There are countless cool things to see, eat, and do in Chicago right now.
Updated on Oct 24, 2023 at 3:47 PM
Photo by Jaclyn Rivas for ThrillistPhoto by Jaclyn Rivas for Thrillist
All Time Greats is the ultimate city bucket list. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, consider this the essential guide to getting the most out of Chicago. Looking for events happening this weekend? Check out our Chicago weekend guide.
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Chicago is the rare city that really does have it all. It has all seasons, from the sweltering humidity of summer to the polar vortices of winter. It has towering skyscrapers and cozy brownstones. It has tasting menus and frills-free street food aplenty. It’s got world-class museums, Michelin stars, Taylor Swift-worthy stadiums, and the most iconic comedy club in the nation. And it has a whopping 77 neighborhoods (with a 78th on the way!), sprawled across 234 square miles of prime lakefront in northeast Illinois.
The third largest city in the country, a broad-shouldered behemoth that likes to compare itself to New York and flaunt itself as the metropolitan epicenter of the Midwest, Chicago undoubtedly boasts a lot to do, see, eat, and drink. Foodies could spend weeks eating their way through the West Loop alone, or hopping from rooftop bar to rooftop bar in the Loop and River North. Culture connoisseurs have a plethora of museums and live entertainment to choose from, year round. And tours here, whether a self-guided stroll on an urban trail or a cruise through an architectural Grand Canyon, offer a wealth of sights and experiences. In this ever-evolving town, it’s impossible to see all that Chicago has to offer, but this bucket list should offer a great introductory taste of what makes this city so great. Here are 18 of the all-time greatest things to do in Chicago.
Pequod’s Pizza | Photo by Jaclyn Rivas for Thrillist
Where to eat and drink in Chicago
Fulton Market
The Fulton Market portion of the West Loop has really calcified as the nexus of Chicago’s famed food scene. Here, throughout a warehouse district formerly dominated by wholesale meatpackers,
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