On the western shore of Lake Michigan, the Midwest’s biggest city blends outdoor recreation and cosmopolitan luxuries. Millions visit each year to shop the Magnificent Mile, explore Millennium Park and cheer on one of the eight pro sports home teams. Jazz clubs and theaters keep the party going into the night.
What to do
Adler Planetarium The exhibits get a little technical for a casual visitor, but the sky shows are stunning. If you go, splurge on a theater package to see a couple of them. adlerplanetarium.org
Courtesy of City of Chicago
American Writers Museum Tap away on a typewriter, play word games or spin the Wheel of Emotions as you explore writers and writing at this new museum just north of Millennium Park. americanwritersmuseum.org
Andy’s Jazz Club This River North spot stands out for its 41-year history of live music and for dinners of braised short rib and rack of lamb. andysjazzclub.com
The Art Institute of Chicago The Modern Wing showcases 20th- and 21st-century art. The renovated older galleries span 5,000 years and include some of the world’s major works of art. The museum’s website provides downloadable mini tours. artic.edu
Art on the MART Public art went big (literally) in 2018 with the world’s largest digital projection. Curated art flows in the evening across the 25-story, two-block-long building (formerly The Merchandise Mart). artonthemart.com
Bobby’s Bike Hike Guided biking or walking tours detail Chicago history. bobbysbikehike.com
Buckingham Fountain In Grant Park, one of the world’s largest fountains jets into action for 20-minute shows on the hour from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and a finale at 10:35 p.m. chicagoparkdistrict.com
Buckingham Fountain
Chicago Architecture Center Visit the new riverfront spot highlighting the city’s rich building history, and check out a scale model of the entire city. Then hop aboard a 90-minute river cruise—covering details of more than 50 buildings—on Chicago’s First Lady boats. architecture.org
Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago/Adam Alexander Photography
Chicago CityPASS See five attractions—the Shedd Aquarium; The Field Museum; The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago; 360 Chicago or Museum of Science and Industry; and the Adler Planetarium or the Art Institute—for about half the cost of the total for individual admissions. citypass.com
Chicago Helicopter Experience Riders soar over the sprawling parks lining Lake Michigan and past glass-encased skyscrapers. chicagohelicopterexperience.com
Chicago Riverwalk A pedestrian-friendly trail— part of a multi-decade river revitalization plan—runs 1 1⁄4 miles along the river from Lake Michigan west to Lake Street. Explore gardens, public art, waterfront restaurants, and outfitters with boats, bikes and water taxis. chicagoriverwalk.us
Chicago Riverwalk
Festivals Chicago knows how to throw a party. Some summer highlights: barbecue and bands at Windy City Smokeout, the music festival Lollapalooza, and Chicago Air and Water Show.
The Field Museum This treasure trove of science and anthropology is a Midwest must-see. Thanks to reciprocity agreements, you might score free admission if you show a membership card from another science museum. fieldmuseum.org
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust tours Learn about Wright’s architectural legacy in the Chicago area—including his Oak Park home and studio, Unity Temple and the Robie House—on guided tours. flwright.org
Garfield Park Conservatory The 1908 building shelters 10,000 plant varieties beneath a 2.8-acre glass dome. Free programs include yoga sessions. garfieldconservatory.org
Hot Tix Get last-minute, half-price tickets to direct-from-Broadway shows and other productions. hottix.org
John G. Shedd Aquarium See beluga whales and other Pacific Northwest coast creatures at the Abbott Oceanarium exhibit and at aquatic shows. sheddaquarium.org
Shedd Aquarium
360 Chicago The five-state view from the 94th floor is spectacular and worth admission on a clear day. 360chicago.com
The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago Step out 1,353 feet above the ground in a glass box that juts 4 feet out from Willis Tower, the city's tallest building. theskydeck.com
The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo Opened in 1868, the free zoo is one of the nation’s oldest. It’s home to 1,100 animals from 200-plus species. lpzoo.org
The Magnificent Mile More than 460 high-end stores, including boutiques, department stores and high-rise shopping malls, line North Michigan Avenue. themagnificentmile.com
Millennium Park Crowds gather to photograph the Cloud Gate sculpture as well as for concerts (many free) at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. millenniumpark.org
Millennium Park
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago See four stories of mod works in a light-filled venue in the Streeterville neighborhood. The new Marisol restaurant provides an arty backdrop for meals. mcachicago.org
Museum of Science and Industry Visitors love programs about technology, transportation and more. The exhibit You! The Experience ages your face 30 years within minutes and makes a giant heart beat in time with your pulse. msichicago.org
Navy Pier The city’s most popular attraction draws crowds with the 200-foot- tall Centennial Wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, restaurants, shops, Imax movies and boat rides. navypier.com
Oak Street Beach Potted palm trees, a life-size chess set and access to the 18-mile Lakefront Trail make this urban beach a must. chicagoparkdistrict.com
The Second City A training ground for big-name comics, the theater stages shows that skewer current events. secondcity.com
Wrigley Field The Chicago Cubs play their 104th season at Wrigley this year. Upper-deck renovation is part of a $900 million project to upgrade the field, as well as develop the surrounding area. cubs.com
Where to eat
The Angry Crab No plates, no silverware, just giant bags of succulent shellfish coated in lemon pepper, garlic butter or Angry Cajun spices. Dine at either the Wicker Park or Rogers Park location. theangrycrabchicago.com
Bad Hunter The veggie-centric spot in the West Loop dishes complex flavors with simple names: Chips and Dip, for instance, is nori seaweed crisps served with a citrusy yuzu cream warmed with Japanese togarashi. heislerhospitality.com
Big Star Enjoy bourbon, beer and tacos along with honky-tonk music in a former 1940s gas station in Wicker Park and a second location in Wrigleyville. bigstarchicago.com
The Bongo Room The funky Wicker Park cafe is known for great breakfast dishes, fist-thick breakfast burritos and hotcakes with seasonal fruits and fillings. thebongoroom.com
Buddy Guy's Legends Soul food and live music restore weary travelers. buddyguy.com
Duck Duck Goat Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s playful take on a Chinese restaurant delivers a fun evening in the West Loop. Fare such as soup dumplings and spring rolls comes on blue porcelain plates decorated with goats. duckduckgoatchicago.com
Eataly Think of this place as a multistory celebration of Italian edibles. Counter service stations offer fresh hand-filled cannoli; Osteria di Eataly serves house-made pastas and classic Negronis; and aisles stock imported olive oils and antipasti for home cooking. eataly.com
Elske Danish-American fare might include sturgeon with trumpet mushrooms or squash fritters with trout roe at the West Loop restaurant. Candles atop wooden tables cast a welcoming glow. elskerestaurant.com
The Gage Premium whiskey and beer pair with meals like the Gage venison burger, with smoked Gouda and fried jalapeños, at a pub near Millennium Park. thegagechicago.com
Frontera Grill Celeb chef Rick Bayless owns the James Beard Award-winning restaurant specializing in seasonal Mexican flavors in River North. The homemade mole sauce always draws raves, as do the margaritas. rickbayless.com
Little Goat Diner All-day breakfasts—Fat Elvis Waffles with bananas and peanut butter; shrimp and cheesy grits; and Spanish omelets—star at this Fulton Market spot, one of the area restaurants run by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard. littlegoatchicago.com
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Of all the deep-dish joints in the city, many locals swear this chain (with 45 Chicagoland locations) serves the best. loumalnatis.com
Mercat a la Planxa Catalan-inspired tapas star on the seasonal menu in the fine-dining restaurant adjacent to the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel in the South Loop. mercatchicago.com
Mindy's HotChocolate Order seasonal desserts with any of 11 varieties of rich hot chocolate topped with house-made marshmallows in Bucktown/Wicker Park. hotchocolatechicago.com
Oiistar Get your ramen fix in Wicker Park. A bowl of broth swims with fresh noodles, pork belly, egg and garlic. Also delicious: buns stuffed with duck. oiistar.com
Oiistar
Pacific Standard Time Dishes from two hearth ovens reflect California vibes in River North: wood-roasted vegetables, simple proteins, whole-grain flatbread pizzas. pstchicago.com
Pizzeria Uno The deep-dish pizza craze began at this little River North spot. Pies feature crispy-edged crust, gooey cheese, toppings and a chunky tomato sauce. unos.com
Proxi Globally inspired small plates might include fried skate wing with Thai garlic-chili sauce or Indonesian pork jerky at the buzzy West Loop restaurant. proxichicago.com
The Purple Pig Snagging a spot at one of the communal tables may take an hour at this downtown spot, but patience pays off. Linger over small plates like the milk-braised pork. thepurplepigchicago.com
Revival Food Hall Grab food to go from one (or more) of 16 stalls featuring Chicago favorites like HotChocolate Bakery and Furious Spoon. The 24,000-square-foot marketplace sits on the ground floor of The National, a 1907 building in The Loop. revivalfoodhall.com
Smyth and the Loyalist Chefs in the open kitchen prepare inventive five-, eight- and 12-course meals for guests in Smyth’s brick-walled fine-dining space in the West Loop. Downstairs, The Loyalist serves craft cocktails, a terrific cheeseburger and fare like chicken liver mousse. smythandtheloyalist.com
Spinning J Retro furniture surrounds the vintage centerpiece: a 1928 soda fountain, where Humboldt Park diners order handmade sodas, pot pies, breakfast sandwiches, Thai tea milk shakes and s’mores pie. spinningj.com
Stan’s Donuts and Coffee The double-chocolate old-fashioned doughnut is decadent on its own but even better sliced with a thin layer of fresh gelato in the middle. stansdonutschicago.com
Swift and Sons In any debate about the best steak in meat-loving Chicago, Swift and Sons always makes the list. Savor Japanese wagyu, a bone-in ribeye or beef Wellington that serves two (plus seafood and veggie options), all in a swanky space inside the historic 10-story Fulton Market Cold Storage building. swiftandsonchicago.com
Terzo Piano The menu of the dining option at the Art Institute of Chicago stars Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as lamb Bolognese. terzopianochicago.com
Topolobampo A sleek Mexican restaurant owned by chef Rick Bayless connects to his Frontera Grill in River North and serves organic and heirloom produce. rickbayless.com
Where to stay
Ace Hotel Chicago Some rooms come with turntables or guitars in this industrial-chic West Loop hotel created in a building that once housed an Italian-American cheese- making company. Rooftop lounge Waydown hosts nightly live music. acehotel.com
The Blackstone Hotel Spend a bit to get a room or suite with a view of Lake Michigan at this South Michigan Avenue hotel that has hosted 12 presidents. theblackstonehotel.com
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel A boutique rehab at this historical men’s sports club added seven bars and restaurants—including the Game Room for both play and refreshment—along with 241 cushy guest rooms above Michigan Avenue. chicagoathletichotel.com
Freehand Hostel Aimed at social travelers, room options include a shared dorm with bunk beds, the lobby sports a craft cocktail bar, and staff will arrange activities like cooking classes and parties. thefreehand.com
Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago/Adrian Gaut
The Godfrey Hotel An ultramodern elliptical lobby and fourth-floor lounge with retractable roof and two-level fire pit set a luxurious tone in the 221-room hotel. godfreyhotelchicago.com
Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza At the affordable chain hotel in River North, every room has a view and free Wi-Fi, and a skywalk connects to the Merchandise Mart. martplaza.com
Hotel Chicago The high-energy, upscale hotel with a nightclub just off the lobby stands alongside the House of Blues in Marina City. thehotelchicago.com
Hotel EMC2 Tuxedoed robots Leo and Cleo might bring shampoo or towels to your room at this Streeterville hotel, where science and art accents elevate theguest experience. hotelemc2.com
Hotel Felix The River North hotel combines a 1927 Beaux Arts building with contemporary furnishings. Sensors reduce energy usage when rooms are unoccupied. hotelfelixchicago.com
Hotel Zachary A clubby game-day atmosphere injects this new subtly Cubs-theme hotel, which sits directly across Clark Street from Wrigley Field. hotelzachary.com
Hyatt Place Chicago/River North Hotel Breakfast is included with an affordable stay at a prime location. hyatt.com
Kimpton Hotel Allegro Touches of shimmering fabric echo original Art Deco design in this theater district landmark. In-room spa services help you relax. allegrochicago.com
Kinzie Hotel Chicago maps serve as murals in the 215 guest rooms and suites, reflecting the River North hotel’s focus on celebrating local art and culture. kinziehotel.com
The Langham Fine art graces the walls of the Mies van der Rohe skyscraper in River North, and the 316 guest rooms (complete with marble baths and rain showers) are some of the most spacious in the city. langhamhotels.com
The Langham
JW Marriott Chicago A $396 million project has transformed a historical Burnham building into a luxe hotel. The property includes a 20,000-square-foot spa. jwmarriottchicago.com
LondonHouse Chicago The 452-room luxury hotel occupies a 1923 former office building in a prime location on North Michigan Avenue. A tri-level rooftop bar overlooks the Chicago River. londonhousechicago.com
The Robey Book one of 69 tower rooms or 20 annex lofts (some with stylish bunk beds along with a queen) in this Wicker Park combo of a 1929 Art Deco office building and 1905 warehouse. therobey.com
The Virgin Hotel Ergonomic headboards support you while sitting in bed, a retro cool Smeg fridge houses the mini bar, and a smartphone app lets you adjust the heat and order room service. virginhotels.com
Warwick-Allerton Chicago Beyond its 1920s redbrick Renaissance exterior, the Allerton is contemporary. Rooms at this Magnificent Mile spot are comfortable with calming aesthetics. theallertonhotel.com
The Wit Check-in includes a warm chocolate chip cookie, and throughout the hallways, you’ll hear the chirping of birds and crickets. In the Loop’s theater district. thewithotel.com
More information: Choose Chicago choosechicago.com