Downtown Chicago

Chicago

Downtown Chicago which includes a city
Downtown Chicago
Downtown Chicago featuring a high-rise building and a city
Downtown Chicago showing signage
Downtown Chicago showing signage and a city

The heart of the Midwest’s glittering metropolis has many offerings, from shopping and dining to parks, museums and exciting contemporary public art.

Filled with some of America’s best museums, parks and art, Downtown Chicago is a tourist’s playground. Downtown, sometimes called the Chicago Loop, shows visitors Chicagoan hospitality and attractions. Stroll along the lakefront, go shopping, learn about art, history and culture or relax in the area’s famous restaurants.

No matter the weather, Downtown Chicago’s incredible collection of museums offers unlimited ways to spend an afternoon. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago’s renowned Impressionist collection and stand in awe before Edward Hopper’s famous painting Nighthawks.

Gape at Sue, the large Tyrannosaurus rex at the Field Museum of Natural History. See piranhas, turtles, otters and seals at the Shedd Aquarium or fly high on Navy Pier’s 196-foot (50-metre) Ferris wheel. Get even higher at the Willis Tower Skydeck, a whopping 1,475 feet (450 metres) in the air.

Spend time outside in the area’s manicured public parks, featuring diverse gardens and public art. Watch the spectacular light show at Buckingham Fountain, an art deco construction that is one of the biggest fountains in America. Take Chicago’s classic tourist selfie in front of the reflective curves of Cloud Gate, “the Bean,” near the shores of Lake Michigan.

Shop, dine or stroll along the Magnificent Mile, a commercial district popular with tourists and locals. Catch a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field or play on Grant Park’s fields.

Downtown Chicago is located on Chicago’s eastern border, along Lake Michigan. Drive here in 45 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which serves various locations throughout the region and the world. Downtown Chicago is the most frequented part of the city and is quite safe. Parking can be expensive and difficult to find, so walking is best for exploring this bustling district.

At the end of a long day of museums and touring, nothing can beat a picnic under the Frank Gehry-designed arches of Millennium Park as the sun sets behind Chicago’s iconic skyline.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Chicago

The Wade

The Wade

4.5 out of 5
644 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL
The price is €152 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€152
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,205 reviews)
"The pool could have been a bit better"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

The Wade
Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €190 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
€190
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a 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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (9,006 reviews)
"Great history . Staff was excellent"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Congress Plaza Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

4 out of 5
600 N State St, Chicago, IL
The price is €153 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
€153
4 Sept - 5 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,729 reviews)
"The hotel was wonderfully nestled downtown and an easy walk to sites and restaurants."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL
The price is €196 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
€196
4 Sept - 5 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,869 reviews)
"The hotel lobby, was amazing, the elevators are unique… but the rooms need to renovate, the drywall paper is coming apart in the whole room including the bathrooms, and housekeeping was the worse, never clean our room in 3 nights 4 days of stay. Very disappoint in that particular area. The rest was ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

3 out of 5
10 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is €144 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
€144
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,737 reviews)
"Very useful having a fridge and microwave for reheating those leftover steak and deep dish dinners! Also good size safe for storing a laptop. Only issue was with the breakfast - should check what the breakfast coupons are good for. There was a standard option with oatmeal, scrambled eggs, bacon, ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites

3.5 out of 5
198 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL
The price is €160 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€160
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,669 reviews)
"What i liked was its location. In the middle of everything. But off the busy street. Restaurants & shopping a block away. What needs to be done is an upgrade to the bathroom. Wasn't bad , but tub/shower area need some attention."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Chicago

The Loop - Downtown showing a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(187 area reviews)

Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan 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
Chicago showing rides

Theatre District

While you're in Theatre District, take in top sights like Michigan Avenue or State Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Washington Station or Monroe Station (Blue Line).

Theatre District
Default Image

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
Navy Pier featuring wild flowers and general coastal views as well as a couple

Streeterville

Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Streeterville. Travellers also love the fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops.

Streeterville
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
Magnificent Mile - River North showing street scenes, signage and night scenes

Near North Side

4.5/5(248 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Near North Side. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at Clark-Division Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

Near North Side


Downtown Chicago

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