Travel Guide of Chicago in United States by Influencers and Travelers

Chicago, officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the third-most-populous city in the United States.

The Best Things to Do and Visit in Chicago

TRAVELERS TOP 10 :

1 - Willis Tower

The Willis Tower is a 110-story, 1,450-foot skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At completion in 1973, it surpassed the World Trade Center in New York City to become the tallest building in the world, a title that it held for nearly 25 years; it was also the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere for 41 years, until the new One World Trade Center surpassed it in 2014.

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2 - Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois operated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and managed by MB Real Estate.

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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Chicago Walking Tours

Immerse yourself in Chicago’s distinct skyline with bold skyscrapers and incredible views of Lake Michigan with tickets for a guided tour of Chicago's highlights.

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4 - Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is an open, pedestrian waterfront located on the south bank of the main branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois managed by MB Real Estate. It extends from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street.

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5 - Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

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6 - Sightseeing | Centennial Wheel

Soar to heights of nearly 200 feet over Navy Pier, with unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Experience the iconic Chicago skyline.

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7 - Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile, sometimes referred to as The Mag Mile, is an upscale section of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, running from the Chicago River to Oak Street in the Near North Side.

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8 - Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate is a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, that is the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois.

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9 - 875 North Michigan Avenue

The John Hancock Center, is a 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Magnificent Mile district, its name was changed to 875 North Michigan Avenue on February 12, 2018.

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10 - Grant Park

Grant Park is a large urban park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Located within the city's central business district, the park's features include, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Campus.

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11 - LaSalle Street Station

LaSalle Street Station is a commuter rail terminal at 414 South LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. It was a major intercity rail terminal for the New York Central Railroad until 1968, and for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad until 1978, but now serves only Metra's Rock Island District.

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12 - Maggie Daley Park

Maggie Daley Park is a 20-acre public park in the Loop community area of Chicago operated by the Chicago Park District and managed by MB Real Estate.

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13 - Berger Park

   13 km away

Berger Park, officially Park #1255 of the Chicago Park District, is a small recreational area bordering Lake Michigan in the Edgewater neighborhood of North Side, Chicago, Illinois. The park features the historic Downey House and Samuel H. Gunder houses.

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14 - Bahá'í House of Worship

   22 km away

The Baháʼí House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois is a Baháʼí temple in Wilmette, Illinois. It is the second Baháʼí House of Worship ever constructed and the oldest surviving.

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15 - Baha'i House of Worship

   22 km away
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Pictures and Stories of Chicago from Influencers

20 pictures of Chicago from Pedro Lastra, Max Bender, Alex Shutin and other travelers

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Why should you visit Chicago ?

Travel to Chicago if you like:

  🌆 Skyline     🗼 Landmark     🛣️ Road trip     🏘️ Town     🏖️ Ocean     🏘️ Cottage  

How to visit Chicago ?

Getting to Chicago is relatively simple, with two major airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW), serving the city. Both airports offer numerous flights from various destinations around the world. Once in Chicago, the city's public transportation system, including the famous "L" trains and buses, makes getting around easy and affordable.

One of the key aspects to consider when visiting Chicago is booking tickets for popular attractions in advance. The Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium are among the city's most visited sites, so it is highly recommended to book tickets online beforehand. Also, consider purchasing a CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save on admission fees for multiple attractions.

In terms of costs, Chicago can be an affordable destination if you plan wisely. Accommodation, food, and transportation costs vary, but with proper research, you can find options that suit your budget. Generally, expect to pay around $100-$200 for a mid-range hotel, $10-$20 for a meal at a casual restaurant, and $2.50 for a single-ride ticket on public transportation.

Chicago offers a myriad of exciting things to do, including visiting iconic sites like the Willis Tower Skydeck, taking an architectural boat tour along the Chicago River, and strolling through Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as "The Bean." Catch a baseball game at historic Wrigley Field, or explore the city's diverse neighborhoods such as Wicker Park and Pilsen.

For dining options, consider trying deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria or Giordano's, both of which are highly popular among locals and tourists alike. For a more upscale experience, visit Girl & the Goat, a trendy eatery that features an innovative menu created by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard.

When choosing where to stay, consider the following options: the centrally-located Hyatt Regency Chicago, the stylish and modern Kimpton Gray Hotel, or the affordable but comfortable Freehand Chicago, which offers both shared and private rooms.

Off the beaten path:

For a unique and unusual travel experience in Chicago, visit the International Museum of Surgical Science, which houses an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history of surgery. This lesser-known attraction provides a fascinating insight into the medical field and is sure to leave a lasting impression. Another offbeat experience is to explore the city's thriving street art scene by taking a guided tour or simply wandering through the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Logan Square, where you'll find impressive murals and installations adorning the buildings.

Learn More about Chicago

Chicago is the third biggest city in America.

Swept by the wind from nearby Lake Michigan, the capital of 1920s gangsters and jazz is also the cradle of modern architecture with skyscrapers competing with creativity in the Loop district. A stay in Chicago is a cultural getaway with nearly 40 museums including the Art Institute, the second largest museum in the U.S. after the Met in New York. Chicago also has many green spaces, including the newest, Millennium Park, which hosts summer jazz concerts in its open-air auditorium

The largest city in the Midwest is not even the capital of its state, Illinois.

But America's third-largest city holds a special place in the United States and the world. The world capital of architecture in the first half of the 20th century, bordered by a lake that looks like the sea, Chicago is at the forefront of American history and culture. Strongly marked by industrialization and prohibition, the city offers a masterful courtyard on the skyscrapers in the Loop, its hyper center surrounded by the aerial metro. The quintessential urban landscape of the last century, full of remarkable buildings and works of art. Its 46 museums and more than 200 theaters are the other faces of this cultural mecca also synonymous with jazz and blues but also soul and house music.

Far from the bling of California or the elitism of New York, Chicago is the bastion of culture in the northern United States.

If the massive arrival of immigrants with the industrialization of the late 19th and early 20th century forged the soul and prosperity of the city,
it has subsequently become a metropolis with a powerful economy and international cultural influence, diversifying and offering an increasingly pleasant living environment.

Chicago, the old industrial city, has become since the end of the 20th century one of the most innovative cities in America, a pioneer in the protection and management of green spaces and urban biodiversity.

Strolling among the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago, climbing to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), taking a break in Grant Park and Navy Pier on the shores of Lake Michigan, shopping on the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue, going to the show, the theater or the countless concert halls, getting lost in the museums
Chicago offers travelers an urban tourism experience of rare intensity and diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Chicago

What to visit in Chicago ?

Here are the top 10 to visit in Chicago :

• The Willis Tower
• Marina City
• The Field Museum 
• The John Hancock Observatory
• The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)
• The Loop
• The Millennium Park
• The Magnificent Mile
• The Music Box Theatre
• Fly over the city in a helicopter

Chicago : How to get there?

Several airlines offer direct flights from major European capitals 
 It takes about 7h30/8h to reach Illinois crossing the Atlantic

. It is relatively easy to reach Chicago from New York for example or from other North American cities. Compare the best offers on Skyscanner.

Where to stay in Chicago?

• To visit Chicago, the easiest way is to stay downtown, at the corner of Michigan Avenue, because it is very central and there are dozens of hotels.

•  However, you should avoid the Loop on weekends because it is the business district and it is completely deserted on weekends and in the evening.

• You should also avoid the west and south sides of the city because they are not the best places to stay in Chicago.

   Where to Stay in Chicago

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   More Travel spots to explore around Chicago

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Discover more travel spots to explore around Chicago

  🗼 Landmark spots     🌆 Skyline spots     🏘️ Town spots     🌉 Bridge spots     🌊‍ Ocean spots     🛣️ Road trip spots     Flipping spots     Skateboarding spots     Ferris wheel spots     🏘️ Cottage spots     🏞️ Waterway spots     🌲 Forest spots     🐾 Wildlife spots  

  Travel map of Chicago

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