With its street festivals, baseball parks, beaches, and historic river, Chicago surges into life come summer months. Chicagoans will tell you that though winters are blustery, they build character—and bring with them their own energy, with world-renowned restaurants, museums, and theaters. And then, there are the year-round draws—award-winning architecture, shimmering lakefront views, and all that Midwest nice (character, right?). The latter is best experienced across the city’s neighborhoods—and with 77 of them, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore and people to meet. From an arts-focused itinerary to encounters with nature, here are some of the best things to do in Chicago now.
Read our complete Chicago travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best things to do in Chicago
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
