2024 Chicago Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Chicago is one of the central midwestern United States' hot tourism cities and transportation hubs. Located on the banks of tranquil Lake Michigan, it is sometimes called "the Windy City". The skyscrapers of Chicago stand tall like a forest of buildings. Many of them are unique architectural landmarks that are a gorgeous representation of the region. All sorts of people historically have immigrated to Chicago, bringing their culture, food and music to the city, and have woven it all together into a brightly colored tapestry. The passion of baseball games and the beat of lively music are puzzle pieces that make up the city’s astounding energy. With regards to the field of public arts, Chicago is even more of a leader. Creative sculptures and brightly painted walls line public parks, green spaces and the city’s famous commercial district, the Magnificent Mile.
Today's Weather
Mostly cloudy 11-14℃
Popular Attractions
Field Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago
Shedd Aquarium
Willis Tower
Millennium Park
Welcome to the city of sin (Gotham)!!!
🌆 Are you ready to explore the charm of Chicago? Here is a 4-day and 3-night travel guide for you!
1️⃣ 🏢Trump Tower & Riverwalk: Charming day and night, suitable for a stroll.
2️⃣ 🌳Millennium Park: The Cloud Gate and skyscrapers complement each other, and the art gallery is a must-see.
3️⃣ 🌟Art Institute of Chicago: Rich collections, original works by Van Gogh and Monet, and a stunning Chinese exhibition area!
4️⃣ 🚤Architecture Tours: A 90-minute boat tour to learn about Chicago's architecture and history.
5️⃣ 🌇360 Chicago: Best at dusk, with unlimited time for photos of the sunset and night view!
6️⃣ 🛰️Museum of Science and Industry: Visit the WWII German U-boat and enjoy the fun of learning.
7️⃣ 🏫University of Chicago: Quiet and beautiful, suitable for a stroll.
8️⃣ 🌉Navy Pier: Suitable for a stroll day and night.
9️⃣ 🏖️Ohio Street Beach: A dreamy beach in the city, with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan.
🚗In terms of transportation, the roads in Chicago are clean and orderly, and the subway is quite convenient. Although you may need to rely on Uber outside the city center, most attractions are concentrated in the city center, so transportation is quite convenient.
The city is really nice, especially the night view. However, it is not recommended to go out after 9pm. Pay attention to safety and don't show any signs of wealth! Trust me, you will thank me when you come back!!!
The Art Institute of Chicago 👩🎨
#artmuseum
Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago was an absolute highlight of my trip to the Windy City! 🎨 Nestled right in the heart of downtown, just off Millennium Park, this museum is a must-see for anyone who loves art or history. The entrance fee is $25 for adults, but I found it totally worth it for the sheer size and quality of the collections. If you’re a Chicago resident, you get a discount, which is a nice perk!
I spent hours wandering through the galleries, with iconic works like American Gothic and Nighthawks being my personal favorites. The impressionist wing, featuring Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas, was an absolute dream—seeing A Sunday on La Grande Jatte up close felt surreal. The museum itself is massive, so plan to spend at least half a day here.
Nearby, you can stroll through Millennium Park to see The Bean or head to the Chicago Riverwalk for beautiful views. It’s all in the same area, making it perfect for a culture-filled day in the city. 🌆
#ArtInstituteChicago #Monet #AmericanGothic #ChicagoMuseum #ArtLovers #DowntownChicago
Take your kids to see the world on a Chicago sightseeing boat tour
⛱️Must-visit attractions:
• Navy Pier: Enjoy this bustling tourist spot and the beautiful lakeshore along the way.
• Chicago Skyline: View the spectacular cityscape of numerous skyscrapers from the water.
• Buckingham Fountain: A huge and magnificent fountain display.
🍜Food guide:
• Deep-dish pizza: A Chicago specialty with rich cheese and fillings.
• Hot dogs: Classic Chicago-style hot dogs with a variety of toppings.
• Italian beef sandwich: Tender and juicy beef with unique sauce.
🏨Accommodation guide:
• There are luxury hotels in the city center such as , with a prime location and complete surrounding facilities.
• You can also choose budget hotels or B&Bs, such as , which offer high cost performance.
🚄Transportation guide:
• Take public transportation to the boat dock, such as the subway or bus.
• If driving, be sure to learn about the nearby parking lots and their fees in advance.
💗Other tips:
• Book your boat tickets in advance and choose a suitable departure time.
• Dress appropriately according to the weather and bring sunscreen.
• Pay attention to the safety tips and regulations of the boat.
• Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
• Traveling during the off-season may offer a better experience and more favorable prices.
The LaSalle Chicago
During her stay at The LaSalle Chicago, she experienced beautiful and memorable moments. Here are some of these moments:
1. Sophisticated Design: Every detail of the hotel was elegantly designed. From the luxurious lobby to the comfortably furnished rooms with a modern style, the place added an amazing and upscale atmosphere with perfect comfort.
2. Stunning Views: The rooms offer magnificent views of Chicago. We could see the beautiful skyscrapers and the Chicago River sparkling in the light. This view was a special charm of our stay.
3. Dedicated Service: The staff at The LaSalle Chicago were very friendly and professional. They were always ready to meet our needs and help with everything we required, making our stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
4. Recreation and Relaxation Areas: The LaSalle Chicago has many amazing facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, and spa. We enjoyed a delightful time exploring and relaxing in these areas after a long day of exploring the city.
5. Excellent Cuisine: The restaurants and bars at The LaSalle Chicago offer a variety of delicious dishes and excellent drinks. We tasted high-quality local and international cuisines and enjoyed an unforgettable tasting experience.
6. Central Location: The LaSalle Chicago is ideally situated in the heart of Chicago. We had easy access to major landmarks, shops, restaurants, and theaters, which allowed us to explore the city easily and enjoyably.
Our stay at The LaSalle Chicago was a great and unique experience. The beauty of the design, dedicated service, and excellent location made it an unforgettable memory.
Staying grounded in the Windy City - Chicago
A spontaneous visit to Chicago during Thanksgiving ended up being a memorable experience.
The architecture in Chicago is just one of the best in the world.
The buildings and architecture of Chicago reflect the city's history and multicultural heritage, featuring prominent buildings in a variety of styles. Most structures downtown were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Chicago's architectural styles include Chicago Bungalows, Two-Flats, and Graystones along Logan Boulevard and Lawndale Avenue. The Loop is home to skyscrapers as well as sacred architecture including "Polish Cathedrals". Chicago is home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of skyscrapers in the world.
Should we talk about Pizza? Chicago’s dip dish pizza is a must try when in town. There are several places where you can try it but my recommendation will be Giordano’s.
Dont forget to visit the parks, museums, the lake and of course, the Observation deck at the Willis Tower.
My #2024wish is to travel to the wonderful paradise of Papua New Guinea.
#chicago ##cityview #travelphotography #travelpics #sunsetlovers #chicagotrip #historicallandmarks #mytravelhacks #travel #citytrip
Sheraton on the Chicago River| It makes me want to stay for a week without getting tired
| It makes me want to stay for a week without getting tired. Rent Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk in China
The Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is located in downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA.
When you arrive at the hotel, you will definitely be shocked by its magnificent architecture and magnificent facade. The hotel is located on the Chicago River, overlooking the city's beautiful scenery, making you feel the vitality and charm of this city.
Looking out from the windows of the guest rooms, you can enjoy the magnificent views of downtown Chicago or the lakeside.
The hotel also has a stylish bar that serves a selection of drinks and cocktails, making it an ideal place to relax with friends or family.
The hotel is ideally located, surrounded by Chicago's famous attractions and cultural venues. You can walk to Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Art Museum, the Milton. Duke Archives, etc.
Smart Museum of Art 🎨✨
I love The place and The innovative approach and passionate museum staff who do a lot to make the museum as welcoming and open for everyone as possible.
It’s a small art gallery located near the Uchicago library. It’s full of fancy modern art pieces. It does not take long to see all the exhibition, but I liked it very much. Creative installments made of tar paper, plastic straws, and cards are just amazingly cool.
There are also free storage lockers so you can view the exhibits unencumbered. We were so lucky to visit one of the concerts which was truly amazing and intense experience.
#wheretogo #bestplace #bestview #awesomepic #mytripvlog #celebratewithtrip #best_trip_by_trip #bestplace #recommended #besttimeever #bestdeal #awesometrip #tripcom
Museum of Contemporary Photography 👀✨
Columbia College's Museum of Contemporary Photography is small but worth visiting. It has three small floors with photography and sometimes film.
Even thought museum is located inside the Columbia building it is not affiliated with the college directly and I was told it only presents Columbia student produced photos in rarest exceptions.
Multiple pieces of art work that challenge your inner beliefs with a wide variety of styles from black and white stills, to vibrant pictures with colors popping off the wall, and multiple video pieces to round out the collection. Enjoyed the depth and breadth of artwork that was efficiently integrated into the space.
#wheretogo #bestplace #bestview #awesomepic #mytripvlog #celebratewithtrip #best_trip_by_trip #bestplace #recommended #besttimeever #bestdeal #awesometrip #tripcom
River Esplanade Park 💦✨
It’s always a joy and relaxing to spend time on the Chicago River. Amazing weather, sceneries and architecture. A good place to walk along the river if you don't want to cross the bridge to get to the river walk. Good for running, walking or even to just relax.
This has a very cool breeze place to sit and relax near a nice waterfall. The sound of the water fall is very relaxing and soothing. Water canon blasts over the river on the hour from late spring through early fall.
I highly recommend the boat tour if you’re interested in learning about the history of the city and early architecture. Really enjoy it. 🥰❤️
#wheretogo #bestplace #bestview #awesomepic #mytripvlog #celebratewithtrip #best_trip_by_trip #bestplace #recommended #besttimeever #bestdeal #awesometrip #tripcom
Shedd Aquarium 🐋✨
This is a very cool aquarium. The building itself is very beautiful. A great variety of sealife, fish, reptiles, amphibians in nice settings. The keepers and staff are friendly and informative. 👍🏻
There are lots of interactive exhibits enjoyable for any age group. They have a very large assortment of aquatic life and we were very pleased to see that their enclosures were well suited and maintained. Exploring the entire place took about 3 hours to see everything.
The gift shop was a large one with many options and the cafeteria had so many options. I got a chicken sandwich and it was very good. 😋
I highly recommend this museum, it has all the good stuff you'd expect from a high quality museum.
#wheretogo #bestplace #bestview #awesomepic #mytripvlog #celebratewithtrip #best_trip_by_trip #bestplace #recommended #besttimeever #bestdeal #awesometrip #tripcom
Capturing Chicago's Charms: Ready to Share the Magic
From speechlessness to sharing enchanting moments, I've captured the essence of Chicago. Join me as I unveil the mesmerizing images that encapsulate this magnificent city through my lens.
A Date with Adventure: Why I Wouldn't Date Myself
I sincerely think that starting to date me is the weirdest decision that can be made.
Well, I definitely would not want to be with someone with whom the dialogue every day would be something like:
- How are you?
- Great, I'm going to work, and you?
- Working too! Today I fed the lemurs, now I'm going to surf, and after it I’m flying with a helicopter to have dinner on the beach under the stars.
…
Well, it's hard to be with a person whom you can't surprise with anything. Restaurant? And not even underwater with sharks? Movie? And not even in a Maldivian villa?
Alright though. Only a warm bed, food and the words: “you don’t have to take photos today” can conquer my heart ;)
Either way, I wouldn't date myself.
Sometimes it seems to me that nothing can surprise me. Well, only if it's a suite with a breathtaking Chicago view and flowers everywhere in the room. @fschicago knows how to make it beautiful.
#FSChicago #Chicago
Chicago’s Urban Jungle
Chicago is one of my favorite US cities. It is a well planned city. I highly recommend strolling around the city and just be amazed by its urban architecture. Chicago has some of the most beautiful buildings in America. For me, I prefer staying around Magnificent Mile, which is a stone throw away Chicago River. Like other tourists, don’t miss visiting The Bean (Cloud Gate).#chicago #america #Chicagotrip
1 of the biggest museum🦖🦕
📸Attraction Name: THE FIELD MUSEUM
📍Location : 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Fascinated with everything related to natural history and dinosaurs? Then the Field Museum in Chicago must be added to your bucket list. The Field Museum has a magic to connect all of us to the natural world and the human story. Massive amount of visitors come from all around the world to see towering dinosaurs, the ancient artifacts from a royal Egyptian tomb (kinda eerie but very interesting) or relax in a Chinese rock garden hidden inside the Cyrus Tang Hall of China. You will find SUE the T. rex, residing in the “Evolving Planet” exhibit. There's something for everyone (kids and adults) and you could easily spend an entire day here.
If you purchase the Go City: Chicago Explorer Pass on trip.com, Field Museum is included.
The museum is open daily from 9AM—5PM (LAST ADMISSION AT 4PM).
#wecreate #awesomepic #fieldmuseum #chicago
Modern and natural perfect combination | 🇺🇸Chicago travel guide
Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, is known as the "City of Architecture".
🌟Own 1204 skyscrapers, including the world-famous 🔺Willis Tower and 🔺John Hancock Center.
🚏In Chicago, you can find over 550 parks, among which the most famous are 🔺Millennium Park and 🔺Grant Park.
🚏Here, there is also a beautiful 26-mile lakeside scenic route. Taking a walk along the lake is one of the favorite things for many people to do.
📸Chicago is still a city full of art and culture, with over 200 art galleries and theaters.
🌟If you are an artistic youth, you must go see a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or watch a local play at the Second City Theater.
📸If you are a food lover, Chicago is also a city not to be missed.
🚏Here are many famous restaurants and delicacies, such as grilled beef sandwiches, Chicago-style pizza, roasted pork knuckles, and Chicago hot dogs, etc.
✅You can find many specialty foods in the magnificent one-mile shopping mall and restaurants.
✅The best time to travel is in summer, from June to October. The climate is pleasant and the weather is warm and suitable for outdoor activities.
📸In addition, Chicago has many outdoor music festivals and cultural celebrations in the summer, which are definitely worth a visit.
📸If you want to avoid crowds, you can come to Chicago during the off-season and enjoy the winter scenery and ice skating fun.
#2023travelwish
#mytripvlog
So this time … AGU Conference in Chicago, USA
A few pictures of Chicago from this last week’s AGU meeting. It was a cloudy and wet week but AGU was fun with science, colleagues, and friends. Life is getting back to normal after a couple of years of isolation.
About AGU:
AGU (American Geophysical Union) is an international, nonprofit scientific association whose mission is to promote discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.
my wish…
I wanna travel to Austria for research conferences , or Philippine/Indonesia to look at volcanoes 🌋…
Visit The Art Institute of Chicago
A perfect place to explore in a cold snowy day. Located very close to Millenium Park.
The Highlights of this place were definitely the Van Gogh exhibits, specifically the self portrait. The other favourite was the Miniature Rooms exhibits at LL.
General admission was $25 per person and free admission for below 14 years. What an awesome deal.
The galleries were beautifully presented.
#urbanexplorer
Gino’s Pizza - Chicago Style Pizza Place
Great place to get an authentic Chicago style deep dish pizza! It is recommended that you order a deep dish prior to arriving as it could take over 40 minutes for the deep dish to cook properly. We ordered mozzarella sticks with buffalo sauce and I recommend it! Chicago is not a place I travel to often, but this was my second visit in five years and it is exactly how I remember! The sauce to cheese ratio is perfect, and they are very generous with the toppings! If I come to Chicago a third time, this will make my list again for sure. #CelebrateWithTrip #awesomepic #2023TravelWish #tripblazers #urbanexplorer
Evening Walk - Chicago during Christmas
Chicago is a must visit place during Christmas. It looks absolutely beautiful with Gorgeous Christmas trees across Chicago and fairy lights lit trees and other Christmas decorations. It looks like out of Disney movies. Chicago River walk and navy pier have many events to add fun. It gets cold during evening to wear comfortable shoes and Jackets and enjoy. Taste various delicious Snacks from many Christmas markets and visit Markets for souvenirs and gifts for local people. Definitely a must visit place. #bucketlistreboot #2023TravelWish #tripblazers #urbanexplorer #awesomepic #CelebrateWithTrip
Au Cheval - Small Restaurant in Chicago
This restaurant is located on Randolph Street. It has Great vibe! We went on a Wednesday at 5 and had no wait. This was our first time here, my friend did the burger (single which has two patties) added the bacon and egg per previous recommendations. It was definitely a great burger, little overpriced bunt still good in Chicago. It was all cooked to perfection. Service was good, staff was nice and kind. We would recommend giving it a try! Not recommended for vegetarian as there were minimal options. #restaurantweek #2023TravelWish #MyTripVlog #foodie #foodie #awesomepic #urbanexplorer #CelebrateWithTrip #wintergetaway #tripblazers #cafe #bucketlistreboot
Millennium Park,Chicago
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago. Millennium Park is a top tourist destination in Chicago and in the Midwest,and is placed among the top ten in the United States with 25 million annual visitors.Christmas Day Is Coming Thousands of people throng the parks to kick off the holiday season.there is a 55-foot Colorado blue spruce donated by the Glisovic family of Morton Grove. It stands in the garden,near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. It will be there until January 9th.#2023travelwish
People’s Palace
#celebratewithtrip
Hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy the beautiful architecture and free events that happen at the Chicago Cultural Center every year. Impressive neoclassical architecture from the 1890s is set among modern skyscrapers in a lovely juxtaposition of Chicago’s past and present.
In addition to viewing the two incredible stained-glass domes and mother of pearl mosaics, visitors can enjoy art exhibitions, family events, films, theater, music and much more in one of the city’s most popular attractions. Sometimes referred to as the “People’s Palace”, the building was not only the first permanent home to Chicago’s Public Library (on the Washington Street Side), but it also served as headquarters for Civil War veterans in its time.
Great place to visit
#celebratewithtrip
By far, one of my most favorite things to do in Chicago is to spend a whole day at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.So if you’re looking for things to do in Chicago ,the Museum of Science and Industry should be at the top of your list.
The Museum of Science and Industry is sprawled over five stories near the museum campus in Chicago (which houses the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum). The many exhibits—from the model train that travels over realistic terrain to a video installation that uses artificial intelligence to make you laugh—take up 400,000 square feet, which is six times the size of the White House.
My favourite Museum
#celebratewithtrip
I love The Field Museum . It is definately worth it to go to Chicago to see only this museum-it will take you a few days to go through it and see everything.
I have been to Chicagoseven times and visited The Field Museum everytime.
It is one of the world's great natural history museums, with a collection of over 20 million specimens and under 5% are on displayed.
They have Sue-the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found.
An exhibit called Inside Ancient Egypt that focuses on ancient funerary practices, with mummies of birds, cats, and birds.
The Mammoth-Bone Hutwhich is modeled on a 15,000 year old shelter found in the Ukraine, made of 300 bones from 13 mammoths, and many, many more exhibits to numerous to mention and it's open all year.
Impressive art institute
#celebratewithtrip
Chicago is home to world-class attractions for arts and culture, and on the top of that list is the Art Institute of Chicago! This impressive Chicago museum located in Grant Park is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the world, and is also one of the best things to do in Chicago.
Famous works like The Bedroom by Vincent van Gogh, American Gothic by Grant Wood, and so many others can be found here. The diverse collection spans centuries, different art periods and styles, and even geography.
the Art Institute is actually the second-largest art museum in America. It features three floors, 264,000 total square feet, and countless wings of special exhibitions and galleries.
In addition to the museum’s expansive permanent collection, special exhibits are always rotating. Public events take place here often, too. The Art Institute is also home to the Ryerson & Burnham Library, which has a large and impressive collection for research.
Coolest thing to do
#celebratewithtrip
360 Chicago has everything; stunning views, interactive experiences where visitors can learn about the city’s rich history.
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock building, the observation deck offers stunning view of the city’s famous Skyline and scenic Lake Michigan . I went on a clear day so am able to see as many as four states and very far away .Aside from the views I can also learn facts about Chicago neighborhoods and architecture through 18 stations of interactive touchscreens and info kiosks.
After the viewing I also have a drink the the bar name cloud bar and also bought some souvenirs like I also did .
Lastly for the ticket it will be USD30 .
Fun By the Lake
#celebratewithtrip
Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination.
One of the main attraction here is the Centennial Wheel with year-round, climate-controlled gondolas for the most spectacular Ferris wheel ride ever. It’s an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and a treasured piece of Chicago history
Another main attraction is the Offshore Rooftop & Bar: The nation’s largest rooftop bar, Offshore Rooftop & Bar offers panoramic lakefront and city views from atop Navy Pier’s Festival Hall.
There are many more other attractions which I will not go on should let you come here and experience it
Chicago:More Than a Mile of Magnificence
Magnificent Mile is the long stretch of street from Oak Road and runs along Michigan Avenue. Known for its upscale boutiques, restaurants, hotels and office buildings, Mag Mile as its also known, is a showcase of style, flavor, entertainment,culture and the arts.
The full 13-block stretch of square mile of Michigan Avenue to the south river. This is best explored by foot on a good autumn day, or early winter when the snow is just starting to fall. You may also take chartered bus tours which will take you to some of the most popular stops such as Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Bloomingdale, the historic Chicago Water Tower, Navy Pier among others.
I particularly enjoyed taking the water taxi and see Chicago as you follow the course of the Chicago River and see people at the River Walk.
#passionpassport
#MeetChicago
Food Adventure in Chicago
If you are looking a fun city with great food, Chicago, Illinois, USA is a great place to go.
The city is not as busy as the New York City. It's still busy but with fun twist. There are variety of food, even Halal food that you can try.
I'll start with the Chicago style deep dish pizza. Pizza in Chicago is cookes in deep pan, and the filling is very thick. Definitely a muat try.
There are multiple chocolate shops, like Hershey's, Ghirardelli, and Lavazza. I'm most enjoyed the thick hot chocolate drink from Lavazza Cafe. Not to forget the canolli and nutella crepe.
After the food hunt, you can enjoy the magnificent sunset view of Chicago from the Willis Tower.
#chicago #food #couple #couplestrip #fallingforfall
Falling for Chicago's Colors
Chicago is a place with just so much to offer-- from the its magnificent architecture, limitless museums, gastronomic feast, all of which are made exciting and a unique experience with the changing of the season.
Fall ushers the vibrant and colorful transition to the long and cold Chicago Winter. This transition is seen in the city's outdoor coming alive with people visiting the parks and partake in some good old activities such as food bazzars and street concerts or simply admire the various shades of red to orange and yellow foliage.
Millennium Park is perhaps the most popular place to visit as the park is lined up and has varieties of trees despite being in the urban jungle dominated by the towering Chicago skyline. It is also due to its central location and close proximity to The Magnificent Mile, travelers will never run out of activities to do, from picnics to visiting museum, shopping and dining, and many countless options just like the colors defining this time of the year.
And then comes Winter!
#fallingforfall
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Chicago