Second City? Not by our count. Chicago is world-class in so many categories—magnificent architecture, stunning museums, brilliant chefs, a massive brewing scene, and so much to do that you'll never see it all. But it's worth a shot: Scratch the surface in the Loop and on the Gold Coast, which are the major hubs for visitors, then go deeper into the city's 77 neighborhoods, where you'll find cutting-edge restaurant and chilled out corner bars everywhere from Bridgeport to Logan Square. It's a wide and varied city, but no matter where you go, one thing is constant: here, you'll meet some of the most pleasant people you'll find anywhere.
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Chicago Travel Guide
Plan Your Chicago Trip
Why the Magic of Chicago Endures
Chicago native Helen Rosner on what makes the best large city in the United States—as voted by our readers—so damn special.
By Helen Rosner
With Art Hubs and Performances, Theaster Gates Is Redefining Chicago’s South Side
The artist is injecting new life—and art—into abandoned and run down spaces, and investing in community in the South Side.
By Evita Robinson
What to Do in Chicago's Hyde Park
Making the most of the vibrant South Side neighborhood.
By Sarahlynn Pablo
Featured
Chicago's Andersonville Neighborhood Is the Right Kind of Retro
With its video rental stores and pie shops, the historic neighborhood stays resolutely nostalgic.
By Billie Cohen
5 Best Day Trips from Chicago
It is the gateway to the Midwest, after all.
By Joseph Hernandez and Jessi Roti
27 Best Hotels in Chicago
Since you'll need more than one visit to scratch the surface of this beautiful city, here's where we stay when we go.
By Nicole Schnitzler and Elaine Glusac
Editor Hotel Recommendations
- Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel$$ | United States, Chicago, 1 W Upper Wacker Dr.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Marriott - Four Seasons Hotel Chicago$$$ | United States, Chicago, 120 E Delaware Pl.Tranquil and refined with top-notch service that makes you feel like a royal.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Le Méridien Essex Chicago$$ | USA, Chicago, 800 S Michigan AveAll the cosmopolitan chic of the Windy City in 14 compact storiesRead full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Marriott - LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton$$ | United States, Chicago, 85 E Upper Wacker Dr.It's all about the views in this landmark building, situated where the Magnificent Mile meets the Chicago River.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago$$ | United States, Chicago, 521 N. Rush St.Blends old-fashioned glamour with chic modernity.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The St. Regis Chicago$$$ | USA, Chicago, 401 E. Wacker DriveA long-awaited hotel concept at the tallest building in the world by a female architect.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Peninsula Chicago$$$ | United States, Chicago, 108 E. Superior St.The Peninsula delivers on its luxe amenities and services; it's opulent, but not stuffy.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - The Godfrey Hotel Chicago$$ | United States, Chicago, 127 W Huron St.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Waldorf Astoria Chicago$$$ | United States, Chicago, 11 E. Walton St.Glossy glamour is the calling card of this downtown high-rise.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Hilton - Viceroy Chicago$$ | United States, Chicago, 1118 N. State St.Gold Coast winner for location, food, drink, and style.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Emily Hotel$$ | United States, Chicago, 311 North Morgan StreetBeckoning cool kids with its artist-driven design and variety of sleek spaces to hang and socializeRead full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- citizenM Chicago Downtown$ | United States , Chicago, 80 East Wacker PlaceAffordable yet elevated hotel stays incorporating joyfully offbeat touches—all in one of the city's best neighborhoodsRead full reviewPowered By: Booking.com
- Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile$$ | United States, Chicago, 20 E Chestnut St.This Mag Mile hotels is embedded in the city in the best of ways, with a convenient location and great design.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection$ | United States, Chicago, 208 South LaSalle StreetA tranquil escape in downtown ChicagoRead full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Virgin Hotels Chicago$$ | United States, Chicago, 203 N. Wabash Ave.Hipster hotel in a great location that brings that sense of fun Virgin is known for.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia
The Best Things to Do in Chicago
21 Best Things to Do in Chicago
How to get to know the city that’s second to none.
By Nicole Schnitzler
14 Best Museums in Chicago
Whatever your interest, from literature to art to architecture, you’ll find its expression in one of the Windy City’s top museums.
By Elaine Glusac
Things to Do in Wicker Park and Bucktown, Chicago
Booming since the early aughts, the dual hotspots prove they’re only just heating up.
By Joseph Hernandez
Editor Recommendations
- Art Institute of ChicagoUnited States, Chicago, 111 S. Michigan AvenueChicago's primo museum.Read full reviewPowered By: GetYourGuide
- Museum of Contemporary Art, ChicagoUnited States, Chicago, 220 East Chicago Ave.The always-convention-challenging special shows are the big draw at this manageable contemporary art museum.Read full reviewPowered By: GetYourGuide
- Chicago Electric Boat CompanyUnited States, Chicago, 300 N State St
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony CenterUnited States, Chicago, 220 South Michigan Avenue
- The Second City$$ | United States, Chicago, 616 N. Wells St.A breeding ground for America's best comedy talent.Read full review
- Wrigley FieldUnited States, Chicago, 1060 W. Addison St.The Friendly Confines is one of the only sports stadiums in America that is a tourist destination all on its own.Read full review
- Chicago Botanic GardenUnited States, Glencoe, 1000 Lake Cook RoadOne of the most visited public gardens in the United States (and it's free to boot).Read full review
- Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider ArtUnited States, Chicago, 756 N Milwaukee AveExplore the outer edges of artistic inspiration.Read full review
- Promontory PointUnited States, Chicago, 5491 S Shore Dr.A beautiful stop for a wish-you-were-here photo.Read full review
- Humboldt ParkUnited States, Chicago, 1400 North Sacramento Ave.A park you can spend the whole day in.Read full review
- The Morton ArboretumUnited States, Lisle, 4100 IL-53Ideal urban getaway for outdoorsy sorts looking to decompress.Read full review
- The Salt ShedUnited States, Chicago, 1357 North Elston AvenueExpect a robust lineup of musical talent across several genres (namely rock, pop, and hip-hop).Read full review
- Auditorium TheatreUnited States, Chicago, 50 East Ida B. Wells DriveAnyone seeking a dose of the arts in elevated, historic environs will do well by a visit here.Read full review
- Pizza City USAUnited States, Chicago, 1235 W. Randolph St.If there's one thing this tour wants its guests to remember, it's that Chicago cares about its pizza—and that its offerings range far beyond deep dish.Read full review
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Chicago
- 35 Best Restaurants in ChicagoFrom Ethiopian to pizza, all the food that makes the Windy City one of America’s best places to eat.By Nicole Schnitzler and Brad Japhe
- 33 Best Bars in ChicagoWhether you want rhum agricole blanc blended with coffee, or a beer and a shot, there's a bar for that—a really great one.By Brad Japhe
- 13 Best Pizza Places in ChicagoWhere to have your mind blown by more than just deep-dish.By Nicole Schnitzler
- 12 Best Rooftop Bars in ChicagoThese cocktail spots will make you forget all about Willis Tower.By Nicole Schnitzler
Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
- The Loyalist$$ | United States, Chicago, 177 N Ada StSmyth's sister spot is comfortable, with familiar fare.
- Small Cheval$ | United States, Chicago, 2156 W Montrose AveAn easier way to snag a smaller take on Au Cheval's colossal burger build.
- Rootstock Bar$$ | United States, Chicago, 954 N California AveWe're now unequivocally part of the 15-year-old fan club.
- The Bad Apple$$ | United States, Chicago, 4300 N Lincoln AveWhere every sauce and pickle is made in-house.
- Mon Ami Gabi$$$ | United States, Chicago, 2300 N Lincoln Park WWhere Chef David Koehn gives careful consideration to the burger.
- Bocadillo Market$ | United States, Chicago, 2342 N Clark St
- The Omakase Room at Sushi-san$$ | United States, Chicago, 63 West Grand AvenueThe experience—with its pristine omakase menu and welcoming team—feels like a dinner party.
- Valhalla$$$ | United States, Chicago, 916 West Fulton Market, 2nd FloorThe always bustling Time Out Market now has one more reason to visit.
- Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago$$ | United States, Chicago, 415 North Milwaukee AvenueThe multi-course omakase features fish flown in from Tokyo's world-famous Toyosu Fish Market.
- The Coach House by Wazwan$$ | United States, Chicago, 1742 West Division StreetFor Wazwan's Southeast Asian-inspired street food in tasting menu form.
- Eden$$ | United States, Chicago, 2734 W Roscoe St. ChicagoFresh, local, and sustainable fare is the focus, an approach that's accomplished with the help of an onsite greenhouse.
- Oriole$$$ | United States, Chicago, 661 W Walnut StAmong the city's hottest destinations for high-end dining.
- Avec$$ | United States, Chicago, 615 W. Randolph St.This West Loop pioneer still draws crowds with its vibrant Mediterranean cuisine.
- Mi Tocaya Antojería$$ | Chicago, 2800 W. Logan Blvd.A buzzy date spot that does serious, modern Mexican cuisine.
- El Ideas$$$ | United States, Chicago, 2419 W. 14th St.Diners have front row seats to watch the intimate, modernist cuisine here come together.
Say I Sent You: A Chicago Sunday Funday
In Say I Sent You, Chicago-based creative entrepreneur, Nathan Michael, explores his favorite local Chicago spots for a Sunday Funday.
More from Chicago
Destinations
The Best Burger in Chicago
Ever since 1917 when Drexel's Pure Food debuted the burger in the Windy City, the sandwich has been the stuff of legend.
By Nicole Schnitzler
Places to Stay
The Most Romantic Hotels in Chicago
Perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, weekend getaways, and more.
By Jamie Spain
Readers' Choice Awards
2024 Readers’ Choice Awards: The Top Hotels in Chicago
The properties you voted the best in Chicago—which has once again been crowned the best large city in the United States.
By CNT Editors
Places to Stay
The Best Airbnbs in Chicago, From Frank Lloyd Wright Homes to Modern Lofts
For solo trips, family vacations, and more.
By Claire Volkman
Places to Stay
The Best Affordable Hotels in Chicago
You can stay in these hotels all across the city for less than $300 a night.
By Jamie Spain
News & Advice
Where to Watch the Chicago Fourth of July Fireworks 2024
From ferris wheels on Navy Pier to swanky hotel rooftops, here are the best places to watch 4th of July fireworks in Chicago.
By Nicole Schnitzler
Destinations
The 8 Best Spas in Chicago
It’s important to consider all the wonderful ways to be indoors in the Windy City—and spending a day (or three) at the spa tops our list.
By Nicole Schnitzler
Inspiration
The Best Weekend Getaways in the U.S. for a Quick Escape
From Catalina Island to the Florida Keys, here are some road trip ideas out of Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, and more.
By Mark Ellwood
Destinations
Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Chicago
River cruises, hotel rooftops, and and views of Lake Michigan provide ample options.
By Nicole Schnitzler
Destinations
Chicago’s Thoughtful New Spaces Make the City Worth Revisiting
A slate of new hotels and restaurants, as well as innovative new cultural experiences, give you plenty of reasons to return to this Midwestern giant.
By Andrew Sessa
Destinations
Christmas in Chicago: 17 Festive Things to Do This Season (Safely)
Whether in-person or at home, the Windy City has lined up a season's worth of ways to celebrate safely.
By Jessi Roti
Destinations
What to Do in Chicago Labor Day Weekend 2020
Here's how to enjoy the long weekend—even in an outlier of a year.
By Sarahlynn Pablo
Destinations
The Best Resort Getaways from Chicago
For when the City of Big Shoulders is crowding you.
By Nicole Schnitzler
Destinations
How to Support Local Business in Chicago During COVID-19
From restaurants offering local delivery to special-edition art and fundraisers, here's how you can help.
By Jessi Roti
Destinations
Reader's Choice Awards: Why We Love Chicago, the Best Large City in America
It was named the best large U.S. city for the third year in a row.
By Joseph Hernandez
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- Boston Travel GuideCharming and legitimately historic
- San Francisco Travel GuideDon't forget to pack an extra layer
- Dallas Travel GuideHard to crack. Easy to love.
- Washington, D.C. Travel GuideIt all starts at the Capitol.
- Seattle Travel GuideOysters and craft beer so good you won’t notice it’s drizzling
- Savannah Travel GuideFamous for its ghosts, but plenty full of life
- Portland, Oregon Travel GuideBeverly Cleary, Matt Groening, and James Beard are all from here. Enough said.
- Portland, Maine Travel GuideCome for the lobster, stay for literally everything else