Things to do in Chicago

869 activities, venues and outings in Chicago, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 869.

Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

DoTheatreLoop
Chicago Theater
An old Balaban & Katz movie palace, refurbished as one of the city's premier performance venues. It hosts a wide range of events, from spoken word and stand-up comedy to jazz, gospel, and rock. Most people, however, know it for the iconic marquee out front.
Box office Mon-Fri noon-6PMGenerally $27.50 and up. Tours available Apr-Sep Tu,Th noon and Oct-March Tu noon, also the third Sa of every month at 11AM, noon; $5 · Heritage listed
DoParkNear South
Soldier Field
Home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, and from 2020 home (again) to Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. If you'd like to see a Bears game, then you have something in common with many Chicagoans; there's no point in listing ticket prices, because they sell out long before the season starts. On the other hand, if you're a soccer fan, you have a much better chance of getting in for a Fire game, even though that team plans on using only the lower seating bowl for most of its games. The original Soldier Field was built in 1924 to honor veterans of the First World War, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. By 2002, the stadium was in dire need of renovations, and the Bears promised to preserve the majestic colonnades of the old stadium. However, when the renovations were complete, what appeared to be a giant spaceship had landed at midfield. The amenities have improved, and it really is a nice facility... on the inside. On the outside, it's hard to say what it is, other than probably the strangest-looking sports venue in America. (It's not a Historic Place any more, having been stripped of that designation in 2006.) Tours are available during the week, M-F 9AM-5PM, by phone appointment; $15 adults, $10 students, $7 seniors, $4 children.
DoTheatreLincoln Park-Old Town
Second City
The list of Second City alumni in show business has become something of a cliche — Alan Alda, John Belushi, Bill Murray, on and on — and it's still going strong today, with recent graduates like Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Tina Fey. The separate revues on the Mainstage and the e.t.c. theaters are consistently smart, timely, and funny. (The third stage, Donny's Skybox, is rented out to local sketch troupes outside the artistic direction of Second City, and is hit-or-miss.) The third act of the night is fully improvised, and if there's space left among the paying customers from the first two acts, admission is free.
8PM (Sun 7PM), Fri-Sat also 11PMTickets M $14, Su,Tu-Th $22, F-Sa $29
DoTheatreLoop
Lyric Opera
Extraordinary productions of major operas, in the impressive Civic Opera House, overlooking the river; local legend has it that the back-story behind business magnate Samuel Insull's decision to build it was the inspiration for the opera scenes in Citizen Kane. Although highly acclaimed today, there was a minor controversy among purists when they began to project English titles above the stage for non-English operas.
From $31 for weekdays and $42 for weekends
DoNear West Side
United Center
Home of the NBA Chicago Bulls and the NHL Chicago Blackhawks. The United Center doesn't have much in the way of character as a stadium, but the sightlines are great from anywhere in the house, and both teams are on an upswing. Fans of Michael Jordan (who played here from 1996-98) should look for his jersey in the rafters and his statue outside. (Check the statue details — he's wearing stone Air Jordans!) Most games sell out, but it's usually possible to find tickets at or near face value. On off-nights, this is Chicago's second-largest concert venue for big touring bands, the circus (in November), and other random events.
Most games start at $38 for upper level seats, concerts closer to $50
DoBeachNear North
Oak Street Beach
There is plenty of everybody doing everything at Oak Street Beach. Beyond swimming and sun-tanning, it's one of the city's most popular spots for beach volleyball, and there are concrete paths for cycling and skating. (Do not, however, plan to eat lunch at the overpriced restaurant on the beach.) To get here, cross under Lake Shore Drive through a pedestrian underpass. If the crowds are a bit much, walk a short way south to the smaller, lesser-known beach next to Milton Olive Park (named for a local Medal of Honor recipient).
Open during the summer, from dawn to dusk
DoTheatreLoop
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Home of Chicago's renowned orchestra; they spend a lot of time on the road, though, so visiting orchestras and stately jazz concerts can also be found here, as can the occasional curveball like a silent film.
Box office Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-3PMStudent prices can run as low as $10; tickets for CSO events start from $25, but performances by traveling artists vary
DoLakeview-North Center
Wrigley Field
Ernie Banks, Harry Caray, the 1908 champs, and the 2016 champs; yes, this is the home of the Chicago Cubs, the North Side's beloved baseball team. Among ballparks, only Fenway in Boston can match the old-time beauty of Wrigley and its famous ivy-covered walls. If you'd like to see Wrigley without attending a game, tours are occasionally offered ($25).
Tickets can be as low as $8 for 'value dates', but the prize seats in the bleachers are usually $32, and certain dates wind up in scalpers' hands long before regular folks get a shot at them. 'Associations' host 'guests' on the rooftops around Wrigley, usually with unlimited beer and burgers, for upwards of $100
DoTheatreLoop
James M. Nederlander Theatre
Oriental Theater
The Oriental Theater was once Chicago's most ornate movie palace, but this is now another Broadway in Chicago theater outlet.
Hours vary$29.50-122.50
DoBridgeport-Chinatown
Rate Field
Comiskey Park
Formerly known as New Comiskey Park and later as U.S. Cellular Field and Guaranteed Rate Field, this is the home of the White Sox. The stadium itself was a notorious dud when it opened in 1991, but recent renovations have helped tremendously. If you just want to see a Chicago ball game and don't care who is playing, the stately charm of Wrigley Field might be the better option. But Sox tickets are easier to get, the fans are no less loyal, and the fireworks shows after Saturday night home games (win or lose) are worth the price of admission by themselves. For a nifty ballpark treat not offered at Wrigley, try the elotes, corn-off-the-cob with your choice of salt, butter, cheese, lime, and/or red pepper.
DoTheatreLincoln Park-Old Town
Steppenwolf
The creation of John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, and many others, Steppenwolf features cutting-edge theater and doesn't trade on the famous name, offering both original material and incisive re-stagings of classic plays (like a terrific recent production of The Crucible). Unlike Second City, the famous alumni of Steppenwolf make occasional returns to the stage as their schedules allow.
Box office Mon-Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PMTickets from $40
DoTheatreLoop
Cadillac Palace Theater
A Broadway in Chicago outlet, this opulent theater was built in 1926 for the vaudeville circuit and is now glossed up for high-profile productions with 2,300 seats per show. The Producers and the mighty Oprah's The Color Purple both enjoyed long runs here.
Hours vary$27.50-77.50 · Limited wheelchair access
DoNear South
McCormick Place
Mayor Richard J. Daley believed firmly — as his son, Mayor Richard M., did after him, and all subsequent mayors have — in total, ruthless domination of the convention circuit. Hence, the massive complex of McCormick Place, which is struggling to stay ahead of rivals in Las Vegas and Orlando. There's little reason to seek out McCormick Place unless your business is sending you there or you want to catch an event at Wintrust Arena (immediately below). That said, the auto shows are a draw for some visitors.
Prices and hours vary by eventParking $16, regardless of time spent
DoTheatreLoop
The Auditorium Theatre
Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan's masterpiece. Frank Lloyd Wright, who served as an apprentice on the project, called it "The greatest room for music and opera in the world — bar none." If the current production isn't worth seeing, take a tour of this gorgeous, acoustically-perfect theater instead. Tours are available at various times and days depending on the season.
$12
DoParkBridgeport-Chinatown
Armour Square Park
A good place to play some baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, or take a dip in the pool. Occasional events include outdoor movie screenings.
Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM, Sat Sun 9AM-5PM
DoTheatreNear North
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
Part of the Broadway in Chicago crew, serving up major touring productions.
Box office opens 10AM, 11AM SundaysTickets $59.50-$69.50
DoTheatreLoop
CIBC Theatre
Shubert Theater
Another Broadway in Chicago theater. Founded in 1906 to attract a classier vaudeville crowd, it saw performances from Harry Houdini, and was run by New York theater impresario Sam Shubert for more than forty-five years. In modern times, Monty Python's Spamalot and High School Musical have played here.
Hours vary$27.50-82.50
DoTheatreNear South
Arie Crown Theater
Comfortable sit-down music venue in the midst of McCormick Place. It hosts big pop, rock, gospel, and R&B concerts as well as occasional musical.
Box office: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM
DoTheatreLakeview-North Center
The Vic
A good concert venue — not dissimilar to the Metro in size or sound quality, but there are seats.
Concert prices vary
DoLoop
Joffrey Ballet
The Civic Opera House is also home to the Joffrey Ballet, one of the premier ballet companies in the United States. They are best known for their annual performance of The Nutcracker for the Christmas season.
DoArts centreLoop
Goodman Theater
Non-profit theater company in an extremely expensive space; they pride themselves on new works, but are better known for revivals of plays from the American theater canon. Post-show discussions with the cast are held after Wednesday and Thursday night performances.
Box office noon-5PM dailyTickets vary by show, generally starting from $30, $17 children
DoNear West Side
Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion)
UIC's campus stadium is remarkably adaptable, hosting college sports like basketball and the school's stand-out ice hockey team (the Flames), and concerts for mid-sized to major touring bands.
Box office Thu-Fri 9AM-6PM, 2-3 hours before eventsTickets usually $15-35
DoNear South
Wintrust Arena
An arena seating a little more than 10,000 that opened in fall 2017 as the main event venue for McCormick Place. Its highest-profile tenants are the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team (college) and the Chicago Sky of the WNBA. The DePaul women's basketball team splits its home games between here and its smaller on-campus arena.
Prices vary by event
DoBeachBronzeville
31st St Beach
Margaret Burroughs Beach
While small, 31st St Beach is one of the nicest places for a swim on the South Side. It's family-friendly, never crowded, and always has stunning views of the Chicago skyline.
Summers: 9AM-9:30PM
DoTheatreLakeview-North Center
Briar Street Theater
The Chicago home of the nationally famed performance art Blue Man Group. Shows in the evenings, with matinees included on weekends. If you've seen them elsewhere, you're not likely to see anything new here.
Box office Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM, Sat 9AM-10PM, Sun noon-4PMTickets from $59
DoTheatreLincoln Park-Old Town
Apollo Theater
An eclectic mix on two stages includes solo shows, major contemporary plays like "Ragtime" and "The Vagina Monologues," and the popular improvised musicals of Baby Wants Candy (Sa 10:30PM, $15).
Box office Mon-Tue 10AM-6PM, Wed-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-4PMStudio shows around $20, mainstage $35-50
DoLive music venueLincoln Park-Old Town
Lincoln Hall
One of the best concert venues in Chicago, this former movie theater received a beautiful renovation in 2009 and now hosts good, moderately priced ($12-15) indie rock shows most nights of the week. (Keep an eye out for some excellent free events on Sundays.) Arrive early for a space in the roomy balcony or a few drinks in the comfortable bar area. There's a Dillinger connection here, too — the FBI's sharpshooters were camped out on the theater's roof, waiting for him to leave the Biograph.
DoTheatreLakeview-North Center
Metro
Chicago's foremost rock venue, although other genres like electronic and hip hop figure in the lineup as well. If a band is on the verge of stardom and they're on their way through Chicago, the Metro has a knack for booking them. Many shows are all ages, and are generally affordable. Tickets general admission (e.g. standing room only), so be prepared to stand, and press forward for your right to see a guitarist's nostrils. Smart Bar, next door, is owned by the Metro and features good DJs most nights of the week.
Tickets vary by event
DoBeachLincoln Park-Old Town
North Avenue Beach
Quite possibly the beach volleyball capital of the Midwest. There are semi-pro leagues here, and plenty of nets for amateurs to show up and play. There's also an enclosed roller-hockey rink and plenty of people whizzing past on the wide bike lanes. The North Avenue Beach House is a big boat-shaped structure at the center (look for the red smokestacks) where there are a few food and drink options, occasional live music, and Park District offices. A couple blocks south, toward Oak Street Beach, there are chess tables.
DoTheatreLincoln Park-Old Town
Park West
This converted movie theater (and former burlesque hall) has some of the best acoustics in the U.S., and it's surprisingly intimate considering it can seat up to a thousand. None other than Ringo Starr has said that Park West is second only to London's Royal Albert Hall. Fans will crowd the stage, but the best seats are toward the back, near the main bar and in the balconies... or call in advance to reserve a booth.
Tickets usually $25-45
DoUptown
The Green Mill
Jazz and lots of it at this Uptown landmark, famously an old hangout of Al Capone (who's not, though, around as much as he used to be). Go on a Sunday evening for the weekly poetry slam. There are a few excellent resident jazz ensembles.
Mon-Sat noon-4AM, Sun noon-4AMCovers usually less than $10
DoParkPilsen
Harrison Park
If you have kids in tow and they have been patient through the National Museum of Mexican Art (or they need to burn off some energy before going in), you might reward them with some monkey time right next door at Harrison Park, which has a big play-lot with swings, slides, jungle gyms and more.
DoTheatreNear South
FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
This small peninsula, jutting out into Lake Michigan, was the site of Meigs Airport until Mayor Daley's midnight demolition in 2003; now it's a 7500-seat concert venue for touring rock and hip-hop acts. A new nature park has been built south of the Pavilion.
Box office noon-9PMTickets vary by event, although if you don't mind not being able to see the stage, you'll hear the show just fine anywhere on the lakefront near the Museum Campus
DoNear North
Lookingglass Theater
Known for their inventive, acrobatic shows; their repertory production of "Lookingglass Alice" is a knock-out. It's worth peeking inside even if you don't plan to see a show, though, to check out the insides of the old Pumping Station; unlike the Water Tower, its more famous sibling across the street, there's some interesting old machinery to see.
Box office opens at 10AM on weekdays, 11AM weekendsTickets range from $20 on weekdays to $58 on weekends
DoLogan-Bucktown
Congress Theater
Opened in 1926 and still adorned with gorgeous terra cotta, the semi-decrepit Congress Theater is now home to the twin powers of Mexican wrestling and indie rock of an occasionally exceptional caliber. It's standing room only on the floor, but there is first-come first-serve seating in the balcony.
Shows $10-25
DoTheatreWicker Park
Chopin Theatre
An experimental theater complex encompassing two stages, a cafe, and a gallery. Many works in translation from Eastern Europe have made their US debut here, although the theater keeps strong ties to Wicker Park and local history as well.
$12-22
DoJazz barNear South
Jazz Showcase
Started in 1948 by Joe Segal, this historic jazz club is home to both national touring acts and the finest local jazz musicians Chicago has to offer. It is in the historic Dearborn Station building in the South Loop. Segal maintains the high standard for acoustic jazz that over the years has featured luminaries from Dizzy Gillespie to Chick Corea.
Sets Mon-Sat at 8PM and 10PM, and on Sun at 4PM, 8PM and 10PMPrices vary
DoLive music venueLakeview-North Center
Martyrs'
Artists in Chicago have developed communities in so many different genres — rock, blues, jazz, classical, hip hop, house, reggae, folk, country & numerous traditional ethnic style — that Martyrs' strives to be the place to see each of them.
Shows start 7-9:30PMTickets $5-25
DoUptown
Aragon Ballroom
Built in 1926 with an interior that is meant to recreate a Spanish palace courtyard, the Aragon cost more than two million dollars at the time, and the well-preserved interior still has the otherworldly brilliance. It shifted from big-band sensation to prizefight arena and swinging mod disco, but it's been in good hands for more than thirty years now, as promoters for Latin dances and rock shows split nights of the week.
Box office Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM
DoTheatreLakeview-North Center
The Playground
The Playground has a few things going for it: the perfect location for beginning or ending the night with a show, a BYOB liquor license, and a non-profit co-op structure that makes the performers here some of the most enthusiastic and committed you'll find. Quality will vary by ensemble.
Usually two shows a night, around 8PM/10PM, with occasional midnight shows Fri-Sat$5-10

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.