Chicago hosts a range of activities for tourists from all over the world. It is the kind of place where art lovers, foodies, wildlife and architecture photography enthusiasts, and history geeks get excited to visit the amazing city.
As far as fun things to do in Chicago, there is a taste for everyone, so get ready to have an experience of a lifetime. There is a hot spot and hidden gems waiting for you to discover them. It may include a historical museum and vibrant culture.
You can enjoy a panoramic view of what Chicago has to offer from its tall skyscrapers, such as the Willis Tower, or swim at Lake Michigan and discover its marine habitats. This is only a glimpse of the fun things to do in Chicago. Get ready to explore some jaw dropping places with the best tourist attraction in Illinois, Chicago.
The Top Fun Things To Do In Chicago/ The Top Attractions In Illinois, Chicago:
Chicago is the most populous city in the United States and contains some major tourist destinations, which is why we made this list of the best tourist attractions in Illinois, Chicago.
Be ready to be amazed and spend equality time with your family and friends at the most luxurious place in the United States.
Tourist from all over the world flock to it to experience what it has to offer. Discover its hidden gems and true essence, such as eccentric art, diverse multicultural neighborhoods, and world-class food.
This charming city is filled with surprises, which is why it is one of the best tourist destination in the United States. Although the city skyline and architecture is what makes it stand out, the relaxing greenery that spreed all over the city can take your breath away.
1. Navy Pier:
Navy Pier is one of the top fun things to do in Chicago because it is a Lakefront Pier with shopping and restaurant areas. It also hosts boat rides at Lake Michigan for you and your friends to enjoy.
The best place to visit at the Navy Pier is the Verse: the art of the future. You can immerse yourself in a different world to explore the holographic arts galleries and experience virtual reality in its best sense. Your friends can join the experience where the art around comes to life.
Not to forget the Centennial Wheel that gives you an amazing view of your surrounding of the Navy Pier and the lake. It is 200 feet above the ground, so be assured that the view from above is spectacular.
You can, of course, walk around the pier and enjoy the countless walk tours that they have to offer. You can say it is the best tourist attractions in Illinois, Chicago.
2. Lake Michigan:
Lake Michigan is one of the five great lakes of North America, and the second-largest lake by surface area. It is 22,404 sq mi (58,030 km2) surface area. It is comes as no surprise that this lake is one of the top fun things to do in Chicago.
The most common activity is speed boating around the lake where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Navy Pier or the skyline of the neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Milwaukee.
Be assured that you might get wet with the Sea-dog speedboat tours at City Cruises Chicago, so come prepared.
Other fun things to do in the lake are some water sport activities or biking around the Michigan Lake to enjoy the breeze of the ocean and have a little exercise.
It is a beautiful walk around the lake where you can enjoy its beaches and if you ever get hungry, you can stop by the local restaurants to eat some fresh local cuisine.
3. Chicago Botanic Garden:
Chicago Botanic Garden contains one of the best educational tours that you and your kids can enjoy. It kinds of similar to Japanese botanical gardens and Chinese botanical gardens in Portland, Oregon. If you enjoy visiting them, you would enjoy visiting this one.
The Negaunee Institute’s science program focus to understand the symbiosis relationship between plants, fungi, and animals.
You can also learn about Mashkeke, which is the relationship between human and plants in terms of healing medicine.
The Chicago Botanic Garden offers a wide rang of classes, such as birdwatching, wildlife photography, cooking, and gardening.
You can also enjoy the breathtaking sceneries and admire the verity of plants, such as colorful blooms, bonsai trees, and prairie.
4. Medieval Torture Museum:
The Medieval Torture Museum is one of the top fun things to do in Chicago, and it is the largest interactive historical museum in the country. You can learn about the gruesome tools and devices that used to torture in the medieval days. Learn about the dark history of the human past and interact with the displayed exhibitions.
5. Chicago River Side Walk:
The Chicago River passes through many important landmarks, which is why it is one of the best things to do in Chicago. You get the chance to see them from a different perspective. The most important landmarks are East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building, DuSable Bridge, the Willis Tower, and a lot more.
You can also enjoy taking a tour around the riverside walk and contemplate in the waterfront oasis. Stop by Oasis bar to have a drink with your friends and family while walking around the Chicago river. Some also prefer biking around the river. It is a faster way to roam around the place.
6. Shedd Aquarium:
Shedd Aquarium is no doubt one of the best things to do in Chicago, specially if you have kids. It is located in the heart of the city and one of the best underwater aquatic coral reef habitats.
Here you got the chance to explore the marine life and watch them swim around the sea. There are several species of animals that you can admire that includes beluga whales, tropical fish, and Giant Pacific Octopus.
There are other animals that call the Shedd Aquarium home, such as frogs, penguins, and alligators, sea otter, and turtles. To learn more about the place, you should download the Shedd Go App. It will help you find the animal faster and offer a guide around the aquarium.
7. Hogwarts house, Harry Potter: Magic at Play:
If you have kids, then they will enjoy exploring the Harry Potter: Magic at play. It is an interactive realm that gives you an opportunity to learn about magic and interact with much cool stuff from your favorite movies’ series of Harry Potter. There are three floors that offer exhibits and other fun things for all ages.
8. iFLY Chicago:
iFLY Chicago is an indoor skydiving experience that is fun for all ages. It is located in Chicago-Lincoln Park, so you get the chance to visit the park as well. It is the closest experience to real skydiving and give you the sense of flying, so join others to witness an adrenaline-pumping experience and do it yourself.
9. Six Flags Great America:
The Six Flags Great America is another amazing fun experience that you can visit with your kids. If you do not have kids, then no problem, it is suitable for all ages. It offers some thrilling rollercoaster and waterslide rides that pump your adrenaline and gives an experience of a lifetime.
10. Adler Planetarium:
Adler Planetarium is a place where you can mix between learning and fun. It gives you some educational tours and offers interactive exhibits about space and astronomy.
There are some telescopes, moon rocks, a Gemini Capsule, and other fun stuff for all ages, but your children in particular will appreciate the trip.
It comes as no wonder as that the Adler Planetarium made it to the list of the best things to do in Chicago because of all the educational tours and fun that it has to offer.
11. Millennium Park:
The first things come to mind when thinking about visiting the city of Chicago, the Millennium Park comes to mind. This is why it comes first in the list of the best attractions in Illinois Chicago.
Millennium Park contains the Cloud Gate, a giant mirrored bean, and Crown Fountain, the quirky and artistic fountain.
It does not stop here. There are more to discover in Millennium Park, such as a green meadow, gardens, sculptures, and a lot more. It is also home to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion where performances take place every year.
Since the Millennium Park is in downtown of Chicago, it is close to many more other attractions that you can explore after finishing your tour. You can grab something to eat at nearby restaurants or find shopping areas as well.
12. Buckingham Fountain:
The view of the Buckingham fountain is captivating whether at the night or day. You sure want to snap a picture of this majestic place.
In addition, it is the home of the Grant Park where it connects Lake Michigan with downtown and provide instance elegance to downtown Chicago.
In this reason and many other reasons, it is one of the best tourist attractions in Illinois, Chicago. The Buckingham fountain is 280 feet in diameter, which you would not miss even if you try. It can sure take your breath away.
During the warmer months, you can enjoy watching a 20-minute choreographed water shows every hour. Enjoy the show of the water dancing to the sound of music. It can reach 150 feet tall and shoot 5,000 gallons of water per minute.
13. Brookfield Zoo Aquarium:
The Brookfield Zoo Aquarium has been nominated as the best zoo and best aquarium in the United States in 2023, so make sure to visit this beautiful place.
Whether you are an animal lover, a family guy, or a curious traveler, you would enjoy visit it this zoo aquarium. Since it was opened in1934, it attracts a million of visitors where it connects them to wildlife and nature.
The zoo contains more than 2,400 mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians and birds, which are more than 500 species.
Get to know those beautiful creatures and learn about their habituates. The best part of the aquarium are the marine life as you can see them swimming around and welcome you to the zoo.
Conclusoin:
There are many fun things to do in Chicago, but there are some that consider to be the best, which is why we narrow the list for you of the best 10 fun things to do in Chicago.
I hope you enjoy your time visiting this vibrant place where the land meet the sea and the fun never ends. Enjoy this list of the best attractions in Illinois, Chicago.
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