chicago tourism magazine

The 41 Best Things to Do in Chicago

The Windy City has activities for every kind of visitor throughout the year.

Chicago is a city that’s in no need of a publicist. Chat with any person who has lived there, studied there, or just passed through as a tourist, and they’ll rave about the city’s beauty—you know about the beach, right?—as well as its world-class restaurants and awe-inspiring museums. With loads of green space and free events, fascinating cultural pockets, rich architecture, and so very many historical landmarks, the Windy City also provides activities and hangouts for every kind of visitor throughout the year.

For ease of planning, we’ve gathered 41 of the most popular, most fun, most fascinating, and most delicious pursuits Chicago has to offer. Yes, there’s even stuff to keep you entertained during the city’s notoriously brutal winters: Simply head underground (we’ll explain shortly) or to one of the several glass-covered spaces on the list that follows.

When this list is exhausted, which would take more than a few visits and plenty of stomach space, consider just choosing one of Chicago’s many diverse neighborhoods and strolling through for a day, especially if you get there via the much-lauded public transportation system. The metropolis is so neighborhood-focused (and so vast in general) that you could never run out of entertainment, new restaurants to try, and shops to poke through. And when all else fails, just ask for the input of one of those vociferous locals. They’re always thrilled to shout out the best parts of their city—just don’t ask for their opinions on the ever-controversial deep-dish pizza, okay?

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago

Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field

Built in 1914, Chicago’s baseball stadium is nicknamed the “Friendly Confines” and offers tours of the field. Fans can hang out in the dugout and stand in the outfield, imagining what it was like when Babe Ruth pointed to the bleachers here during the 1932 World Series. The surrounding neighborhood of Wrigleyville is packed with bars and a rowdy place to spend time before or after games.

Take an architecture boat tour

It’s every tourist’s favorite activity for a reason: There’s no more pleasurable way to get to know the city than by floating comfortably down the river, and no better way to learn about the birthplace of the skyscraper than to have an expert explain the Art Deco opera house, the corncob-like Marina City, or the Neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.

Step out in the Willis Tower Skydeck

This distinctive black tower (you’d be forgiven for still calling the building by its former name, the Sears Tower) was the tallest in the world for the last 25 years of the 20th century, and visitors can step into glass boxes that jut off the building at its 103rd floor. On a clear day, a guest might glimpse beyond Illinois to views of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Snap a photo with Cloud Gate

Since it was formally dedicated in 2006, artist Anish Kapoor’s giant, bean-like sculpture —which is comprised of stainless steel plates welded together and polished until seams became invisible—has become one of the popular stops in Chicago, particularly due to its location in the beautiful new Millennium Park. The reflective surface captures the clouds above and buildings nearby in a warped, dreamy way, and is a perfect place to grab a selfie.

Enjoy a free event in Millennium Park

Aside from Cloud Gate, the park has offered loads of attractions since its opening celebrated the turn of the millennium. A classical music series is free for ten weeks every summer, as is a movie series played on a 40’ LED screen. In the winter, ice skating (including lessons) is also available gratis.

Relish the tasting menu at Oriole

The great Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel once confessed he is slow to award 4-star ratings, even in the famously exquisite local fine dining scene. He has granted only five—including to the legendary Alinea, which is also on this list—but in 2016 he added a sixth, a hidden gem west of the Loop called Oriole, named after the Baltimore Orioles baseball team by chef Noah Sandoval and his wife and business partner Cara, who appreciate all things Charm City. Since that rave, Oriole has continued to flourish, with a tasting menu (now $285) that has only ripened with time and three times the space, which is still likely not enough room to accommodate all those waiting for one of Chicago’s toughest reservations. Don’t take their word for it: Michelin awarded the restaurant a remarkable two stars.

Attend a Second City show

Second City is the name of both the infamous improv comedy troupe and the theater in Chicago where they perform. The group has churned out many (if not most) of the most famous comedians of the last 50 years, including Saturday Night Live legends like Bill Murray, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon, and so many more, and there are shows seven nights a week.

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House

Perhaps America’s most famous and influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright designed the structure and interiors of this building now located on the University of Chicago’s campus. It is now widely considered the most cohesive example of his “Prairie” style and one of the most important buildings in the country, with its emphasis on the horizontal via dramatic cantilevered roof eaves and deceptively long, skinny bricks.

Stroll the lakefront trail

Along the western shore of Lake Michigan runs an 18-mile paved path that is perfect for jogging, cycling, rollerblading, or just taking in the incredible views of the lake. The path connects visitors to the city’s most popular beaches and parks, along with major attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo or Navy Pier, and is dotted with waterfront restaurants.

Visit the American Writers Museum

Book nerds of all ages will enjoy this interactive space , where visitors can play with a timeline of the nation’s greatest writers and learn about their daily disciplines and best quotes. Recent temporary exhibits included the influence of immigrant writing in the U.S. and a look at Ray Bradbury’s legacy.

Dig into some controversial pizza

Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, which almost resembles a cheesy, carby casserole, but residents swear only tourists eat the stuff. You could debate it, or you could taste it—for deep dish, try Lou Malnati’s , Pequod’s , Gino’s East , or My Pi Pizza , and for the tavern-style, cracker-crust pizza more locals tend to love, consider Michael’s Original Pizzeria & Tavern , Marie's Pizza & Liquors , or Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream (yep!).

Sunbathe on the sand

It’s not a coastal city but the endless expanse of Lake Michigan and its surprisingly turquoise waters could convince you otherwise. North Avenue Beach is typically the most popular (and be sure to grab a drink at Castaways ), but you can hit Ohio St Beach to swim basically among the skyscrapers, or 57th St Beach if you’re into watersports.

Play in Maggie Daley Park

This transformation of the northern end of Grant Park is dedicated to the former first lady of Chicago, who died from cancer in 2011, and inside, there’s a garden dedicated to cancer survivors. Elsewhere are state-of-the-art activities for kids of all ages, including slides galore, incredible climbing walls, and an ice-skating “ribbon” that curls around the area like a lazy river.

Take in the Lyric Opera

Chicago’s opera , which was founded in the 1950s, kicked off by welcoming Maria Callas for her American debut. It’s been welcoming audiences into the glory of the art ever since, making opera accessible to all with a training center for singers, community programming, and even by streaming previously recorded operas completely free. Plus, it’s worth attending just to soak in the stunning Art Deco theater space within the Civic Opera Building.

Bounce between breweries

The Goose Island Beer Company is proud to call itself Chicago’s beer, and you can sip the 312 beer (named for the local area code) and more at their Fulton St Brewery and Tap Room. The Marz Community Brewing Company aims to be both a brewery and old-fashioned social club and area collective, and Metropolitan Brewing creates German-style lagers with a tasting room and patio right on the river.

Expand your palate at Alinea

Considered one of the best restaurants in the world since it opened in 2005, Alinea serves a many-coursed tasting menu that helped pioneer the art of molecular gastronomy. Guests have their minds blown and senses delighted by each gorgeously plated little work of art.

Visit the Driehaus Museum

Often it’s the small museums focused on a particular time that teach the most, and this spot dedicated to the art and design of the Gilded Age could have that effect. Housed appropriately in an 1880s mansion nicknamed the “Marble Palace,” the museum contains loads of stained glass, Tiffany chandeliers, scrolling candelabra, and elaborately carved furniture.

Chow down on a Chicago-style hot dog

Want to blast your tongue? Then try the wildly acidic foodstuff that is a Windy City frankfurter, which is a humble hot dog topped with pickled peppers, a pickle spear, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, mustard, and whatever else the best shops can come up with. They’re available at any of the many hot dog stands set around the city.

Shop on the Magnificent Mile

Akin to New York’s Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles is this strip of over 450 high-end shops, as well as hotels, restaurants, and famous skyscrapers running along Michigan Avenue. Visit during the holidays to enjoy the festive holiday windows, get your shopping in, or just stoll with kids to appreciate the towering, glittering trees set throughout the path.

Kaitlin Menza is a freelance features writer. She lives in New York. You can see more of her writing at kaitlinmenza.com . 

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23 Best Things to Do in Chicago

Home to 77 neighborhoods, a robust lineup of festivals, a sprawling waterfront, and charming parks and walkways throughout, Chicago packs in something for every one of its locals. Add to that list award-winning theaters, iconic architecture, and a dynamic dining scene, and you’re looking at a world-class destination, too—smack dab in America’s heartland. The city’s draws only continue to grow, thanks to arrivals in everything from music venues to Michelin-starred restaurants—and the town’s hospitality remains strong, invested in helping others to enjoy those experiences across the board. From an education in the arts to an entirely outdoors itinerary (and plenty of easy-to-elegant noshes along the way), here are some of the best things to do in Chicago now.

Read our complete Chicago travel guide here.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Garfield Park Conservatory Arrow

Step into the humid, glass-enclosed domes of Garfield Park where the air is clean thanks to thousands of jewel-toned plant specimens filtering toxins throughout. The space is fashionably untamed across its verdant showcase of flora from wet and dry environments, and those between. Spread across twelve acres, there's abundance year-round, from the colorful spring flower show to permanent indoor exhibits and holiday displays. Plant and garden enthusiasts should make the conservatory—easily accessed by Green Line—one of their stops.

Pizza City USA Arrow

In writing his book Pizza City USA , James Beard Award-winning food reporter Steve Dolinsky had organized the city into 10 different styles of pizza, quickly understanding Chicago’s wide array of pie styles. That research led him to start a tour showcasing that range, offering him and a team of “doughcents” a chance to tout Chicago’s diverse pizza scene to visitors and locals alike. There are four different kinds of tours, each exploring 3-4 styles of pizza. A walking tour Friday nights (downtown), a bus tour (various neighborhoods), and a walking tour (West Loop) on Saturdays, and a walking tour on Sundays (Bucktown/Wicker Park). Though the venues vary by tour, you can expect stops at favorites like Labriola (deep pan), My Pi (deep-dish), Robert’s (artisan), Paulie Gee’s Logan Square (Detroit-style), Eataly, and Bar Cargo (Roman). Get ready to grow your pizza IQ—in addition to discussing the range of pie styles, the team shares plenty of ‘za terminology and local history.

Urban Kayaks Arrow

Kayaking on the Chicago River or lake front is one way to shake up your perspective while visiting. Urban Kayaks offers tours along either. Move through the pulsing heart of the city on the river or travel Lake Michigan and circle Museum Campus (featuring the Field Museum , Adler Planetarium , Shedd Aquarium and Soldier Field). A night tour on the river boasts views of the glowing Merchandise Mart, which is showered in rotating, digital art displays projected onto the building. A one and a half hour skyline paddle in Lake Michigan gives you all the tourist sites without the foot traffic and crowds, showing you Grant Park and Navy Pier on a route few tourists trek.

The Salt Shed Arrow

The team responsible for some of Chicago’s best restaurants and concert halls is behind this hugely popular newcomer, housed within the iconic Morton Salt building on the North Branch of the Chicago River. The indoor-outdoor space made a soft debut last summer and continues those rollouts this year, with indoor shows this past winter and a full lineup this summer (including acts like First Aid Kit, Pretty Lights, Caamp, and Tash Sultana). Multi-level ticketing tiers help guests in selecting their vantage point for shows. Even if you don’t have prime sightlines every time (now considered the largest independent concert venue in Chicago, the space has a capacity of 5,000 for outdoor shows and 3,500 for indoors), you’re still in luck: They feature a state-of-the-art sound system by L-Acoustics. The venue also features a solid lineup of local food options, including Pizza Friendly Pizza and Café Tola. Find them in the outdoor Fairgrounds space (perfect for grabbing a bite pre-show).

The Morton Arboretum Arrow

Located about 30 minutes west of downtown Chicago, the Morton Arboretum feels like a world away. It's a pastoral escape that feeds the mind and heart. Art installations on site are rotated seasonally, several of them are dedicated to the natural sciences, such as the living exhibit dedicated to tree growth. 'Human+Nature' is the current installation here, showcasing the work of acclaimed sculptor Daniel Popper. Five pieces are currently on display in various locations across the arboretum's 1,700 acres, making this Popper's largest exhibition to date anywhere in the world. Open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset, daily—it's a relative bargain at $16 a ticket. With a maze garden and over 16 miles of hiking trail, this is the ideal urban getaway for outdoorsy sorts looking to decompress.

Wrigley Field Arrow

Iconic Wrigley Field is arguably one of Chicago's most storied landmarks, with millions of baseball fans flocking to the stadium just to get a photo in front of the iconic Wrigley Field Marquee (whether they’re rooting for the Cubs or not). The stadium anchors the Wrigleyville neighborhood, which has experienced a boon in development. A new outdoor plaza, luxury hotels, and an influx of restaurants/bars have boosted the area's cultural cachet, so it's worth hanging around before or after your stop at the stadium.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Arrow

The MCA is one of the city’s museums that’s in a near constant state of transition. With its relatively small permanent collection, it relies on special shows—from large scale installations to video, fashion, music, photography, and more—that showcase just as many rising local talents and underground, avant-garde renegades as recognizable names. Past exhibits include David Bowie Is, Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg, and Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech.   It also has one of the best gift shops (ever) and is home to Marisol, where chef Jason Hammel puts forth thoughtful, seasonal cuisine. Come summer, visit for their “Tuesday on the Terrace” music series, along with 21 Minus, an annual festival celebrating the next generation of artists.

Midway Plaisance Arrow

Known simply as the Midway, this mile-long natural stretch on the South Side connects the east end's Washington Park to Jackson Park on the west. Once the site of amusements during the 1893 Columbian World's Exposition (AKA World's Fair), the Midway is flanked by Hyde Park's noted gothic architecture, particularly the University of Chicago campus, and tree-lined boulevards, as well as outfitted with an ice skating rink and other facilities to keep folks visiting year-round.

Lincoln Park Zoo Arrow

Located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park, this zoo offers free, family-friendly entertainment year-round including the festive Zoolights around the holidays (reservations are required for all visits though). The sprawling grounds are seamlessly woven into the park’s landscape, balancing open, natural spaces and numerous animal exhibits. If you skip the pricey concessions (but maybe spring for a paddle boat ride), Lincoln Park Zoo is a great option to keep all ages occupied while staying on a budget. Visit the animals, take a spin on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel or the Lionel Train Adventure, and enjoy family-friendly dining options, such as Bird’s Eye Bar & Grill or the Patio at Café Brauer. 

Art Institute of Chicago Arrow

If you're coming to Chicago for culture, you're hitting the Art Institute first. It is the city's grandest museum, a Beaux Arts gem flanked by two bronze lions that are as much a symbol of the city as the Willis Tower and it has as fine an impressionist collection as you'll find anywhere. While you're there, plan to take a stroll through Millennium Park next door.

Bloomingdale Trail (The 606) Arrow

Chicago's answer to New York's High Line , the Bloomingdale Trail—a.k.a. The 606—is a nearly three-mile, elevated greenway running west and east on the city’s North Side. Unlike its NYC counterpart, the trails are wide enough to accommodate active patrons running, walking and cycling without running off more casual strollers, the formerly abandoned rail line is also lined with public art installations and gardens. During fairer weather, the trail also hosts various free events for families with young children.

3 Arts Club Cafe Arrow

Today there are more than 15 RH restaurants across the nation, but Chicago’s 3 Arts Club Café, which opened in 2015, was the first. Guests will discover it within Restoration Hardware’s 70,000-square-foot design gallery, which formerly functioned as the Three Arts Club, a residence built in 1914 for young women studying music, drama and the visual arts. Today, that space has been royally reimagined in the hands of RH, turning the six-story building into a lavishly outfitted labyrinth featuring its myriad décor whimsies (from the brand’s Design Atelier line to its children’s collections). Come here with friends or a special plus one, and arrive early—you'll want to factor in time for grabbing a coupe and perusing the historic property as you await your table.

Humboldt Park Arrow

One of Chicago's prettiest parks, this nearly 200-acre green space is located within the larger neighborhood of Humboldt Park (both are named for German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt). It's home to several statues—including one of its namesake, and two bison that were placed there during the 1893 World's Fair—as well as the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, located in the park's former stables. It's easy to drop in if you're headed down the 606 trail, but the park is big enough that it could take more than half a day to do all of it, so it's best if you're not in a rush.

The Second City Arrow

Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and Chris Farley all grew out of the scene at Second City and it continues to nurture some of the country's best comedy talent. Over three stages and four intimate studio theaters, there's plenty to see. The Mainstage show, featuring that season's top billed act, features long-form improv sketch, and is often packed on marquee nights. The same can be said for the e.t.c. Theater, which showcases up-and-comers, and the Up Comedy Club, for stand-up comic acts. The shows tend to be full, and ticketed for general admission, so come early to snag a prime seat. (Pro-tip: Avoid front row if you don't want to crane your neck all night.)

Chicago Lakefront Trail Arrow

The 18-mile long trail hugs the coast of Lake Michigan, offering almost all manner of activity along the shore. From sandy beaches and sprawling parks, to some of the best views of the Chicago skyline, the Lakefront Path is one of the city's great public treasures, enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Runners and cyclists love the width and ease of use of the trail, while intramural type teams make use of the many open spaces found up and down the path. If you don't want to run around, there’s plenty of room to just sit and people watch, as well as check out a number of art installations that pop up throughout the year.

Chicago Electric Boat Company Arrow

Auditorium Theatre Arrow

Inspired to build a theater that would benefit the city and serve as the world’s largest and most ornate building, Chicago businessman Ferdinand Wythe Peck began plans for the Auditorium Theatre and debuted the venue in 1889. Since then, the theater has been the site of major historical events and performances and earned impressive titles along the way (including a National Historic Landmark designation). Keep an eye on this season's calendar for events with Tom Hanks, The National, and Loreena McKennitt, among others. Anyone seeking a dose of the arts in elevated, historic environs will do well by a visit here. Gather friends for a speaker event or concert, or make it a date night.

Green Mill Arrow

Do not come here expecting fancy drinks—or anything fancy, really. This is living, breathing history. And it's a rocking good time. The Green Mill is a warm and inviting throwback to a bygone era. There’s live jazz, cheap drinks, and loads of local history (Al Capone used to have a booth reserved here during Prohibition); what's not to love? Bar eats are not on the menu here. Bring your own potato chips if you think you'll need a snack (no one will judge you). The craft beer list has expanded commendably over the past few years. So grab yourself a cold one or a whiskey soda and see where the night takes you.

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Arrow

Run by the Chicago Architecture Center, the Architecture River Tour is one of the most polished operations in town ( and a wonderful alternative to some of the cheesier tours ). Taking place on a barge in spring, summer, and fairer fall weather, the cruise explores Chicago's beginnings from various branches of the Chicago River—offering both day and evening tours. While groups are typically large, the Architecture Center-trained docent speaks via loudspeaker, audible from throughout the boat. (Pro-tip: Head straight upstairs when you board and snag a seat in the rear for optimal views.) In 90 minutes, you'll get to know 50 buildings along the Chicago River, hear secrets about a map of the river's topography hidden in plain sight, and learn about the only skyscraper in the skyline designed by an award-winning female architect.

Promontory Point Arrow

This man-made peninsula in Burnham Park has become a favorite gathering and photo shoot spot for locals due to its manicured landscape and rock formations along the lakefront. Our plan of attack here is to have a picnic at the point, then walk among a number of public art works edging the surrounding park. Some of the most interesting  public art installations and gathering spaces, such as Sounding Bronzeville and La Ronda Parakata, are actually within the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, which is composed of the Burnham Centennial Prairie, Burnham Nature Sanctuary, and McCormick Bird Sanctuary.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center Arrow

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art Arrow

Among the only museums in the world dedicated wholly to outsider art, Intuit is an impressive shrine to self-taught creators across all forms of media. Beyond an unassuming, brick facade, you’ll brush up against a concise-yet-vibrant collection of paintings, sculptures and assorted ephemera. The collected work draws you in with an air of unconventional audacity. This is a whimsical environment with an industrial edge. Exhibits are spread out with ample room for wandering and gazing at your leisure. The museum is curated by passionate docents who are committed to the cause of promoting the artistic output of marginalized creatives.

Chicago Botanic Garden Arrow

The Chicago Botanic Garden, a 385-acre living plant museum, features 28 distinct gardens and four natural areas. Those figures are impressive enough to draw more than one million visitors annually, making it one of the most frequented botanical gardens in the United States . Inside the gates, the Garden’s living collections feature more than 2.8 million plants from around the world that grow well in the Chicago area and are adapted to Midwest climate and soils. Expect to see a lush array of trees, shrubs, vines, and tropical plants, among other varieties.

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Summer is the peak time to visit Chicago. During the warmer months, tourists and locals swarm the city for long days, biking and beaching along Lake Michigan, rooftop-hopping, and a variety of festivals. For milder (if not unpredictable weather), fewer crowds, and better deals, visit during the shoulder seasons of April through May and September through October, when temps hover between 50 and 70 degrees. Chicago winters are cold and windy, but this is a city that never sleeps. Dining, cocktailing, and culture continue to thrive throughout the winter, and the city gets especially festive during the holiday season.

How to get around Chicago

Most travelers to Chicago fly into O’Hare or Midway International airports. The city center is a 17-mile, $55 taxi ride from O’Hare and a 12-mile, $45 taxi ride from Midway. Alternatively, Chicago’s rapid transit system, the “L,” runs from both airports. To get downtown, take the Blue Line from O’Hare (45 minutes) or the Orange Line from Midway (25 minutes). Chicago is flat and walkable, but “L” trains, buses, and taxis will also get you anywhere you want to go.

Public transportation is also more reliable as of late with taxis in the city sometimes scarce. Use the trip planner on the Chicago Transit Authority website to figure out how to get from point A to point B. Train rides cost $2.50; bus rides cost $2.25. You’ll need a CTA Ventra fare card to ride the train, but buses also take cash. Fare cards can be purchased at vending machines at all “L” station stops and other retail locations and digitally via the Ventra Card app.

Can’t miss things to do in Chicago

- Spend time along the Chicago River. Start with a 90-minute Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise with Chicago’s First Lady; it is led by experienced docents who provide a strong foundation for your visit. You’ll discover works by visionary architects like Harry Weese and remarkable new buildings, including the 101-story, Jeanne Gang–designed St. Regis Chicago skyscraper, as well as the city’s fascinating history and culture. River cruises also offer a bird’s-eye view of the buzzy Riverwalk scene and ambient restaurants like Pizzeria Portofino . You’ll wish you had a boat of your own to zip around in and guess what, you can with Chicago Electric Boat Company , which rents everything from easy-to-drive retro electric boats, cycle boats, and pontoon boats to privately chartered yachts.

- Take your pick of incredible museums, including three of the city’s best on the lakefront’s Museum Campus: the Shedd Aquarium , Adler Planetarium , and the Field Museum, the last of which has an exceptional permanent exhibit on ancient Egypt. There are also the little-known gems, like the National Museum of Mexican Art and the American Writers Museum. Families with young children will have an especially good time at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, which has a 2,700-square-foot butterfly haven and is set in the gardens of Lincoln Park, near the free Lincoln Park Zoo . The Museum of Science and Industry is also endlessly fascinating for kids of all ages. Housed in the original Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World’s Colombian Exhibition, the museum is a magnificent space with exhibits that include a high-tech Science Storms plus an entire U-505 submarine, the only German submarine in the United States.

- If you’re visiting in summer, get out on Lake Michigan for an entirely different view of the city, one that leaves you gob-smacked with its bright blue, ocean-like vibes. Hit North Avenue Beach for the volleyball scene and a dip in the water, rent a Divvy bike and ride along the lakefront path, or try out any number of boat tour options from Navy Pier.

- Take in Chicago’s rich and varied art scene. Colorful street murals and local galleries populate Wicker Park, while formal museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the extensive Art Institute of Chicago showcase impressive, well-curated collections. Next door to the Art Institute, stroll through Millennium Park for a fine introduction to friendly, proud Chicago. Take in the public art and fountains, the much-photographed Bean, the gardens, and even beyond to explore Grant Park.

- Catch a baseball game at Wrigley Field, a brick stadium built in 1914 that serves as home base for the beloved Cubs. The ivy walls surrounding the outfield, the manually updated scoreboard, the accents of fans around you—all provide a strong taste of local culture. After the game, grab a beer at one of Wrigleyville’s many iconic bars, like Guthries Tavern , or snag a seat in the chic bar across the street inside the modern Hotel Zachary .

- Chicago has its share of super towers and seeing the view from the top is stunning. The John Hancock’s 360 Chicago Observation Deck on the 94th floor has the wild “Tilt” experience with downward facing views. Go even higher at Skydeck Chicago on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, where you can also step out onto the glass-box Ledge .

Food and drink to try in Chicago

- Beyond deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, the city is home to some of the best steakhouses in the country, including Steak 48 with its fancy glass-enclosed booths and RPM Steak , as well as gastropubs and up-and-coming artisan butcher shops, like Lardon .

- Zero in on the best neighborhoods for your favorite culinary fare and you’ll understand why many people visit Chicago just to eat. Fill up on fresh Mexican food in Pilsen, try rolled ice cream and bubble tea in Chinatown, and indulge at Little Ukraine’s famous bakeries. Want a little bit of everything? Design your own foodie crawl in Fulton Market, dominated by some of the city’s best restaurants. Find Au Cheval for amazing burgers, the pretty rooftop at Aba, and Time Out Market Chicago, a food hall of stalls representing Chicago’s highest-rated local restaurants.

- Splurge-worthy tasting menu restaurants are all the rage for serious foodies, and you’ll find some of the best in the country in Chicago. Grant Achatz’s famed Alinea , one of the top molecular gastronomy restaurants in the world, and themed Next should be at the top of the list, as should buzzy newcomers that include art-forward Esmé and Filipino-inspired Kasama .

- If you’re a fan of Top Chef, you’ll find several winning chefs and their outposts here, including Joe Flamm’s Italian Croatian Rose Mary , Stephanie Izard’s Girl and the Goat and fun Duck Duck Goat, and Rick Bayless’s Xoco and Topolobampo.

- Cocktailing is an event unto itself in Chicago. When the weather is right, make your way to any number of fabulous rooftop lounges. Favorites include Cindy’s overlooking Millennium Park and the lake, Pendry Chicago’s Château Carbide for French atmosphere, Peninsula Chicago’s Shanghai Terrace (where you can also dine on some of the best Chinese food in the city), Devereaux, and the new Bar Avec decked out in greenery and coastal Spanish flair. If it’s the sultry indoors you’re seeking, don’t miss the scene and complex concoctions at the Violet Hour, artfully made cocktails at José Andrés’s Pigtail, and the playful tiki bar–themed Three Dots and a Dash .

Culture in Chicago

- Chicago hosts some excellent outdoor events and multi-stage summer music festivals, including the Lollapalooza , Riot Fest, and Pitchfork Music Festival. There’s also the Pride Parade, the world’s largest free blues festival, and Taste of Chicago , an event that draws more than 3.5 million people to sample from 70-plus food vendors. Fall brings Chicago Gourmet, hosted by Bon Appétit; the Chicago International Film Festival; and the Chicago Marathon. The year ends with Christkindlmarket, a Christmas shopping and German food market that’s part of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival .

- It may not be New York, but Chicago’s performing arts scene holds court with iconic theater houses, like the Steppenwolf Theatre , Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Goodman Theatre. Broadway-bound plays have made their world premieres here; you may be able to catch one at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and James M. Nederlander Theatre. You can also check out something funny at the world’s premier comedy club and a first stop for some of the best comedians of all time, Chicago’s Second City .

- Chicago has more than a few intimate concert halls that are definitely worth planning a trip around. Try to nab tickets to a show at the Chicago Theatre , Aragon Ballroom, and Thalia Hall, for starters. You might also be able to time a summer visit with a free outdoor concert at the modern Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Local travel tips for Chicago

- Though the nickname “Windy City” initially referred to Chicago’s bloviating politicians, winters in the Midwest are no joke and the wind in Chicago is strong. If you plan to visit anytime between December and late March, bundle up and aim for a majority of indoor activities, which can include a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game, a concert at the Chicago Theatre, and dinning on Randolph Street, aka Chicago’s “Restaurant Row.”

- Getting out of the city for a day trip can be easily accomplished on the Metra rail trains or with a car rental, and there are great restaurants, museums, and parks in the neighborhoods beyond the Loop and Magnificent Mile. Check out the South Side, where you’ll find Hyde Park with its charming Sophy Hyde Park hotel and chef Erick William’s Virtue Restaurant, the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the future site of the Obama Presidential Center .

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What’s New in 2022

From the South Side to the Loop, Chicago’s Innovative Spirit Thrives

Theater, art and music are flourishing, and on the culinary scene, a 13-course Filipino tasting menu and a sleek Black-owned winery in Bronzeville are just a few of the city’s new offerings.

By Elaine Glusac

Lacey Irby and her business partner, Ryan Brosseau, a chef, were planning to open a restaurant when the pandemic hit. It delayed them, but eventually, in early 2021, they opened Dear Margaret , a homey tribute to Mr. Brosseau’s Canadian grandmother in the Lakeview neighborhood, with takeout only, gradually adding patio dining and finally, last June, the snug dining room. It recently earned a Bib Gourmand award from Michelin — signaling quality and value — and reservations are scarce.

“For those of us left standing, it’s a testament to that willpower that’s inherently part of this city,” Ms. Irby said.

Resilience is a point of pride in Chicago, which was nearly erased by the Great Fire in 1871. In 2020, the pandemic chased residents out of the downtown Loop and into their homes, and though many offices remain dark, locals are now returning to reopened clubs, theaters, restaurants and cultural attractions.

For those making the art, the food and the entertainment, introspection mingles with celebration.

“During the pandemic, artists couldn’t help but create and we’re seeing new, exciting shows,” said Katie Tuten, a co-owner of the eclectic performance space Hideout , fresh from a weekend of back-to-back sellout shows. “Plus, who wants to come out of the pandemic and not have a place to dance?”

Back on stage

Watching a performance, let alone dancing, was of course forbidden indoors for at least a year at independent music clubs that form the backbone of the Chicago music scene. Thanks to $16 billion in federal Covid relief distributed to venues nationwide, no local clubs closed permanently, according to the Chicago Independent Venue League , an industry group of nearly 50 performance spaces.

Members of the league represent the spectrum of Chicago-made music, from the Promontory in Hyde Park, with everything from jazz concerts to soca dance parties; to Martyrs’ on the North Side, welcoming emerging garage bands, arty collectives like the marching band Mucca Pazza and free Sunday afternoon country shows.

“Each are anchors to neighborhoods with restaurants and bars and experiences,” said Chris Bauman, a C.I.V.L. board member and the owner of two North Side venues, Avondale Music Hall and the Patio Theater , who credits locally owned clubs as economic engines and talent incubators. “In Chicago, we do it for the love of art and music and creating and retaining this culture,” he added.

Theater, too, is back, requiring masks at major companies, including the Goodman , Steppenwolf and Chicago Shakespeare . The latter two also require vaccine cards.

In Lincoln Park, Steppenwolf has recently opened its new in-the-round Ensemble Theater, where the furthest seat is 20 feet from the stage, with “Seagull” by Anton Chekhov, through June 12. An adaptation of Eve Ewing’s poetry collection, “1919,” about the racist murder of a young Black swimmer in Lake Michigan in 1919, intended for young adult audiences, will follow Oct. 4 to 29.

Harder hit were the hundreds of small theater companies, often occupying storefronts, that have historically set the bar for originality. During Theater Week in February, which promotes productions with discount tickets, the sponsoring alliance League of Chicago Theaters had about half of the entries from small theaters compared to prepandemic festivals, but 80 percent of 2019 sales.

“Audiences were eager to come out,” said Deb Clapp, the executive director of the League, who noted the late spring return of several companies producing plays with social justice themes, such as Story Theaterr’s “ Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes ,” which mingles race history and the French Revolution (June 30 to July 17).

Dining and drinking

With pandemic mandates dropped, restaurateurs are still struggling to hire adequate staff, leading to more dark nights than before the pandemic.

A few high-profile favorites did not survive, including Blackbird, a sophisticated West Loop hot spot with tables just inches apart, as well as Spiaggia and Everest.

Still, some irrepressible entrepreneurs took the leap during the pandemic, including the chefs and spouses Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores, who opened Kasama in the summer of 2020 in Ukrainian Village as a takeaway cafe, with the goal of “making Filipino food mainstream,” Ms. Kwon said.

Last fall, the Filipino restaurant added a 13-course tasting menu at dinner — dishes have included oyster and green mango, and lamb belly with bagoong, a Filipino fish paste —available to just 40 diners a night ($215 a person) as a way to guarantee income and ward against possible future capacity restrictions. The restaurant recently earned a Michelin star, and dinner there is one of the hardest reservations to score.

“For Filipinos, seeing rustic foods mom-and-pop served in a 13-course tasting menu is eye-opening,” said Mr. Flores.

The South Side’s new Bronzeville Winery has its own social mission, to catalyze the revival of Bronzeville, the historically Black business and cultural district.

“I live in Bronzeville and I’m a foodie, but I’m always driving” to find fine food, said Eric Williams, a co-owner, who, as a retailer, helped spark the regeneration of the now trendy Wicker Park neighborhood on the North Side. “We should have something on our own block.”

Before the pandemic, the Brewers Association , a national trade group, called the Chicago metro area tops for breweries, and beer fans will find tap rooms strewn across the city and suburbs.

To support a start-up, hit a brew hall with shared production facilities, including District Brew Yards in West Town, featuring the Mexican-accented Casa Humilde , where a hazy I.P.A. might have pineapple notes, and the incubator Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square, currently home to the Black-owned Funkytown Brewery .

Cultural currency

Early on, museums were places of solace when little was open, offering quiet reflection to the vaccinated and masked. A few protocols remain, including advance ticket sales at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art .

While it was closed during the pandemic, the National Museum of Mexican Art remained a vital member of the largely Latino community in Pilsen on the near South Side, serving as a vaccination center. Reopened, the lively showcase for Mexican art recently debuted “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos,” featuring images owned by the iconic painter that comprise what the museum calls a “photographic collage” of her life and times (through Aug. 7).

On the far South Side, the Pullman National Monument added a new visitor center in the 1880 clock tower of the first planned industrial town in the country, site of a factory producing Pullman train cars as well as hundreds of nearby worker’s homes, leafy parks and the shuttered Queen-Anne-style Hotel Florence. Exhibits examine a seminal worker’s strike and Black employment as Pullman porters.

“The same conversations and debates they were having in the 1880s and ’90s about what is a working wage, unionization and worker safety are still so relevant today,” said Teri Gage, the superintendent of the monument.

Festivals are back

As many workers remain remote, the downtown Loop district is quieter than before, though nearby Navy Pier is poised to keep visitors longer with the opening last year of its first hotel, Sable at Navy Pier , a Curio Collection by Hilton, offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the skyline.

A full slate of summer events is poised to renew interest in the city center, including the Chicago Blues Festival (June 9 to 12) and the Chicago Jazz Festival (Sept. 1 to 4). Taste of Chicago will take a hybrid approach with a downsized food event in Grant Park (July 8 to 10) along with a June series of neighborhood pop-ups.

At least one new festival is on the calendar, Pizza City Fest (July 23 to 24). Founded by the food journalist Steve Dolinsky, author of “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide,” the event will bring 40 pizza makers to the Plumbers Union Hall in the West Loop to bake on site with additional discussions on topics like the perfect dough and pizza-making at home.

“I got tired of seeing people propagate myths about Chicago pizza that weren’t true anymore,” said Mr. Dolinsky, reeling off 10 styles of pizza, including the famous deep-dish, as evidence of the local appetite to experiment. “Chicago is a city of innovation.”

Elaine Glusac writes the Frugal Traveler column. Follow her on Instagram @eglusac .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of the Russian playwright who wrote “The Seagull.” It is Chekhov, not Chekov.

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Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

Salzburg, Austria:  The compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents bursts to life in the summer .

Chicago makes Travel + Leisure's list of ‘favorite' cities, ranking ahead of New York

The list was part of the magazine's annual "world's best awards", by nbc chicago staff • published july 12, 2023 • updated on july 12, 2023 at 12:23 pm.

Whether its being named the " Best Big City in the U.S .," or securing several spots on a list that contains cities with the best pizzerias across the country, Chicago continues to rank high on reports that rate the best places to live or visit.

It comes as no surprise then that a popular travel magazine just named Chicago as a "favorite" city among readers.

📺 24/7 Chicago news stream: Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

As part of their annual "World's Best Awards" survey, Travel + Leisure Magazine recently released a report compiling readers' 15 favorite cities in the United States. And while Chicago didn't nab the top spot, it did rank highly.

According to the report, nearly 165,000 Travel + Leisure readers weighed in on the survey, rating cities across the country on criteria like sights and landmarks, food, culture, friendliness, shopping and value.

"For each characteristic," the report says, "respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor." The final ranking represents the average scores of those responses, the magazine says.

Coming in at No. 1 on the list, for a second year in a row, Travel + Leisure says, is Charleston, South Carolina, thanks to its "perfect combination of southern charm and city vibes."

Chicago came in at No. 5 on the list, ahead of New York City, Honolulu, and Bend, Oregon, among others.

Slate of street closures to take effect Saturday ahead of DNC. Here's a full list

Last-minute deal gives protesters a new venue at DNC

"Honestly, who doesn't like Chicago?" the report says, quoting one reader response received. According to the report, The Windy City remains a voter favorite thanks to the city's world-class art galleries and museums, dynamic performing arts and food scenes, and more.

But what stands out the most in Chicago, the report says, is the skyline.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter .

"Nothing beats taking it all in from the 'outstanding' architecture cruise along the Chicago River," Chicago's entry concluded.

Here's the full reader favorite rankings:

• Charleston, South Carolina
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Savannah, Georgia
• Chicago, Illinois
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• New York, New York
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Alexandra, Virgina
• San Antonio, Texas
• Williamsburg, Virginia
• Bend, Oregon
• San Diego, California
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Asheville, North Carolina

The full Travel + Leisure report can be found here .

This article tagged under:

The author visited every one of Chicago’s 77 community areas. Here’s what he learned.

Y ou never leave the nabe,” a fellow Rogers Parker once told me.

“Why should I?” I responded. “I can buy my groceries here, I can go to the tavern, I can go to church. If I go somewhere else, I’ll have to pay for parking.”

Neighborhood life is the essence of the Chicago experience. The city is designed to discourage us from leaving the few blocks around our home. As Mike Royko wrote in Boss , “In every neighborhood could be found all the ingredients of the small town: the local tavern, the funeral parlor, the bakery, the vegetable store, the butcher shop, the drugstore. … With everything right there, why go anywhere else?” Royko was writing about Chicago in the 1950s, but even in the 2020s, plenty of neighborhoods still contain all those ingredients.

A few years ago, I decided to burst out of my neighborhood bubble, by visiting all 77 community areas, and writing about each one for this magazine or its website. It was a personal, as well as a reportorial, challenge. Of course I had to write about my own neighborhood, which I did with a story titled, “In Rogers Park, Only the Weird Survive,” explaining why it’s such a comfortable place for eccentrics. I described Vivian Maier, who went through the garbage bins across the street from my apartment while the negatives that would posthumously make her a world-famous photographer remained stashed in a storage bin. Actual Rogers Park weirdos appreciated the article, but a former candidate for alderperson wrote an angry rebuttal, titled “Rogers Park Is Not a Cliché.” For another story, I went to the neighboring community area of West Ridge, where I visited several houses of worship on Devon Avenue, each representing one of the world’s major religions — Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism.

There is a perception, often accurate, that North Siders never go south of Roosevelt Road or west of Western Avenue. I did both at once, taking the L to the least trafficked stop on the system: Kostner, on the Pink Line. I stepped off the train and walked around North Lawndale. On 16th Street, I discovered Upp ’n the Kitchen, a corner store with a stingy selection of diapers, pancake mix, and motor oil and an all-Chicago menu of Italian beef sandwiches and pizza puffs. My walk through North Lawndale gave me the idea to write about the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks, which form a racial barrier with Latino-heavy Little Village, known as South Lawndale until the neighborhood, then populated by Poles and Czechs, adopted a Central European–sounding name to dissociate itself from its African American neighbors. “I would rush across the dividing line and go home,” a Little Villager told me, describing the other-side-of-the-tracks sentiment. “It was just kind of understood that you didn’t go there. Across the tracks, it looked more disheveled — a lot of vacant lots, empty buildings.”

Click on any one of the community areas below to read what McClelland wrote about it. (Pinch zoom for a closer look.)

Map Key + -

1. Rogers Park 2. West Ridge 3. Uptown 4. Lincoln Square 5. North Center 6. Lake View 7. Lincoln Park 8. Near North Side 9. Edison Park 10. Norwood Park 11. Jefferson Park 12. Forest Glen 13. North Park 14. Albany Park 15. Portage Park 16. Irving Park 17. Dunning 18. Montclare 19. Belmont Cragin 20. Hermosa 21. Avondale 22. Logan Square 23. Humboldt Park 24. West Town 25. Austin 26. West Garfield Park 27. East Garfield Park 28. Near West Side 29. North Lawndale 30. South Lawndale 31. Lower West Side 32. Loop 33. Near South Side 34. Armour Square 35. Douglas 36. Oakland 37. Fuller Park 38. Grand Boulevard 39. Kenwood 40. Washington Park 41. Hyde Park 42. Woodlawn 43. South Shore 44. Chatham 45. Avalon Park 46. South Chicago 47. Burnside 48. Calumet Heights 49. Roseland 50. Pullman 51. South Deering 52. East Side 53. West Pullman 54. Riverdale 55. Hegewisch 56. Garfield Ridge 57. Archer Heights 58. Brighton Park 59. Mckinley Park 60. Bridgeport 61. New City 62. West Elsdon 63. Gage Park 64. Clearing 65. West Lawn 66. Chicago Lawn 67. West Englewood 68. Englewood 69. Greater Grand Crossing 70. Ashburn 71. Auburn Gresham 72. Beverly 73. Washington Heights 74. Mount Greenwood 75. Morgan Park 76. Ohare 77. Edgewater

To paraphrase Hamlet , there are more things in Chicago, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Whenever I crossed a four-lane street, or river, or railroad track, the city renewed itself, transforming into someplace I’d never seen before. After I visited a neighborhood, I blacked it out in pencil on a map of Chicago’s community areas. At first, the map looked like a checkerboard, then a series of white islands in a sea of graphite.

On the South Side, I started in Burnside, the city’s smallest official neighborhood, with nary a bar or restaurant in its 400 acres. “It’s not much over here,” a man living in a senior apartment building told me as he walked to Chatham to get lunch at a taco truck. Burnside did, however, offer a lesson in ethnic succession: I spotted an Orthodox cross atop St. Mark Church of God in Christ, which began its ecclesiastical life as Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church, ministering to immigrants who worked on the Illinois Central Railroad. Chicago is a dynamic city, always evolving with the arrival of refugees and transplants. Stuart Dybek once titled an essay “You Can’t Step Into the Same Street Twice.” If you want a town where the surnames and the colors of the faces in the high school yearbooks never change, move to Effingham.

Whenever I crossed a four-lane street, or river, or track, the city renewed itself, transforming into someplace I’d never seen before.

Then I went even deeper south, exploring the city’s boundary — as far as I could get from home. In Hegewisch, that took me down an abandoned railroad spur to a swampy stand of reeds. At Altgeld Gardens, I discovered there was still more of the city beyond its most isolated housing project, where Barack Obama began his community organizing career. I followed an oiled road that runs past Peter Rock Church of God in Christ and into the woods to 134th Place, a dirt road on the north bank of the Little Calumet River. It was Appalachia in Chicago: As I passed a house surrounded by old vehicles — an RCN van, a cruiser bearing the markings of the Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, police department — dogs barked from behind a wooden fence.

Yet there was still more of Chicago across the river: The city continues all the way to 138th Street, where St. Mary Catholic Church was abandoned by its dwindling congregation. That’s 32 miles south of Rogers Park. Chicago just keeps going on and on, even after you think you’re finished with it. “This is the end of Chicago,” a man working on his car told me. “When I saw you coming down the street, I thought, He’s lost.”

Sometimes, I covered half a dozen neighborhoods in a single trip. One Sunday, I rode a Divvy e-bike the 23.5-mile length of Western Avenue. The motorized boost to every pedal felt like a superpower. Chicago’s longest street begins in West Ridge and runs through Lincoln Square, West Town, Pilsen, Gage Park (its auto dealerships closed for the Sabbath), eventually ending in Beverly, where I refreshed myself with a beer at McNally’s, an Irish pub with a tattered “Back the Blue” American flag over the door. Behind the bar was a framed photo of Ella French, a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty. All around me, gray-haired men discussed the “gawf” on television. Academic studies have recorded the decline of the classic Chicago accent, but it can still be heard at McNally’s, whose regulars greet every patron by name and know which Catholic school his daughter attended.

The city’s longest bus route, the No. 9 Ashland, took me through Lake View, Lincoln Park, McKinley Park, and West Englewood to Washington Heights, a cross-section of Chicago demographics. As the per capita income of the neighborhoods declined, the bus filled, its riders lugging plastic grocery bags from Dollar Tree: In poor neighborhoods, people depend on the CTA.

Neighborhood life makes us parochial. In Mount Greenwood, before last year’s mayoral election, I met a firefighter who didn’t know anyone voting for Brandon Johnson and couldn’t understand why anyone would. An urban peninsula surrounded by suburbs, that southwest nabe is populated by conservative city workers who want to live as far as possible from where they work. In blue Chicago, Mount Greenwood voted for Trump. But that’s the value of visiting every neighborhood. Every time I shaded in a space on my map, a Chicago stereotype was shattered. A city of two-flats and bungalows? There’s a trailer park in Hegewisch. Dangerous to walk the South Side? On a trek from Steelworkers Park, on 87th Street, to the 75th Street L stop, I was hassled only once, by a drunken man sitting in front of a liquor store. He jumped in front of me, demanding, “Give me a dollar, white boy!” I kept walking.

And then there was one neighborhood left: Kenwood. To pencil it in, I took a guided tour of the Blackstone Library, conducted by local historian Max Grinnell. Modeled on the Erechtheion, a temple on the Acropolis in Athens, Blackstone has an inner dome that is painted with figures from antiquity representing art, science, literature, and labor. The bookshelves are bronzed, and a pair of Ionic columns marks the entrance to the reading room. Andrew Carnegie built 2,500 libraries worldwide, but skipped over Chicago, so local rail baron Timothy Beach Blackstone paid for something fancier.

“With today’s tour of the Blackstone Library, I have now visited all 77 neighborhoods on behalf of Chicago,” I wrote on Twitter, as X was known then, last June. Mayor Johnson read the tweet and congratulated me at his next press conference: “That’s quite an achievement.”

It’s an achievement I would recommend to every Chicagoan. I could print a fresh map and start all over again, but I think I’ll stick around Rogers Park for a while.

Tags: Chicago Stories , City Life , Communities

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The 68 best things to do in Chicago right now

Discover the best things to do in Chicago, from iconic venues and views to cultural musts and late-night shenanigans.

August 2024 :  The end of  summer in Chicago  is quickly approaching so head outside and make the most of it! There's no shortage of great things to do, from  renting a boat and cooling off on a beach to catching an outdoor movie and going sunflower picking. And don't forget about summer street fests and alfreso dining season, either. There are plenty of other options, too, so stay satisfied and busy with these fun activities in August.

No matter where your interests lie, you can always find something to get excited about in this no-nonsense Midwestern metropolis. The best things to do in Chicago run the gamut—from seriously fun to awesomely educational. Looking for culture? Spend a day exploring Chicago museums . Hungry? You've come to the right place, because Chicago is famous for its delicious cuisine. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Chicago that highlight the city's rich and diverse culinary landscape. (And plenty of uniquely Chicago bars that do the trick, too.) We've searched all across the city to assemble this list of the best things to do in Chicago. Follow it and never get bored here again.

You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world , or take a look at our list of the  best things to do in the world right now .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Best things to do in Chicago

1.  dance your heart out at a summer music festival.

• Things to do

What is it?  Chicago's loaded lineup of music festivals.

Why go? From local neighborhood fests to big-name spectacles like Pitchfork Music Festival , Lollapalooza and Riot Fest , there's no shortage of live music to listen to every weekend during the summertime. Whether you listen to house, country or blues, Chicago's concert calendar has you covered.

Don't miss:  Free shows at the Grant Park Music Festival  and Millennium Park Summer Music Series .

2.  Cool off at Chicago beaches

What is it?  Twenty-eight miles of freshwater coastline broken up into a series of publicly accessible beaches.

Why go?   N othing says summer in Chicago more than a day spent along Lake Michigan's sandy shoreline. Choose from more than 20 beaches along the north and south reaches of the city, from the dog area at Montrose Beach to the sand dune-studded nature preserve at South Shore Beach.  

Don’t miss:  Want to get out on the water? A select number of beaches offer kayak, jet ski and other water sport rentals. 

3.  Find a summer street fest near your neighborhood

What is it?  The annual slate of summer festivals that take over Chicago streets and parks every year. 

Why go?  Shop artisan goods made by local vendors, enjoy delicious bites and watch live performances at beloved neighborhood bashes like Wicker Park Fest and Taste of Randolph from May through September.

Don't miss:  Bored of the cover bands and DJs that normally perform at Chicago’s street fests? Head to Rogers Park on August 24 for Chalk Howard Street Fest, the city's only chalk art festival.

4.  Sip a drink on a gorgeous rooftop bar

What is it?  Refreshing libations atop some of Chicago's tallest buildings.

Why go?  Summer in the city calls for rooftop drinking, and there are plenty of places to do it. Whether it's a stunning hotel terrace overlooking Michigan Avenue or a lush garden oasis, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the skyline with a beverage in your hand and the breeze at your back.

5.  Eat outside

What is it?  Al fresco dining season.

Why go?  We only get a few precious months of outdoor dining in Chicago, so make the most of it while you can. Live your best life at the city's top patios, terraces and rooftops, which afford great food and drinks, fun vibes and plenty of sun and breeze.

6.  Rent a boat

What is it?  The best way to get out on the water.

Why go?  Live your best life by renting a boat and embarking on a nautical adventure. Whether it's a pontoon, speedboat or luxury yacht helmed by your own captain, there are plenty of options for cruising along Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. So gather some friends for an afternoon of fun.

7.  Take a dip in a pool

What is it?  The Chicago Park District's 50 public swimming pools.

Why go?  There's no better way to beat the sweltering heat than by going on a swim. The city offers dozens of pools across neighborhoods—all free of charge. Just make sure to check the hours and schedules before you go.

8.  Go pick sunflowers at fields near Chicago

What is it?  Getting beautiful yellow blooms straight from the source.

Why go?   It's the perfect summer daytrip . The surrounding suburbs offer plenty of opportunities to cut your own flowers and engage in family-friendly activities like mazes, butterfly gardens and train rides.

9.  Stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk

What is it? Expanded and updated in 2015, this riverside walkway hosts restaurants, bars, boating docks and plenty of spots to sit and admire the views.

Why go?  Like everything else downtown, the Riverwalk can be pricey, but you can't beat the views when you snag a glass of vino at City Winery or enjoy some local grub at Chicago Brewhouse. Several boat tour also have launch points along the Riverwalk, if you prefer to get out on the water.

Don't miss:  Post up at the Riverwalk nightly at 8:30pm and 9pm to catch Art on theMART, the 25-story light projection show across the water.

10.  Grab a paddle and glide along the Chicago River

• Sports and fitness
• Kayaking & canoeing
• River North
• price 2 of 4

What is it? Kayak Chicago sends you paddling along the Chicago River from a dock located just north of Goose Island.

Why go? After a few quick lessons, you'll be ready to set out on a self-guided river tour in a kayak. You can rent your boat by the hour or pay a flat fee to take it out for the entire day and check out changing leaves along the water.

Don't miss: A handful of guided excursions that highlight Chicago architecture or simply allow you to navigate the river at night.

11.  Have a picnic in a park

What is it?  A lovely meal outside in a public park.

Why go?  Make the most of summer by packing a basket full of food and beverages and heading to a nearby park. Chicago's motto is "City in a Garden," and our public green spaces live up to such a lofty name. With more than 600 facilities throughout the city, you won't have to wander very far to find a spot for a picnic.

12.  Watch free outdoor movies in parks

What is it?  Free outdoor movie screenings at public parks across the city all summer long.

Why go?  There's something for everyone, from animated films ( Trolls Band Together ) to blockbusters ( Barbie ) to cult classics ( School of Rock ). And who doesn't love a free movie? 

13.  Watch fireworks downtown

• Streeterville Until Aug 31, 2024

What is it?  Navy Pier's  twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9pm and 10pm, respectively) from May through September every year.

Why go?   Y ou'll catch  spectacular explosions in the sky, with the city as the backdrop. Need we say more?

Don't miss:  Feeling bougie? Make a reservation at Navy Pier's Offshore, the world's largest rooftop bar, and take in the show with a cocktail in hand. 

14.  Attend a concert at Ravinia Festival

• Music festivals

What is it? The oldest music festival in the country, featuring a variety of acts all throughout summer.

Why go?  There's something for every musical taste at Ravinia, which hosts artists like James Taylor, the Beach Boys, Ben Platt, Samara Joy, the Roots, Norah Jones, TLC, ZZ Top and much more this year. Snag a seat in the pavilion or pack a picnic and listen to the tunes from the lawn.

15.  Shop local at a farmers market

• Markets and fairs

What is it?  Weekly markets around town highlighting Midwest ingredients and products.

Why go?  You'll find the freshest, highest quality fruits, veggies, meats and more from local farms and businesses. There's also plenty of programming—from yoga to live music—and food vendors serving delicious bites for when you need to refuel.

16.  Travel across an elevated trail on the 606

• Parks and gardens
• Humboldt Park

What is it?  A formerly abandoned stretch of elevated railway track named after the first three digits in every Chicago zip code.  

Why go? Looking for a convenient way to get between Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown? This is it. The 2.7-mile path was spruced up by the city and turned into a functional attraction that delights locals and visitors.

Don’t miss:  Local artist Jeff Zimmermann's colorful Conagra Mural (Urbs in Horto) just across the Milwaukee Avenue bridge, which acknowledges Chicago's agricultural legacy.

17.  Walk through a beautiful garden

What is it? The city’s lush green spaces, from Chicago parks to sprawling botanical gardens.

Why go? Get away from the bustle of the city and reconnect with nature by visiting one of these (mostly) free gardens. You’ll find stunning Japanese gardens, serene lily ponds, rose gardens, conservatories filled with thousands of plants, and much more.

18.  Go for a long run

What is it?  The best trails in the city and suburbs for runners.

Why go? Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to get some excercise in, running outside sure beats the treadmill. From the 18-mile-long Lakefront Trail to the extensive North Branch Trail, there a host of places perfect for logging some serious miles.

19.  Watch a movie at a rooftop theater

What is it?  Rooftop Cinema Club, an outdoor movie theater on the fifth floor terrace of the Emily Hotel.

Why go?  No other theater in Chicago can match the gorgeous cityscape views that accompany each screening here. The experience boasts state-of-the-art LED screens, wireless headphones for all guests, a range of seating options and a curated lineup of snacks and cocktails.

20.  Bike to the ’burbs on the North Branch Trail

What is it?  A 16-mile paved trail beginning in Gompers Park that takes riders all the way to the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Why go?  If you're craving a quick escape from the city on your bike, you can take the North Branch Trail to attractions throughout the northern suburbs. Have a beer at Hubbard's Cave, get a pie at the Pequod's in Morton Grove or relax in the Erickson Woods in Winnetka.

Don't miss:  The four-mile loop trail through the Skokie Lagoons (which can also be used to get to the Chicago Botanic Garden).

21.  Root, root, root for the home team at Wrigley Field

• Baseball & softball
• Wrigleyville
• price 1 of 4

What is it? Arguably the city’s most famous and beautiful place to see a ball game.  

Why go? Synonymous with the North Side for more than 100 years, the Friendly Confines has updated ever-so-slightly over the years. It eventually gave in and added lights in 1988; a jumbotron was erected in left field a few years back. But it’s the ivy that the lines the outfield walls, the manual scoreboard and general old-timey awesomeness that will keep the stands here filled whether the Cubbies are winning or losing. 

Don’t miss:  For a true Wrigley Field experience, grab cheap(ish) tickets to the general admission bleachers section.  

22.  Catch a foul ball at Guaranteed Rate Field

• Armour Square

What is it? Home of the Chicago White Sox, formerly (and, to some, currently) known as Comiskey Park.  

Why go? Okay, so the South Side team doesn't command the rabid following of its neighbors to the north (although the whole city went nuts when it clinched the World Series in 2005). But the stadium is much more spacious than Wrigley, and it's almost always possible to walk up and purchase tickets.

Don’t miss:  You can get a corned beef sandwich and an Impossible dog, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a campfire milkshake.

23.  Hang out at a museum after hours

What is it? After-hours events at popular Chicago museums.

Why go? You’ve probably visited many of the city’s best museums, but did you know some of them stay open late after normal hours once a week? Snag tickets to Adler at Night , Jazzin’ at the Shedd or Tuesdays on the Terrace for a unique experience. You’ll get to listen to live music and walk around exhibits while sipping on a drink.

24.  Bring your pup on a boat cruise

• Loop Until Oct 13, 2024

What is it? A 90-minute, dog-friendly boat ride on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Why go? Tired of the same old architectural cruise? Then liven things up with some pooches! Mercury Cruises offers a canine cruise every weekend, where you’ll be surrounded by four-legged friends as you take in unparalleled views of the skyline and learn about the city’s rich history. Plus there are plenty of photo ops, of course.

25.  Play pickleball

What is it? The fastest-growing sport in America.

Why play?  If you're looking for a new hobby or outdoor activity, why not take up a new sport? Requiring just two or four players, the game is easy to pick up and combines elements of tennis and badminton. There are numerous courts around the city (and more coming) so give it a try!

26.  Shop for wares at Maxwell Street Market

• Little Italy, UIC Until Oct 27, 2024

What is it?  A weekly flea market that dates back to the late 19th century.

Why go?  You can shop for just about everything imaginable, from furniture to clothes, household items, collectibles and more alongside live street performances and an abundance of delicious Mexican food.

27.  Hit the trails for a hike

What is it?  Hiking trails around Chicagoland.

Why go? Now that it's warm out, it's the perfect time to go hiking. Visit a state park or nature preserve for an adventurous escape from the city. These sprawling, winding paths will take you through historic sites, sand dunes, woodlands and much more.

28.  Show off your putt-putt skills at City Mini Golf

• Millennium Park

What is it? An 18-hole miniature golf course located in Maggie Daley Park.

Why go? There's a kitschy kind of charm to mini-golfing in the shadow of the Chicago skyline, especially since the course is decorated with replicas of famous Chicago attractions (like a six-foot-tall Willis Tower and a teeny version of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza). 

Don’t miss:  Snapping a photo next to the mini Chicago landmark of your choice.

29.  Cruise around town on a Divvy e-bike

• Transport & Travel

What is it?  These jet-black e-bikes allow riders to go up to 15 miles per hour with the help of a small electric motor.

Why try it?  Let's face it: the original bright blue Divvy bikes are heavy and cumbersome. These newer e-bikes (which you'll find at stations throughout the city) make it easier to see more of the city atop a shared ride. The pedal-assist system adds some additional power everytime you move your legs, allowing you to get to your destination faster—and possibly without breaking a sweat.

Don't miss:  Divvy e-bikes come with an attached lock, meaning that you can end your ride by locking it to a bike rake or sign post, though you may incur an extra fee. You can also place them in any Divvy dock.

30.  Hop aboard Chicago’s First Lady for an architecture tour

What is it? The breeziest way to survey the city's famed architecture.

Why go? An architectural tour is a must for any visit to Chicago, and t he Chicago Architecture Foundation employs certified volunteer docents who narrate the history behind more than 50 downtown buildings for the duration of a 90-minute cruise along the Chicago River.

Don’t miss:  An evening version of the tour that allows you to take in the twinkling city lights from the river.

31.  Visit animals (for free!) at Lincoln Park Zoo

• Lincoln Park

What is it?  One of the last free zoos in the country, this 35-acre attraction connects visitors with animals from all over the world.

Why go? More than 1,000 critters are waiting for you to visit them—free of charge—in Lincoln Park.  From mammals (beavers, lions, otters and bears) to birds (penguins, eagles and parrots) to reptiles (snakes, crocodiles and turtles), there's something for every animal lover.  

Don’t miss:   The expansive Regenstein Macaque Forest, where snow monkeys swing from branch to branch. 

32.  See public art in Millennium Park

What is it?  The crown jewel of Chicago's front yard.

Why go?  Home to iconic public art installations such as   Cloud Gate   (a.k.a. "The Bean"), t his 25-acre park is one of the most popular gathering spots in the city . Visitors can walk through the vegetation in the Lurie Garden—renowned for its beauty throughout all of Chicago's seasons—or grab a requisite selfie in front of the Bean's reflective surface. 

Don’t miss:  Crown Fountain , an interactive installation featuring two 50-foot-tall LED video structures. 

33.  See Yoko Ono’s installation in Jackson Park

• Literary events

What is it?  Designed by activist and artist Yoko Ono, Skylanding is composed of 12 large steel lotus petals jutting from the ground of the Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park.

Why go?  Calling all public-art fanatics. This gleaming installation from the famed artist has become a major draw in the 600-acre park. The photogenic sculpture was erected as a symbol of peace, taking up residence on the site of a pavilion built by the Japanese government for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition .  

Don’t miss:  The park is also home to a beautiful, traditional Japanese respite dubbed the Garden of the Phoenix. 

34.  Hop aboard the Chicago Water Taxi

What is it?  For the first time since 2019, the Chicago Water Taxi is operating seven days a week.

Why go?  If you're looking to get out on the water for budget prices, you won’t find a better option than the bright yellow water taxi—a one-way ticket will set you back just $6, while 10-ride pass is $25.

35.  See live music at the iconic Morton Salt building

What is it?  The Salt Shed, Chicago’s new(ish) music venue from the team behind Thalia Hall and the Empty Bottle.

Why go?   Located at the site of the historic Morton Salt building (you know, the one you've probably spotted alongside the Kennedy Expressway), Salt Shed is an indoor/outdoor venue that's backed by a stellar sound system and skyline views during summertime performances.

Don’t miss:  Genuinely good concessions from notable Chicago restaurants.

36.  Eye masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago

• Art and design

What is it?  Guarded by an iconic pair of bronze lions, the Art Institute of Chicago houses a permanent collection of more than 300,000 artworks. 

Why go?   The Art Institute of Chicago is filled with masterpieces from every era, from Georges Seurat’s iconic painting   A Sunday on La Grande Jatte   (notable for its appearance in   Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ) to Andy Warhol's print of actress Elizabeth Taylor. This month, see Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks”, an exhibit examining the American artist's paintings of New York from the late 1920s.

Don’t miss:  Tucked away in the lower level of the Art Institute, the Thorne Miniature Room contains 68 recreations of American, European and Asian architecture and furniture, represented at 1:12 scale. It’s like a hyper-detailed, ultra-realistic doll house that you wish you had when you were a kid.

37.  Find serenity at the Garfield Park Conservatory

• East Garfield Park

What is it? A gorgeous glass structure home to more than 100,000 plants. 

Why go? When temps start to dip, there are few better places in Chicago to escape the cold than Garfield Park Conservatory, where you can wander through eight indoor display gardens full of greenery. Marvel at towering tropical plants in the 65-foot Palm House, admire cacti in the Desert House and imagine the primordial settings of Illinois millions of years ago among the lush Fern Room.   

Don't miss: Swing by Horticulture Hall from Friday through Sunday for a lavender oat milk cold brew made by Monday Coffee Co., the conservatory's resident coffee pop-up.

38.  Tap your toes to late-night jazz at the Green Mill

• Cocktail bars

What is it?  An Uptown institution that books smart bebop and free jazz with a discriminating ear. 

Why go?  In the ’20s, Chicago gangsters like Al Capone were known to frequent the Green Mill, but ever since Prohibition, the club has garnered a reputation for hosting live jazz every night. 

Don’t miss:  Taking a picture under the glittering marquee, which wasn't actually destroyed in Michael Mann's 1981 neo-noir film Thief . 

39.  See a blockbuster movie at Alamo Drafthouse

• Movie theaters

What is it?  A popular movie theater chain from Texas.

Why go?  In addition to showing the latest films, the venue offers expansive food and beverage menus and servers will bring meals to customers' seats during screenings.

Don't miss:  The theater's special events, which include rowdy sceenings where talking is encouraged and movie parties—immersive and interactive viewing experiences featuring fun props, themed drinks and more.

40.  Go mini-golfing (and drinking) at Puttery

What is it?  A mini-golf cocktail bar.

Why go? If the weather outside isn't suitable for hitting the links, do the next best thing and go mini golfing at this unique concept. Housed in a 23,000-square-foot space, Puttery offers two themed courses and state-of-the-art technology like digital scorecards and trackable balls.

Don't miss: Take a load off after you're done playing by hanging out in the swanky lounge area. There's a a full menu of craft cocktails and approachable bites.

41.  Hang out with a mummy at the Field Museum

• Science and technology
• Museum Campus

What is it?  A massive natural history museum that was founded to house the biological and anthropological collections for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

Why go?   With 350,000 square feet of permanent exhibitions to explore, deciding what to see at the Field Museum can be a daunting task. We recommend starting in the institution's popular "Inside Ancient Egypt" exhibit, where you'll descend into a recreation of the 5,000-year-old tomb of pharaoh’s son Unis-Ankh. From there, you'll walk through an extensive assemblage of Egyptian artifacts, including one of the largest collections of mummies in the U.S.

Don’t miss:  "Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches," an exhibit dedicated to bloodsucking species both real and fictional.

42.  See a stellar play from the Steppenwolf Theatre

What is it?  What people think of when they hear "Chicago theater."

Why go?  Steppenwolf is known for its all-star collection of ensemble talent (folks like Laurie Metcalf, John Malkovich and Tracy Letts number among its ranks).

Don't miss:   "Death, Let Me Do My Show,"   a one-woman musical comedy from the co-creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend , Rachel Bloom.

43.  Explore the universe at the Adler Planetarium

What is it?:  A museum dedicated to astronomy and all things outer space.

Why go?:  You'll escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. The Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area, and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye.

Don't miss: Adler at Night, the planetarium's afterhours event that takes place from 4pm-10pm every Wednesday. Best of all, entry is free for Illinois residents.

44.  Make a pit stop at the Chicago Cultural Center

What is it? Located just around the corner from Millennium Park, this gorgeous specimen of a building is the country's first free municipal cultural center; inside, you'll find tons of programming, exhibitions, and stunning architectural flourishes to explore, as well as a gift shop stocked with goods from local artists.

Why go? Anyone spending time in the Loop should make a point to check out any ongoing programming happening at the Cultural Center, which can run the gamut from art exhibitions to massive architectural expos. And did we mention it's completely free?

Don't miss: Once you've toured the 38-foot Tiffany glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall, head to the Landmarks Gallery  on the first floor to see "The Great Chicago Fire in Focus,"  an exhibit of images detailing the destruction of the historic disaster.

45.  Get acquainted with Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture at the Robie House

• Historic buildings and sites

What is it?   A historic house that Wright himself called "the cornerstone of modern architecture." 

Why go?   Nearby Oak Park may be a mecca for Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts, but you can see some of the architect's finest work without leaving the city. The Robie House in Hyde Park exemplifies Wright's signature Prairie School style, both in its external appearance and interior design. You can take a peek inside the historic home (and get some decorating ideas) by taking a tour led by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, offered five days a week.

Don’t miss:  The bevy of beautiful art-glass windows and the furniture (also designed by Wright). 

46.  Go back in time at the Historic Pullman Foundation Exhibit Hall

What is it?  This destination  houses exhibits about the South Side 'hood's growth and preservation. 

Why go? When businessman George Pullman started a railroad sleeping car factory on the South Side of Chicago, he built an entire town to house his employees. The industrial complex has since been designated a National Park and the Pullman Exhibit Hall is the best place to start exploring the area.

Don’t miss:  Set out on a self-guided tour of the district, which includes historic buildings featured in films like  Road to Perdition  and  The Fugitive.

47.  Get high at 360 CHICAGO

• Streeterville

What is it?  Set atop the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center, this observatory offers views of the city (and surrounding states) from 1,030 feet above the streets.

Why go?  The sights from the 94th floor can't be beat, whether you're a longtime Chicagoan or a visitor. Stick around to enjoy a cocktail at 360 CHICAGO's bar or explore some of the interactive exhibits detailing the city's history.

Don't miss:  360 CHICAGO's most terrifying attraction: TILT. Guests board a glass-enclosed platform that slowly tilts over the side of the building at a 30-degree angle. Thrill seekers will want to fork over the additional fee for a ticket. 

48.  Catch rising bands at the Empty Bottle

• Rock and indie
• Ukrainian Village

What is it?  The best damn rock club in the States.

Why go? For more than a quarter of a century, a gig at the Empty Bottle has served as a rite of passage for local and touring musicians. The nondescript club on the edge of Ukrainian Village is far from the biggest venue in town (capacity is around 300), but the folks who book it have a knack for landing rockers, electronic acts and experimental musicians on the rise. Grab an Old Style, find a spot on the stairs by the stage and take in a sure-to-be memorable show. 

Don’t miss:  A slice of pizza before (or after) the show at next door's Pizza Friendly Pizza.  

49.  Take a stroll through Chinatown

• Public spaces

What is it?   A neighborhood that serves as one of the primary hubs of Chicago's Chinese community, filled with restaurants, shops and incredible nods to East Asian architecture.

Why go?  Chinatown is a great place to mosey from shop to shop and spend some time outdoors, whether you're walking through Chinatown Square or admiring the sweeping skyline views from Ping Tom Memorial Park. 

Don't miss:   Dumplings from QYX, bubble tea from the walk-up window at Joy Yee, Peking duck from BBQ King House, cocktails at Nine Bar... the list goes on. Start at Chinatown Square and work your way south down Wentworth, passing under the street's famous gate and into its central commercial strip.

50.  Get down to house music at Smart Bar

What is it?  An ace place to lose it to house music, right in the city that invented the genre. 

Why go? In the ’80s, Chicago served as the epicenter of the creation of a new sound that still influences the work of modern hip-hop and electronic artists. If you want to experience house music, there's no more authentic environment than Smart Bar. Within the subterranean Wrigleyville club, skilled DJs, drag performers and sweaty revelers come together to the steady pulse of a house beat.

Don’t miss:   The crowded Queen dance party, which takes place nearly every Sunday night.

51.  Hear live blues at Kingston Mines

• Folk, country and blues
• Sheffield & DePaul

What is it? You have to listen to blues music when you’re in Chicago, and few places are as fun to see the blues as Kingston Mines.

Why go? The city’s largest and oldest continuously operating blues club features high-energy live blues bands performing on two stages until 4am Thursdays and Fridays and 5am on Saturdays. Whether you’re hanging with bleary-eyed tourists from Iowa or friends of the local blues guitarists on stage, it’s hard to have a bad time here.

Don’t miss: The cover grants you entry to both rooms and its two different stages.

52.  Sip suds at Half Acre Brewery Balmoral

• Lincoln Square

What is it? The far North Side warehouse where one of the city's largest breweries produces the majority of its beer.

Why go?  Half Acre Balmoral's expansive parking lot beer gaden offers room to sip signature brews like Daisy Cutter and Tome in the open air. Plus, a menu of bar foods is available for hungry drinkers. There's also an indoor taproom for the colder months. 

Don’t miss: There are beers on tap here that are exclusive to this location, so be on the lookout. 

53.  Walk through an outdoor art gallery at the 16th Street Murals

• Lower West Side

What is it? A collection of murals and street art on an old railroad embankment in Pilsen that stretches from the Chicago River to Western Avenue.

Why go?  Take a stroll across 16th Street and you'll spot murals by local artists like JC Rivera and Hebru Brantley as well as international talents like The Yok and Sheryo.

Don't miss:  An infamous painting of a severed possum by Belgian street artist ROA, located just west of 16th and Laflin Street.

54.  Tour the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology

What is it?  The college's Bronzeville campus is studded with one of the country's largest collection of buildings designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the German-born steward of the Bauhaus architecture movement in Chicago. 

Why go?  Mies was a pioneering figure in American Modernism, and he completed some of his most significant work while serving as the director of the Department of Architecture at the Armour Institute of Technology. The sleek, column-free S.R. Crown Hall—which houses the present-day College of Architecture at IIT—is considered his masterpiece, and the college's entire campus has been inducted into the National Register of Historic Places. 

Don’t miss:  You can always take a self-guided tour, but the Chicago Architecture Center offers two-hour guided sessions that lead visitors through the evolution of the campus, from Mies' heyday in the mid-20th century to the more recent McCormick Tribune Campus Center designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

55.  Explore the gallery district on Chicago Avenue

• East Village

What is it?   A string of art galleries located on Chicago Avenue between Ashland Avenue and Wood Street. 

Why go?  A combination of favorable real estate, happenstance and collaborative spirit has drawn some of Chicago's finest galleries—including Matthew Rachman Gallery, DOCUMENT, Rhona Hoffman, Chicago Truborn and many others—to this multi-block stretch in West Town, creating a concentrated (and not to mention, free) tour of curated work. Plan an afternoon around the exhibitions that pique your interest, and don't forget to make a reservation at each gallery ahead of time. 

Don’t miss:  Looking to splurge on, say, a mid-century Danish sofa or a luxury cowhide rug? Make an appointment at Matthew Rachman Gallery to view the furniture collection available for sale, where you'll find items from iconic designers like Vladimir Kagan, Jens Risom and Eero Saarinen.  

56.  Watch fish swim by at Shedd Aquarium

• Zoo and aquariums
• price 3 of 4

What is it?  Chicago's only aquarium, home to thousands of colorful fish and other aquatic creatures.

Why go?   Permanent exhibitions like "Wild Reef" and "Amazon" allow you to gaze at fish, stingrays, an anaconda and sharks. But the interactive experiences may be the biggest draw, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with some of the animals that live at the Shedd Aquarium and learn more about them.

Don't miss:  The internet-famous rockhopper penguins, known for exploring the Shedd (and other Chicago institutions) during lockdown in 2020. You can say hi to them in the Polar Play Zone exhibit.

57.  Take in the skyline from Promontory Point

What is it? One of the best places to sit on a rock and look at tall buildings from afar.

Why go? Just north of the Museum of Science and Industry, this man-made peninsula is a short jaunt from the Lakefront Trail. When the sun is out, it's a beloved spot for picnics, lounging and canoodling on the rock steps that line the perimeter of the point.

Don’t miss: The Promontory Point Field House, an extremely popular wedding venue that looks like a miniature castle.

58.  Have your mind blown at the Chicago Magic Lounge

What is it? A love letter to all things magic hidden behind what  appears to be a laundromat.

Why go? After three years of performances at Uptown Underground , the Chicago Magic Lounge’s brick-and-mortar manifestation opened in early 2018. The spot sports three performance spaces. There’s the front bar, where you can enjoy a drink and some sleight-of-hand. Then there’s the 120-seat Blackstone Cabaret mainstage, where ticketed shows take place, as well as a smaller back room, dubbed the 654 Club, offers up-close magic. Don’t miss: While enjoying your cocktail in the bar, check out the magician’s table built into the center of the bar itself. 

59.  Watch 30 plays in 60 minutes at the Neo-Futurarium

• Interactive

What is it? A theater where performance art is populist and fun AF. 

Why go?  You never know what you'll see when you attend the Neo-Futurists' signature show,  Infinite Wrench , but it's nearly always entertaining. The ensemble races against the clock to cram 30 miniature, two-minute plays into a 60-minute show that bristles with madcap energy. Over the course of the evening, you might witness a dramatic monologue, a funny song or simply stare at someone eating a sandwich. 

Don’t miss:  Grab a seat toward the front of the stage if you're game for interacting directly with the show's performers (their plays occasionally call for audience participation). 

60.  Double over laughing at the Second City

• Comedy clubs

What is it?  Where Bill Murray,  Tina Fey, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley and Steve Carell  cut their comedic teeth. 

Why go?   Before they joined the cast of   Saturday Night Live   or became big-screen stars, those folks above practiced their craft on the mainstage at the Second City. The venue's premiere revue features some of the institution's most talented performers in a series of loosely-connected, topical comedy sketches.

61.  Drink all the brews at the Beer Temple

• Liquor stores

What is it?  A place of worship for hops-heads.

Why go? You'll always find something new or unexpected on tap at this Avondale bar and bottle shop, which has gained a reputation for stocking the most sought-after releases from local and out-of-state brewers. 

Don’t miss:  Follow the Beer Temple on Instagram to stay on top of what's newly in-stock. If you want to get your hands on the latest brews from Hop Butcher and other hard-to-find releases, you'll need to order quickly.

62.  Take a ride on Navy Pier's Centennial Wheel

• Towers and viewpoints

What is it? : A nearly 200-foot-high Ferris wheel.

Why go?:  You won't find many sights that can rival the ones from Centennial Wheel. Riders are treated to 360-degree views of the skyline and Lake Michigan while sitting in enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas.

Don't miss:  After your ride, head to the Original Rainbow Cone at Navy Pier for a tasty sweet treat.

63.  Find something strange at Woolly Mammoth Antiques & Oddities

What is it?  A store that's not for the faint of heart and is one hell of a conversation starter.

Why go? You never know what you'll find at this popular Andersonville antique store, which prides itself on stocking items that are "resurrected from the past." Taxidermy, diving helmets, military supplies and other interesting knick-knacks typically line the shelves.

Don’t miss:  The anatomy items, medical stuff, skull bones (of all kinds) and skeletons.

64.  Add to your reading list at Pilsen Community Books

What is it?  A worker-owned bookstore, offering new and used books for in-store browsing and curbside pickup.

Why go?  You can support a local business while chipping away at your reading list by ordering something from this Pilsen shop. Submit an order online or call and talk to a human during business hours if you need a recommendation.

Don't miss:  Add a donation to the Liberation Library to your order to support the purchase of books for incarcerated youth.

65.  Explore cinematic history at Doc Films

• Independent

What is it? The University of Chicago's single-screen theater is the longest continuously running student film society in the country.

Why go? In the fall, winter and spring, this Hyde Park institution sheds light on some of the most obscure corners of film history, showcasing retrospectives of underappreciated directors, deep dives into highly specific movie genres and rarely-screened foreign films. Best of all, a ticket will only set you back $7.

Don't miss: Prefer to see something contemporary on the big screen? Stop by on Saturday nights, which are typically reserved for screenings of new and recent releases.

66.  Find some new records at Dusty Groove

• Music and entertainment

What is it?  A Wicker Park destination for discerning record nerds.

Why go? The "dusty grooves" of course refer to the wonderous global rhythms found in the smartly curated bins, sorted into Tropicalia, Afrobeat, reggae, vintage soul, French pop, blues, jazz and other genres. 

Don’t miss:  Obscure titles that you'll have a hard time finding elsewhere in the city.

67.  Set a high score at Logan Arcade

• Logan Square

What is it? An expansive, bar-equipped arcade housed inside a former hardware store.

Why go? There are many arcade bars scattered throughout Chicago, but Logan Arcade boasts one of the largest (and best maintained) collection of games. You'll find classics like Ms. Pac-Man and Q*Bert alongside more modern machines like Mario Kart and a Jurassic Park shooter. Pinball wizards will flip over the selection of tables, including ones inspired by properties like Game of Thrones and Star Wars . Plus, you can sip a craft beer or cocktail between high-score attempts.

Don't miss: The Killer Queen cabinet, which allows two teams of five players to face off in a bee-themed battle that requires some intense cooperation to achieve victory.

68.  Have your mind blown at the Museum of Illusions

• Exhibitions

What is it?  The Chicago outpost of a chain of trippy "edutainment" destinations, packed with mind-bending photo-ops.

Why go?  You'll be able to take a ton of cool Instagram photos at the Museum of Illusions, but you'll also have a chance to learn a thing or two along the way. Staff is present to explain the psychology and science behind each of the mind-bending displays.

Don't miss:  The museum's infinity room, which surrounds guests with mirrors and shimmering lights.

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Our Readers' Favorite 10 Hotels in Chicago in 2021

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite hotels in Chicago .

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The lakefront beaches, art installations at Millennium Park, and upscale shops of the Magnificent Mile draw travelers to the Windy City year after year. And even during a time of social distancing, our readers want to be in the center of everything, as evidenced by this year's winners for the best hotels in Chicago . Most of the honorees, including No. 2 The Langham, Chicago and No. 4 The Peninsula Chicago (both previous winners and longtime favorites of our readers), are within walking distance of all the main attractions.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

The hotels that made this year's list showcase the variety of American architecture for which the city is so well known — from the Beaux-Arts Drake at No. 9 to No. 2 the Langham, Chicago, wedged into the lower fourth of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Modernist IBM Building. The hotels on the list also demonstrate masterful attention to detail in their hospitality: "The service was so personal. I felt like they valued me as a guest," said one reader after staying at the Peninsula Chicago.

Read on to discover which ten hotels in Chicago made the cut and why T+L readers voted the gleaming Viceroy Chicago as this year's No. 1.

1. Viceroy Chicago

Located in the exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood, Viceroy Chicago embodies the glitzier side of the Windy City and puts guests in walking distance to some of the city's premier shopping and sights. Most of the 180 Midcentury Modern guest rooms, including 18 suites, offer stunning views of Lake Michigan. Bathrooms are fitted with rain showers and stocked with luxe body products by Natura Bissé. Readers love the "great food and beverage venues," including Devereaux, the rooftop bar where guests can drink craft cocktails and look out on the Chicago skyline. Downstairs is Somerset, the hotel's restaurant, which serves dishes like asparagus-lemon risotto and Rohan duck confit. Another point readers agree on is that "the location is superb — right in the middle of one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Don't miss it for a fun weekend!"

Score: 97.66 More information: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

2. The Langham, Chicago

Score: 95.39 More information: langhamhotels.com

3. Virgin Hotels Chicago

Score: 94.00 More information: virginhotels.com

4. The Peninsula Chicago

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 93.67 More information: peninsula.com

5. Park Hyatt Chicago

Score: 93.63 More information: hyatt.com

6. Thompson Chicago

Score: 92.48 More information: thompsonhotels.com

7. Hotel Zachary

Score: 92.00 More information: hotelzachary.com

8. Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile

Score: 90.88 More information: hyatt.com

9. The Drake

Score: 90.27 More information: thedrakehotel.com

10. Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

Score: 90.15 More information: sofitel-chicago.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

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Best day trips from chicago for 2024.

Chicago's eclectic neighborhoods, world-class attractions and lakeside setting can easily fill a travel itinerary. But when you've worn a path through the Windy City and are looking for a change of scenery, you'll find a bevy of destinations within a few hours, from Lake Michigan retreats to quaint towns. U.S. News weighed expert and traveler feedback, as well as sights, accessibility and culture, to bring you this list of the best day trips from Chicago. Be sure to vote for your favorite spots below to influence next year's ranking.

Lake Geneva

Madison, wi, new buffalo, south haven, wisconsin dells, indiana dunes national park.

Sitting 80 miles northwest of Chicago, just across the Wisconsin border, Lake Geneva has long been a summer home haven for Chicago's elite, so much so that it was dubbed the "Newport of the West." Like its Rhode Island counterpart , Lake Geneva's shoreline is dotted with historic estates sure to impress history buffs. Today, visitors can find an abundance of activities year-round, from beaches and boating in the summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. When you're not enjoying the great outdoors, treat yourself to some boutique shopping, indulge at a wine bar or brewery, or explore the grandeur of Yerkes Observatory.

The home of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this city nearly 150 miles northwest of Chicago has plenty to do beyond its well-known campus. Surrounded by five lakes, Madison is an outdoor paradise, offering boat rentals, beaches, parks and an enchanting botanical garden. When the weather is warm, join coeds on the Memorial Union Terrace for a pitcher of beer, or head to the observation deck at the domed Wisconsin State Capitol building for a view of lakes Mendota and Monona. But the fun doesn’t end when the temperatures drop: Embrace Madison's notorious winter chill while ice fishing, biking on frozen lakes and attending unique festivals.

This small Michigan town may only be 70 miles east of Chicago, but with its slow pace and relaxed atmosphere, it feels worlds away. New Buffalo's location on Lake Michigan grants visitors access to 16 miles of shoreline, including 260-foot dunes at Warren Dunes State Park and an amenity-filled town beach. The town's proximity to wineries, farms and orchards along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail adds to its allure, as do its chic boutiques and waterfront dining options.

A fraction of the size of Chicago, Milwaukee is ideal for escaping the Windy City's crowds while still enjoying exceptional cultural and culinary experiences. Plus, it's easily accessible via Amtrak train; the rail ride from Chicago to Milwaukee is just about 90 minutes. Start your day at the Milwaukee Art Museum, known as much for its sculptural design as it is for its exhibits, before touring the Pabst Mansion, built in 1892. Beyond legendary beer, cheese and bratwurst, all of which you can find at the Milwaukee Public Market, the city's thriving dining scene boasts restaurants helmed by James Beard Award winners.

One of Michigan's most popular beach towns, South Haven is a quintessential summer haunt for Midwesterners. Follow the shoreline of Lake Michigan just more than 120 miles east, and you'll arrive at this idyllic town bursting with bed-and-breakfast accommodations, seven public beaches and locally owned shops. Spend a carefree day basking in the sun, eating old-fashioned ice cream and kayaking on the lake. If you're not in a rush, stay for a sunset cruise before driving back to the city.

With its restored electric streetcars and original buildings (including the century-old soda fountain at Coopers Uptown), nostalgia-infused Kenosha warrants the 60-mile trip north. Perched on Lake Michigan's western shore, this Wisconsin city offers the outdoor pursuits of a beach town with a more robust itinerary. The lakefront is undoubtedly Kenosha's most defining attraction, complete with a sculpture walk, a bike trail and two historical lighthouses. But the city also features several accredited museums, such as the Kenosha Public Museum, and a host of entertainment options that make it worth a visit even in cooler months.

Those with kids in tow will want to pack up the car for a trip to the Wisconsin Dells. This town, known as the Waterpark Capital of the World, sits approximately 200 miles northwest of Chicago and is home to the largest concentration of indoor and outdoor water parks in the world. Prefer to stay dry? The Dells features scores of additional adventures for active families, ranging from feeding animals at the Wisconsin Deer Park to amphibious vehicle tours along the Wisconsin River.

For a Hallmark-esque escape, look no further than this tiny Illinois town roughly 160 miles northwest of Chicago. Galena's historic Main Street oozes charm with its well-preserved 19th-century buildings, which house ice cream parlors, candy shops, boutiques and antique stores. What's more, the rural roads surrounding this Mississippi River Valley locale are begging for a scenic drive to the region's wineries. If you're into history, save time for a Galena Trolley Tour, on which your guide will take you to the home of Ulysses S. Grant and regale you with stories about this mining town's past.

Trade Chicago's congested Lake Shore Drive for 15 miles of untouched shoreline with a quick day trip to Indiana Dunes National Park. In less than an hour (the dunes are located about 50 miles east of the city), you'll be digging your toes into the soft sand, splashing around in Lake Michigan's chilly water or working up a sweat on the park's 50-plus miles of trails. To really elevate your heartrate, hike up the 120-foot Mount Baldy dune on a ranger-led tour, or take it easy on the park's less challenging trails through forests and marshes.

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Get ready for DNC traffic: How to get around Chicago during the Democratic convention

Around the united center, the city says road closures will begin at 7 p.m. saturday. street closures around mccormick place start at 10 p.m. friday.

Workers set up security perimeter fencing on South Honore Street near West Adams Street outside the United Center on Monday in preparation for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file photo

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is only days away — bringing road closures, bus reroutes and more traffic disruptions.

The DNC has dedicated shuttles between the United Center, where some of the largest events will be held; McCormick Place, where official party business will be conducted; and convention hotels. But those are only for credentialed delegates, volunteers and media.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of next week:

Where will DNC road closures be?

Around the United Center, the city says road closures will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday as part of the security perimeter :

• West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
• Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
• West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
• West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
• West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
• West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
• South Honore Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
• South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
• South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street

Traffic will also be restricted on Jackson Boulevard in the area. Fencing has already started to go up along the security perimeter.

Street closures around McCormick Place start at 10 p.m. Friday:

• Indiana Avenue from 18th to East 24th Place
• Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
• Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to Martin Luther King Drive
• 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to Martin Luther King Drive
• Martin Luther King Drive from Cermak Road to 25th Street
• 21st Street from South Michigan Avenue to South Calumet Avenue.

Trucks won’t be allowed on I-55 in the area of McCormick Place, and the South Martin Luther King Drive exit will have traffic restrictions.

There will also likely be rolling street closures due to DNC activity, the city says.

Where will DNC parking restrictions be?

Street parking will be limited around the United Center and McCormick Place during the DNC, according to a news release from the city. Parking restrictions will be posted 24 hours in advance, the city says.

Restrictions around the United Center begin Saturday:

• Lake Street from Ashland to Damen, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. south side of the street only, from Sunday through Thursday.
• Maypole Avenue from Hermitage to Damen, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Sunday through Thursday.
• Jackson Boulevard from Wood to Western, from Saturday through Friday.
• Washington Boulevard from Ashland to Paulina, from Sunday through Friday.
• Warren Boulevard from Ashland to Paulina, from Sunday through Thursday.
• Paulina Street from Washington to Lake, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Sunday through Thursday.
• Hermitage Avenue from Washington to Lake, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Sunday through Thursday.
• Wood Avenue from Washington to Lake, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Sunday through Thursday.
• Wolcott Avenue from Washington to Lake, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday.

Around McCormick Place, parking restrictions have already taken effect and last until Sunday, Aug. 25:

• 18th Street from Michigan Ave to Prairie Ave daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cullerton Street from Michigan to Calumet Avenue daily from 8 a.m. 10 p.m.
• 21st Street from Michigan to Calumet Avenue daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cermak Road from Michigan to Calumet Avenue, now until Sunday, August 25.
• 23rd Street from Wabash to Indiana Ave.
• 24th Street from Wabash to Indiana Avenue.
• 24th Place from Wabash to Indiana Avenue.
• Part of Calumet Ave south of 18th Street, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Drive from 22nd to 25th Street.
• Prairie Avenue from 20th to 22nd Street.
• Indiana Avenue from 18th to 25th Street.
• Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street.

DNC impacts on the CTA, Metra

The city says that L disruptions are planned, but there may be unplanned events that disrupt rail service. A Chicago Transit Authority spokesperson told CBS News Chicago that the CTA is making “targeted service adjustments” on some lines to accommodate additional riders.

Several buses will be rerouted because of the security perimeter starting Friday:

• #1 Bronzeville/Union Station
• #3 King Drive
• #4 Cottage Grove
• #X4 Cottage Grove
• #20 Madison
• #126 Jackson

You can find more details and sign up for text alerts at transitchicago.com/dnc .

Metra will also be running additional trains for DNC riders. There will be hourly shuttle trains between the O’Hare Transfer Station near O’Hare’s multimodal rental car facility and Union Station. A full schedule can be found on Metra’s website .

Planned DNC protests

A number of planned protests will also likely disrupt traffic and lead to rolling street closures.

The first protest of the weekend, held by the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws Coalition, will happen downtown at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Coalition to March on the DNC has two large protests planned, one at noon Monday and another at 5 p.m. Thursday. Attorneys for the coalition, which has been locked in litigation with the city over the route of the protest, say as many as 25,000 could show up.

The route offered to the coalition by the city begins at Union Park and follows Washington west to Hermitage, then north to Maypole, west to Park 578 and then to Damen, north to Lake Street and then concludes at Union Park. A federal judge sided with the city earlier this week , saying it “allows them to speak near their intended audience.”

City Hall attorneys say this image depicts the protest route it has offered, in relation to the security perimeter around the United Center during the Democratic National Convention.

U.S. District Court records

Also on Monday, at 4 p.m., the Poor People’s Army will march to the United Center from Humboldt Park. A permit snafu by the city will allow them to march closer to the convention than other groups.

At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups is also planning a protest at Union Park ahead of President Joe Biden’s speech at the DNC.

DNC security perimeter maps

Get the latest election and Democratic National Convention updates from the Sun-Times DNC Group Chat. Sign up here or text ELECTION to 260-233-9818 to join.

Convention organizers want to offset carbon emissions while visitors are in Chicago.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

DNC organizers say convention will be the ‘most sustainable’ in history

To reduce greenhouse emissions from travel, attendees can donate to an englewood urban farm. other efforts include food rescue, a stepped up recycling program and composting..

This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WBEZ and Grist , a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Sign up for WBEZ newsletters to get local news you can trust.

Organizers of the Democratic National Convention are working on a lofty plan to not just reduce the gathering’s carbon footprint but perhaps cancel it out completely while donating to local sustainability programs.

“Just as the Harris-Walz ticket and the Democratic Party are dedicated to protecting the environment, we plan to show this same commitment at the convention — before, during and after this historic event,” said Emily Soong, press secretary for the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC)

The goal is to make the convention — attracting upwards of 50,000 people — the most sustainable in history. To do that, event planners are betting big on a mix of sustainability projects to offset carbon emissions, rescue food and implement waste diversion via recycling and composting.

Last March, the DNCC and the Chicago 2024 Host Committee announced it had enlisted two local sustainability advisors . Stephanie Katsaros, of the firm Bright Beat, and Marley Finnegan, who runs the group Purpose, are implementing a suite of green strategies at the key venues, the United Center and McCormick Place.

Delegates, journalists, volunteers and even protestors will notice the first sign of these initiatives in their inboxes and at airports and hotels. Prompts will call on guests to share their travel details anonymously, which the convention staff will then tabulate to estimate overall travel emissions. It’s part of a carbon mitigation program convention staff will unveil soon called the Travel Carbon Inset Initiative .

“For large scale events, oftentimes travel is a big emissions factor,” Finnegan said. “The number one emissions factor, in a lot of cases.”

Like carbon offsets, the program will enable the attendees to make donations that are geared towards canceling out the greenhouse gas emissions their travel generated. Unlike carbon offsets, the insets will ensure all donations go toward funding local projects, such as Growing Home, the only USDA- certified high-production urban farm in Chicago.

“We take empty lots, concrete lots, and turn them into vegetation,” said Jenelle St. John, executive director of Growing Home in Englewood. “Our existence in an urban environment is a positive outcome when you think about climate and various ways we can all chip away at this very big problem.”

The inset money will help the nonprofit fund its green workforce development.

The other sustainability initiatives next week are behind the scenes. For example, to help power the convention, organizers partnered with ComEd to bring in two temporary transformers and high voltage power to ditch the diesel-powered generators used in the past.

Recycling is expected to play a major role, as organizers plan to supercharge the recycling capacity of the United Center — with a goal to double or triple the current recycling rate by adding more bins, dedicated staff and signage.

As part of the convention’s upgraded waste diversion strategy, this will be the first Democratic convention in history to collect compost. Organic material and other recyclables will be rerouted from the landfill at McCormick Place and the United Center.

“Sustainability is a critical element of the Democratic National Convention,” Katsaros said. “Implementing impactful practices at large-scale events like this not only reduces environmental impact but also educates participants at every level.”

Katsaros and Finnegan have worked with the venues, delegates, hotels, vendors, city officials and local groups to deliver guides to encourage them to embrace sustainable practices. The pair will collect data on everything from travel emissions to energy use and even menu choices and report key findings once the event has wrapped to see if they meet their ambitious goal: “the most sustainable convention in history.”

“This convention has the potential to leave a transformative legacy,” Katsaros said.

Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco covers climate change and the environment for WBEZ and Grist. Follow him on X at @__juanpab .

Showing solidarity

Chicago jewish leaders travel on yld mission to israel.

In June, I was fortunate to embark on a transformative three-day mission to Israel with a group of young Jewish leaders from Chicago. The JUF Young Leadership Division Solidarity Mission to Israel provided us the opportunity to show our support and we returned with unforgettable stories of pain, resilience, and heroism.

Our journey began at Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community still scarred by the events of October 7. Nothing could have prepared us for the devastation we witnessed. A resident, whose father-in-law remains a hostage, led us through the remains of dozens of burned and destroyed homes. With meticulous care, she recounted who had lived in each home, describing how some survived by hiding, but most were murdered. 

We visited the living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens of families who had been neighbors for decades, amidst flowers and trees planted when the kibbutz was founded in 1955. The residents had been deeply committed to peace, often helping Gazans receive medical care in Israeli hospitals. These were the same people who were tragically murdered by Hamas in their homes.

Then, we visited the Nova Festival, intended to be a joyful celebration where young Israelis gathered for music. Instead, it was a site where 364 young adults were murdered, wounded, or taken hostage by Hamas. The field is now marked with signs bearing victims' faces and personal mementos.

Our next stop was a bomb shelter where Hersh Polin-Goldberg--who has strong Chicago ties--was kidnapped, further illustrating the horrors of October 7 and the ongoing crisis.

In Kiryat Gat-part of JUF's Partnership Together region and home to many former residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz-we engaged with Kedma student village representatives who provided firsthand accounts of October 7 and voiced appreciation for the ongoing support from organizations like JUF. These conversations highlighted the communal strength and solidarity crucial for the region's recovery.

Back in Tel Aviv, we visited Hostage Square, a solemn reminder of the ongoing efforts to reunite families and bring everyone home. 

Throughout the trip, we learned how Israel is uniting to help and heal, how JUF is partnering with them, and how unexpected problems are being addressed in partnership with the Chicago Jewish community. We saw firsthand how JUF's Israel Emergency Fund is making a difference.

We visited several programs receiving grants from JUF addressing the overwhelming physical and mental rehabilitation needed. While touring the Gandel Rehabilitation Center, located on Hadassah Medical Organization's Mount Scopus campus, we were provided a glimpse into the incredible long-term efforts to heal wounded soldiers.

The mission concluded at the Jewish Agency for Israel Building. Jasmine, cousin of hostage Omer Neutra, discussed the ongoing challenges faced by Israeli families. Her story, and the stories of countless others, underscored the enduring hope and resilience that define the Israeli spirit.

Throughout our journey, we witnessed a nation grappling with immense pain, but also displaying remarkable hope and resilience. The scars left on the community were palpable. We saw firsthand the immense need for support-emotional, financial, and infrastructural.

The strength and solidarity of the Israeli people, their commitment to peace and healing, and their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity left an indelible mark on all of us. We returned with a deeper understanding of the challenges they face and a renewed commitment to support and stand with Israel in its journey towards recovery and peace.

Lisa Wiznitzer is an Advertising, Entertainment, and Sports Attorney at Loeb & Loeb LLP in Chicago. A former president of YLD and current member of JFNA Cabinet, Wiznitzer served as Chair of the YLD Solidarity Mission.

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The ultimate Chicago bucket list

There’s a lot of ways you can do Chicago. If you’re going for the first time, you’ll want to hit up all the classics. We’ve put together this definitive list of the essential Chicago musts, from iconic attractions to award-winning restaurants . To be fair, you won’t be able to complete the bucket list in a single weekend — but it’s a pretty good excuse to plan another trip back.

Eat and drink the best of the city

Check off the culture musts, be wowed by city sights, soak in the great outdoors, attend iconic events.

Top Chicago eats

• Eat Chicago pizza …and lots of it! Decide for yourself between classic Chicago styles, from deep dish to tavern style.
• Pile seven toppings (but no ketchup) on a Chicago-style hot dog … it’s the only way.
• Devour handfuls of the caramel-and-cheese mix from the world-famous Garrett Popcorn Shop .
• Learn the lingo before you order an Italian beef sandwich .
• Taste the world in our global foodie neighborhoods , from dim sum in Chinatown to some of the city’s best tacos in Little Village.
• Tackle a prime cut at Chicago’s steakhouses — both legendary and new.
• Embark on an epicurean adventure at our Michelin-star restaurants (like three-star Alina) and James Beard Award winners .
• Savor summer with a colorful scoop — Chicago’s own Original Rainbow Cone .
• Eat your way through Chicago’s most iconic bites , including locally created dishes like the jibarito.
• Find great deals on must-try eats during the annual Chicago Restaurant Week .

Chicago bars, breweries, and beyond

• Experience the craft beer capital of the country with over 70 local craft breweries .
• Get spirited at Chicago’s world-class distilleries , from KOVAL to Chicago Distilling Company
• Try some of the city’s best mixology at these top Chicago cocktail bars .

Experience Chicago’s music and nightlife

• Hear masters of Chicago-style blues at the city’s famous blues venues, including Buddy Guy’s Legends .
• Discover the next generation of comedy stars at iconic improv club The Second City .
• Relive the Jazz Age at the historic Green Mill Jazz Club in Uptown (it first opened in 1907 and was a favorite of Al Capone) and explore other one-of-a-kind jazz venues in Chicago .
• Dance all night to house music , a genre born in Chicago.
• See unforgettable shows at these top Chicago music venues , from neighborhood clubs to soaring theatres.

Explore our must-see museums

• Gaze up at a Titanosaur, the largest creature known to man, at the Field Museum . Don’t worry to say hi to SUE, the most complete and best-preserved T.rex ever discovered.
• Explore the Art Institute of Chicago  to see one of the largest collections of Impressionist art outside the Louvre.
• Visit the DuSable Black History Museum , the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans.
• Stand in a tornado, inside a U-boat, or deep down in a coal mine at the interactive Griffin Museum of Science and Industry .
• Watch rare and local aquatic creatures in stunning habitats at the Shedd Aquarium .
• Marvel at the wonders of the universe at Adler Planetarium , the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
• See remnants of the Great Chicago Fire and hop on the first ‘L’ car at the Chicago History Museum .

Find your seats for Chicago theatre

• Get tickets for a show at Broadway in Chicago , bringing world premieres and touring hits to the city’s downtown theatre district.
• Sit in the “Splash Zone” at Blue Man Group (waterproof ponchos provided).
• See theatre stars and acclaimed shows at Chicago’s Tony Award-winning theatres .
• Catch modern takes on the classics at the renowned Chicago Shakespeare Theater .
• Discover up-and-coming talent at these cutting-edge neighborhood theatres .
• Grab discounted tickets to top shows during Chicago Theatre Week .

Top sights and attractions

• Stand outside one of the world’s tallest buildings at The Ledge, an all-glass balcony at Willis Tower’s Skydeck Chicago .
• TILT over the city and enjoy panoramic views at 360 CHICAGO observation deck at the former John Hancock Center.
• Head to Millennium Park to take a selfie with the city’s most iconic piece of public art —  Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” .
• Head to the Chicago Cultural Center for free public events and to see the world’ largest Tiffany glass dome.
• Visit the Robie House , a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
• Admire architectural gems (like the Tribune Tower, Marina City and more) in the city that invented the skyscraper.
• Step back in time at the historic Pullman National Monument .
• Discover under-the-radar attractions and hidden gems in our diverse neighborhoods .

Waterfront adventures

• Catch summer fireworks, take a Ferris wheel ride, and so much more at lakefront Navy Pier .
• Paddle through an architectural canyon on a kayak tour of the Chicago River or lakefront.
• Grab a drink on the award-winning Chicago Riverwalk , home to bustling alfresco restaurants and bars.
• Gaze up at Chicago’s most iconic architecture on an architecture boat cruise , like the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise .
• See the skyline on the Chicago Water Taxi , the most scenic way to get around town.

Urban adventures

• Go for a waterfront stroll through sandy beaches and green space on the 18-mile Lakefront Trail .
• Go ice skating or scale a climbing wall at Maggie Daley Park .
• Bike, skate, walk, run, and take in a little artsy culture along The 606 .
• Explore beautiful Grant Park , home of top city events and the historic Buckingham Fountain .
• Catch a tan or a quick volleyball game at one of Chicago’s lakefront beaches .

City in a garden

• Lose yourself in zen of the Lurie Gardens with views of the city skyline.
• Stroll the nature boardwalk around the stunning South Pond in Lincoln Park Zoo.
• Visit an authentic Japanese garden hidden away inside Jackson Park .
• Find Lincoln Park’s secret garden, the secluded Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool .
• Take in “landscape art under glass” at Garfield Park Conservatory , one of the largest conservatories in the country.

Music festivals

• Pack a picnic and catch live music at Millennium Park free summer music series .
• Hang out with music fans — about 100,000 of them — at Lollapalooza in lakefront Grant Park.
• Riot Fest features carnival rides, local food vendors, and punk rock’s biggest names.
• Fuel up with barbecue from the nation’s premier pitmasters, while listening to top country music artists Windy City Smokeout .
• Experience the sounds of Chicago-style blues at the Chicago Blues Festival .
• Pitchfork Music Festival   brings a curated line-up and laidback vibes to Union Park.
• Hear traditional choirs and contemporary urban gospel music at the Chicago Gospel Music Festival .
• Sueños Music Festival , Chicago’s first-ever reggaeton fest, brings an impressive lineup of Latin hitmakers
• Hear living legends play at the lakefront Chicago Jazz Festival .
• The multi-venue World Music Festival brings performers from around the world to Chicago.
• Chicago House Music Festival celebrates house music in the city where it was born.

Chicago sports

• See the Chicago Cubs play a home game at historic Wrigley Field, the country’s second-oldest ballpark.
• Root for the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field and stay for post-game fireworks.
• Feel the electric energy at a Chicago Sky basketball game at Wintrust Arena.
• Sing “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” during a Chicago Bears football game.
• Watch the Chicago Blackhawks take the ice at the United Center.
• Also at the United Center, cheer on the legendary Chicago Bulls basketball team.
• Enjoy the non-stop energy of a Chicago Fire soccer match at Soldier Field.

More can’t-miss events

• Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chicago with traditional performances, colorful parades, culinary events, and more.
• Attend the Chicago Auto Show , the largest auto show in North America.
• The city’s green river dyeing is one of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world.
• C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo is the largest pop culture convention in the Midwest.
• The joyous Chicago Pride Parade marches through the historic Northalsted neighborhood on the last Sunday of June.
• The lakefront Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free show of its kind in the country.
• Taste of Chicago brings the city’s award-winning cuisine and free concerts from top artists to Grant Park.
• Cheer on runners from all over the world at the Chicago Marathon .
• Christkindlmarket Chicago is a magical holiday bazaar, styled after traditional German Christmas markets.
• ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is an over-the-top light display with more than one million twinkling bulbs.

From this article

Garrett Popcorn Shops

The Magnificent Mile

Tours & Attractions

Chicago’s lakefront trail.

Shedd Aquarium

Adler Planetarium

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

Lincoln Park

KOVAL Distillery

Theater & Performing Arts

Chicago shakespeare theater.

Streeterville

Jackson Park

Food & Beverage

Buddy guy’s legends.

Blue Man Group

Special Event Venues

The field museum.

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

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Metra and Chicago Sky announce partnership

Para ver la versión en español, haga clic aquí.

The Chicago Sky and Metra today announced a new partnership that solidifies Metra as the team’s “Official Transit Provider.”

 “We couldn’t be more excited or prouder to sponsor the Chicago Sky,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “They are not only an exciting team, playing in a league that is growing in popularity, but they are also great role models for Chicago girls and boys. We think our partnership will be an effective way to spread the word about using Metra for your transportation needs.”

The partnership, which covers the rest of the 2024 season and part of the 2025 season, calls for Metra to be featured in the team’s social media posts, website, app, e-newsletter, home broadcasts, and other media assets. Metra will also be featured in a variety of ways within Wintrust Arena, including with concourse displays and videoboard promotions. Additionally, Metra and the Sky will also work together on a community program focused on youth education in the Chicago area.

“We are proud to partner with Metra, a Chicagoland staple that offers convenient and affordable transportation options to connect the city,” said Alex Teodosi, Chicago Sky’s VP of Partnerships. “We appreciate that Metra will offer Sky fans efficient ways to travel to and from Wintrust Arena and admire Metra’s commitment to the community.”

The Sky play their home games at Wintrust Arena , which can be easily reached from downtown Chicago (or from the South Side and south suburbs) via the McCormick Place Station on the Metra Electric Line . The ride from downtown takes seven minutes and costs $3.75 – making Metra the fastest and most affordable way to make the trip.

Woman dies after being 'entangled' in baggage carousel at Chicago O'Hare

A woman died in the baggage claim area of Chicago O'Hare International Airport early Thursday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to reports of someone "pinned in machinery" in Terminal 5, used mainly by international airlines, at around 8 a.m., according to ABC News . The woman was found "entangled in the conveyor belt system used to move baggage," according to officials.

The Chicago Fire Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY for comment.

Air travelers sue CrowdStrike: Travelers were refused refunds by Delta after massive computer outage disrupts flights

The adult woman was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene, CPD said. The woman's identity has not been released as of Thursday afternoon.

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The cause of death is currently unknown, but CPD said an autopsy and investigation are being conducted.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

The Best Labor Day Mattress Sales

Summer is rapidly coming to a close, and with the end of the season comes yet another big mattress sales holiday: Labor Day. Though we’re still a couple weeks away from the long weekend, many sales have already begun. Below, I’ve rounded up a few of the best early discounts on some of our favorite mattresses , but if you can wait just a bit longer to make your purchase, I’d recommend checking back as we get closer to Labor Day itself — lots of brands tend to sweeten the deal right before the long weekend, and I’ll be updating this post all the way through.

Amerisleep sells three fairly standard mattresses, but what does set them apart a bit is the company’s Bio-Pur foam , a memory-foam alternative made from plant-based materials and significantly less petrochemicals than true polyurethane foam. The brand says it also is bouncier and more breathable than traditional memory foam. For Labor Day, take up to $500 off any mattress with code LD500. You can also get 20 percent off pillows, toppers, and sheets with the code LD20.

Get up to 20 percent off Avocado’s line of mattresses made with natural and nontoxic materials, no code needed. Avocado is also offering up to 50 percent off bedding and 10 percent off furniture and pillows — it’s not a huge discount, but that’s about as good as it ever gets at Avocado, which does make some of my favorite latex pillows .

Bear is offering 35 percent off sitewide with the code STRAT35. Each mattress purchase includes a free bedding bundle that contains two pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector. Its mattresses range from the ultrabasic Bear Original to the luxe Bear Elite Hybrid, but all include the option of adding a cover made from Celliant performance fabric, which is intended to promote muscle recovery.

Brentwood Home

Brentwood Home manufactures the majority of its products in California with a bent toward natural materials and ecofriendly processes. For Labor Day, the brand is offering 10 percent off mattresses, but there are deeper discounts on other products, including 60 percent off adjustable bed bases, 50 percent off crib mattresses, and 50 percent off throw blankets.

Brooklyn Bedding

This Arizona-based mattress-maker is offering 25 percent off sitewide with code STRAT25. In addition to nice hybrid beds like the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe and the Signature Hybrid, Brooklyn Bedding also makes the ultrafirm Plank, which is one of our favorite firm mattresses , and the Titan Plus, which offers additional support for heavier folks.

Bedgear sells a few different mattresses, including a modular one that you can customize to your preferences by swapping out comfort layers. You can also customize each side of the bed to have a different firmness level — ideal for those who have a partner with opposite preferences. The brand is offering up to $500 off mattresses, as well as some buy-one-get-one 50 percent off deals on pillows and sheets.

Use the code STRAT20 for 20 percent off sitewide at Birch. Plus with each mattress purchase, you’ll get two free Eco-Rest pillows — plush down-alternatives filled with recycled PET (a.k.a. plastic bottles). Birch offers two mattresses, the Birch Natural and a Luxe version, as well as a child’s mattress. Former Strategist editor Maxine Builder described the Birch Natural as supportive yet plush: “A dream for a stomach sleeper like me, who tosses and turns throughout the night.”

Casper is offering 30 percent off all mattresses, so it’s a good time to buy a bed from its new lineup of mattresses that launched earlier this year. Senior editor Kiki Aranita is a big fan of the brand’s flagship model, the Casper One, and says it has an ideal middle-of-the-road firmness.

DreamCloud makes three memory-foam mattresses — the Original, the Premier, and the Premier Rest — as well as a hybrid version of each. For Labor Day, the brand is taking up to 55 percent off all mattresses.

If you’re shopping for a latex pillow, mattress, or mattress topper, Eco Terra is a good brand to check out. It’s taking $400 off its latex mattresses and up to 40 percent off toppers for Labor Day.

Helix is offering up to 20 percent off sitewide with the code STRAT20, and throwing in two free pillows with any mattress purchase. Helix mattresses are divided into three lines — Core, Luxe, and Elite — which each contain six mattresses ranging from ultrasoft to ultrafirm. The Core mattresses are the cheapest and most minimal; the Elite are the most expensive and extravagant (seriously, they are some of the most luxurious mattresses I’ve seen).

Latex for Less

This purveyor of all things latex is offering up to $600 off mattresses, as well as up to 40 percent off latex toppers.

Leesa is taking 25 percent off select mattresses, bedding, and bed bases, as well as 15 percent off kids’ mattresses. Leesa sells a wide selection of mattresses, including our favorite all-foam mattress, the Leesa Original. Each mattress purchase will also get you two free pillows.

The Nectar Original is one of the most popular memory-foam mattresses on the market — it’s currently our top pick for memory foam . Nectar is offering up to 40 percent off the Nectar Original and the rest of its mattresses.

Take 35 percent off sitewide at Nolah, and select mattresses will also come with two free pillows. Nolah sells a good variety of mattresses at different price points, including hybrids, all-foam mattresses, and even a natural latex hybrid option.

The maker of our favorite latex mattress, PlushBeds, is taking up to 50 percent off all mattresses and throwing in a free bedding bundle with every mattress purchase, so you’ll also get two pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector.

Purple — the brand known for its squishy, flexible purple grid layer — has several mattresses on sale. That biggest discount is on the Rejuvenate line of mattresses (which is quite expensive), but the brand is also offering up to $200 off the (more modestly priced) original Purple mattress.

Saatva makes our favorite mattress overall , the Saatva Classic, and right now the brand is offering up to $600 off mattress purchases. You can also save $100 on adjustable bases and frames when purchased with a mattress. I’ve tested several Saatva mattresses and find them to be really high quality, and the company provides free white-glove delivery, meaning it will deliver your new mattress, set it up in your room of choice, and take away your old mattress, too.

Longtime mattress-maker Sealy is taking up to $300 off mattresses in its Posturepedic Plus collection and will include a free bundle of pillows, sheets, and a mattress protector with your purchase. Take $450 off the Posturepedic Hybrid with the code PPHYBRID, bringing it down to $799 for a queen size. Or take $200 off the Posturepedic Spring with code PPSPRING, bringing it down to $599 for a queen size. Sealy is also offering up to 35 percent off its budget-friendly Cocoon by Sealy mattresses.

Already a budget-friendly brand, Siena is offering a discount of up to 50 percent off its Siena Memory Foam, Essential Memory Foam, and Premier Hybrid mattresses. That last one is the most expensive, but it’s still under $1,000 at full price for a queen.

Stearns & Foster

Take $300 off Stearns & Foster’s Studio and Estate models, $600 off the Lux Estate and Lux Hybrid, and $700 off the Reserve. I’ve tested a Lux Estate model and can confirm it is quite luxe — like what you’d expect to sleep on in a high-end hotel.

Tempur-Pedic

I’m a big fan of Tempur-Pedic’s mattresses — they offer the classic “hugging” feel of memory foam in a way many other beds can’t compete with. But they are expensive, so sales are always welcome. Use the code CLOUD30 for 30 percent off the affordable, bed-in-a-box Tempur-Cloud mattress. Other models are discounted by up to $500 off, no code needed. My favorite mattress topper is also 40 percent off with the code TOPPERS40.

Vaya is a small brand that makes just two mattresses — one all-foam and one hybrid . You can get either one for $300 off with the code VAYA300. The brand is also offering 15 percent off platform beds with the code LD15.

Take $300 off all mattresses, of any size, at WinkBeds. The WinkBed is our top pick for the all-around best mattress for back pain , in part because it comes in four firmness levels (including a Plus option for heavy folks). It’s a versatile and sturdy mattress — New York features editor Katy Schneider has been sleeping on one for six years and still loves it.

Zoma sells three different mattresses — one all-foam option and two hybrids. It also sells a few pillows, bedding items, and frames. For Labor Day, Zoma is taking 25 percent off any mattress with the code SLEEP25 and 20 percent off pillows with the code LDPILLOWS, as well as discounting mattress-and-adjustable-base bundles.

The Strategist  is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about  here . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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