One must-visit for artists here is the Art Institute of Chicago. The museum and academic institution was founded by a group of artists back in 1879 and is now the second-largest art museum in the country. Inside, you’ll find over 300,000 works consisting of various creations from different eras. Some of the gems here include Georges Seurat's “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” Andy Warhol’s portrait of Elizabeth Taylor, as well as a vast collection of Medieval armory. Schedule your visit on a weekday to enjoy the displays sans the crowd.

Affectionately called The Bean, Cloud Gate is a public sculpture created by artist Sir Anish Kapoor. This unique piece of work nestled at the heart of Millenium Park is always on the list of top things to do in Chicago. It’s made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together with no visible seams, imitating a blob of liquid mercury. Aside from taking hundreds of photos with The Bean, make sure to walk under its 12ft arch and check out the “omphalos.” It’s a concave chamber where you can see twisted reflections of yourself!

A permanent fixture in the Chicago skyline is 875 North Michigan Avenue, or more popularly known as the John Hancock Center. The 100-story building is one of the highest skyscrapers in the country, with a measurement of 1,128ft. Although the structure is mostly used as an office and residential building, it also has an observatory on its 94th floor. Here, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Magnificent Mile district and beyond. To make your visit more exciting, try TILT, Chicago’s highest thrill ride.

If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago fit for kids, why not spend a day at Shedd Aquarium. Located in Lake Michigan, the aquarium takes care of over 32,000 animals, which you can all see through various zones. See green sea turtles up close at the Caribbean Reef, a school of piranhas at Amazon Rising, or say hi to the adorable beluga whales at Polar Play Zone. Schedule your visit as early as 9:00 am to get ahead of the queue or purchase a fast pass entry for a hassle-free day.

Perched on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago is not for the faint of heart. The observation deck offers stunning views not only of the city but extends up to 50 miles out! Add an extra thrill to your visit when you head to the Ledge, Skydeck’s glass box feature, for an exhilarating time. If you want to avoid the crowd and enjoy a totally different experience, visit the Skydeck in the evening, as it is one of the best things to do in Chicago at night.

Dubbed as Chicago’s front yard, Grant Park is another gorgeous oasis in the city located in the Loop area. The 319-acre green space contains some of the Windy City’s top attractions including, the Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, and the Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. A lot of Chicagoans head to Grant Park to unwind, relax, or even play baseball. Free events are also held here from time to time.

The Field Museum of Natural History, or just the Field Museum, is one of the best and most renowned natural history museums not only in Chicago but in the world. The museum opened back in 1893 to hold the collection of the World’s Columbian Exposition. Today, it houses over 30 million artifacts ranging from the mummies of Ancient Egypt to incredible gems from all over the world. The real star here, however, is SUE, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex discovered to date. The museum is quite popular so visit as early as you can.