The best things to do in Chicago, from baseball games to river walks
Just walking around Chicago is a delight. Many city buildings are designed by world famous architects, in styles ranging from Art Deco to contemporary. There’s also a leafy lakefront area, a lovely spot to sit on the cement slabs and take in the expansive water and skyline views. Neighbourhoods are filled with wall murals, adorable shops and restaurants, with cultures from around the world represented.
A great way to see the city is by boat, either up-close while cruising through downtown on the Chicago River, or from a distance on Lake Michigan. Chicago’s museums and theaters are top-tier, and there are nearly a dozen to choose from. Thrill-seekers can step out onto glass ledges that extend over the tops of the tallest skyscrapers.
Snap fun photos downtown
Downtown’s Millennium Park is where you’ll find 'The Bean', Chicago’s famous mirrored sculpture. Next to it is Crown Fountain, two 50-ft video towers featuring moving human faces that spew water in the summer, delighting children. After letting the little ones play in Maggie Daley Park, relax on the lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion, where there’s often a free performance or concert.
Insider tip: The Bean is especially beautiful – and less crowded – at night when it reflects the city lights. During the winter holidays, weather permitting, singing groups do free, excellent caroling performances in front of it.
Address: 201 E. Randolph
Contact: chicago.gov
Nearest metro: The 151 CTA bus, or two stops on the L train - Lake on the Red Line, or Washington on the Blue Line
Prices: Free
Bike along Lake Michigan
Scenic views abound along the 18-mile Lakefront Trail, with Lake Michigan on one side and skyscrapers on the other. Runners, walkers and bikers enjoy the paved pathway year-round, which winds past well-known sites such as Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo (with free admission) and the daily water shows at Buckingham Fountain. Play some beach volleyball, people watch, or take a dip in the lake at the beaches (warning: the water is usually cold).
Insider tip: This path gets extremely crowded, and a bit dangerous, on nice-weather weekends. Go as early as possible to avoid path traffic. Stay to the right in a single file line if you want to ride slowly.
Address: From 5800 N. Sheridan Rd to 7100 S. Shore Dr
Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
Nearest metro: 151 Sheridan CTA bus
Prices: Free entry; bike rentals, ￡
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See Chicago’s landmarks on a cruise
You don’t need to know anything about architecture to appreciate the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise, the city’s best tour. The slow, calm boat ride winds through downtown on the Chicago River, highlighting more than 50 of Chicago’s most famous historic and modern landmarks. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended for a one and a half-hour trip, led by a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.
Insider tip: Architecture lovers can buy a tour ticket that includes discounted admission to the CAF’s new Chicago Architecture Center, filled with educational architecture exhibits.
Contact: 00 1 312 922 3432; architecture.org
Nearest metro: 151 CTA bus
Prices: ￡￡
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Go museum-hopping
Museum Campus is home to three world-class museums all within walking distance: the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. The artifact-filled Field Museum greets visitors with a skeleton of the largest dinosaur ever to walk the earth. The Shedd Aquariu m hosts regular dolphin and beluga whale shows, and the Adler Planetarium invites visitors to learn about the galaxy in its state-of-the art domed theater.
Insider tip: If you want to visit all three museums, which is possible but a lot to pack into one day, a CityPASS ticket will provide discounted admission to each.
Address: 1200-1400 S. Lake Shore Dr
Contact: choosechicago.com
Nearest metro: CTA 130 Museum Campus bus, or Shoreline Sightseeing Water Taxi
Prices: Varies
Enjoy a game of America’s favourite pastime
A hand-operated scoreboard from 1937, ivy-covered brick walls and a famous marquee make the century-old Wrigley Field Baseball Stadium a national landmark. It’s quintessential Americana to watch an afternoon baseball game, eat a hot dog and peanuts, drink a cold Budweiser, and sing Take Me Out of the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch. Ballpark tours are offered on non-game days. Go Cubs!
Insider tip: If the Cubs win, stay in the stadium and join the crowd in the easy-to-singalong “Go Cubs Go” victory song. You’ll see lots of white flags with a blue W. The W stands for 'win,' and it’s an old-time tradition to fly them after a victory.
Contact: 00 1 773 404 2827; mlb.com
Nearest metro: Red Line train Addison stop
Prices: ￡￡
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Take a leisurely stroll down by the river
The Chicago Riverwalk, a relatively new, beneath-the-street landscaped path, hugs the Chicago River from Lake Street to Lake Michigan. It winds through downtown, past large sculptures, bars, restaurants, and vendors. There are also plenty of park areas where people can sit down and watch boats and kayakers float past.
Insider tip: Catch a glimpse of Art on the Mart, a cool, colourful digital light show on the side of the famous Merchandise Mart building. The display continues for two hours, starting 30 minutes after sunset, Wed-Sun nights in non-winter months.
Address: Between Lake St and the lakefront, along Wacker Dr
Contact: chicagoriverwalk.us
Nearest metro: Blue Line train to Clark/Lake Street station; or Red Line to State/Lake Street station
Prices: Free
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Admire art by the world’s most famous masters
Masterpieces by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Matisse and Warhol are housed in the Art Institute of Chicago. Its famous green lion stands at the entrance. The museum has impressive modern art, too, plus exquisite blue-hued Marc Chagall windows. Explore on your own, take a tour using a mobile app, or enjoy the expertise of a guide.
Insider tip: The best time to go is late in the afternoon, about two to three hours before closing, when the crowds have thinned a bit. If you’re with children, take them to the Thorne Miniature Rooms, where they can peer into the intricately decorated dollhouse-like rooms.
Contact: 00 1 312 443 3600; artic.edu
Nearest metro: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines all stop above ground at Adams/Wabash
Prices: Free for children 14 and under, adults, ￡; special exhibitions are extra
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Lean over the top of a skyscraper
Ride the elevator up to the 94th floor of one of Chicago’s most famous skyscrapers at the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the city and beyond. Thrill seekers should spend the extra few dollars to experience TILT!, which involves stepping into a glass box that slowly tilts over the side of the building until you’re facing down to street level, a thousand feet below.
Insider tip: More excellent views are on the other side of town, at Willis Tower’s 103rd-floor SkyDeck (00 1 312 875 9696; theskydeck.com), with a non-moving glass ledge.
Contact: 00 1 888 875 8439; 360chicago.com
Nearest metro: Multiple CTA bus lines stop in front of here, including the 151
Prices: ￡￡
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Shop a mile-long stretch of stores
If shopping is your passion, this is the place for you. The mile-long stretch along Michigan Avenue boasts more than 450 retailers, from Apple to Zara, plus restaurants and three indoor malls. The street is packed with people and street performers on weekends. It’s anchored by the Water Tower, one of the few surviving structures of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Insider tip: A few of the city’s trendy food courts, Aster Hall (00 1 312 995 0235; asterhallchicago.com) and Foodlife (00 1 312 335 3663; foodlifechicago.com) are along this path, and they’re good places to take a break and find something-for-everyone foods.
Contact: 00 1 312 642 3570; themagnificentmile.com
Nearest metro: Red Line, Chicago Avenue stop
Prices: Free
