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Chicago

Chicago ranks among the three largest cities in the United States and is the biggest city in the Midwest, including Illinois. Together with surrounding cities, it forms a vast metropolitan area with a vibrant urban landscape.

Updated August 15, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Chicago
Gateway airport
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Best season
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
Time zone
America/New_York
Sights covered
45 places

Sights worth seeing

See all 45 →
Art Institute of Chicago

Museums & galleries

Art Institute of Chicago

Considered one of the top three art museums in the United States, alongside New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It's well worth a visit for travelers looking to explore a world-class collection.

Millennium Park

Parks & gardens

Millennium Park

A park located in the northern part of downtown Chicago. It's a great place to stroll through gardens and walking paths and enjoy a relaxing break amid the city.

Field Museum of Natural History

Museums & galleries

Field Museum of Natural History

A natural history museum located along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Its exhibits span a wide range of fields, from anthropology to geology.

Two Prudential Plaza

Views & landmarks

Two Prudential Plaza

A skyscraper in downtown Chicago, completed in 1990. Standing 64 stories tall, it's one of the city's most prominent high-rises.

Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Museums & galleries

Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

A museum in Chicago's Jackson Park near Lake Michigan, housed in the original building from the 1893 World's Fair. Its wide range of science and industry exhibits make it one of Chicago's most popular attractions.

Aqua

Views & landmarks

Aqua

An 82-story skyscraper in Chicago's Lakeshore East. Its lower-floor rooftop holds a spacious terrace with gardens, a pool, and walking paths, giving the building its distinctive place on the skyline.

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa

Museums & galleries

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa

A research and exhibition institute affiliated with the University of Chicago, located in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood. This museum showcases ancient artifacts from West Asia and North Africa.

Adler Planetarium

Museums & galleries

Adler Planetarium

A planetarium on Chicago's Museum Campus by Lake Michigan, opened in 1930. It's close to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, making it easy to visit all three together.

How many days do you need?

Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.

Average temperature by month

5-year average

-3° Jan
-2° Feb
Mar
Apr
15° May
21° Jun
23° Jul
23° Aug
20° Sep
13° Oct
Nov
Dec

Getting there

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Getting around the city

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Chicago Tours & Experiences Booking

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Where to stay

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