Things to Do in Chicago

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

Discover the architecture and food scene of Chicago on a guided tour. Learn more about the prohibition era, explore the city's vibrant food scene, and taste some local well-known cuisine.

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!

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

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.

• Enjoy a 90-min guided architecture cruise on the Chicago River, complete with expert commentary, skip-the-line access, and onboard refreshments.
• Sail through the main river and its north and south branches, taking in Chicago’s skyline from an open-air deck or a climate-controlled interior.
• The tour highlights 130 years of Chicago’s architectural history as expert guides share fascinating stories behind the city's most famous and innovative buildings.

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

Immerse yourself in the terrifying history of medieval times with an audio-guided tour featuring interactive displays and exhibits at the Chicago Medieval Torture Museum. Increase the thrill by joining the Ghost Hunting Experience.

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

Enjoy sailing the waters of Lake Michigan with this dinner cruise. You'll enjoy a delicious dinner on board the ship—an unforgettable experience!

• Sail through the heart of Chicago on 45-min guided architecture cruise, enjoying expert commentary, gorgeous skyline views, and onboard refreshments.
• 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, Apple Store, AMA Building and the Wrigley Building.

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

Mingle with Northside Chicago's ghostly mobsters and serial killers on this thrilling haunted walking tour by US Ghost Adventures.

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!

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

Discover Chicago's iconic landmarks on a free walking tour, including a scenic park on Lake Michigan. Explore hidden gems in the Windy City!

• Enjoy a 90-min guided boat tour on the Chicago River and one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, with skip-the-line entry.
• Take in the city’s famous skyline and architectural icons from both the river and lake while relaxing indoors or on open-air decks.
• Learn how Chicago’s skyline came to life with engaging narration as you cruise past historic buildings and modern skyscrapers.
• This extended cruise offers more than standard river tours, covering additional landmarks and panoramic lakefront city views.
• Perfect for first-time visitors, architecture buffs, and photography enthusiasts looking to explore Chicago from a different perspective."

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

Discover over 20 never-before-seen illusions and almost double the space with entry tickets to the new and improved Museum of Illusions in Chicago. Test your brain and enjoy plenty of photo-ops.

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.

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!

• 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.
• Guaranteed open-air seating ensures uninterrupted views of historic skyscrapers, modern marvels, and architectural treasures while your volunteer guide brings each structure’s narrative to life.
• Enjoy onboard comforts; restrooms, free stroller storage, and dedicated accessibility services, while treating yourself to craft beverages and tasty bites available at the full-service bar and snack station.
• Rain-or-shine departures mean you’ll witness Chicago’s architectural beauty in every season, and discounted nearby parking makes it easy to arrive and embark on your adventure stress-free.
• A portion of your ticket supports the educational work of the Chicago Architecture Center.

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

Interested in an architecture tour or a true crime tour during your stay? Get the best of both worlds with an expert guide who brings Chicago’s skyscrapers and its serial killers to life!

We’ll begin our photo walk in Millennium Park with portraits at Cloud Gate (The Bean) — one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks. During our time together, we’ll visit a rooftop spot for skyline views, cross the scenic DuSable Bridge, and stop by the elegant Wrigley Building — all perfect for beautiful photos. Along the way, I’ll guide you with natural poses and creative ideas, helping you feel relaxed and confident. By the end of this walk, you’ll not only have a beautiful photo gallery — you’ll have also visited many of the MUST-SEE places in downtown Chicago.

Save up to 29% on combined admission to your choice of three top attractions

This entrance to the Chicago Museum of Ice Cream really is a sweet deal! You can indulge your inner child and spend the day tasting delicious ice creams.

• 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.

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

Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago with this entry ticket. Discover ever-changing exhibitions, iconic pieces, and innovative works across various media and genres.

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.

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

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.

• 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!

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.

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

Take a tour of Chicago Loop's Pedway system, a network of underground pedestrian tunnels. We'll also go above ground to view some special Chicago sights. Our tour begins in the lobby of the Swissotel with a brief overview of the Pedway system.  We then descend into the Pedway and head to the Cultural Center.  After a brief tour of the Cultural Center and its famous Tiffany Dome, we return to the Pedway to visit Macy's department store and its famous Tiffany ceiling, then stop by the store's iconic Walnut Room. Back to the Pedway, we head west to the Civic Center plaza to see the Picasso sculpture and view the Chicago Temple and its Sky Chapel, one of the world's tallest church buildings.  A brief walk to takes us to City Hall and Marriage Court then to a nearby L Stop. A quick train ride takes us to the origin/terminus of Route 66 where we'll enjoy the Art Institute’s lion statues then Millennium Park's to Cloud Gate sculpture (aka, The Bean), Lurie Gardens and Crown Fountain.

Get 48% or more off premium admission to five of Chicago's top attractions

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

• Admire evening views of Chicago’s skyline from the water, offering a fresh vantage point beyond traditional river cruises.
• Cruise past iconic landmarks like Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, and Wrigley Building with stunning views.
• Enjoy live or recorded commentary revealing the city's rich architectural history and landmark stories.
• Capture incredible photo ops of over 40 architectural marvels bathed in the glow of twilight.
• Select either a 75-min cruise departing from Michigan Avenue or a 45-min cruise leaving from Navy Pier.

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

Experience the WNDR Museum in Chicago, where art meets technology. Explore interactive exhibits, immersive light installations, and AI-driven artworks.

This extraordinary tour of the Prairie Ave District is one not to be missed. Get a sense for how Chicago's wealthiest residents lived around the turn of the century and what remains today. This unique Chicago tour begins with an exploration of one of the city's newly-revitalized spaces: The stunning Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. A short ride on the Green Line takes us to the Prairie Ave District, home to many historic sites such as Motor Row, the former Chess Records and the oldest house in the city. As we wander along Prairie Ave, we're treated to historic mansions and a beautiful park. The highlights of the tour, however, are TWO private, docent-led mini tours at the national landmark Second Presbyterian Church (with its many Tiffany windows) and the Glessner House. We'll also take a mid-tour break at a local employee-owned/woman-owned cafe. Then we board the train back to the Loop for our final stop (and a sweet treat) at the elegant Palmer House Hotel.

Discover art from the 1920s to the present in an all-encompassing modern gallery

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!

• Unwind on a 90-min scenic cruise and enjoy the golden hues of Chicago’s skyline reflecting from the waters of Lake Michigan and Chicago River.
• Your premium boat features open-air decks and a climate-controlled cabin for year-round comfort.
• Enjoy a relaxing experience with light narration that shares interesting insights as you sail past Chicago’s architectural icons.
• Catch golden hour from the water — this evening cruise offers a romantic and peaceful way to end your day in Chicago.

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

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+).