Chicago
All travel Destination Guide

Things to Do in Chicago

Everything you need for an unforgettable Chicago trip — skip-the-line tickets, airport transfers, hotels, car hire and cheap flights, all in one place.

Chicago is one of the world's most rewarding destinations — and planning your trip is simple when tickets, transfers, stays and flights all live in one place. Below you'll find hand-picked Chicago experiences and travel deals from trusted booking partners, refreshed regularly so you always see live availability and fair prices.

Where to stay

Hotels in Chicago: see today's live prices

Browse every hotel in Chicago on Trip.com with today's real prices, guest reviews and free cancellation on most rooms.

See hotels on Trip.com

Best areas to stay in Chicago

Pick the neighbourhood that fits your trip, then compare live hotel prices.

Area photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

The Loop, Chicago
The Loop$$
First-timers & sightseeing

Central, busy, office-heavy, transit-rich

Best for downtown attractions, Millennium Park, the riverwalk, and easy CTA access.

Browse Chicago hotels
River North, Chicago
2 River North$$$
Dining, nightlife, central access

Lively, upscale, restaurant-filled, nightlife-heavy

Close to the Magnificent Mile, the river, and multiple train lines, with many restaurants and hotels.

Hotels in River North
Streeterville, Chicago
3 Streeterville$$$
Museums, lake views, families

Polished, tourist-friendly, lakefront, convenient

Walk to Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, with easy lakefront access.

Hotels in Streeterville
Lincoln Park, Chicago
4 Lincoln Park$$
Quiet stays, families, parks

Residential, leafy, relaxed, neighborhood-oriented

Near Lincoln Park Zoo, the Nature Museum, and the Red Line, offering an easy local feel with good transit.

Hotels in Lincoln Park

Before you fly

Your Chicago trip checklist

0/3 done
  • Book with Airalo
  • Book with Kiwitaxi
  • Book with Viator

How much does a Chicago trip cost?

Adjust your trip and the estimate updates instantly.

Nights

4

Travellers

2

Travel style

Currency

  • HotelTypical

    4 nights × 1 room

    $1,040
  • Airport transfersTypical

    Return trip × 1 car

    $190
  • Tours & ticketsTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $640
  • Food & drinksTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $600
  • Local transportTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $112

Estimated total

$1,291 per person

$2,582

Typical costs are researched estimates, refreshed monthly. "Live" prices come from current partner fares. Exchange rates update daily.

Things to Do in Chicago

Tours, tickets and attractions

Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise

4.5(468 reviews)· 1h 30m

Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you're dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night! Enjoy breathtaking views of the dramatic skyscrapers and Buckingham Fountain's spectacular light display. Hear lively commentary as you feel the night breeze and see Chicago’s skyline transformed into

from$50
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Tours & Day Trips in Chicago
ExperiencesInstant confirmation Chicago
KKday

Tours & Day Trips in Chicago

Find tours, day trips and attraction tickets in Chicago with KKday — instant confirmation on most bookings.

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Skip-the-Line Tickets in Chicago
ExperiencesSkip-the-line entry Chicago
Tiqets

Skip-the-Line Tickets in Chicago

Museums, landmarks and top attractions in Chicago — instant mobile tickets with Tiqets, skip the queue.

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Things to Do in Chicago
ExperiencesBest-price guarantee Chicago
Klook

Things to Do in Chicago

Book top tours, attractions and activities in Chicago with Klook — instant mobile tickets and a best-price guarantee.

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Top attractions & tours in Chicago
Experiences Chicago
Trip.com

Top attractions & tours in Chicago

Skip-the-line tickets, day trips and tours in Chicago, with instant confirmation.

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Flyover in Chicago
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Flyover in Chicago

4.7(788 reviews)· 30 min

The Flyover experience takes 30 minutes from beginning to end. First, on-the-ground stories connect you with the spirit of the Windy City. Then, you’ll discover Chicago from a whole new perspective, as Flyover transports you over, around and through remarkable locations. You'll explore in motion wit

from$28
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Experiences Chicago
Viator

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

4.9(7,656 reviews)· 1h 30m

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady has long been the gold standard among all Chicago tour experiences, and is the only Chicago architecture boat tour led by highly trained expert docents. On this 90-minute cruise, you will enjoy an overview of historic and moder

from$57
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Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

4.6(3,780 reviews)· 45 min

Experience Chicago's legendary architecture and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing legacy for all to admire. This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City's rich history and architectural heritage features highlights from Wendella's full-length architecture tours. Hop ab

from$28
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

4.8(17,227 reviews)· 1h

Experience the stunning beauty of Chicago on a captivating cruise along the historic Chicago River. This architectural tour takes you down the main branch of the river, up the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past the iconic Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the historic Old Post Offic

from$39
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Chicago River 90 Minute Architecture Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Chicago River 90 Minute Architecture Tour

4.7(11,330 reviews)· 1h 30m

Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive 90 minute tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the C

from$45
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360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket

4.0(120 reviews)· 2h

The best views of Chicago can be yours at 360 Chicago Observation Deck! Perched 94 stories above the Windy City in the former John Hancock Building, 360 Chicago provides commanding views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s towering skyscrapers. Located in the heart of downtown on Michigan Avenue, the obs

from$44
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Chicago Architecture and True Crime: Halloween Edition
ExperiencesFree cancellation Chicago
Viator

Chicago Architecture and True Crime: Halloween Edition

5.0(741 reviews)· 1h 30m

Get the best of both worlds: explore Chicago’s stunning architecture while uncovering its dark past. Inspired by Devil in the White City, this expert-led walking tour reveals the secrets of the city’s skyline and its shadowy history. If it’s raining/too hot the tour is almost all INDOOR. Led by a pa

from$35
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Airport Transfers in Chicago

Get from the airport to your hotel, hassle-free

Airport Transfers in Chicago
TransferFixed price, no surge Chicago
Kiwitaxi

Airport Transfers in Chicago

Pre-book a private airport transfer in Chicago with Kiwitaxi — fixed price, flight tracking and no surge pricing.

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Where to Stay in Chicago

Hand-picked stays and live rates

Hotels in Chicago
HotelLive hotel prices Chicago
Trip.com

Hotels in Chicago

Browse every hotel in Chicago with today's real prices, guest reviews and free-cancellation options.

from$83
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Car Hire in Chicago

Compare rental cars at great prices

Car Hire in Chicago with GetRentacar
CarFree cancellation Chicago
GetRentacar

Car Hire in Chicago with GetRentacar

Compare rental cars from local and global suppliers in Chicago, with free cancellation on most bookings.

from$40/day
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Cheapest car hire in Chicago

Live rates at O'Hare International Airport, from US$42/day. Change the dates to compare every partner.

3 days
Cheapest
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Midsize car · or similar

4.3
53Automatic
  • Open 24 hours
  • Instant confirmation
  • Full to Full
Routes

Routes

via Trip.com

US$42/day

≈ US$126 for 3 days

View deal
Nissan Rogue

Nissan Rogue

Intermediate SUV · or similar

4.3
54Automatic
  • Open 24 hours
  • Instant confirmation
  • Full to Full
Routes

Routes

via Trip.com

US$44/day

≈ US$132 for 3 days

View deal
Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax

Small SUV · or similar

9.2
53Automatic
  • Under 1 year
  • Instant confirmation
  • Unlimited mileage
Thrifty

Thrifty

via Trip.com

US$67/day

≈ US$201 for 3 days

View deal
Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet Blazer

Standard SUV · or similar

9.1
55Automatic
  • Under 1 year
  • Instant confirmation
  • Unlimited mileage
Hertz

Hertz

via Trip.com

US$67/day

≈ US$201 for 3 days

View deal
See all 36 cars and 5 partners

Compare car & bike rentals for Chicago

5 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

QEEQ

Best for: Lowest price search

Cars · Worldwide

Low-price search

Economybookings

Best for: All-inclusive pricing

Cars · 30,000+ locations

No hidden fees

GetRentacar

Best for: Flexible bookings

Cars · 10,000+ locations

from $40/day

Free cancellation

Trip.com

Best for: Big-brand airport rentals

Cars · Worldwide airports

Free cancellation on most cars

Localrent

Best for: Islands & local deals

Cars · Europe, Asia & islands

Local prices

Find the cheapest eSIM for Chicago

Real plan prices from each brand, cheapest first, for plans that last your whole trip.

Prices checked under 1h ago on each brand's site. Prices may change at checkout.

Chicago travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Chicago?

The most popular Chicago experiences are skip-the-line attraction tickets, guided city tours and day trips. You can book them above with instant mobile tickets from trusted partners like Tiqets and Klook — no printing required.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Chicago?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to reach your Chicago hotel. You'll find fixed-price, meet-and-greet airport transfers in the section above, so there's no haggling with taxis when you land.

When is the best time to visit Chicago?

Chicago rewards visitors year-round, but the shoulder-season months usually offer the best mix of pleasant weather, thinner crowds and lower prices. Compare live hotel and flight prices above to find the cheapest dates for your trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Chicago?

Visa rules depend on your nationality and how long you stay, so always check your government's official travel advice before booking. Many travellers can enter visa-free or with a quick electronic authorisation.

How many days should I spend in Chicago?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days in Chicago to see the highlights without rushing. Booking your tours and transfers in advance helps you make the most of every day on the ground.

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