Chicago Visitors Guide - 2025

Don’t miss out on only-in-Chicago experiences, from amazing architecture to sky-high observatories and unique outdoor attractions.

MILLENNIUM PARK

Make your first stop the shiny Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as “The Bean”) and snap the quintessential Chicago selfie. Don’t miss the multimedia Crown Fountain, flower-filled Lurie Garden, and free concerts on the lawn of the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER

Learn how Chicago became the epicenter of architecture through fascinating exhibits at the Chicago Architecture Center. Or join one of the boat, train, bus, and walking tours led by expert guides, including the award-winning Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady.

SKYDECK CHICAGO/THE LEDGE

Begin your adventure at Willis Tower with The Skydeck Experience, a playful, interactive museum of Chicago history. Afterward, you’ll be whisked up to the 103rd-floor Skydeck Chicago where the star of the show is The Ledge, a series of glass-enclosed observation boxes offering Instagram-worthy views.

360 CHICAGO/TILT

At the 94th-floor 360 CHICAGO you’ll be treated to incredible vistas of the city, Lake Michigan, and up to four surrounding states. If you dare, step onto the TILT thrill ride that slowly leans standing riders out from the observatory, hovering 1,030 feet above The Magnificent Mile.

FREDERICK C. ROBIE HOUSE

Tour the spectacular Frederick C. Robie House in Hyde Park with a docent from the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best examples of Wright’s signature Prairie style, which sparked a revolution in residential architecture when it was unveiled in 1910.

CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER

This gorgeous Chicago landmark has been a downtown gathering spot since 1897. Take a free tour and learn the stories behind the building’s history and ornate architecture, including the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. Attend a free art show, music or dance performance, and more.

NAVY PIER

There’s fun for everyone at this lively waterfront destination. Ride the sky-high Centennial Wheel, let the kids explore the Chicago Children’s Museum, see a play at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, be wowed by the new Flyover attraction, take a dining cruise on Lake Michigan, and view free summertime fireworks from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

ROUTE 66 MARKERS

An eye-catching new Route 66 marker — posted at Michigan Avenue and Adams Street in celebration of the famed highway’s upcoming centennial — heralds the starting point of the historic Mother Road. You’ll also find Route 66 markers along Ogden Avenue in three Chicago neighborhoods.