Things to do in Illinois

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A busy city street with tall buildings, a bus, and cars.
Silhouettes of people against a cityscape at night.
Two skyscrapers surrounded by clouds.
A natural cave with a small pond and lush greenery.
A waterfront building with a sign reading "Water Street."

Illinois Attractions

Discover what makes Illinois tick with the very best tours & day trips. Check out our top {424 fun activities in Illinois fun activities in Illinois}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Things to do

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

$22
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Regular & Express Ticket

Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket

$25
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Chicago: Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

$41
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour
cruise ship sailing past navy pier in chicago

City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Premier Dinner Cruise

$174
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Premier Dinner Cruise
Chicago: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Ticket

Chicago: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Ticket

$26
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Chicago: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Ticket
See all activities in Illinois

Most popular activities in Illinois

Tours & day trips

See all 332 activities
Architecture River Tour

Architecture River Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.6 out of 10 with 1563 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $39 per adult
Architecture River TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 86 activities
Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West Tour

Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West Tour

Activity duration is 9 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 44 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $125 per traveler*
Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 51 activities
City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

Activity duration is 2 hours
6.8 out of 10 with 22 reviews
Price is $63 per adult
City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake MichiganOpens in new tab

Classes & workshops

See all 33 activities
Chicago: BYOB Spray Paint and Sip Workshop

Chicago: BYOB Spray Paint and Sip Workshop

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $40 per adult
Chicago: BYOB Spray Paint and Sip WorkshopOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 27 activities
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

Activity duration is 2 hours
8.6 out of 10 with 728 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $30 per adult
360 CHICAGO Observation DeckOpens in new tab

What to do in Illinois

Free Things to Do in Illinois

Vacationing on a limited budget in Illinois? Spend time instead of cash on fabulous experiences.

Luthy Botanical Garden - Recharge your body, mind and soul by spending time in nature.

Things to Do in Illinois with Kids

There's fun for all the family no matter where you wander in Illinois. Here are a few family friendly experiences you can enjoy together that are sure to make your trip memorable:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Illinois? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Stay near popular Illinois attractions

An aerial view of a baseball stadium surrounded by urban buildings.
Photo by © City of Chicago
Open Photo by © City of Chicago

Wrigley Field

9.0/10 (11,704 reviews)
Tour the iconic grounds and catch a game March through September at Chicago’s beloved baseball stadium.
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Where to stay in Illinois

Find the best Illinois areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Illinois
Learn more about Illinois
A busy city street with tall buildings, a bus, and cars.

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views, and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

A historic castle-like building with intricate stonework and a paved walkway.

Magnificent Mile

Michigan Avenue and Chicago Water Tower are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Magnificent Mile. Travelers also love the fascinating museums, panoramic lake views, and popular shops.

A river with yellow boats, a bridge, and tall buildings.

The Loop

Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries.

A city street with a train passing overhead, cars, pedestrians, and a red brick building.

River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views, and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

A river with a city skyline in the background, surrounded by green trees and grass.

Lincoln Park

Known for its ample dining options and fantastic lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lincoln Park. You can visit top attractions like Lake Michigan and Lincoln Hall, and jump on the metro at Fullerton Station or Armitage Station to see more of the city.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Illinois

A large steel bridge over a river with a beach and roads on either side.

Burlington

A calm body of water, a sandy beach, and a forested area in the distance.

Cape Girardeau

A city skyline with modern skyscrapers and a river with boats and people in the foreground.

Chicago

A cityscape with a prominent clock tower, a large red building with a dome, and a river in the background.

Dubuque

A city square with a central monument, surrounding buildings, and a parking lot.

Decatur

A large industrial complex surrounded by dense forests and a river.

Danville

A historic building with green cornerstones and a star on the window.

Galesburg

A snow-capped mountain with a green foreground field and distant buildings.

Carbondale

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Illinois on a sunny day?
What to do in Illinois on a rainy day?
There's no need to squelch your way through a damp day when there are so many fantastic indoor activities like these to try:


What is Illinois famous for?
Get set to be busy with all of these big-name sights to cross off your checklist:

  • Wrigley Field
  • McCormick Place
  • Millennium Park
  • Willis Tower

What should I not miss in Illinois?
If you want to discover the best of this destination, pencil these attractions into your schedule:

  • Navy Pier
  • Soldier Field
  • United Center
  • Grant Park

Are there cheap things to do in Illinois?
What can you do in Illinois for free?
Your trip to Illinois needn't blow the budget with free attractions like these to discover:

  • Millennium Park
  • University of Chicago
  • Northwestern University
  • John Hancock Center

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