Are you traveling to Chicago as a couple or as a family with kids? If yes, the city is a great option for tourists in both cases. Here are some of the best attractions in Chicago listed for first-time travelers.
Chilly winter, delicious cuisine, stunning architecture, and baseball games are the things you might think of whenever someone mentions Chicago. However, did you know the 3rd-biggest city in the country has many thrilling activities, both indoor and outdoor, to offer?
With amazing landmarks such as Lake Michigan and the Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago is brutally underrated when it comes to adventure-filled vacations.
Whether you’re in love with the greenery and serene waters, or an enthusiast for art and architecture, Chicago can cater to all your adventurous whims.
Without further ado, here’s my list of the best attractions in Chicago, to help you plan your next weekend trip.
Best Attractions in Chicago for Outdoor Enthusiasts
It’s highly unlikely for a hustling bustling metropolitan city to provide outdoor activity options. But, that’s not the case for Chicago. Check out my list to find out.
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Grant Park
I wouldn’t be wrong if I called Grant Park the face of Chicago city. Sitting between the high-end skyline of the metropolitan city and the lakefront, the park is 300 acres of recreational space for outdoor lovers.
What’s more, Grant Park is home to some of the best attractions in Chicago. These include iconic landmarks and monuments such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum of Natural history.
Similarly, it has some of the most iconic Chicago attractions for kids, such as the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium.
If you want to indulge in all its attractions, you should consider buying a Chicago CityPass to access all Grant Park attractions.
Through their site, you can purchase your tickets beforehand with up to 9 days of validity to tour the park as you like.
Besides that, you can simply enjoy a peaceful outdoor excursion and feast your eyes on the unique greenery and majestic view.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Here, you can take memorable family photos and enjoy the lakefront view while sipping your favorite beverage.
2. Lincoln Park
If you’re a US citizen, you’ve probably heard of the Chicago city motto, “urbs in horto,” meaning, “City in a Garden.” Nothing personifies the essence of this phrase better than the exemplary Lincoln Park.
While the exuberant nightlife at the heart of Lincoln Park is one of the best attractions in Chicago, it has equally wonderful outdoor architecture.
The immense green park has many walking trails and a tranquil lakefront. This unique combination makes it an ideal place to enjoy outdoor activities, Chicago-style.
For outdoor lovers, a walk through the 1200-acre park while experiencing the Victorian architecture and rustic pathways is bound to be an Instagram-worthy excursion.
Furthermore, if you’re looking for Chicago attractions for kids, you can take them to the Chicago Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory to spend a day from your itinerary. All of these attractions are found within the Lincoln Park vicinity.
Similarly, the park is a family-friendly area with wooded areas and trimmed vegetation so that you can enjoy a leisurely day out with your loved ones.
3. Chicago Lakefront Trail
Of all the outdoor activities Chicago is known for, Lake Michigan is the most celebrated attraction. Chicago’s Lakefront Trail further accentuates the renowned lake.
The 18-mile trail extends across multiple neighborhoods of the city, making it one of the most scenic routes that cover all of Chicago’s tourist destinations. You can use the trail to run, walk, or bike along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Moreover, you can catch views of the Navy Pier, the Museum District, Grant Park, and the distinct Chicago skyline while walking along the trail.
Similarly, if you buy the Chicago CityPass before venturing across the Lakefront Trail, you can get easy access to any of the tourist spots that appeal to you, and stop to take a look.
However, the trail can get quite crowded if you visit during the afternoon, and it doesn’t have many trees or shades to guard you against the sun. That’s why it’s not the ideal Chicago attraction for kids.
But, if you’re a morning person, this is one of the best attractions in Chicago for you. That’s because the midday sun won’t be out yet, and the trail isn’t too crowded during those hours.
4. Chicago Botanic Garden
It is easy to get tired of the urban attributes and intimidating skyscrapers in a metropolitan city like Chicago.
If you’re facing the same situation, the Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the best attractions in Chicago for nature lovers.
Visiting the Botanic Garden is like taking a breath of fresh air after the hustle of the city. You can simply take a peaceful walk or enjoy a family picnic in the garden while appreciating the natural beauty.
Besides that, if you’re traveling with the little ones, these gardens are the best Chicago attractions for kids. That’s because it is a preserved bird-watching area as well.
They can bring along their binoculars and watch spectacular and unique birds like scarlet tanagers, white-throated sparrows, and yellow warblers.
5. Chicago Beaches
Beaches are one of the best attractions in Chicago. But, they tend to become quite crowded, making them inconvenient for tourists looking for ideal Chicago attractions for kids.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beach in Chicago at all. If you’re traveling with family, you can head to the Uptown beaches like Montrose Avenue Beach and North Avenue Beach.
These beaches are more peaceful and secluded as compared to the central city. You can spend your days relaxing on the sand and basking in the sun.
Apart from that, you can indulge in fun outdoor activities like viewing the city skyline and witnessing the enchanting fireworks along the Navy Pier.
Also, you can rent speedboats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards to enjoy thrilling water sports with your kids.
One of the best outdoor activities Chicago offers is the paddleboard yoga class on the beaches.
You can stretch out all your stress and worries on the sandy beach and head out on the paddleboard to continue your yoga ritual on the blue waters.
6. Millennium Park
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, Millennium Park is one of the best attractions in Chicago for outdoor lovers.
While you can have fun enjoying long walks and hikes across the park, it has many other outdoor activities to offer.
The city holds numerous performances and concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion regularly. You can plan your vacation during the holiday season when the Pavilion has celebrity performances almost every week.
However, with hundreds of performances held throughout the year, you’ll most likely get a chance to join one whenever you plan your visit.
Another fun aspect of The Millennium Park is ‘The Bean,’ which makes it one of the salient Chicago attractions for kids.
Officially named ‘Cloud Gate’ by its artist, Sir Anish Kapoor, the monument is a centerpiece of the Plaza at Millennium Park.
Since it was unveiled in 2004, “The Bean” has become one of the best attractions in Chicago for tourists and locals alike. Simply said, your Chicago itinerary is incomplete without taking a selfie alongside ‘The Bean.’
Its shiny surface reflects the entire skyline of Chicago effectively. This means you can photograph yourself and your family with the city’s skyline in the backdrop and create memorable photographs for your travel album.
7. The Chicago Riverboat Tour
If you love cruising the waters while sipping drinks and enjoying the company of your loved ones, you should consider kayaking across the Chicago River.
You can hop on the conventional kayak tours for around $20 per person. If you’re traveling in a large group, you can even rent your personal kayak and enjoy a leisurely time together.
First-time visitors can opt for the guided tours to discover the historical architecture and quintessential bridges during the river cruise.
Besides that, there are many places across the river where you can rent your kayak. This means you can easily find a spot to rent a kayak close to your lodgings.
8. Music and Fine Dining at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
If you’re looking for a romantic night outdoors in Chicago, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is a must-visit site for you.
Located in the vicinity of Millennium Park, the Pavillion hosts free concerts with various genres of music. These include everything from rock to Pacific Afro.
It sports a lawn-style seating designed by Frank Gehry. The construction creates an immersive experience for everyone around the stage. You’ll never feel as if you’re too far away from the stage, wherever you’re seated.
Besides that, the Pavilion offers one of the best outdoor dining in Chicago, combined with multiple outdoor movie screening areas.
If you want to spend an eventful evening outdoors with your loved one, it has all the best attractions in Chicago for outdoor enthusiasts.
9. The 606 Hiking Trail
For people who like to embrace the outdoors actively, hiking is the go-to adventure sport. But, did you know that you could find a hiking trail in a metropolitan city like Chicago?
The 606 is a unique hiking trail and one of the best outdoor attractions in Chicago. It is an elevated trail that’s built over run-down railway tracks.
The trail takes you through all the historical heritage of Chicago, along with its pleasant neighborhoods and peaceful gardens. You can use the paved trail to walk, run, or bike across the city.
The 606 begins from Walsh Park and ends at North Ridgeway Avenue. That’s roughly 2.5 miles.
You cannot possibly hike through the whole track, but you can use it to access other popular outdoor attractions in Chicago.
If you buy the CityPass for Chicago before visiting the city, you can walk across the 606 trail and get off at well-known tourist attractions such as the Humboldt Park and Wicker Park.
10. MichiLake gan Paddleboarding
Lake Michigan offers lots of ways to cruise through its blue waters. But, nothing matches paddleboarding when it comes to experiencing the ultimate outdoor thrill.
Especially if you visit during the summer, you’ll find the lake water refreshingly cool to beat the heat. You can dedicate an entire day from your itinerary to paddleboarding and enjoying the lake with your family.
Many places have paddleboards available for rent, including the Monroe Harbor and the North Avenue Beach.
Some of these places also let you take paddleboarding classes before stepping into the water.
So, even if you’re apprehensive about going paddleboarding with your family, you can have a learning experience together and then set out to have fun.
Remember, paddleboarding can be quite exhausting, especially when it’s windy. But, if you plan your vacation during summer, this is one of the best attractions in Chicago for nature lovers.
11. Maggie Daley Park Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is one of the best attractions in Chicago for those who crave adventure.
Normally, you’d expect to find rock climbing options in national parks and rural areas. Surprisingly, you can do this activity inside the bustling city of Chicago in Maggie Daley Park.
The park has a 40-foot outdoor climbing wall, which has around 19000 square feet of climbing space in total.
The best part is, the park offers climbing options for beginners to high-level climbers. This means you can have fun climbing with your family without any security hazards.
Besides that, the climbing area has crash pads and efficient safety staff to avoid unpleasant accidents that spoil your enjoyment.
You can try out bouldering and top-rope climbing. At the same time, children and beginning climbers can try lead climbing.
You can rent the equipment you need from the park itself, in case you didn’t bring your own. The park has high-quality rental equipment like helmets, shoes, and belay devices for about $30-$50.
12. High-Speed Boat Cruises
There’s nothing like a high-speed cruise across the water to pump up your adrenaline levels. Speed boating is one of the best attractions in Chicago for visitors who love thrilling outdoor adventures.
You can take speedboat cruises lasting around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the provider who arranges your tour. Many cruises begin at Navy Pier and move through the Museum Campus, ending at the Magnificent Mile.
Those who want the ultimate thrill can take extreme boat rides that include sharp twists and complete 360-degree turns.
On the other hand, if you want a laid-back, relaxing experience, you can go for a leisurely boat tour and enjoy the picturesque views of the city.
Final Words
Concluding my list of the best attractions in Chicago, I am sure you’re ready to pack your bags right away. However, the secret to spending the best vacation alone or with your family is effective planning.
Make sure you have a perfect itinerary mapped out. By doing that, you won’t end up wasting your days or missing out on the good stuff. Also, try to book tickets for the events and places you want to attend.
Most importantly, if you’re going for an outdoor adventure, you should have your safety and first-aid gear ready with you. This way, you can stay safe in case of an accident.
Related Resources
- Chicago CityPASS Review 2020: Is The Pass Worth The Price?
- 13 Best Midwest Festivals Worth Traveling To
- Seattle CityPASS Review 2020: Should You Buy?
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