Chicago

Travel Guide

Chicago which includes a city and a high-rise building as well as a family
Chicago which includes a city and a high-rise building as well as a family
Chicago which includes signage, a city and heritage elements
Lake Michigan showing city views, a river or creek and night scenes
Chicago featuring street scenes and a skyscraper as well as a family

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 neighbourhood 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. Further 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 which includes 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 Michigan Avenue 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 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
River North showing railway items, street scenes 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
The dinosaur is ready for American football season.

O'Hare

3.5/5(10 area reviews)

Travellers choose O'Hare for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Cumberland Station or Remote Parking Station and check out top sights like Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

O'Hare
Beautiful fireworks

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
Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue Chicago IL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (9,797 reviews)
Room was clean. Only interaction i had with staff is when i checked in and checked out. You should add on your advertisement, parking that you pay 62 a day for has no in and out privileges. No one rents a car to leave parked. How many times a day do i have to keep paying 62? I gave it a food rating ...

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Congress Plaza Hotel
Hilton Chicago

Hilton Chicago

4 out of 5
720 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL
The price is €156 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
€156
per night
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in Chicago. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,541 reviews)
Great staff, good location .

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Hilton Chicago
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 €106 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
€106
per night
10 Feb - 11 Feb
Stay at this hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,554 reviews)
Overall we enjoyed our stay. The hotel was conveniently located to areas we wanted to visit that was walkable. It was over all clean and staff were friendly. Breakfast was average. The made to order eggs were the best as the other hot foods weren’t great. However, we would stay again when in the ...

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
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.
Sentral Michigan Avenue

Sentral Michigan Avenue

4 out of 5
808 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE Chicago IL
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness centre, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,057 reviews)
Enjoyed the room. Very comfortable

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Sentral Michigan Avenue
Level Chicago – Old Town

Level Chicago – Old Town

4 out of 5
1140 North Wells Street Chicago IL
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (411 reviews)
I stayed 5 nights total, 4 nights in a two BR, 1 bath with a balcony and the last night in a one BR. The 2BR was great. It faced East, received a lot of sunlight, was clean, modern and the bed was very comfortable. The gym had what I needed too. actually liked sleeping with the sound of the el nearby ...

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Level Chicago – Old Town
Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago

Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago

4 out of 5
One Superior Place Chicago IL
Stay at this aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (672 reviews)
The front desk was helpful and the location was great. Unfortunately, there was a certain shabbiness about the place--scuffs, broken slats on the blinds--and the appliances were not all in working order, including the coffee maker and the ice maker. It took days to have any problems address and ...

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago
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%
4 - Good
87
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lincoln Park area stunning.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

An exceptional city that personally trumps NYC.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A lot of homeless and beggars.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Other places like Chicago

Explore a world of travel with Expedia