12 Best Things to Do in Chicago – for First-Time Visitors

I am the luckiest person to have visited Chicago multiple times in my life. Chicago is mostly known as the Windy City, but it is the most beautiful and culturally rich city in the United States.

Chicago is located on the shores of Lake Michigan with beautiful architecture, delicious deep-fried fish pizza, and a warm midwestern charm that always stays with you.

So, if you are planning your first visit to Chicago, here is a list of the best things to do in Chicago. You can follow the list as a starting point for your Chicago trip, but this is not a complete list of all things you can do in Chicago .

Without any delay, let’s dive into the 12 best things to do in Chicago if you are planning your first visit to Chicago.

12 Best Things to Do in Chicago 

1. Take a selfie at The Bean in Millennium Park

The public Millennium Park is the most popular free attraction in Chicago for its famous installation, Cloud Gate, also called The Bean.

Actually, Anish Kapoor’s sculpture in Millennium Park is Cloud Gate, but the Cloud Gate looks like a Bean, so everyone calls it The Bean. It is the most popular selfie stop in Chicago.

The Crown Foundation offers relaxation during the summer, especially kids will enjoy it a lot.

You have to walk around Millennium Park on your first visit to the Windy City, Chicago. It is also a place to escape from the busy lifestyle.

In the Center of Downtown Chicago there is a beautiful green heaven owing to locations like the beautifully constructed Lurine Garden.

If you are planning your first visit to Chicago on Christmas, you definitely have to visit Millennium Park for its fun attractions like the ice rink, carousels, and many more. I promise it is more worthwhile to visit on Christmas.

2. Take a River Cruise in Architecture

Walking around Millennium Park is not only a place in Chicago, but there are more places as well to enjoy the best things to do in Chicago.

The Chicago River walk is perfect for a walk along an extraordinary river that flows through the city.

Joining the River Cruise in Architecture is more than walking. It is the best way to enjoy Chicago’s skyscrapers from a new angle.

Joining the River Cruise in Architecture is more than walking. It is the best way to enjoy Chicago’s skyscrapers from a new angle.

I truly fell in love with this place for the relaxation and the vibe. Spending time in the River Cuisine is one of the best things to do in Chicago.

3. Explore the City from above the Willis Tower Skydeck

The Willis Tower Skydeck is not for everyone who is scared of heights or has a weak heart.

John Hancock and Trump Tower are a few alternative tall skyscrapers in Chicago, but nothing can beat the Willis Tower in best things to do in Chicago.

The ticket price for the Willis Tower skydeck starts from $36; it has online booking as well. It’s better to book online.

Willis Tower has survived as the tallest building in the world for almost 25 years, with a height of  440 meters.

You will literally gonna enjoy this skydeck once you reach the 103rd floor and you realise this is one of the best attractions in the best things to do in Chicago. Don’t forget to take some photos in this skydeck to post on Instagram.

4. Explore the Magnificent Mile and the Shops

One of the finest things to do in Chicago is shopping on the most famous Magnificent Mile.

While going shopping, I spotted some of the popular places such as the Water Tower, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Center.

You can enjoy some fun activities called an escape room adventure at the nearby location of the escape game in best things to do in Chicago.

If shopping is not your main priority, then walk around the Magnificent Mile to experience old and new Chicago architecture is the best things to do in Chicago.

You can find the unique painted dog sculptures around the Magnificent Mile and other parts of Chicago. These sculptures are created for the police officers who were injured and killed.

While walking around the Magnificent Mile, make sure to observe these unique painted dog sculptures.

5. Explore Navy Pier and Ride the Ferris Wheel

The next big thing to do in Chicago is exploring the 1km Navy Pier located in the direction of Lake Michigan on the shoreline.

You can spend a day easily enjoying it with many more fun activities like Musical Carousel, Children’s Museum, Botanical Garden, and more.

At the center of Navy Pier, you will find Chicago’s famous Ferris wheel, 80 meters tall, offering the best skyline view while rotating at a low speed.

To enjoy this Ferris Wheel in Chicago, you need to spend $20 for adults and $12 for kids. I am very sure that it is completely worth it to spend. You will enjoy it a lot by seeing the city skyline from the lake in best things to do in Chicago.

There are more cafes and restaurants to take a break from sightseeing. You can also enjoy seeing free fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

6. Explore the Art Institute of Chicago

To explore this amazing art collection, you need to visit the Art Institute in Chicago. By exploring these art collections, you will feel wonder and be lucky to get a chance to see these art collections.

The Art Institute is fully equipped with many more iconic artworks by Georges Seurat, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and many more best things to do in Chicago.

The admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is a little expensive. It costs around $25, but you can save a lot of money if you have already purchased the Chicago city pass.

7. Explore the Lincoln Park Zoo

Without any confusion, Lincoln Park Zoo is the best zoo in the country with 200 different animals. So make sure to explore more on your first visit because it is the second-largest zoo in the United States.

Lincoln Park Zoo is not only a zoo, it is also a great place to take a break from the centre of Chicago. It is totally free and worth visiting in the best things to do in Chicago.

If you are visiting Lincoln Park Zoo in December, you can also explore the Christmas light show, which looks stunning.

It is the perfect family spot for nature lovers to enjoy this heaven.

8. Admire the North Avenue Beach

After exploring the amazing Lincoln Park Zoo, move towards the North Avenue Beach, which is also located in Lincoln Park.

North Avenue Beach is the most populary visited beach in Chicago. If you are planning to visit North Avenue Beach in the Summer, it is a hotspot for sunbathing, Swimming, and volleyball Players.

One of the best things to do in Chicago is to enjoy at the North Avenue Beach is the Skyline View. At sunset, you will admire the skyline reflection on the water.

9. Explore the Neighborhoods of Chicago

To find the real story of Chicago downtown, you need to visit the Neighborhoods of Chicago.

Wicker Park: Wicker Park is very cool in Berlin, where you will witness more than natural life. I had chosen accommodation in the centre of the city to explore street art, hip pubs, independent shops, and hipster areas.

West Loop: West Loop is a popular place to experience fine dining and nightlife in trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, and art galleries.

Chinatown: Chinatown is the 3rd Neighborhood in Chicago with cultural landmarks, Colourful streets, and amazing regional restaurants with authentic asian cuisine.

10. Explore the Museum Campus

Museum Campus is located next to Lake Michigan with three leading cultural institutions in Chicago.

Field Museum: There are so many museums in the country, but the Field Museum is so unique to explore, from Dinosaur Bones to the precious gems.

Shedd Aquarium: If you are an animal lover, you are gonna enjoy it a lot by exploring the Shedd Aquarium to find fish, sharks, turtles, and more.

Adler Planetarium: Adler Planetarium is one of the famous museums in the country to experience and learn about the universe while looking at the stars.

11. Experience Chicago’s Nightlife and Live Music

Most of the people in Chicago end their day in the Jazz Clubs. To experience the Chicago nightlife, the Jazz Club is an ideal place to enjoy.

Jazz and Blues are the best music genres in Chicago to enjoy evening live music in the best things to do in Chicago.

If you are looking for the cocktails and skyline views, head towards the rooftop bars located in River North for a relaxed evening.

12. Taste Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza

Every visitor will experience the taste of Deep Dish Pizza is the best things to do in Chicago. It was invented in Chicago in the 1940s. We will also call it Deep Pan Pizza.

Chicago is one of the famous cities in the United States for food like hot dogs, Stan’s Donuts, and Garrett’s popcorn. But the legendary food in Chicago is Deep Dish Pizza or Deep Pan Pizza.

If you are visiting for the first time then you must try the delicious deep-dish pizza.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

Thank you for reading the entire article about the Best things to do in Chicago. Without a doubt, Chicago is not just a city; it is full of experiences. I wish everyone would experience it.

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