Chicago Attractions & Things to Do
Chicago, Illinois is a city of world-class attractions. You have your pick of planning fun things to do when traveling to Chicago with something for everyone here. Exciting things to do in Chicago range from theater and fine dining to museums like the Art Institute of Chicago. If the museum scene seems a bit sedate, there’s plenty of action in Chicago to keep you on the edge of your seat. Ride the giant Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, and go for some serious thrill rides at Six Flags Great America. Take a day at the ballpark to see a Chicago Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field. For shopping, treat yourself to some serious luxury along Magnificent Mile at Gucci, Tiffany, Cartier, Armani and Burberry. The Executive Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Wheeling, Illinois is the ideal place to enjoy the many pleasures of Chicago, our suburban hotel is just 26 miles from the heart of downtown.
Downtown Chicago.
Chicago's downtown area is alternatively known as "The Loop." Home to Chicago's business district, the downtown Chicago area is located along the Lake Michigan waterfront and encompasses a central location in the heart of the city of Chicago. Top downtown Chicago landmarks and buildings located downtown include the Chicago Board of Trade Building, Buckingham Fountain, Sears Tower and Grant Park, which is home to the Art Institute of Chicago. To learn more about the many things to do in downtown Chicago, Illinois at night or during the day, visit www.choosechicago.com.
Six Flags Great America.
Six Flags Great America in the Chicago area is located in the suburb of Gurnee, IL. One of the world’s top places for exciting thrills and family fun, Six Flags Great America is home to entertaining shows, a sprawling 13-acre water fun park and giant roller coasters, including the first “flying” roller coaster in the Midwest. Top attractions include “The Dark Knight,” the Ragin' Cajun and Superman: Ultimate Flight. For more information about the Chicago-area Six Flags Great America, visit www.sixflags.com.
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The Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute of Chicago is located on the western edge of Chicago’s Grant Park and is America’s second-largest art museum after New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. With nearly 1 million square feet of fine art space, the varied exhibits span more than 5,000 years. But the Art Institute of Chicago is still best known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections from the likes of Monet and Seurat. To learn more about top attractions at the Art Institute of Chicago, visit www.artic.edu.
Field Museum.
The Field Museum of Chicago was named in honor of department store tycoon Marshall Field and is home to a stunning array of natural science and anthropology exhibits and collections, from fossilized dinosaur skeletons to sparkling gems. Be sure to visit Sue while you’re at the Field Museum. Probably the most famous exhibit in the entire museum, Sue is the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton ever discovered. To learn more about the many things to do at Chicago’s Field Museum, visit www.fieldmuseum.org.
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Chicago Botanic Garden.
CThe Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre landmark to natural beauty featuring 23 unique gardens plus a woodland and prairie environment to explore. Dedicated to the mission of advancing the enjoyment and conservation of plants and the environment, the Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago's best free attractions. No admission is ever charged and the Chicago Botanic Garden is open every day of the year with the exception of Christmas Day. To learn more about fun, free things to do at the Chicago Botanic Garden, visit www.chicago-botanic.org.
The Glen Town Center.
The Glen Town Center is a luxury shopping, living, entertainment and dining complex located in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, Illinois. Modeled to resemble wide, elegant European streets, The Glen Town Center is the perfect place to go shopping, catch a movie, grab a bite or just stroll the lovely picturesque streets. For more information on shopping and attractions at the Glen Town Center in Glenview, IL, visit www.theglentowncenter.com.
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Chevy Chase Country Club.
Chevy Chase Country Club was built in 1927 and is a landmark of architecture occupying 125 stately acres in Wheeling, Illinois. A popular wedding destination, Chevy Chase Country Club is also a leading Chicago-area golf attraction. The Chevy Chase Country Club golf course was designed by famed architect Thomas Bendelow and offers four sets of tees to accommodate different skill levels of golfers. To learn more Chevy Chase Country Club, visit www.chevychasecountryclub.com.
Navy Pier.
Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most visited tourist spots, and for good reason. Navy Pier is home to a rather spectacular range of things to do in Chicago. Navy Pier is always one of the top tourist attractions for kids in Chicago, IL. There’s an IMAX movie theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Children's Museum, plus amusement park rides like the 150-foot Ferris wheel. To learn more about the many top Chicago tourist attractions at Chicago’s Navy Pier, visit www.navypier.com.
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Woodfield Mall.
Woodfield Mall is located in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois. The place to go for top department stores and retailers, Woodfield Mall Schaumburg is home to Macy's, Armani Exchange, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Banana Republic Victoria's Secret, Crate & Barrel and Nine West. To learn more information about shopping at Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois, visit www.shopwoodfield.com.
Gurnee Mills Mall.
Gurnee Mills outlet mall is located in Gurnee, Illinois and offers more than 200 premium outlet retail stores. Both a shopping and dining experience, Gurnee Mills is home to two food courts, Rainforest Café and Ruby Tuesdays, plus famed department store outlets like Neiman Marcus Last Call Store and Off 5th - Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet. Well-known retailers include Nike Factory Outlet and BCBG. To learn more about Gurnee Mills Mall, visit www.gurneemillsmall.com.
Chicago Theater District.
The Chicago Theater District is rich with entertainment, from upcoming regional theater troupes to big-name Broadway shows. See s Shakespearean drama, top touring musicals and everything in between. There are more than 190 theaters in Chicago. To learn more about what’s on stage tonight and upcoming shows, visit The League of Chicago Theatres (LCT) at www.ChicagoPlays.com.
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