chicago River is one of the greatest ways to get to know the iconic city and discover how it became the birthplace of the skyscraper.

• Soak in panoramic views of Chicago’s skyline and iconic architecture on your 2.5-hour Lake Michigan dinner cruise.
• Enjoy a chef-prepared three-course dinner, unlimited coffee, tea, and a guaranteed table from the comfort of a climate-controlled deck.
• Infants under two cruise free, along with accommodations for any dietary restrictions, making this a welcoming cruise for all.
• A DJ curates the evening’s ambiance, adding a lively energy as you cruise past Chicago’s illuminated skyline.
• Creative cocktails and additional beverages are available for purchase on board, so that you get to customize your experience.

Discover Chicago's legendary architecture and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing legacy for all to admire.

Discover many of Chicago's architectural landmark buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. This tour through Chicago's famous Loop includes the dazzling interiors of Marshall Field’s, the Palmer House Hotel and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Walk in the footsteps of Al Capone, John Dillinger, and real life ghost stories while hearing tales of Chicago's haunted past. Visit Prohibition Era speakeasy bars, sites of real life mob shootouts, and haunted tragedies that shape the city's legacy. This walking tour blends ghost stories, true crime history, and architectural landmarks to reveal the beauty and horror from one of America's most famous time periods, right where it happened. You'll gain special access to architectural interiors tied to famous history, as you are led by a trained historian tour guide through these famous sites. Learn where Chicago's history still whispers after dark!

Explore an endless array of artifacts in one of Chicago's best museums

The Go City: Chicago Explorer Pass offers access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of Chicago’s attractions. Save up to 50% off prices!

• Enjoy a 2.5–hour Chicago River cruise aboard the Odyssey, complete with a gourmet plated dinner and live, curated entertainment for an unforgettable evening on the water.
• Marvel at Chicago’s iconic skyline and architectural masterpieces from a climate-controlled interior deck, with guaranteed seating and unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water.
• Elevate the evening with a window-table upgrade and take in the Lake Michigan views by the river’s glow.
• Bring the whole family and enjoy free admission for infants under two.
• Creative cocktails, wine, and beer are available on your cruise for purchase to add to your cruise, ideal for celebrations or a special night out.

Book your architecture river cruise in Spanish and pass the most iconic buildings along the Chicago River!

Join us for an exhilarating urban art workshop in Chicago and delve into the dynamic world of street art, all while sipping on your favorite beverages (BYOB for those 21+).

Mobsters and Movies takes you through the real haunts of Capone, Dillinger, and The Outfit—then shows you how the very same streets turned into movie magic. Walk the same corners seen in 'The Untouchables' and 'Public Enemies,' and hear how Chicago wrote the script for American gangster history. This isn’t just another sightseeing tour—it’s a front-row seat to crime, cinema, and the city that made them both. Your guides aren’t just storytellers—they’re trained true crime historians, film buffs, and Chicago insiders who bring every scene to life. Step inside exclusive interiors where real mobsters plotted and Hollywood crews once brought the Windy City to the Silver Screen. We take you deeper into the story than any other tour can. Expect vivid tales, insider trivia, and behind-the-scenes stories that make Chicago’s gangster past feel as real as the movies it inspired.

Get a bird's eye view over the Magnificent Mile with 360 Chicago tickets

Climb to the highest observation deck in the United States by booking your tickets for Skydeck Chicago. You'll be on the 103rd floor of the famous Willis Tower!

• Get timed entry and head straight up to Skydeck Chicago on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower for sweeping, unobstructed views of Chicago and up to four neighboring states.
• Step onto The Ledge—glass-floored balconies that extend 4.3 feet outside the tower—and look straight down from 1,353 feet above the ground, if you dare!
• Explore the newly expanded Chicago Experience, an interactive museum featuring digital exhibits that celebrate the city’s culture, history, and neighborhoods.
• Enjoy incredible photo ops from day to night, with prime views of the skyline, Lake Michigan, and iconic landmarks like Navy Pier and Wrigley Field.
• Ride one of the fastest elevators in the U.S. and reach the top in just 60 seconds—perfect for thrill-seekers, families, and first-time visitors alike.

Welcome to sweet home Chicago! Discover this remarkable city with your very own CityPASS and see top highlights.

This introductory tour to Chicago, features some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Chicago Theatre, and more

This tour is the perfect way to experience the shoreline of Chicago in a new and exciting way! Our tour vessel is a former military Williard Marine, which provides a unique and interesting touch to the normal tour experience. Being both sturdy in the water, and fast! Reaching up to speeds of 35 Knots! We work hard to provide historical context for our great city, as well as provide an exhilarating experience through the use of high speed runs and spins!

Get ready to let your inner-kid escape in a world of ice-cream and sprinkles

Visit the most iconic landmarks at your own pace with the Chicago Tourist Bus. The most comfortable and convenient way to explore the Windy City!

• Glide along all three branches on a 90-minute architecture cruise led by Chicago Architecture Center docents, who share insider stories of the city’s iconic skyline and riverside landmarks.
• Get an in-depth look at the city’s renowned architectural legacy as you travel the full length of the river on this acclaimed sightseeing cruise.
• Enjoy unobstructed sightlines of architectural highlights from the comfort of the open-air upper deck or the climate-controlled interiors.
• The route covers the Main, North, and South branches, providing a comprehensive view of the city’s most significant buildings and bridges.
• Rain-or-shine departures mean you’ll witness Chicago’s architectural beauty in every season, along with guaranteed open-air seating that ensures uninterrupted views of the historic skyscrapers.

Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with music and a view of the Chicago skyline and try different mouthwatering meal options on your unique cruise.

Explore downtown Chicago through its underground passageways, known as "The Pedway," accessing beautiful interiors from both above ground and below, with secrets along the way, on a walking tour.

Nightly Spirits’ Haunts and Hooligans Tour will illustrate Chicago’s haunted history of secret parlors, underground tunnels, murderous movie theaters and supernatural speakeasies. Whether you’re a recent transplant to Chicago or have lived among the Windy City’s ‘others’ for years, you’re about to get a haunted history that may leave you with more memories than you dare to retain.   Tours begin at the haunted Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. A costumed guide will lead tour goers on a walking journey exploring the creepy past of one of Chicago’s most famous bootleggers, offering glimpses into the past and revealing the stories of long-dead phantoms and specters who still call Chicago home.

Get some of the best views of Chicago from this circular skyline spinner

Enjoy the main tourist attractions around the windy city with the Go City: Chicago All-Inclusive Pass. Choose between a 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive day pass.

• Rise above the ordinary, and see Chicago from a soaring 1,000-foot-high perspective that will take your breath away.
• The 3D mural on the deck creates an illusion of cloud-walking that's a joy for the 'gram.
• Skip the long snaking lines with your ticket and head straight to the observation deck.
• Unwind at Cloud Bar and soak up iconic Chicago views while sipping on locally brewed Moody Tongue beer, an unbeatable combo.
• Fun Fact: The elevators at 360 Chicago are among the fastest in North America, zipping you to the top in no time!

Enjoy a charming and exciting night out in Chicago with dinner, music and sightseeing aboard the Chicago Premier Dinner Cruise.

Explore Chicago's picturesque Lakefront in a whole new way – on a Segway. Chicago's gorgeous lakefront, parks, and skyline are yours to roll through for a fun-filled tour.

This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions. On this tour, we'll make seven stops in downtown Chicago where we can compare the histories and styles of buildings located within sight of each other. The tour features 19th-Century Commercial, Beaux-Arts, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern buildings, as well as the latest in architecture from Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Adrian Smith. At each stop, we’ll look at the connections between the past and present and discover what inspires design today. The tour culminates with a visit to Millennium Park, where world-class art and architecture combine, creating a unique urban fabric. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Discover the city from a new and incredible perspective

Discover the best of Chicago's modern and green spaces on this private guided tour by car. See the city's most emblematic places with your own tour guide!

• Sail into the golden hour on a relaxing 90-minute sunset cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
• Enjoy a relaxing experience that begins with interesting insights as you sail past Chicago’s architectural icons and towards Lake Michigan’s open waters.
• You can take in the twilight hour without any distractions on your sightseeing cruise and watch Chicago’s skyline come to life as the skies change colors over time.
• Your premium boat features both open-air decks and a climate-controlled cabin for year-round comfort.
• Perfect for a date night or just to unwind, take your loved ones on this evening cruise for gorgeous sunset views and a peaceful evening of sailing.

Learn what tragic story is covered by Chicago River's waters, explore the most haunted sites and buildings, hear about rise and fall of the most infamous gangsters.

Savor five regional Chinese dishes on this flavorful Chinatown food and culture walking tour. Explore hidden cultural gems, rich traditions, and unforgettable bites in one delicious guided experience.