Friday, January 23, 2026

Places to Visit on Your First Trip to Chicago

Millions of fans will flock to this year’s Lollapalooza festival which will take place at Grant Park from July 28-31. For anyone who is visiting Chicago for the first time, below is a list of some of the spots to get a sense of this wonderful city.

If you will be traveling to Chicago for the first time, there are a lot ways you can enjoy it and make the most of it as best as you can. There is plenty there for the keen traveler to get involved in and to do if they are keen on doing so. Let’s take a look at what you might want to bear in mind if you are seeing Chicago for the first time.

Millennium Park Campus

One of the things that you might want to see when you are visiting Chicago for the first time is the Millennium Park Campus. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest artworks. Cloud Gate is a public work of art that you will definitely want to see here, but there are also other opportunities as well, and different exhibitions are happening here all the time. It’s absolutely something that you might want to think about if you are keen on seeing Chicago for the first time.

Dining Out

Chicago is a fantastic place to eat out too, which is great news for those travelers who are foodies. There are plenty of options for places to eat, with some of the best restaurants in Chicago being within the center and all easy to find within reach of one another. You will find a heavy Italian influence in the food culture here. Whether it’s a deep-dish pizza or a piled-high Portillo’s hot dog, Chicago is not going to disappoint.

Photo Credit: Chait Goli/Pexels.com

The Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is a great place to go if you just want to unwind and relax, after a busy day of eating and walking. If you are looking for somewhere to sip some wine in the sun, then you should definitely take a look at the Riverwalk at some point during your stay. You can also go kayaking in the river or view the largest projected artwork in the world. With so much to do here, it should definitely be part of your Chicago experience.

Chicago Museum Campus

Finally, for those who want to learn something and be entertained at the same time, you may want to consider the Museum Campus. The setting is beautiful, and you’ll get the chance to see a great museum, a planetarium and even an aquarium too.

Whether it’s a museum, deep-dish pizza or a music festival, the layers of Chicago are limitless. Enjoy the many attractions Chicago has to offer.

Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post.

Latest

Me Gusta Festival Drops Lineup feat. Sublime + Slightly Stoopid

Me Gusta Festival, presented by ALT 103.7 and powered...

Country’s Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100 — Celebrating a Century of Country Music History at The CMHOF

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is...

Exploring Door County’s Maritime Past: Inside the Door County Maritime Museum

When visiting the coast of Wisconsin, it only makes...

Don't miss

Me Gusta Festival Drops Lineup feat. Sublime + Slightly Stoopid

Me Gusta Festival, presented by ALT 103.7 and powered...

Country’s Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100 — Celebrating a Century of Country Music History at The CMHOF

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is...

Exploring Door County’s Maritime Past: Inside the Door County Maritime Museum

When visiting the coast of Wisconsin, it only makes...

The Opry Celebrates Dolly’s 80th Birthday with Opry Goes Dolly

Opry Goes Dolly, an evening celebrating Dolly Parton's 80th...
Amy Harris
Amy Harris is a writer and photographer who has been traveling for 20 years and flown over 2 million miles to visit over 80 countries on 6 continents. She is a freelance photographer for Invision by Associated Press, AP Images and Rex/Shutterstock. Her work can be seen in various publications and websites including: Rolling Stone, AP Images, National Geographic Books, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Forbes.com, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, JetStar magazine, and Delta Sky Magazine.

Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising — A Deep Dive Into America’s Most Influential Sound At The Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville has opened a landmark new exhibition, Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising, celebrating the legendary music...

Me Gusta Festival Drops Lineup feat. Sublime + Slightly Stoopid

Me Gusta Festival, presented by ALT 103.7 and powered by SMKFLWR, makes its debut on Saturday, May 9th in Fort Worth. The festival featuring...

Country’s Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100 — Celebrating a Century of Country Music History at The CMHOF

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is honoring one of the most legendary institutions in music history with its new exhibition, Country’s Grandest...