2024 Chicago Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

Chicago is a vibrant city in Illinois, USA, known for its spectacular architecture, rich culture, and cuisine. Here is a 3-day travel guide to Chicago, including an itinerary: 🌴Day 1: Downtown Exploration ✅Morning: Willis Tower - Start your journey from what was once the tallest building in the world. Take the elevator to the observation deck and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Art Institute of Chicago - Visit this world-famous art museum and admire its vast collection, including masterpieces such as Grant Wood's American Gothic. ✅Afternoon: Millennium Park - Explore this modern park, including the famous "Bean" (Cloud Gate) sculpture. Chicago River Architecture Cruise - Take a river cruise to learn about the city's history and architecture. ✅Evening: Deep Dish Pizza Dinner - A must-try in Chicago is an authentic deep-dish pizza. Lou Maln's is a popular choice. 🌴Day 2: Museums and Parks ✅Morning: Field Museum of Natural History - Explore one of the largest natural history museums in the world and don't miss the dinosaur fossil exhibit. Shedd Aquarium - Adjacent to the Field Museum, this is the largest indoor aquarium in North America. ✅Afternoon: Lincoln Park Zoo - A free zoo perfect for family visitors. John Hancock Center - Climb to the observation deck of this skyscraper for a different view of the city. ✅Evening: Blues Club - Experience Chicago's famous blues music. Buddy Guy's is one of the most popular venues in town. 🌴Day 3: Surrounding Areas and Cultural Experiences ✅Morning: Oak Park - Visit the home and works of Frank Lloyd Wright, such as the Robie House. University of Chicago - Stroll through the beautiful campus and feel the academic atmosphere. ✅Afternoon: Navy Pier - Enjoy rides, shopping, and food at this popular tourist attraction. Chicago Theater District - See a Broadway musical or play. ✅Evening: Riverside Restaurant Dinner - Enjoy dinner at a restaurant on the Chicago River to end your trip. 💕Travel Tips: Consider purchasing a city pass, such as the Chicago CityPASS, to save on admission to multiple attractions. Dress appropriately for the season, as Chicago can be very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer!

#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

⛱️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.

1⃣️Millennium Park 📍201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 Located on Chicago's busiest Michigan Avenue. Many tourists take photos in front of the park’s huge bean-shaped sculpture, Cloud Gate🤳. . 2⃣️Navy Pier 📍600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, it has a history of nearly a century and is an iconic attraction in Chicago. Navy Pier is U-shaped, with squares and shops in the middle, and trails on the sides. Along the trails, you can enjoy the view of Lake Michigan. . 3⃣️Wrigley Field 📍Chicago, Illinois, USA Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs of the National League Central Division of Major League Baseball. One of its features is the ivy-covered outfield wall. . 4⃣️The Art Institute of Chicago 📍111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA The museum is in Victorian style and contains European, American and Oriental sculptures, paintings, prints, drawings, as well as African art and pre-Columbian American art. . 5⃣️Willis Tower Willis Tower 📍233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA Willis Tower has a total of 110 floors. Tens of thousands of tourists come here every day just to climb to the 412-meter-high 103-story Chicago Sky Observation Deck to overlook the entire Chicago panorama. . 6⃣️Museum of Science and Industry 📍5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL Here, you can visit German submarines captured during World War II, experience the operation of coal mines, experience the All-Sky Cinema, and witness the process of chicks breaking out of their shells in the chicken hatchery. . 7⃣️Field Museum of Natural History 📍1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA The museum displays a relatively complete fossil of Tyrannosaurus Rex🦖. Here, you can enter an Egyptian tomb, interact with a man-eating lion from Kenya up close, and experience the experience of coexisting with dinosaurs! . 8⃣️Lincoln Park ZooLincoln Park Zoo 📍2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA All visits to the Lincoln Park Zoo are free. The zoo leads the world in gorilla breeding, and if you're lucky, you can see chimpanzees 🦍 drawing with crayons. . 9⃣️Shedd Aquarium 📍1200 S DuSable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 The Shedd Aquarium is very large, and you can see staff feeding ferocious sharks on site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day🦈. . 🔟Riverwalk 📍Chicago, IL 60601 The Riverwalk is a leisure and sightseeing trail built along the Chicago River. Along this trail, you can appreciate the beauty of Chicago architecture up close.

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.

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

| 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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

📸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

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 🌋…

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

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

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

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 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

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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 .

#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

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

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