Chicago is a veritable tourist’s paradise of activities, attractions, and fun events for all to enjoy! For National Tourist Appreciation Day, we’ve rounded up our favorite places to go and things to do in Chicago. Whether you’re an art appreciator, a trail walker, or a theatre fan, there’s something for everyone in the Windy City!

Gardens

Garfield Park Conservatory

This enormous Garfield Park greenhouse provides a home for some 600 species of plants (most of which aren’t indigenous to the region) and is one of the largest conservatories in the United States. You won’t want to miss the lush foliage and gigantic trees that fill the Palm House, or the prehistoric beauty of the Fern Room, designed to show you what Illinois may have looked like millions of years in the past. In the warmer months, be sure to make time to explore the sprawling outdoor gardens.

Japanese Garden at Jackson Park

This picturesque garden, also known as the Garden of the Phoenix or the Osaka Garden, is based upon the original Ho-o-den or Phoenix Temple pavilion that was gifted to Chicago by the Japanese Government in 1893 as for the World's Columbian Exposition. Over a century later, this pavilion has been restored and an expansive Japanese garden that is famous for its springtime cherry tree blossoms. Visit the garden between late April and Early may to see the peak blooming period of these beautiful flowers!

Chicago Botanic Garden

This perfectly-landscaped experience features 385 acres and 26 lush gardens to explore in every season. With waterfalls, tours by train, an English Walled Garden with hidden rooms, cross bridges spanning the stunning water features, art exhibitions, and more, this botanical marvel can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Art

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

The MCA Chicago is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary art, founded in 1967 with the mission to exhibit new and experimental work in all media. In 1974, the MCA expanded its mission to include collecting and preserving contemporary art for future generations with the inauguration of a collection that has grown to include more than 2,000 works. The MCA engages audiences of today and tomorrow, working closely with our community to create space for dialogue, learning, and growth.

Art Institute of Chicago

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of art pieces from across places, cultures, and time. It is home to more than 300,000 pieces of art, including an impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces, as well as thousands of sculptures, objects, and paintings from ancient Europe, Asia, and early America, as well as a wide range of contemporary and modern art .

Intuit: Center For Outsider Art

Founded in 1991, Intuit is a premier museum of outsider and self-taught art, defined as work created by artists who faced marginalization, overcame personal odds to make their artwork, or who didn’t, or sometimes couldn’t, follow a traditional path of art making, often using materials at hand to realize their artistic vision. By presenting a diversity of artistic voices, Intuit builds a bridge from art to audience. The museum’s mission—to celebrate the power of outsider art—is grounded in the ethos that powerful art can be found in unexpected places and  made by unexpected creators. 

Tours & Trails

Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard the only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center, which offers visitors the city’s most engaging architectural tour experience. Highly trained and enthusiastic guides provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago's numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city. This relaxing experience is one of the best ways for tourists to see Chicago.

The 606 Trail

An abandoned railway has been given new life on Chicago’s west side. The 606 is an 2.7-mile elevated park and trail that was built on what was once an industrial train line. Today, the popular trail features a chain of street-level parks, scenic look-out points, and public art installations. Officially called the Bloomingdale trail, the 606 trail features a host of must-see spots along the path which include the Exelon Observatory, Julia de Burgos Park, Damen Arts Plaza, and more.

Lakefront Trail

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail welcomes residents and visitors from around the City. It extends from Ardmore Street (5800 N. Sheridan Rd) on the north side to 71st Street (7100 S. South Shore Drive) on the south side, traversing a number of stunning lakefront neighborhoods. This trail can be traversed by walking, biking, and even rollerblading, and connects to many of Chicago’s popular beaches, parks, and other destinations including Grant Park, North Avenue Beach, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and more.

Entertainment

Green Mill

This Art Deco-style jazz club in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood has a storied speakeasy past from the days of prohibition. Sit back and listen to some of the best jazz and cabaret music in the city at this elegant club that served as one of the locations for the hit film, High Fidelity. The Green Mill was patterned after Clark Monroe's Uptown House in Harlem as it was during the 40's. Uniquely comfortable to all audiences, the magic of the Mill is that the audience co-mingles in its mutual respect for the music.

Music Box Theater

Built in 1929, Chicago’s Music Box Theater has been operating continuously as an art-house and repertory cinema since the early 1980s. Music Box Theater is Chicago’s go-to venue for independent, foreign, cult, and classic films, and is famous for its dedication to the classic roaring ‘20’s theater experience. This historic and magical piece of Chicago history is not to be missed on your next trip to Chicagoland.

Steppenwolf Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater—redefining the landscape of acting and performance. Co-founded by actors Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry in 1976, the ensemble has grown to over 50 members who are among the top actors, directors and playwrights in the field. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces and offers a young adults season in addition to its main stage season.

Food, Brews, & More

To cap off our guide to the best tourist spots in the city, we want to leave you with a treasure trove of great food and even better drinks to make your stay in the Windy City truly magical! Check them out below:

Restaurants

As of 2022, there are 23 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city from culinary styles across the globe!

Craft Beer

Our city has been dubbed the craft beer capital of the world, with over 160 breweries (and counting) within the city limits!

Coffee

With 30+ roasteries and countless coffee counters to try them in, Chicago is every coffee lover’s dream.

Spirits

Chicago’s 9 liquor and spirit distilleries are the best place to find a great cocktail and learn the tricks of the liquor trade. Cheers!

Happy National Tourist Appreciation day, and have fun exploring all that Chicago has to offer!