Chicago, a popular city in the US, gathers mass tourist attractions due to numerous beautiful architecture, undoubted construction styles, skyscrapers, outdoor public art, and much more.
It seems that the architects truly understood their assignment to create the “best attraction in Chicago”.
While on your USA trip, Chicago city is a must-visit. The city is known for providing dazzling experiences through its amazing art galleries, botanical parks, industrial museums, fountains, aquatic wonders, science exploring exhibitions, and much more. The most popular tourist activity in Chicago is an architectural boat tour along the Chicago river which is considered to be the best tourist attraction in Chicago.
The city is itself breathtaking due to its contemporary construction style, urban planning, and zoning standards, which certainly pleases the soul. Let’s jump to the 11 best fun places in Chicago to swear by and find all the activities, fun, and eye-pleasing landscapes, spots, and themes in the article one by one.
Some of the most famous places in Chicago have been discussed in the coming article. Let’s dive and get to know this amazing adventurous land of the USA.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Art lovers may completely get fond of this, “Music of contemporary art” where art is displayed through constantly rotating exhibitions, by artists throughout the world. The museum is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, trusted by the board of trustees and government agencies. Contemporary paintings, digital art, performance art, sculpture to mixed media, and artistic provoking pieces are housed here.
The hours of the Museum are covered wholly with hosting talks, work shows, and educational events, making this place a comprehensive artistic beauty in the whole world. It is completely different from a general art museum as it’s a place where new ideas are placed and tested.
Since 1967, the art displayed here engages the audience through experimental work which is paired with ambitious learning. In 1974 the MCA expanded its mission to preserve and collect contemporary art for future generations, including more than 2,000 works.
| MUSEUM ADDRESS: | 220 E Chicago Ave Chicago IL 60611 |
MUSEUM HOURS: | Wed-Sun 10 am–5 pmTue 10 am–9 pmMon Closed |
STORE HOURS: | Tue 10 am-9 pmWed-Sun 10 am–5:30 pmMon Closed |
| HOLIDAY HOURS: | New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day |
TICKET PRICE: | Regular ticket (19+ years): US $15Reduced ticket (with ID): US $8Free for visitors under 18 years of age |
Museum of Science and Industry
Have you ever heard of science storms or traveled in space or sea state-of-the-art based virtual reality? Well, being one of the world’s largest science museums, this place has every unimagined interactive science work from providing you with real experience of U-505 (German Submarine) controlling the flights of aircraft, a discovery that is mind-numbing.
With numerous interactive exhibits, you can discover “unprecedented science explorations”. Do enjoy the enchantment of a fairy’s dream home, mathematical patterns in the present world, the journey towards humanity’s place in the cosmos exhibitions, and much more. Sounds interesting, right?
The place offers excitement in the veins of every age group as there are never-ending adventures, powerful enough to immerse you in the sea of science and its amazing explorations.
| MUSEUM ADDRESS: | 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60637 |
| MUSEUM HOURS: | 9:30 am to 4 pm |
| Ticket Price: | Adult – $21.95Child ages 3-11 – $12.95Members – FREE |
Wrigley Field
Fans of baseball leave no seats in this ballpark and the roaring atmosphere and flaming experience is actually the moment to vouch for. Constructed in 1914, Wrigley Field is the built home of the Chicago Cubs, one can have amazing memories watching the 100-year-old history of this historic ballpark and the sweating baseball match at the same time. Tickets can be booked at their official site and ensure your seating with the help of Wrigley Field’s seating chart.
You can take a guided tour of the fields and live the history of this Wrigley Field classic and its unique traditions and charms.
| FIELDS ADDRESS: | 1060 W. Addison St.Chicago, IL 60613(800) THE-CUBS |
Navy Pier
A place to enjoy pleasing events, and entertainment through dancing, music, restaurants, and bars, rides viewers through a buzzing atmosphere. This amazing place has enchanting Crystal Gardens, Child Museum, eateries, parks, entertainment sites, and whatnot. This amusement location was created in 1916 for a shipping facility and currently has turned into an adventurous and is one of the best Chicago tourist attractions.
You can surely enjoy the magnificent view over Lake Michigan and spend your whole day in this best tourist attraction in Chicago, a 3,300-long pier’s vibrant atmosphere. The pier has an IMAX Theatre, with a 60×40 foot screen auditorium with 395 seats altogether. The Dutch wheel, DW60, architecture is new in the US and has safety glass to withstand intense storms and winds of 115 miles per hour. It doesn’t hesitate in providing a lasting Ferris wheel experience to its passengers.
Some outdoor attractions here are Pepsi Wave Swinger, Light Tower Ride, Teacups, Remote Control Boats (now removed along with the fountain around the Wave Swinger), and the Carousel. Besides that, there are various places to visit in New York like The Edge NYC where you can spend the best time with your loved ones.
| ADDRESS: | 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| NAVY PIER HOURS: | Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pmFriday & Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pmSunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Shedd Aquarium
Ever wondered about visiting an aquatic space, with up to 32,000 colorful aquatic animals? Shedd Aquarium is a place on Earth that commits to fulfilling your wishes as it gives you a real ride into the aquatic world, and can be called a quintessential best tourism in Chicago. The visitors can have the chance to look deep into the aquatic world through this globally-leading aquarium with amazing daily shows, walkthrough tunnels, VIP animal visits, touch tanks, and a lot more.
It was opened on Jan 30, 1930, as one of the world’s largest indoor public aquariums and has been recognized by IUCN SSC (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission). A much interesting fact about these biodiversity hotspots is that applied conservation science and assessments are performed here to ensure and safeguard freshwater species.
One can definitely consider this option for family sightseeing in Chicago, as at Shedd, they offer a downloadable sensory-friendly app, assistive listening devices, walkers, and wheelchairs too. Guess what visitor’s service pet is also allowed except for restrictions on selected areas. Do not take any items like horns, whistles, lasers, tripods, and dangerous items here. Moreover, if you’re theme park lover so must visit theme parks in California and Valley of Fire State Park in the US.
| AQUARIUM ADDRESS: | 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| TIMINGS: | 9 am – 4 pm (Early Close) |
360 Chicago
Do you have acrophobia (fear of heights) and want a safe experience for tall heights? Well, 360 Chicago on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, with a breathtaking 1,000ft tilting glass lookout can help you discover the real Chicago. This place provides a panoramic view of Chicago and thrill rides similar to the cocktail on the clouds experience. Many of the visitors have remarked on their experience here as “Phenomenal and unforgettable”.
One can have the best happy hours here with CloudBar’s divine drinks on cloud 94, but there is no restaurant facility here. The visitor first needs to reserve the hours of visit through the online ticket purchase and guess what? There is a 10% off on ticket prices for military people.
| ADDRESS: | 875 N Michigan Avenue, 94th Floor |
| TICKETS: | 360 CHICAGO TICKET |
| TIMINGS: | 9 AM – 11 PM (Last entry is 1 hour prior to closing) |
Millennium Park
A public park that covers 24×7 acres with displayed public arts, outdoor spaces, and venues that enthrall through green infrastructure, park site, and music chorus attraction. The park opens to Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and East Monroe Drive and intends to keep its title of “top tourist destination in Chicago” in 2017 after gaining 27 million annual visitors.
The park has received various awards, and credits for its praise-worthy accessibility and green designs. Various other attractions of the Millennium Park include the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, and last but not the least, Lurie Garden. Interestingly, the park has also received The Green Roof of Excellence, Barrier Free America Award, Travel and Leisure’s Design Award, and, Project of The Year Award, with more than 30 awards to its associated people too.
Everyone is welcome to access and enjoy the park’s art and architecture, volunteer cultural center, enjoy a tourist art walk tour, and know the park’s discovery into a world-renowned urban park, exhibitions, media rooms, and unique spaces for private events and weddings.
| PARK ADDRESS: | 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 |
| PARK TIMING: | 6 AM – 11 PM |
| TICKETS: | Free entry only parking fee charges. |
Buckingham Fountain
Do you love fountains? If yes, visit one of the largest fountains, Buckingham fountain which is also known as Chicago’s landmark. The most fascinating part is the shape and architecture, similar to the rococo wedding cake style and hugely inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles. It operates from the month of May to Mid-October and gathers mass attraction due to its light shows and colored-light shows.
The best time to visit here is winter when the fountain is decorated with festival lights. Since the fountain is located in the center of Grant Park, the fountain’s area is called Chicago’s front door.
| ADDRESS: | 301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| TIMING: | 8 AM TO 11 PM |
| TICKETS: | Free for visitors |
SkyDeck at Willis Tower
Third-tallest building in the western hemisphere, with a glass balcony extending four feet outside Willis Tower, 103rd floor. Awes trucking views through this 4 feet-glass box, is one of Chicago’s tourist spot attractions and is loved by locals and visitors.
If you are wondering what to do next in Chicago, let some adventure thrills enter your itinerary through a 30-60 minute interactive experience at SkyDeck. The tower is open year-round and all days of the week. There are different ticket charges for different age groups through the online portal, and free entry for children below 3 years of age is provided.
| TOWER’S ADDRESS: | 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States |
| TIMINGS: | 9 am to 10 pm |
| TICKETS: | Adult – Ages 12 and up: $30.00-$44.00Youth – Ages 3 to 11: $22.00-$36.00 |
Art Institute of Chicago
Located in the heart of the city, home to various arts across the globe is the Art Institute of Chicago. The collected and interpreted work of all times, cultures, races, artists, and makers can be easily found here. The place is no less than a festive gathering where ideas are exchanged, inspired, and expanded.
The Art Institute was built in 1879 and is growing physically with its conventional, epic, and amazing collection with a mission to showcase its art pieces to an incredibly large audience. This is one of the best attractions in Chicago which protects mindful rich cultural traditions and advances diverse perspectives.
ADDRESS: | Michigan Avenue Entrance 111 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60603 Modern Wing Entrance 159 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603 |
| TIMINGS: | Visit Hours |
| TICKETS: | Buy online tickets |
Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago riverwalk is constructed in various phases over four distinct districts; The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and the Esplanade. This place treasured an aesthetic view of the Chicago river which takes visitors close to the waterway. Visitors can also enjoy the continuous path across the lake corners. Being one of the dynamic tourist places in Chicago, which spreads 1.25 miles long, the Riverwalk is also home to various restaurants, bars, cafés, small parks, boats, and many more fascinating views due to its location on the south bank of the Chicago river.
| ADDRESS: | 376 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60601 |
| TIMINGS: | 6 am – 11 pm |
