When people mention America, Chicago is one of the cities that rush to their minds due to its majestic tourist attractions which will take you away. Its diverse culture gets you to have an exclusive experience of world-class museums, architectural sites and intriguing adventures with family and friends. Something not to be missed. It has the heart of the nation’s attractions; hence we have made this article for you so that it will be easy to navigate through Chicago in 3 days whilst getting the fun-filled experience.
An all tourist attractions city as it offers entertainment, deep-rooted culture and science come to life. These attractions are rooted in the city of Chicago and with the rapid change of weather in Chicago, outdoor and indoor activities, detailed in this article. Have a distinctive element of happiness and enjoy the wonders of the big city with warm-hearted locals.
DAY 1
Table Of Contents
The Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Chicago Tour
This perfect attraction to kickstart your day in Chicago. The Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour will tour you around amazing landscapes, famous attractions and the tour guide will educate you with detailed facts about the City day to day happenings and lifestyle.
It’s a fun way to get oriented about the city whilst browsing through it before touring it on your own. The bus will travel you to a few places such as the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and to mention a few. This bus can be your transport to get to the nearest attraction of choice, but the traffic could take your time due to the city packed with people.
The bus tour takes 2 hours, always collect your ticket from the Big bus admission desk before boarding the bus.
The Shedd Aquarium
Let your next attraction be the Chicago’s Museum Campus and visit its rare gem – the Shedd Aquarium. It houses up to 32,000 incredible and rare creatures from a range of diversified habitats, Shedd is the best aquariums in the country as it attracts people from all walks of life.
The famous exhibits include “Waters of the World,” “Caribbean Reef,” “Amazon Rising,” “Abbott Oceanarium,” “Wild Reef,” and the “Polar Play Zone.” A fantastic way to spend the day getting amazed by the essence of beautiful creatures. The “Underwater Beauty” is a new Venture you should explore at the aquarium. People are allowed to be up close and get connected with the animals at a free price. Exciting, isn’t it?
However, an additional fee if you have the urge to see the rare species of the penguin, sea otter and a beluga whale. Book a reservation before the tour for at least 2-3 hours and avoid unnecessary disappointments of getting to spend a few mins at the Shedd aquarium.
Magnificent Mile (free!)
Take the next tour step to Michigan Avenue, famously known as the Magnificent Mile which is equipped by fun activities and is free. There’s a nearby boatload of shopping around, inclusive of affordable and high-class fashion boutiques to quench your runway fashion appetite.
Chicago Children’s Museum
The indoor tour of the Chicago-children’s-museum should be on the bucket list, situated on Navy Pier, famously known as the family favourite.
Furnished with interactive exhibits, dynamic displays, and educational fun, hence family fun that will get you hooked for hours. The featured presentations and areas are the “Dinosaur Expedition,” and the “Tinkering Lab,”. The Getting In the Chicago Children’s Museum tickets is inclusive with the Go Chicago Card.
The Chicago Field Museum
After a delicious lunch, stroll to the famous Chicago field museum and get acquainted with its originality of artefacts and unusual art objects.
The museum offers collections such as the famous T-Rex, SUE, the notorious Tsavo Lions, an extensive collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, a beautiful selection of gemstones and minerals, and the exciting “Underground Adventure” exhibit. Book for at least 1 or 2 hours to fully enjoy this attraction.
Adler-Planetarium
End your 1st day in Chicago at the Museum Campus Institutions as it has got a lot to offer from its nine exhibits to its theatres to its ancient Atwood Sphere experience, a place for family enjoyment.
Famous exhibits include the “Planet Explorers”, “Shoot for the Moon” and “Astronomy in Culture” definitely for science fanatics. An hour reservation will make your day worthwhile with this experience. The Adler Planetarium tickets are inclusive on the Go Chicago Card.
DAY 2
Chicago Theatre Tour
Get the indoor feel of the Chicago Theatre with its iconic performances by top-class actors in the world. The theatre, rooted with culture and heritage; hence a must visit the theatre in the country. On this tour, you will get to walk the stage that famous Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra played host. Isn’t enchanting it?
The walls, thoroughly soaked with autographs scribbled on them. The fantastic French Baroque interior is to die for as its beauty is intriguing. To get in the Chicago Theatre Tour tickets are inclusive on the Go Chicago Card.
Architecture River Cruise
Get enticed by the Outdoor experience of viewing the Chicago architecture by a river cruise. Have an early morning cruise on the Chicago River and get to be informed about the origins behind the iconic landscapes, skyline and colourful buildings in Chicago. As you cruise down the Chicago River, you will get the fantastic view of the Skidmore Owings Merrill, and Helmut Jahn, the Willis Tower, the Old Post Office Building and buildings by Mies van der Rohe.
Note that the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour tickets are inclusive on the Go Chicago Card.
360 CHICAGO
The famous 360 CHICAGO is a free sight deck of the legendary Hancock Tower, situated in the heart of Michigan Avenue. Don’t forget your camera and get the opportunity to understand the famous architecture in Chicago.Whilst on the over 1000 feet building, you’ll get 360-degree views of Lake Michigan, the city buildings with its people and the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel.
Book a 1-hour attraction tour, and you will have a thrill of a lifetime with scenery to die for. Note that the 360 CHICAGO tickets are inclusive on the Go Chicago Card.
DAY 3
The Skydeck Chicago
Wake up to an experience of a lifetime and visit SkyDeck Chicago at the Willis Tower. The 1,353 feet offers stunning views till the 103rd floor of the tower. On the 103rd floor, you will get to see the wonders of the city from its Museum Campus to Navy Pier and its Soldier Field.
Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture every piece of attraction you gaze upon at sight. To fully enjoy this scenery, reserve an hour for this attraction. To get in, in SkyDeck Chicago at Willis Tower tickets are included on the Go Chicago Card.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Thinking of seeing the artistic side breed in Chicago? Then the Chicago art museum will leave you breathless with its prestigious art collections. The Art Institute of Chicago houses collections of modernised and contemporary art, out of this world architectural designs and photography, Impressive painting and beautiful decorative arts.
Some of the most famous pieces at the Art Institute include the Chagall stained glass windows, Georgia O’Keeffe’s Black Cross, New Mexico, Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Matisse’s Bathers by a River. Reserve a 2 hours tour and you will have your heart melt for more hours. Do note that, if you want access to the Art Institute of Chicago, tickets are inclusive on the Go Chicago Card.
Millennium Park (free!)
Take a lazy stroll around the stunning urban green space where you will get a glimpse of the gorgeous Lime garden and the architectural Pritzker Pavilion. Explore the park’s iconic fine art to its Crown Fountain and its Cloud Gate sculpture. It offers breathtaking scenes.
Various famous events are held in this park from its live concerts to free yoga sessions to soothe the body and food fund activities—a place to make memorable memories. Get the adrenalin pumping for 1 hour and explore the park and it offers, also get to participate in any event, making memories imprint in your mind. It’s free to tour around Millennium Park, though additional activities may result in paying extra costs.
Places to stay whilst in Chicago
With the three day itinerary, stay in style by booking the whole most acceptable Flat worth $100, which is 7 minutes away from the beach. Try the family-friendly $95 per night house which is the Geraghty and is a few minutes away from the downtown market square.
The Spacious and luxurious Flat worth $305 per night will make you have a feel at home feel right under your travel.
Places to eat in Chicago
Chicago is well known for its mouth watering cuisines which are top class cuisines. Wake up to a fresh start with good coffee at Eggsperts Breakfast and Lunch Cafe as it’s menu will leave you begging for more. Have the romantic twist to food at the Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio, takeaway at Cafecito and hit the road back to the sites, we wouldn’t want to miss a soul of the moment on this tour or the locally sourced food at the Gage.
After a tiresome tour, fill up your rumbling tummy with good wine and salivary food at Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio, The Purple Pig Restaurant and the Publican.
Conclusion
Make the right choice and be part of the exquisite adventure in the heart of America. Travel and enjoy your stay in Chicago. We hope this article has enlightened you on what to expect and to budget well.