What to do in Riverdale, IL

Activities, attractions and tours

Places to Visit in Riverdale

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Riverdale, 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 Riverdale attractions from NZ$9, 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 Riverdale tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 9 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 Riverdale. 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.

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Top places to visit

1. 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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McCormick Place showing a high rise building and a city

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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Navy Pier featuring a sunset and rides

3. 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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Soldier Field showing a city and landscape views

4. 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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Reflection of a Chicago buildings in a mirror of Chicago Bean, Millennium Park, Chicago city, USA., Shutterstock ID 1129809965, Purchase Order: SP-2109, Order Number: SP-2109 Qantas AU US Sale New Ads

5. 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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Chicago Riverwalk showing a city, a river or creek and a ferry

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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Grant Park showing landscape views, a park and a city

Recommended things to do in Riverdale

Number of things to do
9
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
A Storied Area: A Self-Guided Audio Tour with Bill Ayers: NZ$9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Riverdale

Discover the most popular places to visit in Riverdale

Wrigley Field which includes a city, central business district and a sporting event

Wrigley Field

A big piece of Chicago's soul, an ancient stadium that keeps alive the quirky, edgy madness of baseball.

Wrigley Field
Scene of Chicago street bridge with traffic among modern buildings of Downtown Chicago at Michigan avenue in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Business and Modern Transportation concept

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
McCormick Place showing a high rise building and a city

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
Navy Pier featuring a sunset and rides

Navy Pier

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

Navy Pier
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
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
Chicago Riverwalk featuring a bay or harbour, a city and a river or creek

Chicago Riverwalk

Stroll along the waterfront of the Chicago River to pass some of the city’s most appealing attractions and appreciate how a once grim area has been successfully revamped.

Chicago Riverwalk
Grant Park showing a garden and night scenes

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
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United Center

Catch an event at United Center during your trip to Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's lakeside or experience its entertainment choices.

United Center

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Riverdale

Illinois 129

Blue Island

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

Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverdale worth visiting?
Riverdale has a unique mix of attractions, culture and local charm. Whether you're into nature, history or local culinary flavours, there are many things to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Riverdale?
After you've checked off top attractions like Calumet Beach and Hollywood Park, spend some time exploring Riverdale's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Riverdale?
Calumet Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Riverdale and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Riverdale?
Three days in Riverdale is plenty of time to enjoy the city's main highlights. Many travellers book for two days on average. William W. Powers State Recreation Area, Midwest Carvers Museum and Abbott Park are highly rated sights. Want to see more? Hang around a while longer to explore nearby hotspots like Chicago.
Is Riverdale a walkable city?
That depends on what you'd like to do and see in Riverdale. Several key sights, like Midwest Carvers Museum and Veterans Memorial Park, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Riverdale's best neighbourhoods, Dixmoor is 2 kilometres away from downtown, while West Harvey is 3 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Riverdale with kids?
If you are after activities and sights for all the family, we've got some terrific ideas for what to do in Riverdale with kids.

What to do in Riverdale for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, avid foodie or thrill seeker, there are lots of things to do in Riverdale for adults including Highland Community Bank and A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
Are there free things to do in Riverdale?
In Riverdale, William W. Powers State Recreation Area is an unmissable spot for anyone wishing to see the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a top way to find out about the best free things to do in Riverdale.