Chicago Visitors Guide - 2025

Welcome to Chicago, the city that feels like home no matter where you’re from!

Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper, world-famous for its skyline, bustling downtown, and iconic shopping and cultural institutions.

But Chicago is also a city of neighborhoods, each with its unique charm and character, offering a rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and experiences.

There is always something new to discover and fun to be had for every type of traveler in our city — from the solo leisure travelers to convention attendees to families with young children. There is truly no better destination for meetings, sporting events, and leisure travel than Chicago. Visitors can take in our miles of sandy lakefront beaches in the summer or celebrate the winter holidays at one of countless attractions and pop-ups. Chicago was selected as the host city for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, we welcomed back the first-of-its- kind NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend, and we were named Best Big City in the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. As you explore our city, we hope you’ll come to understand why we continue to win the hearts of tens of millions of travelers every year.

Whether you are planning to visit our renowned museums, dine at award-winning restaurants, enjoy the scenic beauty of our waterfronts, or attend one of our many festivals and events, you’ll find that Chicago is a city that welcomes you with open arms and endless possibilities.

Thank you for choosing Chicago. We know you’re going to love it.