Things to do in Chicago

The USA’s ‘Windy City’ in Illinois, Chicago, is located on the banks of Lake Michigan, a hop, skip and a jump from Canada. This makes it an obvious destination for Canadians whether it's a short city break to or as the starting point for a longer tour of the United States. As the fifth-largest city in North America, it’s as frenetic and exciting as New York or Toronto, but Chicago certainly has its own unique character. Consistently voted highly for its "Quality of Life", wide choice of attractions and year-round agreeable weather, it’s an obvious vacation choice.

Catch a game

Spectator sport is part of the very fabric of the city, making it the ultimate Chicago thing to do. Locals attend games with fervor, which are also played on screens in bars across the city. Whether you get tickets to the baseball to see the Cubs or White Sox, to the basketball to see the Bulls, hockey to see the Blackhawks or football to see the Bears, you’re in for a treat. Chicagoan sports fans are an impassioned bunch and will always show you a good time.

Get on the lake

Chicago lies on the banks of the vast Lake Michigan. The lake provides no end of outdoor activity including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, jet skis, paddle-boarding and even soaking up the sun on its sandy shores. Shoreline boat tours are a memorable way to view the city from the water, whilst a wealth of evening cruises offer a unique dining experience.

Ascend Willis Tower

At 442 metres high, Willis Tower (often referred to as Sears Tower) is Chicago's tallest skyscraper and number three in the US. In fact, for a long time, it was the tallest building in the world. Two observation decks are located at floors 99 and 103, each offering unforgettable views across the city, Lake Michigan and on a good day, even beyond Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. On a windy day, you may even feel the tower sway in the wind!

Grab a slice of pizza pie

It would be sacrilege to visit Chicago and not enjoy some of the city’s famous pizza pie. Italian immigration in the 20th century bought pizza, and whilst the New Yorkers made it thick and fluffy, in Chicago they took pizza to the extreme and developed it into a pie. In a Chicago pizza pie, a butter pie crust is filled with zesty tomato sauce and generous toppings.

It’s important to remember that pizza isn’t the only food you should sample during your trip to Chicago. Other unique Chicagoan food includes Italian Beef Sandwich, Chicago Hot Dog, and Saganaki (flambéed Greek cheese). You can also enjoy food from around the world thanks to the city’s cosmopolitan population; start with Mexican for breakfast, Puerto Rican for lunch, Vietnamese for dinner and round the night off with a late-night Greek gyro.

Raise the Green Flag

Chicago has the most significant Irish ancestry in the United States, following waves of immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, both the North and South Sides are home to a great number of Irish bars where you can sip a pint of Guinness and enjoy the craic. If you’re lucky enough to visit around St Patrick’s Day, you can really celebrate in style. Celebrations even out-do those in Dublin, with huge street parades and the dying-green of the Chicago River.

Art, Architecture and History

Chicago is both a historic city and a skyscraper mecca, making for an eclectic architectural experience. The Downtown ‘Loop’ area is lined with steel and glass behemoths from names such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan and also dotted with some of the city’s most historic and resplendent buildings.

Chicago is also an art lover’s paradise. Top museums include Art Institute, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Mexican Art, and the lesser-known Intuit Gallery.

Rock out at a festival

Chicago plays host to hundreds of music festivals every year. Many of these take place in summer and are some of the most popular in North America including the Lollapalooza Festival, Pitchfork Festival, and Gospel Fest.

Even if you miss a festival there is no end of musical delights in the city that gave birth to House Music, Chicago Blues, Chi-Town Hip-Hop, Chicago-Style Jazz, Chicago Indie, Soft Soul and Industrial Music. Why not check out the BudgetAir hotel + flight holiday deals to Chicago and start planning your vacation right away. They'll ensure a great deal so you've got more to spend on gig tickets and pizza pie.

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa Replica

Chicago is also home to a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! It is only 15 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, so when your flight lands, be sure to check out the Leaning Tower!