Things to Do in Chicago

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

Experience Chicago’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house: the river. Enjoy a comprehensive tour with a live fun guide as you navigate through the heart of the city covering all 3 branches of the Chicago River.

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.

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

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 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.

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

Cruise down the Chicago River and see the city’s most spectacular landmarks on a boat cruise with live, family-friendly commentary and a full-service bar on board.

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!

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!

• 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.

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

Connect with your curiosity and explore Chicago with an immersive flyover ticket. Experience the city's highlights from this perspective, as your journey transports you over iconic destinations.

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!

You won't believe your eyes at the Museum of Illusions

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

• 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.

Explore one of the largest science museums in the world with a ticket to Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. See science, technology, and engineering brought to life through exhibits.

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.

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

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!

• 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!

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

Explore Chicago on a Crime and Mob Bus Tour. Escape into the city's underworld and learn about infamous gangsters and mobsters like Al Capone and John Dillinger.

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

Explore the magical 'Windy City' on this tour through downtown Chicago. Marvel at the stunning architecture and delve into the history of the prohibition era.

• Set sail from Michigan Avenue dock in the heart of Chicago for an insightful 60-minute architectural river cruise.
• Board a vessel offering unparalleled views of over 40 landmarks, including the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower and the 398-foot Wrigley Building.
• The cruise features live English commentary from a knowledgeable guide, vividly depicting Chicago's architectural history and evolution.
• You also have the option to embark from the Navy Pier dock, positioned at the entrance of the renowned Navy Pier boardwalk.
• Did you know? The Tribune Tower has fragments of famous world structures like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal embedded in its walls.

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

Experience 5 must-see attractions and save up to 49% with Chicago CityPASS® tickets. With 9 days to use your tickets, you can take your time exploring.

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!

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

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!

• Buckle up! The ride to the 94th floor in one of North America's fastest elevators is just the start of your thrilling adventure.
• Along with scenic vistas, your ticket also includes skip-the-line access. No waiting around, just straight to the top for uninterrupted city views.
• Discover Chicago's diverse neighbourhoods at 360 Chicago's interactive exhibit, and watch '3 of 77' for immersive insights beyond downtown.
• Not just a view, the CloudBar serves up iconic local snacks like Garrett's popcorn and neighborhood-inspired cocktails.
• Fun fact: 'Travel & Leisure Magazine' voted 360 Chicago for having one of the best views in America. You're about to see why!

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

Skip the ticket purchase desk to enjoy the best panoramic views of Chicago, 94 stories above the Windy City. Enjoy stunning lake views and close-up vistas of Chicago’s amazing skyscrapers.

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.

A family-friendly introduction to Chicago's magnificent architecture

With the entrance ticket to the Chicago Architecture Center, you'll have the chance to discover the history of the Windy City's towering skyscrapers.

• 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.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the hit NBC drama Chicago Fire TV Show Set Tour. Visit the actual filming locations where the show comes 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.

Explore Chicago from new heights at the 360 CHICAGO observation deck bar!

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!

• Enjoy a 2.5-hour Lake Michigan cruise with a chef-prepared three-course dinner, unlimited coffee, tea, and a guaranteed table.
• Soak in panoramic views of Chicago’s skyline and iconic architecture from the comfort of a climate-controlled deck.
• Groove to live DJ entertainment curated to set the perfect mood as you dine and sail.
• On select nights, catch the best views of Navy Pier’s dazzling fireworks display right from your table.
• Family-friendly experience with free passage for infants under two, accommodating dietary requests with advance notice, and flexible booking for a worry-free night out.
• Upgrade your experience with window table reservations or creative cocktails, wine, and beer available for purchase.

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.

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.