What to do in Wilmette, IL

Activities, attractions and tours

Wilmette
Baha\'i House of Worship featuring flowers, heritage architecture and a fountain
Baha\'i House of Worship showing heritage architecture and a garden
Baha\'i House of Worship showing heritage architecture as well as a small group of people
Baha\'i House of Worship showing heritage architecture

Places to Visit in Wilmette

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Wilmette, 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 Wilmette attractions from NZ$19, 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 Wilmette tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 12 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 Wilmette. 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. Wrigley Field

For sports-fans, Chicago is about one of two things – the Bears or the Cubs. But while the Chicago Bears football team switched from Wrigley Park in 1971, its legendary baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, have stuck true to their long heritage here. They've stayed put at one of America's most iconic sports fields, ever since it was built in 1914. After all, Wrigley Park has legendary sporting triumphs (and disasters) steeped into every seat, and written on every leaf of its ivy-covered outfield walls.
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Wrigley Field which includes a city, central business district and a sporting event

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

3. 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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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.

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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Millennium Park showing modern architecture, a city and street scenes

5. 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 featuring a city, modern architecture and a high-rise building

6. Baha'i House of Worship

Standing proudly against the sky, the Baha’i House of Worship is hard to miss if you know what to look for. The oldest Baha’i temple in the world and the only one in North America, “The Mother Temple of the West” is a magnificent building constructed in the 1950s to celebrate the unity of all world religions. Pray, meditate or simply enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, which seem a world away from anything else.
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Baha\'i House of Worship showing heritage architecture and a garden

What to do in Wilmette

Discover the most popular places to visit in Wilmette

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

Wrigley Field

4.5/5(21 reviews)

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

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

Michigan Avenue

5/5(5 reviews)

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

4.5/5(64 reviews)

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

4.5/5(21 reviews)

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

4.5/5(73 reviews)

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

4/5(13 reviews)

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

4.5/5(47 reviews)

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

Chicago Riverwalk

4.5/5(26 reviews)

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
Six Flags Great America featuring rides

Six Flags Great America

Spend a day at this sprawling theme park to enjoy an array of thrilling roller coaster rides, a water park and entertainment for kids of all ages.

Six Flags Great America

Explore areas of Wilmette

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Gross Point

The restaurants and shopping are just a few features travellers like about Gross Point. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and Baha'i House of Worship are a few top places to visit.

Gross Point

 

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 Wilmette

Grosse Point Lighthouse featuring a lighthouse and a house

Evanston

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

Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilmette worth visiting?
Whether you plan to enjoy the cultural highlights and local charm or try regional foods and venture into nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Wilmette.
How do I spend a day in Wilmette?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Montrose Beach and Kathy Osterman Beach, spend the rest of your day enjoying Wilmette's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Wilmette?
Don't go home without checking out Montrose Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Wilmette.
Is three days enough to stay in Wilmette?
Three days will give you enough time to tick off many city highlights, like North Shore Beach Park, North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts and Loyola Beach. The average stay in Wilmette is three days. If you feel the urge to extend your trip, Chicago isn't far away.
Is Wilmette a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Wilmette is a great place to experience on foot. Enjoy wandering between North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts and Clark Street Beach. Then take a stroll around Gross Point, located 0.64 kilometres from downtown, and North Evanston, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Wilmette with kids?
Deciding what to do in Wilmette with kids is easier than ever. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there's no shortage of family-friendly sights to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Wilmette for adults?
FEW Spirits and Milwaukee Avenue are just a couple of the things to do in Wilmette. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Wilmette?
From visiting parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Wilmette. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. North Shore Beach Park is a top spot for anyone planning to save on their travel adventures.