What to do in Central Chicago, IL

Activities, attractions and tours

A city skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings reflecting on the water.
A person overlooking a cityscape from a high vantage point.
The Chicago Theatre with illuminated marquee and a wet street reflecting lights.
A white lighthouse with a red roof on a rocky outcrop in the ocean.
A historic stone building with intricate architecture and a modern skyscraper in the background.

Places to Visit in Central Chicago

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Central Chicago, Chicago while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Central Chicago attractions from NZ$2, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Central Chicago tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 342 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Central Chicago. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

Activities

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

NZ$48
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago

NZ$70
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Regular & Express Ticket

Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket

NZ$43
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

NZ$71
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour
Flyover in Chicago

Flyover in Chicago

NZ$55
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Flyover in Chicago
Chicago C3® : Save on admission to your choice of 3 top attractactions

Chicago C3® by CityPASS®

NZ$192
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Chicago C3® by CityPASS®
Skyline Queen showcasing the Chicago Skyline!

Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

NZ$81
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise
Spirit of Chicago Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

NZ$111
per adult
City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
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Top places to visit

1. Soldier Field

Soldier Field has been one of Chicago’s most well-known landmarks since its construction in 1924 and is the oldest NFL stadium in the country.
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A large stadium surrounded by a cityscape with modern buildings.

2. Navy Pier

Navy Pier has been many things to Chicago, since it first struck out its 1006 metres into Lake Michigan in 1916. It was once a transport hub, a navy training centre, and even a place for the city to cool down in the days before air-conditioning. Now it’s the capital of fun for Chicagoans, home to circuses, fun fairs, fireworks and flower shows. It's one of the city's most popular attractions when summer arrives, and its twice-weekly firework shows begin. It's also a great launching off point for getting all nautical along Lake Michigan's 483-kilometre length.
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A Ferris wheel and a carousel at a fairground.

3. Chicago Riverwalk

Get a sense of the culture and character of the Windy City by wandering along the Chicago Riverwalk. This scenic stretch of the city follows the banks of the Chicago River from near the edge of Lake Michigan through Downtown to where the river splits. As you follow the walkway, pass impressive bridges, fascinating museums and trendy dining spots.
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A river with boats, surrounded by tall buildings and a clear sky.

4. McCormick Place

McCormick Place is both the biggest convention center in Chicago and the biggest one anywhere in the U.S. This vast, sprawling complex is an impressive feat of architecture and engineering that was founded well over half a century ago. Attend an event here to get a sense of its incredible scale.
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A modern cityscape with tall buildings, a clear sky, and a tree-lined street.

5. Millennium Park

You may know Chicago as the Windy City. But its motto is actually Urbs in Horto - or 'City in a Garden.' And parks, large and small, abound in this surprisingly spacious city on Lake Michigan's shore. But none is quite like the Millennium Park, which was added to Chicago's long park list just this side of the new millennium (2004 to be exact – punctuality isn't big with Chicagoans). Less a park, more a 'new kind of town square', Millennium Park is a very 21st-century blend of art, open-spaces, dramatic vistas and engrossing events.
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A cityscape with modern skyscrapers and the Cloud Gate sculpture.

6. Grant Park

Grant Park is one of Chicago’s most loved and diverse public parks, with a host of family-friendly attractions and activities. It spreads across 319 acres (129 hectares) between Michigan Avenue and the banks of Lake Michigan. Grant Park is a scenic area blessed with everything from concert venues and museums to public art, statues and well-groomed lawns. Walk along wide tree-lined promenades dissecting the park.
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A park with walking paths, trees, and benches. In the background, there are tall buildings, including a prominent skyscraper.

7. Willis Tower

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A city skyline with tall skyscrapers, a river, and a bridge.

8. Art Institute of Chicago

5,000 years of creativity and 260,000 works of art. The numbers are big, and so is the museum housing them. The Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the US. And it has done a fantastic job in gathering the finest art collections in the world – from across the globe and throughout history – and bringing them here to the windy shores of Lake Michigan. You may come to Chicago to get to know a city that's forged its own path, half-way between the East and West US coasts. But the Art Institute also lets you explore the brilliance of artistic endeavours from not just Chicago, but everywhere (and every-when) else.
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A grand staircase in a historic building with classical architecture, including columns and ornate railings.

What to do in Central Chicago

Stay near popular Central Chicago attractions

A large stadium surrounded by a cityscape with modern buildings.
Photo by © City of Chicago
Open Photo by © City of Chicago

Soldier Field

8.8/10 (7,063 reviews)
Events center, NFL stadium and historic landmark all in one, this waterfront field is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations.
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Day trip destinations from Central Chicago

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Chicago

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