Things To Do

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder. Since its reopening in 1995, more than 240 million guests from around the globe have come to enjoy the Pier’s 50 acres of unparalleled attractions and experiences.

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor's first public outdoor work installed in the United States. The 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. A 12-foot-high arch provides a "gate" to the concave chamber beneath the sculpture, inviting visitors to touch its mirror-like surface and see their image reflected back from a variety of perspectives. Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high.

Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is a beautiful waterfront walkway that runs through the middle of downtown Chicago along the Chicago River. If you’ve never been there, imagine a long scenic path right at the water’s edge with the city’s tall skyscrapers rising all around you. As you walk along the Riverwalk, you see boats and architecture tour cruises gliding down the river, people sitting at outdoor cafes, and others relaxing on steps that lead right down to the water. The atmosphere feels lively but also relaxing—like a mix between a city park, a waterfront boardwalk, and an outdoor dining district. There are places to grab a drink or meal, rent kayaks, sit by the water, or simply stroll and take in the views. During warmer months, it’s especially vibrant with music, outdoor seating, and people enjoying the skyline views. At night, the buildings and bridges light up, reflecting on the river and creating a really beautiful city scene.

Home Run Inn Pizza

A beloved Chicago institution since 1923, Home Run Inn Pizza started as a small neighborhood tavern on the city’s South Side. Named after a nearby baseball field where local teams played, the restaurant became famous when the owners began serving homemade thin-crust pizza in 1947. Today, it’s known for its classic Chicago tavern-style pizza, crispy, square-cut slices with signature sausage and remains a favorite spot for locals and visitors looking to experience authentic Chicago pizza.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

In 1933, Julius Rosenwald turned a spark of inspiration into a legacy. After witnessing his child’s fascination with an interactive exhibit, Rosenwald envisioned a museum where science came to life for everyone. Today, Rosenwald’s vision continues at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, where more than 200 million guests have ignited their curiosity through our immersive experiences. As one of the largest science museums in the world, we bridge education and innovation, delivering hands-on exhibits and outreach programs that break barriers and engage future thinkers of all ages.

First Lady Architectural Tour

The Boardwalk | Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is a 1.25-mile waterfront path in downtown Chicago, known for its restaurants, boat tours, and skyline views along the Chicago River.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

TILT out over 1,030 feet above Chicago The exhilarating TILT experience is the highest thrill ride in Chicago! Ride TILT by day or night as you "tilt" outward toward the city below.

Obama Presidential Center

Located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, the Obama Presidential Center is a new cultural landmark honoring the presidency and legacy of Barack Obama. The campus will feature a museum, library, gardens, and community spaces designed to inspire civic engagement and leadership. Visitors can explore exhibits about Obama’s presidency while enjoying scenic park views near Lake Michigan.

Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain

The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park and runs from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, typically from early May through mid-October, depending on weather. Display times are subject to change during special events in Grant Park. While in operation, the Fountain produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour. During the major display, a center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air. Major displays begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and continue thereafter, every hour on the hour. Beginning at dusk, a spectacular light and music display accompanies the major display, beginning every hour on the hour for 20 minutes. After the last on-the-hour display takes place at 10 p.m., the final display of the day begins at 10:35 p.m. The fountain shuts down just after the last display, around 10:55 p.m.

Adler Planetarium

spectacular, panoramic view of the Chicago skyline from the building's exterior terrace and the adjacent Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk. It is widely considered the best unobstructed photo spot in the entire city, capturing the lake and the skyscrapers perfectly. Inside the museum, the top experiences to share with guests are organized below. Iconic Experiences The Grainger Sky Theater: This ultra-high-resolution dome show completely immerses viewers in space and is the planetarium's premier indoor attraction. Gemini 12 Capsule: A major piece of space history, this actual spacecraft was flown by Captain James A. Lovell Jr. and Buzz Aldrin. Immersive History & Hands-On Fun The Atwood Sphere: Chicago’s oldest planetarium (built in 1913), a mechanical metal sphere that shows the night sky exactly as it looked over Chicago a century ago. Doane Observatory: The largest aperture telescope open to the public in the Midwest, allowing guests to see celestial objects live when open.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest, largest, and most renowned art museums in the United States, housing nearly 300,000 works of art spanning centuries and the globe. Located in downtown Chicago next to Millennium Park, it is famous for its world-class Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and American art collections.

Brookfield Zoo

The zoo features 21 major exhibits designed around naturalistic indoor and outdoor habitats. Great Bear Wilderness: Offers underwater viewing areas to get eye-to-eye with polar bears and grizzly bears. Seven Seas: Home to the zoo's popular bottlenose dolphins and daily Dolphin Discovery presentations. Tropic World: One of the world's largest indoor zoo exhibits, showcasing primates from three different continents. Dinos!: A special seasonal, immersive dinosaur exhibit running through the summer and included with general admission. Rides: Features one of the largest hand-carved carousels in the country, a giant Ferris wheel, and the Motor Safari open-air tram. Wild Connections & Animal Feedings For additional fees, the zoo offers interactive animal encounters: Brookfield Zoo Chicago Giraffe Feedings: Available daily through the warmer months at Habitat Africa: The Savannah. Penguin & Flamingo Feedings: Scheduled small-group programs where you can step behind the scenes

Field Museum

DuPage Children's Museum

Looking for a fun, educational way to spend the day with kids? The DuPage Children’s Museum features interactive, hands-on exhibits that make learning feel like play—perfect for families, school groups, or anyone visiting with curious young minds.

The Morton Arboretum

Trails and Scenic Drives: The property features 16 miles of unpaved hiking trails and 9 miles of paved roads perfect for driving, cycling, or walking. Children’s Garden: A 4-acre, interactive outdoor playground featuring climbing structures, splash streams, and giant wooden acorns. Acorn Express Tram: A seasonal, guided tram ride that offers a fully narrated tour across the expansive grounds. The Living Collection: Home to over 222,000 live plants and 4,100 unique tree species focused heavily on global tree conservation and research. The Morton Arboretum Vivid Creatures Art Workshop: Creative, hands-on weekend art activities inspired by the venue's massive outdoor sculptural exhibition.