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Windy City, Second City, Chi-Town - no matter what you call it, Chicago has earned a spot on countless travel lists thanks to the city's beautiful skyline, award winning cuisine, and iconic landmarks. America's third-largest city and a tourist destination for more than 50 million annual visitors, there's a seemingly endless list of places to go, spots to see and things to eat for tourists and locals alike.

 

So pack your bags or start planning your stay-cation - in partnership with our friends at the Lonely Planet, we've created a list of our picks for the top 10 things to do in Chicago.

 

 

No matter the vantage point - be that from the Willis Tower Skydeck 103-stories above the city (233 S Wacker Drive) or from the sandy lake-front beaches below – Chicago’s breathtaking architecture woos tourists year-round and is a must-see for any first time visitor. Catch an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River to learn about the city's rich history and to snap countless shots of ChiTown’s most iconic buildings. Up for a little adventure? Skip the boat and sign yourself up for a kayak tour instead – you’ll travel a shorter distance and may not weave through all the branches of the river, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Snap-worthy spots along the way include the Merchandise Mart (which was the world’s largest building when opened in 1930 and is home to our Braintree offices), the Carbide and Carbon Building, and the Willis Tower (the second tallest building in the United States). 

 

 

Chicago is home to a number of world-renowned museums, including The Art Institute of Chicago® (111 S Michigan Avenue) – the country’s second-largest art museum. Visitors can download the free app for a collection of more than 50 self-paced tours or connect with the front desk to learn more about free daily talks and guided tours of the museum. Make sure to swing by the Modern Wing to view works by Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Matisse and Grant Wood (Wood’s famed American Gothic is a must see!). 

 

If The Art Institute of Chicago® has you hungry for more, head over to Museum Campus for access to a number of attractions. Start your day by visiting Sue – the largest Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur discovered to date – and view more than 20 million artifacts at The Field Museum (1400 S Lake Shore Drive). You’ll need a solid couple hours to make it through the exhibits, so make sure you’ve mapped out a plan of attack ahead of the visit.

 

Other attractions in the area include the Shedd Aquarium (1200 S Lake Shore Drive), The Adler Planetarium (1300 S Lake Shore Drive) and the city’s football stadium, Soldier Field (1410 Museum Campus Drive). Pro tip: lake, city and skyline views from the southern tip of Museum Campus can’t be beat – make sure you have a camera handy!

 

 

Sitting on more than 24.5 acres, and built over a railroad yard and parking garages – making it the world’s largest rooftop garden -, Millennium Park’s many attractions have elevated the space to a well-loved destination for visitors and locals alike since opening in 2004.

 

You’ll find Jay Pritzker Pavilion at the center of the park, a band shell designed by Frank Gehry with more than 4,000 fixed seats and lawn seating for more than 7,000. The space hosts a free Summer Music Series (Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30pm), a Summer Film Series (Tuesdays at 6:30pm), and a four-hour block of Summer Workouts on the Great Lawn Saturdays from early June to early September  (starting with Tai Chi at 7am and followed by Yoga, Pilates and Zumba).

 

The park is also home to Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, an interactive art piece and video sculpture. Two transparent glass brick towers – each 50 feet tall and displaying videos or light displays – are separated by a reflecting pool (a spot you’re likely to find kids splashing around in on hot summer days).

 

Finally, no trip to Millennium Park would be complete without a visit to Cloud Gate - also affectionately known as “The Bean.” A sculpture by Anish Kapoor, the massive three-story steel structure reflects views of the city’s skyline and has quickly become an iconic landmark.

 

 

There are few places in the world where your beach spot is just steps away from a sprawling metropolis, but Chicago manages to pull it off. One of the port cities along Lake Michigan’s shoreline – often called the “Third Coast” -, Chicago’s sandy beaches draw crowds all summer long. Make your way to Oak Street Beach (1000 N Lake Shore Drive) just past the shops on Michigan Avenue in the Gold Coast neighborhood for a quick dip or game of volleyball. Eager to get away from other tourists? Rent a bike and cruise up the Chicago Lakefront Trail towards North Avenue Beach (1600 N Lake Shore Drive) for a day with the locals.

 

 

If you’re looking for lake views without a side of sand, Navy Pier (600 E Grand Avenue) is your spot. You’ll be greeted by countless tourists and more than fifty acres of lakefront parks, restaurants, bars, museums, shops and more. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood, Navy Pier’s half-mile-long stretch also happens to be Chicago’s number one tourist attraction and home to the 200-foot-tall Centennial Ferris Wheel, a new ride added in celebration of the Pier’s 100th anniversary. Pro tip: pack a picnic and catch fireworks from the Pier – or even one of the nearby beaches! - Wednesday and Saturday evenings from late-May to mid-September.

 

 

North of the Gold Coast and Michigan Avenue, you’ll stumble upon Lincoln Park (southernmost entrance at N Clark Street and North Avenue). Named after President Abraham Lincoln, the park is the second-largest in the United States and offers stretches of open space, recreational facilities, beaches, museums, a zoo, a nature boardwalk, conservatory, botanical garden, and more. Of these, the 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo - which was founded in 1868 and is one of the oldest zoos in the United States - is the top tourist destination in the park. Take your time exploring the admission-free zoo and nearby Nature Boardwalk. There you’ll find a photo-worthy view of the John Hancock Center through the South Pond Pavilion sculpture. 

 

 

From deep dish pizza to Michelin Star restaurants, Chicago’s got a serious cuisine culture. Home to many James Beard award-winning chefs, foodies flock to the city for gourmet burgers, authentic BBQ, fresh pasta, Chicago dogs, farm-to-table favorites, molecular gastronomy and more. The best restaurants can be found sprinkled throughout the city, but River North and the West Loop have quickly become the go-to neighborhoods for culinary greats. Make reservations at the city’s tried-and-true spots (they’re famous for a reason, we promise), or try neighborhood newcomers like Honey's (1111 W Lake Street).

 

If that’s not enough, swing by any number of rooftop bars – or underground “speakeasies” - for massive craft beer selections and seasonal signature cocktails.

 

 

Magnificent Mile, the city’s famous stretch of high-end shops and home to a handful of the country’s tallest buildings, runs from the Chicago River to Oak Street along Michigan Avenue. You’ll find everything from name-brand storefronts to tourist chachkies to famous Chicago-mix popcorn and more. Spend some time strolling the area before heading to The Signature Lounge at the 96th (875 N Michigan Avenue) – that’s the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center to be exact – for cocktails with a view.

 

Looking for something a little more unique? Stop by the Simply Wood Rings studio (1500 S Western Avenue) for a collection of sustainably-sourced wood rings or Defy Bags (4527 N Ravenswood Avenue) for locally-made bags and accessories.

 

 

Quirky shops, artisanal coffee, killer restaurants, secret speakeasies, and fashionable hipsters are just a few of the Wicker Park neighborhood staples. The heart of this trendy neighborhood is at the intersection of North Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue and N Damen Avenue - just 15-minutes from downtown by car. Get to where you're going quickly - and save some precious site-seeing time! - by calling for a ride with Lyft and take $10 off each of your first two rides. See terms. Terms of service.* Keep in mind that some of the neighborhood hot spots only accept old money, so be prepared to repay your friends with some emoji money love via Venmo. Psst: if you happen to see a graffiti wall around 1520 N Damen Avenue in Wicker Park, you may want to look for a secret door to one of Chicago’s hidden gems and best bars. Just saying.

 

If you’re looking for a little activity, head west to Bucktown for an entrance to The 606 (1801 N Milwaukee Avenue at N Leavitt Street). Named after the first three digits of Chicagoland zip codes, The 606 is an old elevated railway which has been transformed into a roughly three-mile long greenway and walking path.

 

And if you’re willing to venture a little further, keep heading down N Milwaukee Avenue for a picture in front of the Greetings Tour city mural. It's a social media worthy shot you won't want to miss!

 

 

Baseball, brews and bros – welcome to Wrigleyville. Pick up some team gear at Clark Street Sports (3650 N Clark Street) and make your way to the one of the city’s professional baseball stadiums in the heart of this neighborhood. If you’re not able to catch a game, explore Wrigleyville's restaurants, bars and batting-cages (seriously!).

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Chicago is one of the country’s top tourist destinations, so be certain to book air travel - United and Southwest offer great deals to Chicago’s major airports, which are both roughly equidistant to downtown – and accommodations in advance. Find a perfect apartment to call your own (or at least while you’re in town) when searching Airbnb for local, short-term rentals. Popular neighborhoods include the Gold Coast, Old Town and River North. If room-service is more your speed, try Hotels.com for last minute reservations and travel package deals. You’ll score $40 off your purchase of $300 or more when paying with PayPal and using code PAYPALUS40 before June 30th - terms apply.

 

These are just a few of the top spots not to miss in Chicago, but make sure to check out the Lonely Planet for in-depth city guides. And during the month of June, when you use the code PAYPAL5 you can get $5 off of your purchase of $15 or more from the Lonely Planet. Terms apply.