Attractions
The Willis Tower is the country's tallest building at 1,454 feet (443 meters). An important stop on a full Chicago tour, it offers an enclosed skydeck observatory on the 103rd floor.
Hours of Operation
April - September
October - March
Open Close
9:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.
The Skydeck is open daily from 9am to 10pm
Founded in 1973, the CBOE revolutionized options trading by creating standardized, listed stock options. Trading takes place in this 45,000 square foot space with numerous technological advances. The CBOE now lists options on approximately 1,500 widely-traded stocks.
The CBOT visitor's gallery, historical exhibition and video presentation offer a fascinating glimpse at the trading enterprise system: the world's largest commodities futures trading market with 17,000 members.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is an international marketplace that brings together sellers of derivative products, which trade on our GLOBEX trading system and through privately negotiated transactions.
Navy Pier makes Chicago's top lakefront destination a one-stop entertainment venue. Includes a large-screen IMAX theater, Chicago Children's Museum, restaurants and retail shops, and access to boat rides and cruises.
Everyday
10:00 a. m.
10:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park Zoo, a 35 acre zoo in the heart of the city is the nation's oldest zoo. It houses 2,500 animals, birds and reptiles, representing 450 species. Zoo grounds open at 8:00 a.m. Zoo buildings open at 10:00 a.m. Call for closing times.
Located on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, the 24.5-acre park is an unprecedented center of world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design, where visitors can experience everything from interactive public art and ice skating to al fresco dining and classical music presentations.
Everyday
6:00 a. m.
11:00 p.m.
City Tours
Cruise up and down the Chicago River with a guided tour of Chicago's world renowned architectural landmarks. Approximately 90 minutes in duration.
These architectural and historical boat cruises leave from the exclusive dock at River East Plaza (Illinois Street - lower level). Each 90-minute cruise is fully narrated by a professional docent, and offers complimentary refreshments. The architectural cruise has a capacity of 180 and includes the main, north and south branches of the Chicago River, and is available from May 1st to October 31st. The Historical cruise has a capacity of 55 and includes Lake Michigan and portions of the Chicago River. This cruise is offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All tours run on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., seven days a week during availability periods. Hours are 8:00 a..m. to 5:30 p.m. (may to October) and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (November to April).
Theater / Performing Arts
Designated by Daniel Burnham and built in 1904 in the beaux-arts style, the Symphony Center was renovated and reopened in the fall of 1997. The theatre houses the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which has been active since 1980 and is internationally recognized.
The Opera House, constructed at the height of the depression, underwent extensive renovations and was purchased by the Lyric Opera Company in 1993. Excellent acoustics and sightlines are highlights of this 3,563 seat auditorium.
Founded in 1926, the Goodman Theater presents some of the best live performances in the country. This theatre was the recipient of the 1992 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.
The Shubert Theatre opened in 1906 and became a Chicago landmark. The Shubert stage has become home to an astounding array of classic plays and musicals.
The Palace Theatre opened in 1926 and was beautifully renovated in 1999 and renamed the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Guests sit among breathtaking interiors to see numerous pre-Broadway hits and spectacular musicals.
Originally opened in 1926, this magnificent theater was spectacularly restored to its original grandeur in 1997. This theatre is home to some of Chicago's best pre-Broadway productions and musicals.
Shakespeare Theater is home to the Shakespeare Repertory Company. This intimate space provides a comfortable venue for productions of Shakespeare and other great playwrights.
This is a very popular concert venue that has a mainstage and a second stage. The House of Blues offers an excellent Gospel Brunch with great food and a live Gospel Choir.
Sporting & Concert Venues
Built in 1924, Soldier Field is home to the Chicago Bears (football) and the Chicago Fire (soccer). Ask the Club's concierge about game and concert tickets and box seats.
United Center is a state-of-the-art sports arena that is home to the Chicago Bulls (basketball) and Chicago Blackhawks (hockey). This indoor venue also hosts major concerts.
Built in the 1990's as a replacement for the original Comiskey Park, this baseball stadium is the home of the Chicago White Sox. Ask our theater and event ticket service for information on tickets.
A Chicago landmark since 1914, this classic ballpark is home of the Chicago Cubs. Ask our theater and event ticket service for information on tickets.
Opened in 1927, and recently renovated, Arlington is an institution in horseracing. The grounds provide an environment of elegance for viewing major horseracing events.
Shopping
State Street
Dating back to the 1800's this famous street is home to Macy's, Sears, New York & Company, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, Target, Block 37, Anthropologie, Puma AG, Zara and more. On January 12, 2012, Walgreens's opened a flagship location at Randolph Street.
Magnificent Mile / Michigan Avenue
The Magnificent Mile is a glittering stretch of shopping on Michigan Avenue with such stores as Chanel, Gucci, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Bvlgari, La Perla, and much more.....
Water Tower Place is in the heart of Michigan Avenue shopping. Glass elevators carry shoppers up to all seven of this vertical mall's floors and a waterfall tumbles alongside the main escalator. Boutiques are open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; department stores are open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
900 N. Michigan Shopping Centre
This six floor vertical mall is filled with exclusive retailers such as Bloomingdales, Gucci, Max Mara, Williams Sonoma, Mark Shale, as well as restaurants and more...
Art / Museums
The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the four great such museums in the world. It's a magical place with animal exhibits including dinosaurs, gems and the world's largest collection of anthropological art from the Pacific Islands.
Everyday
9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
Among the nation's best art museums, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the world's largest and finest collections of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Works by El Greco, Renoir, Picasso, Dali, Van Gogh, Seurat and Monet are displayed.
Mon., Wed, Thurs, Fri.
10:30 a.m.
4:30 p.m.
The Adler Planetarium offers three floors of exhibits on space exploration, navigation and astronomy.
The John Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium. There are 4,500 underwater creatures representing 500 species, houses in six fresh and saltwater tanks.
Weekdays / Holidays
The Museum of Science & Industry offers 2,000 displays in 75 exhibit halls, designed to illustrate the impact of science.
Monday - Friday
Saturday / Sunday
9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a showcase for avant garde art, both visual and performing.