Chicago

Travel Guide
Willis Tower which includes a skyscraper, a city and mist or fog

Chicago Travel Guide Video

Watch a baseball game at Wrigley Field, snap photos of your reflection in Cloud Gate and explore the Windy city’s fascinating museums.

Discover sightseeing, shopping and sports in Chicago. Illinois’ largest city has a cultural scene that is as impressive as its skyline on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Within downtown Chicago’s Loop, visit galleries and restaurants. Snap a photo of Cloud Gate, known as The Bean, the iconic silver sculpture in Millennium Park. See the city unfold beneath you from the glass-bottomed ledge of Willis Tower.

Explore the neighborhood of Lincoln Park. Sunbathe on the namesake park’s public beaches, visit the animals in the Lincoln Park Zoo and discover exotic plants in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Ride the Ferris wheel in the waterfront Navy Pier district. Go shopping along the Magnificent Mile, the city’s famed shopping strip.

At Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum, tour the childhood home of one of America’s most enduring authors. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio for a peek into the legendary architect’s life and work. Nearby, see the self-proclaimed “jewel” that Wright designed, Unity Temple.

Team spirit is strong in Chicago. Watch the Chicago Bears play on their home turf at Soldier Field. Root for a home run for the Chicago Cubs at iconic Wrigley Field.

Visit Chicago’s many outstanding museums. See ancient Mesopotamian carvings and art by Claude Monet at the Art Institute of Chicago. Learn about the city’s past at the Chicago History Museum. Check out the Apollo 8 spacecraft and other fascinating exhibits at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. See dinosaur bones and Egyptian mummies at Field Museum of Natural History.

Transport yourself to an African savannah, the Australian outback and the Arctic tundra at the Brookfield Zoo.

Explore beyond Downtown Chicago and visit Shedd Aquarium. Farther afield, the North Suburbs, West Suburbs and Aurora offer a break from the city bustle. Visit LEGOLAND in Schaumburg or see a polo match in Oak Brook. Spin through dozens of roller coasters and rides at Six Flags America in Gurnee.

Where to stay in Chicago

Downtown Chicago featuring a city

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Grant Park and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago
Magnificent Mile - River North

Magnificent Mile

Are you interested in fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops? A visit to Magnificent Mile might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Michigan Avenue and Chicago Water Tower.

Magnificent Mile
The Loop - Downtown featuring a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(187 area reviews)

Grant Park and Millennium Park are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

The Loop
Shops at North Bridge featuring street scenes, cbd and a city

River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

River North
Chicago featuring a city and modern architecture

Lincoln Park

5/5(5 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fantastic lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lincoln Park. You can visit top attractions like Lake Michigan and Lincoln Hall, and jump on the metro at Fullerton Station or Armitage Station to see more of the city.

Lincoln Park
Default Image

Lakeview

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Known for its lively bars and lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lakeview. Top attractions like Wrigley Field and Lake Michigan are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Southport Station or Addison Station (Red Line) to see more of the city.

Lakeview
Congress Plaza Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel
3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is €133 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€133
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (6,589 reviews)
"This hotel sometimes gets a bad rap for being old and for some things being outdated. But my room this time has been completely remodeled and was quite nice. They even replaced the 100yr old toilet flushing fixture and the bathroom was completely updated. The price was merely double the hostel. Hopefully ..."

Reviewed on 25 Apr 2024

Congress Plaza Hotel
River Hotel
River Hotel
4 out of 5
75 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
The price is €144 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€144
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,804 reviews)
"Wonderful stay in the best part of town"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2024

River Hotel
Eurostars Magnificent Mile
Eurostars Magnificent Mile
4 out of 5
660 North State Street, Chicago, IL
The price is €186 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€186
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,864 reviews)
"This was an amazing place to stay can’t wait to go back"

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2024

Eurostars Magnificent Mile
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sonder Market Hall
Sonder Market Hall
3.5 out of 5
1436 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a nightclub, a fitness center, and concierge services. Popular attractions United Center and Willis Tower ...
8/10 Very Good! (73 reviews)
"The property was nice, clean and fresh. The Studio was really nice and updated."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2024

Sonder Market Hall
Sentral Michigan Avenue
Sentral Michigan Avenue
4 out of 5
808 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, valet parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (383 reviews)
"The property is in a great location! Everyone at the desk were friendly and helpful. Plenty of dining options you can walk to. Taking the train is easy with the orange, red and brown line stops nearby. One downfall is that check in is at 4pm. Luckily we were able to leave my luggage while we explored ..."

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2024

Sentral Michigan Avenue
Sonder South Wabash
Sonder South Wabash
3.5 out of 5
1419 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, concierge services, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (288 reviews)
"My only two complaints are that two of the three curtains had their chains off the track so you could not put them up or down. My other complaint is purely my own opinion but I feel like there should have been better placement for the outlets."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Sonder South Wabash
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Chicago

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
227
" "5 - Excellent 70.27863777089783%
4 - Good
87
" "4 - Good 26.934984520123837%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 2.7863777089783284%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

Lincoln Park area stunning.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Mar 2020

We’ve vacationed in 13 states and this was the first time in Illinois more specifically Chicago. I would go as far as to say this is now my favourite US city. I’d recommend to anyone thinking of making the trip and definitely choose the Godfrey.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
11 Mar 2020

Chicago was a fantastic City to visit, loads yo do for everyone

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Feb 2020

An exceptional city that personally trumps NYC.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Jan 2020

A lot of homeless and beggars.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Jan 2020

Can get very busy, we explored a lot around Christmas, which helped a lot with the crowds.