19+ most famous & best places to visit in Chicago

Take note of famous Chicago tourist attractions to plan your trip to the United States. Are you ready to conquer Chicago of the US. Let’s check out the list of 19+ most famous & best places to visit in Chicago below!

Chicago has all the services you expect from a big city: World-class museums, vibrant shopping areas and diverse nightlife venues. In addition, this is also a great city for you to gain more knowledge about culture, art, cuisine and architecture.

Chicago tourist places to visit are suitable for travel enthusiasts who are not too passionate about luxurious and flashy places. However, the feeling of lying on sandy beaches, visiting museums or buildings with unique architecture will also be unforgettable experiences when you come to this city.

North Avenue Beach – Famous Chicago Tourist Destination (#best places to visit in Chicago)

Located in Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach is one of the most attractive destinations to relax and enjoy the fresh air on the shores of Lake Michigan. With a long stretch of golden sand, this is an ideal place for activities such as playing volleyball, sunbathing, or simply relaxing and admiring the beautiful skyline of Chicago. After relaxing hours, you can enjoy delicious dishes at the beachside eateries or rent sports equipment to enjoy exciting outdoor activities.

Adler Planetarium For Astronomy Lovers

If you are passionate about astronomy, Adler Planetarium is a must-see stop. This is where you can explore the wonders of the universe through Chicago’s largest telescope – Doane Observatory, designed to observe distant stars and planets.

In addition, the planetarium also owns modern cinemas such as the 3D Universe Theater, the Definiti Space Theater, and the Grainger Sky Theater, where special programs such as Destination Solar System, Planet Nine, and One World take place. These shows will take you on an exciting and magical journey of exploring the universe, making every minute here an unforgettable experience.

The Most Prestigious University of Chicago in the United States

The University of Chicago is not only famous as one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, but also a tourist destination that attracts many visitors. Located on a campus of more than 878,000 square meters, this place is a unique blend of ancient Gothic architecture and modern works with a contemporary style.

In spring and autumn, the university campus is covered with brilliant flowers, creating a vibrant natural picture. Meanwhile, winter here captivates people with its streets covered in golden leaves, creating a peaceful and romantic scene like something out of a fairy tale.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

Built on the foundation of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a historical witness to many great scientific discoveries. It houses many valuable artifacts, telling the story of the development of science and technology from the past to the present.

By visiting the museum, you will have the opportunity to learn about famous scientists, their groundbreaking inventions and their important contributions to humanity such as Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, the Wright brothers… The museum regularly organizes special events such as talks by experts, or science competitions for students.

Shedd Aquarium – Ideal Chicago Tourist Attraction for Families

Shedd Aquarium is an ideal destination for the whole family, opening the door to a colorful world under the ocean with more than 32,000 rich marine creatures. Children will be extremely excited to see dolphins swimming around, or be fascinated by observing adorable clownfish hiding in the vibrant coral reefs.

Not only stopping at watching, the whole family can also participate in interesting experiences such as feeding fish or exploring the ocean world through virtual reality glasses. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about ecological diversity and the importance of protecting the marine environment, making the tour a fun and meaningful experience.

Chicago 360 Observatory – See the Panorama of the City from Above

The Chicago 360 Observatory is a great opportunity for thrill-seekers. Here, you will be able to see the streets of Chicago from a height of more than 300 meters. More specifically, you can lean out at a 30-degree angle to have a clearer view through the tempered glass with a safe steel frame. The feeling of overcoming fear and expanding your view from above will definitely make you extremely excited.

Millennium Park With Signature “Cloud Gate” In Chicago

Your trip would not be complete without a visit to Millennium Park in Chicago. This 10,000 square meter space is a regular venue for concerts, festivals and other unique cultural and artistic events. In particular, you will be amazed by the architecture of the Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate in the park.

Designed by talented artists, the Crown Fountain will give you an interesting experience when you “communicate” with the faces on the tower. Each face is a different story about the city of Chicago. Cloud Gate will invite you to step into a magical reflective world, where you can see yourself and the whole city appearing on the curved surface of the work.

Grant Park Recreation Center – Chicago

Often referred to as “Chicago’s front yard”, Grant Park is a green space of over 1km2 with a series of famous works such as Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, …

The center of the park is Buckingham Fountain, one of the most magnificent fountains in the world. In the evening, this fountain will host a very special light, music and water show. This is an ideal place for couples if you want to record romantic moments with your other half.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-see destination for art lovers, with a journey of discovery from classical to contemporary. The collection of nearly 300,000 works makes this place one of the leading art museums in the world. Highlights include Grant Wood’s “American Gothic”, a famous symbol of American culture, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Sky above Clouds IV”, which conveys the vastness and immensity of the sky. An artistic space that is not only beautiful but also full of emotions is waiting for you to explore.

Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo offers an experience close to nature, where you can admire more than 200 diverse animals such as donkeys, zebras, hippos, gorillas and seals. This is an ideal destination for families with young children, where children can freely explore and learn about the animal world. In particular, the zoo is free of admission, helping you save money while still having meaningful moments with your family.

Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center is an amazing architectural work and one of the must-see destinations when visiting the city. The most impressive highlight here is the Tiffany dome, the world’s largest stained glass dome made up of more than 30,000 individual pieces of glass. This work is a testament to the sophistication and craftsmanship of the early 20th century. In addition, visitors can also admire the marble main hall, decorated with magnificent mosaics made of gold, glass and precious stones, creating a luxurious and classic beauty for the entire building.

Richard H. Driehaus Museum – Chicago

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum, located in a castle built in 1883, offers visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of architecture and art from the 19th century. This museum is a place to preserve and display valuable artifacts, from sculptures, paintings, to unique decorative items such as gem-encrusted inkwells, ceramic clocks, and sophisticated chandeliers.

Each room in the museum, from the reception room, living room to dining room, is decorated with high-class materials, bearing the mark of the American Renaissance period. This is a great place for visitors to admire the harmonious combination of art, architecture and history.

Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago (#best places to visit in Chicago)

Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest botanical conservatories in the United States and is known as “a botanical wonder under a glass roof”. With more than 2,000 species of plants spread across 8 indoor gardens and 10 acres of outdoor gardens, this is an ideal destination for those who love nature. Each area in the conservatory is designed to recreate the habitat of different plants such as palms, cacti and ferns. In particular, the Elizabeth Morse Garden is built specifically for children, helping them learn about plants through interesting interactive educational activities.

Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre opened in 1921 as one of the most luxurious performing arts venues for the upper class. Throughout its history, the theatre has hosted big names such as Duke Ellington, Diana Ross and Prince and has also screened blockbuster films.

Although the theatre fell into disuse in the 1970s, management undertook a complete renovation in the 1980s, bringing the venue back to its former glory. Today, the theatre is still used for a variety of comedy, theatre and musical performances.

Chicago Children’s Museum

Located at Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum is a children’s wonderland with permanent and rotating exhibits for all ages. One of the highlights is the dinosaur exhibit, where kids can explore the ancient world and learn about extinct species.

In addition, young children also have the opportunity to conquer the “Cloud Buster”, a 37-foot-tall network of simulated tunnels for little explorers. Not only that, the museum also offers creative activities such as making crafts, weaving, and learning basic science knowledge, providing an extremely attractive learning experience while playing.

Maggie Daley Park – Chicago

As a city famous for its parks and museums, it is no wonder that Chicago owns large-scale parks like Maggie Daley. Here, you will experience countless games that help bring people together such as mini golf, ice skating, rock climbing, tennis and roller skating, etc. In addition, this is also an extremely large green space for people to comfortably walk around while resting and breathing fresh air.

The Second City Comedy Stage – Chicago

The Second City is one of the improvisational comedy stages, where many famous comedians started their careers, including Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. Therefore, it is said that if you have ever watched a famous comedy in the last 40 years, somewhere there will appear an actor who has appeared at Second City. If you have good English, you can come and watch the fun and refreshing performances here.

Chicago River Walk

The 1.25-mile walkway on the south bank of the Chicago River is an ideal place to stroll and observe the city’s skyline. In addition, visitors can also experience water activities such as boat tours or kayaking. You should not forget to visit the public gardens and art galleries, or dine at a famous restaurant or bar overlooking the Chicago River.

Wrigley Field – Chicago

Wrigley Field is an attractive tourist destination not only for baseball lovers but also for anyone who wants to explore American culture. You can visit this baseball field to witness its grandeur as well as memories and stories about the history of American baseball. Fans of the Chicago Clubs must come here to cheer and feel the true sports spirit of the Americans.

As one of the largest cities in the United States, it is extremely difficult to visit all the places in Chicago in one trip. However, if you travel to Chicago, never miss the extremely attractive places that we have suggested.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated, more compiled and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Chicago you can refer to

• Chicago CityPASS
• Go Chicago – All Inclusive Pass
• Go Chicago – Explorer Pass
• 360 Chicago Observation Deck Ticket
• Chicago Broadway Show Ticket in New York
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Chicago Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Klook Pass Chicago
• Chicago Architecture River Cruise Tour
• The Field Museum of Natural History Admission in Chicago
• Chicago Segway Tours
• The North Of Chicago Tour
• Best of Chicago Grand Tour with River Cruise/Chicago Style Pizza Combo
• Shared Chicago Airports (ORD/MDW) Transfers for Chicago

Are you looking for more top things to do in Chicago: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here. And My Chicago trip blog — The fullest Chicago travel guide blog on my trip to Chicago.