What to Do
On a map, Chicago is vast, but on the ground it is manageable and friendly. The city is a patchwork of more than 70 neighborhoods, some of which are identified by ethnic heritage (Ukrainian Village, Chinatown, Little Italy), some by location (Lakeview, Wicker Park, Near South Side, Lawndale), and some by whim (Bucktown's residents used to keep goats, "bucks," in their yards). Together, the neighborhoods form the heart of Chicago's astonishing diversity.
With world-class museums and cultural attractions alongside thriving communities, Chicago provides something for everyone. Below we have provided links to just a small sampling of cultural, festival, and sport venues you may want to visit during your stay.
Choose Chicago
Things to Do
Weekly Events Calendar
Visitors Guide
Chicago's Cultural Scene
Adler Planetarium & Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago Architecture Center
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Gallery News
Chicago Historical Society
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
DuSable Museum of African American Art The Field Museum of Natural History
The Goodman Theatre
Hubbard Street Dance
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
International Film Festival
International Museum of Surgical Science
Joffrey Ballet
Lill Street Gallery
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lyric Opera
The National Museum of Mexican Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Museum of Science and Industry
Oak Park: Frank Lloyd Wright homes
Oriental Institute Museum (University of Chicago)
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, The Chicago Academy of Sciences
River North gallery district
Roger Brown Study Collection
Second City
Shedd Aquarium
Smart Museum of Art (University of Chicago)
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
West Loop galleries
Chicago Festivals
Black Harvest International Film Festival
Chicago Asian American Film Festival
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago Folk and Roots Festival
Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago Latino Film Festival
Irish American Heritage Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival
Printer's Row Book Fair
Taste of Chicago
Version Fest
Chicago Sports Teams
Chicago Bears (football)
Chicago Cubs (baseball)
Chicago White Sox (baseball)
Chicago Bulls (basketball)
Chicago Sky (basketball)
Chicago Blackhawks (hockey)
Chicago Wolves (hockey)
Chicago Fire (soccer)
