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If your feet are feeling a bit tired from all the walking, you can enjoy the spectacular Chicago architecture on this fantastic river cruise instead. If you don’t have breakfast included at your hotel, I highly advise you to start day two off at Yolk’s South Loop location. Before visiting, I recommend checking out their website first to look at the experiences, permanent exhibits and tours to think about what you want to see. This is the largest indoor aquarium in the world and not to be missed when visiting Chicago. Housing more than 8,000 aquatic animals, you can easily spend two hours (or more) exploring all the exhibits. For this downtown Chicago itinerary, I recommend using the city’s public transit.
How many days do you need in Chicago?
If you got the CityPASS, your admission is included in all three, unless you hit the Art Institute on day one. If you’ve got the pass, you might as well hit the aquarium as well. To celebrate making it through a massive day 1 of the Chicago itinerary, it’s time for dinner and drinks!
Millennium Park and The Bean
If you’re interested in learning about science, I recommend visiting Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, which is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. The best time to visit the Field Museum is on weekdays or early weekend mornings right when they open. Sit down for dinner at one of Chicago’s popular deep dish pizza restaurants. There are plenty of places to enjoy this but my favorites are Lou Malnati’s and Giordano. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes – this is a must when visiting Chicago since you’ll be walking around a lot. Simply show your mobile pass at each place to skip the long ticket lines and start your sightseeing adventure.
Shoreline Architecture River Tours
Some locals consider Navy Pier a bit of a tourist trap, but it is a not to missed attraction especially for those visiting Chicago with kids. Navy Pier is also the starting point for various sightseeing cruises and boat rides. Take in Chicago’s iconic skyline and the scenic Chicago River with sightseeing cruises at Navy Pier!
View All 3-Day & 4-Day Cruises
Restaurants and bars open their rooftops and sidewalk patios so you can dine outside. The temperature in the summer is usually hot but not unbearable (but some days can be very hot and muggy). No matter which coast you’re on, you don’t need a lot of days off to enjoy a short weekend getaway.
Host Your Group Event on the Water
Since it’s one of the most popular attractions in Chicago, I recommend heading there first thing in the morning right when it opens (usually around 8.30 am – 9 am). It’s also advisable to book your tickets in advance so you don’t lose any time waiting in the line. To truly make the most out of your 3 days in Chicago, you’ll want to head up to Skydeck Chicago during your visit.
Days in Chicago: Everything You Should Know
35+ romantic spots for Valentine's Day dinner in Chicago - Choose Chicago
35+ romantic spots for Valentine's Day dinner in Chicago.
Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
In the winter, there is a free ice skating rink right in front of the park. On hot summer days, kids (and some adults) love to splash in the water from the Crown Fountain. It is one of the most instagrammable places in Chicago and it is a great spot to take photos to remember your trip to Chicago. The Bean is usually crowded especially in the summer and on weekends so if you don’t want other people in your photos visit early in the morning. If you are visiting Chicago in the summer, you can do a longer combined architecture river and lake cruise to see the skyline from the lake as well. When you dine on Like Michigan, every table is the best in the house.
Beyond family ties, Chicago also holds a very special place in our heart as it was the first trip we went on as a couple. We have now been there twice together and have loved every second we have spent in the beautiful city. After a long day of exploring, eating at Portillo’s Hot Dogs is the best (and tastiest) way to refuel. This Chicago born-chain is famous for its juicy hot dogs, tasty burgers, and delicious chocolate cake. They even have vegan hot dogs so they cater to every dietary requirement.
Visit anytime throughout the year, but remember, Chicago winters can be rather brutal. You may want to forgo any outdoor activities unless you are a huge fan of biting winds and frigid temps. You can easily look for indoor rainy day activities to add to your itinerary instead of outdoor activities if you run into days with snow or rain.
Expedited Entry admission is included when you purchase the Chicago CityPASS. Once activated, your pass is valid for 9 consecutive days, so there’s no need to rush through each attraction. With the Chicago CityPASS, you can save time, money, and enjoy stress-free sightseeing.
Chicago has many great museums which are worth visiting but my top pick is the Art Institute of Chicago conveniently located next to Millennium Park. It is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines). An alternative to a river cruise is to take a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk.
Navy Pier’s brunch, lunch and dinner cruises pair world-class cuisine with panoramic views of the city and lakefront. They have several different options for both private and dorm rooms. From Navy Pier, to Millennium Park, the Chicago riverwalk, the famous Chicago hot dogs and more, visiting Chicago is never dull.
Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. Bustling Nassau offers an impressive range of activities for every taste. Admire the stately Georgian architecture and 18th-century Fort Montagu. Bask under the palms on Blue Lagoon Island, or drift amid rainbow-colored shoals of fish at Pearl Island. You could even join a watercolor class to capture the brilliant white, aquamarine, and sapphire-blue colors surrounding you.
