What is the best time to visit Chicago?

The city is an absolute delight to visit throughout the year, but if you prefer a more moderate temperature, the best time to visit Chicago is October and early November. April and May are also good options, although it is advisable to book your tours and tickets well in advance as the popular experiences might get sold out.

There are options aplenty when it comes to getting around Chicago. The L trains (covering 145 stations around town) are cheap and easy to use and the buses keep Chicago well-connected. Sections of the city can be explored on walking tours and there’s a bike share system that’s always there if you want to grab a set of wheels.

What are some must-visit attractions in Chicago?

Among the must-see attractions in Chicago are Millennium Park, which is renowned for its iconic sculpture "The Bean," the Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Museum Campus (comprising the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium), the Willis Tower Skydeck, and Grant Park.

How to visit Chicago on a budget?

Visiting Chicago on a budget is definitely feasible. The city offers various cost-effective options such as free attractions like Millennium Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo, affordable dining establishments, and discounted or free museum days. It is worth considering options like the Chicago CityPASS for additional savings or exploring the diverse neighborhoods of the city to find budget-friendly experiences.

What are some famous foods to try in Chicago?

Chicago has gained fame for its culinary delights, including deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Garrett Popcorn, and a diverse range of culinary offerings found in neighborhoods such as Greektown and Chinatown.

Any tips for staying safe in Chicago?

Chicago’s gang violence has made headlines in recent years. But, don’t worry. You’ll be quite safe if you remember our safety tips. Spike Lee directed a film called Chi-Raq, depicting Chicago’s warlike violence on the south side. Avoid these neighborhoods at all costs. Tourist areas are usually rather safe. Common crimes near tourist areas are pickpocketing, smartphone snatching, and gambling scams, such as Three-card Monte. Avoid gathering crowds and secure your valuables in your front pocket or money wallet. Plan your travel route for a Chicago day trip ahead of time, have your ticket/passes ready, and try to appear confident and purposeful so as to avoid the attention of would be pickpocketers.

Experience Chicago Tours

Our curated Chicago tours and attraction tickets offer you easy access to an abundance of world-class museums, shopping districts, vibrant nightlife and tourist attractions. There’s no end to how much you can discover and experience in the charming city of Chicago. Visit top attractions in Chicago like the Millennium Park, Willis Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, the Magnificent Mile, and Garfield Park Conservatory. Book an architecture river cruise, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, guided sightseeing tours, super saver attraction passes and a city minibus tour to discover the best of the city at pocket-friendly rates. Check out Chicago sightseeing tours and combos by verified and handpicked tour operators and enjoy the top things to do in Chicago for a dream vacation!

Things to do in Chicago

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Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

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360 CHICAGO Tickets

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Chicago CityPASS: Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, Field Museum & More

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Chicago Odyssey Dinner Cruise

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Spirit of Chicago Lunch Cruise

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Go Chicago Card - All Inclusive: Hop-On, Hop-Off & Attractions Combo

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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

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Skydeck Chicago

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Go City: Chicago All-Inclusive Pass with 35+ Attractions

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Go City: Chicago Explorer Pass - Choice Of 2 to 7 Attractions

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Big Bus Chicago Hop-On, Hop-Off + Skydeck Chicago Ticket

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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise from Navy Pier

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Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour

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Navy Pier Centennial Wheel: Entry Ticket

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The Field Museum of Natural History: Entry Ticket

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Our tips for Chicago

Maxwell Street Market. Visit on a Sunday for some bargain shopping and to savor authentic Mexican cuisine at affordable prices. Have your fill of tacos, homemade tortillas, quesadillas, gorditas, and horchatas. A visit to this market is a long-standing Sunday tradition.
Free attractions. Save money on Chicago sightseeing by visiting popular attractions like the zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory. The zoo is free every day. Drop by the Art Institute of Chicago’s Ryan Education Center with your little ones for many free kid-friendly activities.
Attraction passes. Get an attraction pass like the Chicago CityPASS or the Go Chicago Explorer Pass to save BIG on admission to attractions as well as tours, cruises, and other fun activities.

Good to know

Chicago earned the nickname "Windy City," though its exact origin is debated. The common belief is that it alludes to either the city's blustery weather or the tendency of its politicians to be long-winded. Chicago is renowned for its remarkable skyline and architectural feats. It is hailed as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper and boasts some of the tallest buildings in the United States. The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, once held the title of the world's tallest building.

A culinary icon of Chicago is its famous deep-dish pizza. This delectable dish features a thick and doughy crust, a generous layer of cheese, and a chunky tomato sauce on top. Trying this unique pizza is a must-do for visitors to the city. The Great Fire of 1871 stands as one of the most pivotal events in Chicago's history. The fire devastated the central area of the city over a span of two days, leading to widespread destruction. However, Chicago demonstrated resilience and seized the opportunity to rebuild, implementing modern architectural and safety practices in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best time to visit Chicago?

A:
The city is an absolute delight to visit throughout the year, but if you prefer a more moderate temperature, the best time to visit Chicago is October and early November. April and May are also good options, although it is advisable to book your tours and tickets well in advance as the popular experiences might get sold out.
Q: How do I get around?

A:
There are options aplenty when it comes to getting around Chicago. The L trains (covering 145 stations around town) are cheap and easy to use and the buses keep Chicago well-connected. Sections of the city can be explored on walking tours and there’s a bike share system that’s always there if you want to grab a set of wheels.
Q: What are some must-visit attractions in Chicago?

A:
Among the must-see attractions in Chicago are Millennium Park, which is renowned for its iconic sculpture "The Bean," the Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Museum Campus (comprising the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium), the Willis Tower Skydeck, and Grant Park.
Q: How to visit Chicago on a budget?

A:
Visiting Chicago on a budget is definitely feasible. The city offers various cost-effective options such as free attractions like Millennium Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo, affordable dining establishments, and discounted or free museum days. It is worth considering options like the Chicago CityPASS for additional savings or exploring the diverse neighborhoods of the city to find budget-friendly experiences.
Q: What are some famous foods to try in Chicago?

A:
Chicago has gained fame for its culinary delights, including deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Garrett Popcorn, and a diverse range of culinary offerings found in neighborhoods such as Greektown and Chinatown.
Q: Any tips for staying safe in Chicago?

A:
Chicago’s gang violence has made headlines in recent years. But, don’t worry. You’ll be quite safe if you remember our safety tips. Spike Lee directed a film called Chi-Raq, depicting Chicago’s warlike violence on the south side. Avoid these neighborhoods at all costs. Tourist areas are usually rather safe. Common crimes near tourist areas are pickpocketing, smartphone snatching, and gambling scams, such as Three-card Monte. Avoid gathering crowds and secure your valuables in your front pocket or money wallet. Plan your travel route for a Chicago day trip ahead of time, have your ticket/passes ready, and try to appear confident and purposeful so as to avoid the attention of would be pickpocketers.