Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend

Chicago has everything that a person can expect from some metropolis. No matter what you like or are interested in, you can always find amazing things to do in Chicago this weekend. There are innumerable things to do and experience in this Midwestern metropolis, from enjoying nightlife venues and witnessing sporting events to being an audience in performing arts and visiting world-class museums. For example, suppose you are looking for art and culture. In that case, you should plan to spend a fair amount of time exploring the field museum, Chicago cultural center, art institute of Chicago, and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Also, If you want to try out some fantastic food, you've come to the right place because hundreds of excellent restaurants in Chicago offer delicious cuisines from around the world.

In case you want to explore the Windy City-centric knowledge; then you should consider starting your trip with an architecture river cruise. It will give you an overview of Chicago's famous skyscrapers like the Tribune and the Willis Tower. Also, you can spotlight its diversified and rich culinary landscape, from your incredible list of things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Visit Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain
Visit Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain

Grant Park which is also known as “Chicago's front yard'' is stretched over 313 acres of land. First-time visitors are advised to give considerable time to this place because this is where you will get to visit some of the most popular attractions in Chicago like the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago, which can be one the best things to do in Chicago this weekend. You can spend some time at the Buckingham Fountain which is one of the largest fountains in the world and lies at the heart of Grant Park. You must not miss the fountain performance that takes place accompanied by music and a lot of lights every night.

Enjoy at Millenium Park and Cloud Gate
Enjoy at Millenium Park and Cloud Gate

The list of things to do in Chicago this weekend won’t be complete without including Millennium Park and cloud gate. Cloud gate, also known as “the bean,” features 50 feet towers at the ends of a pool. At the park you can sign up for a bicycle tour, enjoy the concert at the Frank Gehry, or walk through the Boeing Galleries or the Lurie Garden. The amazing structure of the cloud gate inspires many photographers to show their creative perspective, making it one of the most photogenic places in Chicago.

Explore The Magnificent Mile
Explore The Magnificent Mile

As the name suggests, this portion of Michigan Avenue is genuinely magnificent and starts from Lake Shore Drive to the Chicago River. Apart from this, here on the Magnificent Mile, you can stay at various luxury hotels like the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile. You will find the Chicago Water Tower that survived the great fire in 1871, which makes visiting this place one of the popular things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Visit Navy Pier
Visit Navy Pier

By reaching the Navy Pier, you will first see the towering Ferris wheel that is 196 feet tall. You can have a wonderful time watching a show at the Chicago Shakespeare theater or having a glass of beer at the Miller lite beer garden at the Pier. Whether being a part of many concerts at the Navy Pier or witnessing the mesmerizing display of fireworks, you will always have a good time visiting this place. All combine to qualify Navy Pier as one of the best things to do this weekend in Chicago.

Have fun at Lincoln Park Zoo
Have fun at Lincoln Park Zoo

Visiting Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the best things to do this weekend in Chicago. It is located almost 2 miles north of the loop in the North Side neighborhood of Lincoln Park and is home to about a few hundred species such as hippos, sloths, gorillas, seals, and zebras. You should visit the Lincoln Park zoo if you have kids. It will help you and your kids to learn more about animals and their natural habitats. It is recommended to reach Lincoln Park by public transport because of the limited parking facility.

Visit Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Visit Chicago Architecture River Cruise

If you are curious about Chicago's buildings touching the sky, then you should visit the Chicago Architecture River Cruise. Being on the list of one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend, the place is known for offering the amazing skyline of the city. During a Chicago Architecture River Cruise, you will get to know much more about famous structures like the Leo Burnett Building, the Wrigley Building, and the Fulton House. Here, you can also click on some amazing photos you will cherish for years.

Visit Museum of Science and Industry
Visit Museum of Science and Industry

Here at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, you will find about 35,000 art and artifacts that inspire creativity in every field. In this museum of science and industry, you can have a tour of the only U-505 German submarine that was captured during the times of World War II. You can also explore planets and stars from the Henry Crown Space Center in this museum, which would be an unforgettable experience for you in Chicago

Explore Art Institute of Chicago
Explore Art Institute of Chicago

If you are an artist or love pieces of art, or are a collector of ancient things, then you should visit the Art Institute of Chicago. Here at the Art Institute of Chicago, you will see around 300,000 pieces of artwork from all over the world. The timing of these artworks ranges from the Byzantine era to the present. If you take an interest in visual arts, this is the perfect place for you as it consists of masterpieces from great artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh.

Enjoy at the Chicago Riverwalk
Enjoy at the Chicago Riverwalk

Enjoying the Chicago Riverwalk is the best thing to do when the temperature increases in Chicago. The 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway on the shores of the Chicago River is the perfect place for a walk and a glimpse of the city skyline. If you want to enjoy the water, you can also take kayaking or a boat tour. Recent travelers say that the Riverwalk is an excellent way to view the city. Still, they recommend not visiting the Riverwalk during winter.

Visit the Field Museum
Visit the Field Museum

The Field Museum has a lot of things from ancient times to amaze its visitors, which makes it one of the things to do in Chicago. The best museum attraction you must see is "Inside Ancient Egypt," which highlights a reconstruction of a three-storied Egyptian tomb replica. Nevertheless, a visit to the Field Museum is incomplete if you have not spent some time watching the SUE. SUE is a skeleton of a dinosaur that has 58 horrifying teeth and is 40 feet long.

Explore 360 Chicago Observation Deck
Explore 360 Chicago Observation Deck

Chicago's skyline is one of the remarkable attractions in Chicago. The best place to experience it is 360 Chicago Observation Deck, formerly the John Hancock Observatory. Also, you can have a broad panoramic view in any direction from 360 CHICAGO that is encased by windows from floor to ceiling. Meanwhile, the interactive screens will assist you in identifying different landmarks in your panorama. Test out 360 CHICAGO's TILT, Where visitors hold on to handlebars, and the top windows of the room extend outward, making you tilt towards the bustling North Michigan Avenue below.

Enjoy at Shedd Aquarium
Enjoy at Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium is counted as one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world. It is home to about 32,000 creatures, which makes visiting the Shedd Aquarium one of the things to do in Chicago. Here, you will feel the breath of stingrays, listen to the sea lions' bark, and learn more about turtles, penguins, sharks, and piranhas. Also, if you pay some additional fee, you can participate in many other activities like feeding animals and some behind-the-scenes tours.

FAQ's of Chicago

What is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago?

    Among many tourist attractions, it is very hard to say that it is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago but yes Millennium park is one the best tourist attractions in Chicago followed by Navy Pier, The Field Museum, Magnificent mile, Shedd Aquarium, 360 Chicago, etc.

What's the most popular thing in Chicago?

What is Chicago famously known for?

Why do tourists visit Chicago?

Which are the most popular attractions in Chicago to visit with family?

Top Things to Do in Chicago