Why go
- Most populous city in Illinois, US.
- 5 curated must-see attractions on record, including Wrigley Field.
- 1 hand-picked place to stay.
- 4 recommended spots to eat and drink.
- Served by Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
History
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approximately 9.62 million residents according to the 2020 census and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Chicago is the county seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Outdoor
Where to stay
Lobby entrance on, 636 South Michigan Avenue, E Balbo Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Eat & drink
Restaurant
Restaurant — 300 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
Restaurant — 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
Restaurant — 161 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661
Airports
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) 16 mi to the centre
Chicago, IL, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 46 airlines (United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 206 destinations incl. Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, London, Duesseldorf… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 46 airlines, 206 direct destinations
- United Airlines UA (ERJ, CRJ, A320, 737-800, A319, CRJ-700…) · 161 routes: Akron*, Albany, Albuquerque*, Allentown*, Amsterdam, Anchorage, Appleton*, Asheville*, Atlanta*, Atlantic City*, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing, Bentonville*, Birmingham*, Boise*, Boston, Bozeman*, Brussels, Buffalo, Burlington*, Calgary, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Charleston*, Charleston*, Charlotte, Cincinnati*, Cleveland, Colorado Springs*, Columbia*, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth, Dayton*, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, Duluth* … +121 more
- American Airlines AA (ERJ-145, ERD, 737-800, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, M83…) · 124 routes: Abu Dhabi*, Albuquerque*, Amman*, Atlanta*, Austin, Baltimore*, Beijing, Bentonville*, Berlin*, Bloomington*, Boston, Buffalo*, Calgary, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Champaign*, Charlotte, Charlottesville VA*, Chattanooga*, Cincinnati*, Cleveland*, Columbia*, Columbus*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Dayton*, Denver, Des Moines*, Detroit*, Doha, Dublin, Dubuque IA*, Duesseldorf, El Paso*, Evansville*, Fargo*, Flint*, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Wayne*, Grand Rapids* … +84 more
- US Airways US (ERJ-145, ERD, 737-800, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, M83…) · 118 routes: Albuquerque*, Amman, Atlanta*, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing, Bentonville, Bloomington*, Boston, Buffalo*, Cancun, Cedar Rapids*, Champaign, Charlotte, Charlottesville VA*, Chattanooga*, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Dublin, Dubuque IA*, Duesseldorf, El Paso*, Evansville*, Fargo*, Flint*, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Wayne*, Grand Rapids*, Green Bay*, Gwinn*, Harrisburg*, Houston … +78 more
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ-900, A319, A330-200, 717, 737, MD-88…) · 17 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta, Calgary*, Cincinnati, Detroit, Guadalajara, London*, Memphis*, Mexico City, Minneapolis, New York*, New York*, Paris, Rome, Salt Lake City*, Seoul*, Vancouver*
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 15 routes: Atlantic City, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Myrtle Beach, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Tampa
- Air Canada AC (ERJ, CRJ-700, CRJ, A319, A320, 737…) · 12 routes: Calgary*, Edmonton*, Halifax*, London*, Montreal, New Orleans*, Ottawa*, Quebec*, Regina*, Toronto, Vancouver*, Winnipeg*
- British Airways BA (767-300, Embraer 175, A330-300, 747-400, 777, CRJ-700…) · 9 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, London, Madrid*, Manchester*, New Orleans*, Paris*, Rome*
- Iberia Airlines IB (767-300, A330-300, 747-400, 777, CRJ-700, Embraer 175) · 9 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin*, Duesseldorf*, London*, Madrid, Manchester*, New Orleans*, Paris*, Rome*
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, 737-800, 737-900, Embraer 175, 737-700, 73J) · 7 routes: Anchorage, Los Angeles*, New Orleans*, Portland, San Diego*, San Francisco*, Seattle
- Finnair AY (767-300, A330-300, 747-400, 777) · 7 routes: Dublin, Duesseldorf, London, Madrid, Manchester*, Paris*, Rome
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (767-300, A340-300, A340-600, 747-400, CRJ-700, Embraer 170…) · 7 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta*, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, London*, Munich, Paris*
- Etihad Airways EY (Embraer 175, 777-300ER, CRJ, EMJ) · 5 routes: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta*, Montreal*, New Orleans*, Toronto*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A320) · 4 routes: Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, San Jose Del Cabo
- Qatar Airways QR (737-800, CRJ-700, 777-300ER, Embraer 175) · 4 routes: Atlanta*, Doha, New Orleans*, New York*
- WestJet WS (737-700, CRJ, CRJ-700, Embraer 175, ERJ-145) · 4 routes: Calgary, Montreal*, Toronto*, Vancouver
- Aer Lingus EI (330, A330-200, CRJ-700, Embraer 170, ERJ) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Dublin, New Orleans*
- All Nippon Airways NH (A319, A320, 777, CRJ-700, ERJ, 777-300ER) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*, Tokyo
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (Embraer 175, 777-300) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*, Tokyo
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320, Embraer 190) · 3 routes: Boston, New York, San Juan
- Malaysia Airlines MH (767-300, 777, Embraer 175, CRJ-700) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Paris, Tokyo
- AeroMéxico AM (737) · 2 routes: Guadalajara, Mexico City
- Air Berlin AB (A330-200, 767-300) · 2 routes: Berlin, Duesseldorf*
- Air China CA (747-400, 777) · 2 routes: Beijing*, Shanghai*
- Air Choice One 3E (CNC) · 2 routes: Burlington, Decatur
- Air France AF (A330-200, 717, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Paris
- Alitalia AZ (330, A330-200, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Rome
- Asiana Airlines OZ (777-200, Embraer 170, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Seoul
- Cathay Pacific CX (CRJ-700, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Hong Kong
- Hainan Airlines HU (777, 787) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (A319, 717, 74M, MD-88) · 2 routes: Amsterdam, Atlanta*
- Qantas QF (Embraer 175, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, New Orleans*
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (A330-300, A340-300) · 2 routes: Copenhagen, Stockholm
- Virgin America VX (A320) · 2 routes: Los Angeles, San Francisco
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (A319, A340-300, 717, MD-88) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, London
- Air India Limited AI (777-300ER) · 1 route: Delhi
- Austrian Airlines OS (767-300) · 1 route: Vienna*
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (A319) · 1 route: San Salvador
- Brussels Airlines SN (777) · 1 route: Brussels*
- Cayman Airways KX (737-300) · 1 route: Georgetown
- Copa Airlines CM (737-800) · 1 route: Panama City
- Korean Air KE (777-200, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Seoul
- LOT Polish Airlines LO (787-8) · 1 route: Warsaw
- Royal Jordanian RJ (340) · 1 route: Amman
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A330-300) · 1 route: Zurich
- Turkish Airlines TK (330) · 1 route: Istanbul
- Volaris Y4 (A320) · 1 route: Mexico City
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Midway International Airport (MDW) 9.1 mi to the centre
Chicago, IL, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 9 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, Volaris, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 74 destinations incl. Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Detroit, Albany… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 9 airlines, 74 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-800, 737-800, 73C, 737-300) · 62 routes: Albany, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Branson, Buffalo, Charleston, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Greenville, Houston, Jackson, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Manchester NH, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Norfolk, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ontario, Orlando … +22 more
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-800, 737-700, 717, 737-800, 73C…) · 61 routes: Albany*, Albuquerque*, Atlanta, Austin*, Baltimore*, Birmingham*, Boston*, Buffalo*, Cancun, Charleston*, Charlotte*, Cleveland, Columbus*, Denver*, Des Moines*, Detroit*, Fort Myers, Greenville*, Houston*, Jackson*, Kansas City*, Las Vegas*, Little Rock*, Los Angeles*, Louisville*, Manchester NH*, Memphis*, Minneapolis*, Montego Bay, Nashville*, New Orleans*, New York*, Newark*, Norfolk*, Oakland*, Oklahoma City*, Omaha*, Ontario*, Orlando, Philadelphia* … +21 more
- Volaris Y4 (A319) · 4 routes: Del Bajio, Guadalajara, Morelia, Zacatecas
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ-700, CRJ-900, Embraer 175, A319, A320, 717…) · 3 routes: Atlanta, Detroit*, Minneapolis*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319, A320) · 3 routes: Denver, Trenton, Wilmington
- Air France AF (A319, A320, 717) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (A319, A320, 717) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Porter Airlines PD (Dash 8-400) · 1 route: Toronto
- Sun Country Airlines SY (737-800, 737-700) · 1 route: Minneapolis
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Gary Chicago International Airport (GYY) 21 mi to the centre
Gary, IN, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) 21 mi to the centre
Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Regional airports
Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) 75 mi to the centre
Milwaukee, WI, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 12 airlines (AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 30 destinations incl. Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Minneapolis… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 75 mi from Chicago · AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines · Getting around Milwaukee, Wisconsin →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 30 direct destinations
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 73C, 717, 737-700) · 19 routes: Atlanta, Baltimore*, Boston*, Cancun, Denver*, Fort Lauderdale*, Fort Myers*, Kansas City*, Las Vegas*, Los Angeles*, Minneapolis*, New Orleans*, Orlando*, Phoenix*, San Francisco*, Seattle*, St. Louis*, Tampa*, Washington
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 73C, 737-300, 717, 737-700, 737-800) · 19 routes: Atlanta*, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington*
- Delta Air Lines DL (MD-88, M90, A319, A320, 717, CRJ…) · 6 routes: Atlanta, Cincinnati*, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando
- American Airlines AA (CRJ, A319, A320, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, MD-80…) · 5 routes: Charlotte*, Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia*, Phoenix
- United Airlines UA (CRJ, ERJ, CRJ-700) · 5 routes: Chicago*, Cleveland*, Denver*, Houston*, Newark*
- US Airways US (CRJ, A319, A320, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, MD-80…) · 5 routes: Charlotte*, Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia*, Phoenix
- AeroMéxico AM (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Air Canada AC (CRJ) · 1 route: Toronto*
- Air France AF (MD-88, M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Alitalia AZ (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319, A320) · 1 route: Denver
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (MD-88, M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
South Bend International Airport (SBN) 69 mi to the centre
South Bend, IN, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 5 airlines (Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines…) · direct flights to 9 destinations incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Mesa… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 68 mi from Chicago · Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, Air France · Getting around South Bend, Indiana →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 9 direct destinations
- Allegiant Air G4 (MD-80, A320) · 5 routes: Las Vegas, Mesa, Punta Gorda, Sanford, St. Petersburg
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Detroit*, Minneapolis*
- Air France AF (CRJ) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (CRJ) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- United Airlines UA (CRJ-700, ERJ, CRJ, Embraer 170) · 1 route: Chicago*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Union Station/Willis Tower
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Shoreline Water Taxi
Monroe Harbor Tender Service
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Monroe Harbor
Wndella Tours - Riverwalk
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre
Buckingham Fountain
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Shoreline Water Taxi
Chicago Riverwalk
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Chicago Water Taxi
Ogilvie / Union (West Loop)
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Chicago Water Taxi
Buckingham Fountain - Museum Campus
Ferry route · Shoreline Sightseeing
Navy Pier - Michigan Avenue
Ferry route · Shoreline Water Taxis
Shoreline Water Taxis - Michigan Avenue to Navy Pier
Ferry route · Shoreline Sightseeing
Michigan Avenue - Ogilvie/Union
Ferry route · Chicago Water Taxi
Chicago Water Taxi - Michigan Avenue to Ogilvie/Union
Ferry route · Chicago Water Taxi
Michigan Avenue - Willis Tower / Union Station
Ferry route · Shoreline Sightseeing
Shoreline Water Taxis - Michigan Avenue to Willis Tower / Union Station
Ferry route · Shoreline Sightseeing
Shoreline Water Taxis - Navy Pier to Michigan Avenue / Willis Tower
Ferry route · Shoreline Sightseeing
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ORD has direct flights to 206 destinations on 46 airlines (incl. Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, London, Duesseldorf…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Union Station/Willis Tower, 0.6 mi); routes include Buckingham Fountain - Museum Campus, Navy Pier - Michigan Avenue, Shoreline Water Taxis - Michigan Avenue to Navy Pier.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Chicago, Illinois. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
L train, bus · The elevated and subway 'L' and city buses. · Fares: Ventra card or contactless · Airport: Blue Line from O'Hare, Orange Line from Midway
Bus · Illinois · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Bus · Gary, Indiana · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Jet card, charter · Partner fleet · Jet cards and on-demand charter from Boston.
Jet card · Partner fleet, light to heavy · One of the first jet-card programmes; guaranteed availability on partner aircraft.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350 · Fractional and jet card programme centred on the US Midwest and East.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing