Things to do in Central Chicago

Well over eight million visitors flock to Navy Pier every year, whiling away the Chicago days in the parks, shops and restaurants gathered on this expansive corner of Lake Michigan. The pier is open throughout the year, but it peaks in the summer when you can visit the open-air souvenir stalls and watch the weekly firework shows.

Soldier Field has been one of Chicago’s most well-known landmarks since its construction in 1924 and is the oldest NFL stadium in the country.

Get a sense of the culture and character of the Windy City by wandering along the Chicago Riverwalk. This scenic stretch of the city follows the banks of the Chicago River from near the edge of Lake Michigan through Downtown to where the river splits. As you follow the walkway, pass impressive bridges, fascinating museums and trendy dining spots.

McCormick Place is both the biggest convention center in Chicago and the biggest one anywhere in the U.S. This vast, sprawling complex is an impressive feat of architecture and engineering that was founded well over half a century ago. Attend an event here to get a sense of its incredible scale.

Set in 10 hectares of parkland in the central Loop area, Millennium Park is a popular destination for local Chicago folk and visitors, ideally situated close to other major attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Magnificent Mile. With so much space to wander and soak up the atmosphere, it is a perfect spot for a bit of biking or jogging. It’s also used as a site for many big concerts that come to the city.

Grant Park is one of Chicago’s most loved and diverse public parks, with a host of family-friendly attractions and activities. It spreads across 319 acres (129 hectares) between Michigan Avenue and the banks of Lake Michigan. Grant Park is a scenic area blessed with everything from concert venues and museums to public art, statues and well-groomed lawns. Walk along wide tree-lined promenades dissecting the park.

The tallest building in the entire United States, towering over the Chicago skyline and rising to an incredible 440 metres, Willis Tower is one of the city’s foremost icons and the ideal place from which to observe the whole city and Lake Michigan beyond.

Home to almost 300,000 artworks spread across nearly 93,000 square metres of gallery space, the Art Institute of Chicago is a world-famous attraction for art lovers. To the east of downtown Chicago and just a block away from Lake Michigan, the gallery dates back to 1879 when it opened as a museum and school of fine arts. It wasn’t until 1893 that the institute moved to its present location, where you can still find the original building with its two bronze lion statues standing guard by the entrance.