Central Chicago Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Central Chicago
Chicago showing rides
Chicago which includes skyline, a city and landscape views
Chicago which includes night scenes, a city and theatre scenes
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio showing interior views and a house

Where to stay in Central Chicago

Magnificent Mile - River North

Magnificent Mile

Are you interested in fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops? A visit to Magnificent Mile might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Michigan Avenue and Chicago Water Tower.

Magnificent Mile
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River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

River North
Chicago showing rides

Theatre District

While you're in Theatre District, take in top sights like Michigan Avenue or State Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Washington Station or Monroe Station (Blue Line).

Theatre District
Navy Pier which includes wild flowers and general coastal views as well as a couple

Streeterville

Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Streeterville. Travellers also love the fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops.

Streeterville
Gold Coast which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Gold Coast

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Gold Coast. A stop by Michigan Avenue or Lake Michigan might round out your trip.

Gold Coast
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Rush and Division

If you're spending time in Rush and Division, check out sights like Dave & Buster's or Oak Street and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Chicago Station (Red Line) or Clark-Division Station.

Rush and Division
Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (9,384 reviews)
"This is a beautiful historic Chicago downtown hotel across the street from Grant Park. However, some of the rooms and hallways are in need of updating."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

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Congress Plaza Hotel
Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago

4 out of 5
19 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$274 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
NZ$274
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,417 reviews)
Good for 3 nights
"The price was right, the location excellent for shopping, riverwalk, other attractions within walking distance. The rooms are tiny, the bar and breakfast inconsistent. The mattress was terrible and needs to be replaced. The lobby area is beautifully refurbished and a place to spend time reading, ..."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Freehand Chicago
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North

4 out of 5
600 N State St, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$388 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$388
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,020 reviews)
"Hotel is great and they were very attentive to anything that was needed. I cant say enough about the staff. Chicago is one of this country's great walkable cities so the location provided great opportunity to easier get where you want to go."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
See all 1,478 properties in Central Chicago
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sentral Michigan Avenue

Sentral Michigan Avenue

4 out of 5
808 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (935 reviews)
Dream location
"Such an easy location for our trip purposes and the ease of coming and going was fantastic. Close to everything and only a 15 minute walk to Soldier Field for the game."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Sentral Michigan Avenue
Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago

Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago

4 out of 5
One Superior Place, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (537 reviews)
"The place was excellent! It has everything you need to cook, do laundry, and relax — it’s truly amazing! My only issue was that the curtain on the balcony window next to the bed lets in a lot of light, even when fully closed, so it was impossible to sleep in. That’s the only thing I’d improve: replacing ..."

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2025

Kasa Magnificent Mile Chicago
Level Chicago – Old Town

Level Chicago – Old Town

4 out of 5
1140 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (358 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Loved it!"

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2025

Level Chicago – Old Town
See all properties in Central Chicago
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Magnificent Mile - River North showing street scenes, signage and a city

Michigan Avenue

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home when you visit Michigan Avenue, a popular shopping spot in Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Michigan Avenue
Navy Pier

Navy Pier

One of Chicago’s most popular attractions, especially on a hot day, with its fun fair, boats, circus and theatre.

Navy Pier
McCormick Place

McCormick Place

Attend an event at the United States’ largest convention center, which features hyper-modern facilities and huge exhibition spaces connected by promenades and sky bridges.

McCormick Place
Millennium Park showing modern architecture, a city and street scenes

Millennium Park

See mind-bending sculptures, a musically-inspired lawn and giant water fountains that double-up as video screens.

Millennium Park
Soldier Field featuring a city, modern architecture and a high-rise building

Soldier Field

Events center, NFL stadium and historic landmark all in one, this waterfront field is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations.

Soldier Field
Grant Park

Grant Park

Chicago’s front yard is a pretty landscaped park, which is home to public art displays, museums, themed gardens and international music festivals.

Grant Park

Activities

River tour boat in Chicago

Architecture River Tour

NZ$83
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Architecture River Tour
Skyline Queen showcasing the Chicago Skyline!

Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

NZ$77
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise
Wendella's Lake and River Architecture Tour

Wendella's Lake and River Architecture Tour

NZ$77
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Wendella's Lake and River Architecture Tour
Relax and enjoy the view

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

NZ$96
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

NZ$77
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour
See Chicago's magnificent skyline at night!

Chicago By Night River & Lake Cruise

NZ$77
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Chicago By Night River & Lake Cruise
See all activities in Central Chicago

Cities near Central Chicago

Chicago which includes a high-rise building and a city as well as a family

Chicago