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With steely skyscrapers, top chefs, renowned museums and rocking festivals, the Windy City will blow you away with its multifaceted splendors.

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Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

Wrigley Field

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field – aka the Friendly Confines – is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues. It’s home to the Chicago Cubs and…

Museum of Science & Industry

The MSI is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere and a place to completely geek out. Highlights include a WWII German U-boat nestled in an…

Art Institute of Chicago

The second-largest art museum in the country, the Art Institute houses a treasure trove from around the globe. The collection of impressionist and…

Millennium Park

There's free admission to Millennium Park, the playful heart of the city. It shines with whimsical public art, both permanent and temporary exhibits, and…

Willis Tower

Willis Tower is Chicago's tallest building (and one of the world's loftiest). Breathe deeply during the ear-popping, 70-second elevator ride to the 103rd…

Field Museum of Natural History

The Field Museum houses some 30 million artifacts and includes everything but the kitchen sink – beetles, mummies, gemstones, Bushman the stuffed ape –…

Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX…

National Museum of Mexican Art

Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection…

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The 10 best things to do in chicago.

Chicago Magic Lounge

Hidden behind a wall of laundry machines is the secret entrance to Chicago's only purpose-built magic lounge. See amazing feats of prestidigitation seven…

Second City

Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and more honed their wit at this slick venue with nightly shows. The Mainstage and ETC stage host sketch revues …

Steppenwolf Theatre

Steppenwolf is Chicago’s top stage for quality, provocative theater productions. The Hollywood-heavy ensemble includes Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, Martha…

Lincoln Park

The park that gave the neighborhood its name is Chicago’s largest. Its 1200 acres stretch for 6 miles from North Ave north to Diversey Pkwy, where it…

Beatrix buzzes with business types, ladies who lunch and tourists staying at the attached hotel. Light-wood tables and mason jars full of seeds form the…

Rosa’s Lounge

Rosa’s is an unadorned, real-deal blues club that brings in top local talent and dedicated fans to a somewhat derelict Logan Square block. Get ready to…

Violet Hour

Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

This nouveau speakeasy isn’t marked, so look for the wood-paneled building with a full mural and a yellow light over the door. Inside, high-backed booths,…

Grant Achatz' West Loop restaurant remains one of the hottest tickets in town. And we mean it literally – you need a ticket to dine at Next, which…

Green Door Tavern

The Green Door, tucked in an 1872 building, is your place to mingle with locals over a beer and well-made burger amid old photos and memorabilia. During…

Palmer House Hilton

Palmer House has been around since 1875 and the lobby still has an awe-inspiring opulence – Tiffany chandeliers, marble pillars, ceiling frescoes – that…

Buddy Guy's Legends

Top local and national acts wail on the stage of local icon Buddy Guy. The man himself usually plays a series of shows in January; tickets go on sale in…

The top 22 free things to do in Chicago

Pritzker Pavilion

Pritzker Pavilion is Millennium Park's acoustically awesome band shell. Architect Frank Gehry designed it and gave it his trademark swooping silver…

Charnley-Persky House

While he was still working for Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright (who was 19 at the time) designed the 11-room Charnley-Persky House, which sparked a new…

TheMart, as the Merchandise Mart is now called, is the world’s largest commercial building. Spanning two city blocks, the 1931 behemoth has its own zip…

Signature Lounge

Take the elevator to the 96th floor of the building formerly called the John Hancock Center and order a (pricey) beverage while looking out over the city…

Stony Island Arts Bank

Artist-activist Theaster Gates bought a tumbledown bank building for $1 in Chicago's neglected South Shore neighborhood, and transformed it into a…

Maggie Daley Park

Families love this park’s fanciful, free playgrounds in all their enchanted-forest and pirate-themed glory. There’s also a rock-climbing wall, an 18-hole…

Lincoln Park Zoo

The zoo has been around since 1868 and is a local freebie favorite, filled with lions, zebras, snow monkeys and other exotic creatures in the shadow of…

Chicago Cultural Center

This exquisite, beaux-arts building began its life as the Chicago Public Library in 1897. Today the block-long structure houses terrific art exhibitions …

Garfield Park Conservatory

Built in 1907, these two acres under glass are a lovely spot to while away a few hours sauntering around rooms of palms, ferns, orchids and koi-filled…

Hometown indie bands, jazz combos and DJs rock this wee, arty bar most nights. There’s never a cover charge, but you’d be a schmuck if you didn’t order at…

Design Museum of Chicago

This small industrial space in the Block 37 mall puts on nifty free exhibitions about contemporary and historical design. The shows change every four…

Buckingham Fountain

Grant Park's centerpiece is one of the world's largest fountains, with a 1.5-million-gallon capacity and a 15-story-high spray. It lets loose on the hour…

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The Windy City may have endless delights to offer but that doesn't mean you need to stay in the city. Here are the 7 best day trips from Chicago.

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Chicago may be big on experiences, but that doesn't mean you have to fork over big bucks. Here are our tips for navigating the Windy City on a budget.

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Chicago is the US's third-largest city, but efficient public transportation makes it easy to explore. Get to know the Windy City on the L, Metra and buses.

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Chicago Maps

Coming to Chicago? Be prepared with our downloadable, printable map, highlighting everything you’ll want to see from the Shedd Aquarium, Wills Tower and the Navy Pier. All of the city’s major sites are depicted, so you can print it out ahead of time and mark up your desired sights.

Yes, we all have Google Maps on our phone your battery might run low after taking all those selfies. Using our handy downloadable PDF makes it easy to mark up your itinerary and have an overall view of the entire city—before you hit the streets.

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TOP 5 road trips in the USA

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A guide to the best things to do and attractions in Chicago

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Five great Hilton hotels in Chicago you should check out

Looking for somewhere to rest your head? These hotels are some of the Windy City’s finest

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Sometimes you just can’t get away

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Find the perfect spot to stay

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Our favorite sights in the city, featuring parks, museums, and hubs of arts and culture

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Where to stay in one of the most central locations in the city

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In town for a Bears game? Here's where to stay near Soldier Field.

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These hotels put you right next to the action in Wrigleyville

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The best hotels near the Lincoln Park Zoo, the lakefront and more

Explore Chicago neighborhoods

Logan Square

Gorgeous boulevards give way to a flury of restaurants, bars and nightlife in this popular niehgborhood.

Hyde Park is home to one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, as well as a great cultural scene.

Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park is a West Side neighborhood with no shortage of attractions.

Pilsen is one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in the city, with vibrant art, food, shopping and more.

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The best Italian restaurants in Chicago

If you're craving gnocchi, arancini, meatballs and tiramisu, you’ve come to the right place.

The most romantic restaurants in Chicago

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The best pizza joints in Chicago

Trying them all is a rite of passge that should top your list bucket list of things to do in Chicago.

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Chicago is a relaxed town, and that attitude extends to the fine dining scene.

The best late-night delivery restaurants in Chicago

We've got all your 2am hankerings covered.

Chicago museums

Art Institute of Chicago

You could spend the next four years getting to know this encyclopedic institution

Shedd Aquarium

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Museum of Contemporary Art

The MCA houses one of the largest collections of modern art in the nation and frequently hosts major touring exhibits

The Field Museum

See glowering dinos, marvel at artifacts from an Egyptian tomb, undergo a lesson in cannibalism or take a stroll through the Halls of Gems

Museum of Science and Industry

If you’re into exhibits loaded with interactive bells and whistles, this expansive Hyde Park locale is your ticket

Chicago History Museum

Explore a treasure trove of historical objects, including a chunk of the original Fort Dearborn

Chicago sports

Chicago Blackhawks guide

Our favorite players, where to eat and drink before a game, cool merch and more

Chicago Bulls guide

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Awesome Chicago Blackhawks gear for this season

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Restaurants and bars for before a United Center game

Before a Blackhawks or Bulls game, you'll need to fuel up

Best shops in Chicago

Find something for everyone at Chicago's best gift shops

The best gift shops in Chicago give you plenty of options for anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, the holidays or "just because."

Chicago's best shopping strolls

We curated four walkable adventures that are packed with distinctive shops.

The best spas in Chicago

We could all use more time to ourselves.

The best wine shops in Chicago

Yes, Chicago has a great beer scene, but sometimes you just want to end the day with a glass of vino.

Chicago's best music venues

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Whether you're a music geek or just want to air guitar to some solos, these 11 venues should be on your radar

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Our favorite spots for a sweaty night of dancing with friends and strangers

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If you want to boogie to the blues, these are the places to go

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Jazz is very much alive in Chicago, and there are plenty of places to see the city's hottest players

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A guide to runner packet pickup for 2024 Bank of America Chicago 13.1

A s runners prepare for the annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1 this weekend, there's something they'll need to do before they can hit the course: they must pick up their packets.

There will be two packet pick-up days in the city starting on Friday.

Packets can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 150 W. Roosevelt Rd.

 Runners should present their packet pick-up ticket to receive their packet.

For participants who cannot attend the scheduled pick-up hours, friends or family may pick up on their behalf by showing a copy of the runner’s packet pick-up ticket.

Questions about packet pick-up on race day can be sent to [email protected] .

The Chicago half marathon race steps off Sunday morning and will mean plenty of street closures and parking restrictions heading into the weekend.

Here's a look at the full schedule:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, June 7 Packet Pick-up

Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt)

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 8 Packet Pick-up Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

West Side Wellness Walk and Youth Events

Garfield Park

8:00 a.m. – West Side Wellness Walk bib pick-up begins

8:00 a.m. – Community tents open

8:45 a.m. – Pre-walk warm-up activity

9:00 a.m. – West Side Wellness Walk starts

10:00 a.m. – Youth events begin

11:00 a.m. – Youth events end

11:00 a.m. – Community tents close

Sunday, June 9 Race day

5:30 a.m. – Gear check opens

5:30 a.m. – Start corrals open

6:50 a.m. – Wheelchair start

6:50 a.m. – Start corrals close

7:00 a.m. – Race start

8:00 a.m. – Race Day Festival begins

11:00 a.m. – Drink ticket sales close

11:00 a.m. – Gear check closes

11:30 a.m. – Race Day Festival ends

Times subject to change

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A Guide to Northern-Lights Watching in the U.S.

Thanks to a peaking solar cycle, spectacular auroras will likely appear again in the lower 48 soon. Our expert’s advice will set you up for success to see them.

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In the decade I’ve been aurora-hunting around the globe, from the fjords of Greenland to the waterfalls of southern Iceland, never once did I expect to catch a strong and colorful overhead display of northern lights from my neighborhood park in light-polluted, low-latitude Cleveland.

But that’s just what happened during the dazzling aurora show from May 10 to 11, a surreal event that brought green, pink, and red auroras to nearly all 50 states (including Hawaii)—the result of the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, according to NASA . In fact, our current solar cycle is more powerful and active than first predicted; it’s sparking grander than anticipated aurora displays around the world, including many at lower latitudes in states like Colorado and Texas.

More dramatic nights of this nature in the lower 48 lights could be in store—and soon. According to space-weather experts, the predicted boom in aurora activity is only beginning.

Why is this happening now? Briefly: The sun runs through roughly 11-year stretches of activity, known as a solar cycle. Scientists now believe that this cycle’s peak—called the solar maximum—will likely happen in late 2024, continue through 2025, and potentially even into 2026. Last month’s show could be a mere preview of a busy aurora year ahead, and it’s keeping avid lower 48–based northern lights hunters, like me, on our toes. Want to join us?

Consider this your crash course in all things aurora chasing. I’m sharing my exact method for tracking these elusive lights in the contiguous U.S., with details on the best space-weather experts to follow and the top places to catch the spectacle.

How Auroras Work

First, to understand how to chase the northern lights, it’s important to know a bit of the science behind these occurances.

Storms on the sun’s surface, which present as dark sunspots, catalyze the lights we admire on earth. These weather events fling charged particles into the solar system as solar flares (quick bursts of light and radiation) and powerful coronal mass ejections, also known as CMEs (eruptions with billions of tons of plasma, which often include solar flares). When solar winds quickly push these particles in our direction, they hit earth’s atmosphere and react with gases like nitrogen and oxygen to create colorful ribbons of light, which usually congregate in auroral ovals around the north and south poles.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CMEs generate earth’s most significant geomagnetic storms—measured on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme)—which are associated with vibrant northern and southern lights. The major mid-May event we saw in the U.S. sparked from at least seven CMEs and numerous strong flares. Many of these CMEs simultaneously struck our atmosphere on May 10, causing the kind of G5 geomagnetic storm we haven’t seen since 2003, according to NASA . A dark sky, thanks largely to a dim waxing crescent moon, made the show even brighter

All that’s to say: Although last month’s event was rare, we could absolutely see this again, or several more times, throughout solar maximum. But you don’t need the solar storm of the decade to enjoy northern lights in the lower 48. I successfully caught a less talked about aurora show on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula just a few days before the historic mid-May show. Here’s how you can do the same.

Important Aurora-Tracking Numbers

If you’ve read any news blasts about potential aurora sightings, you’ve likely seen one measurement: Kp. This metric, which stands for planetary K index and runs from Kp0 (quiet) to Kp9 (strong), measures the severity of disturbances in earth’s magnetic field. I track Kp with the app SpaceWeatherLive and think of the index as the first step in aurora chasing; it can help you determine whether or not lights may appear from your viewing location. This NOAA map is particularly relevant:

I also use SpaceWeatherLive to monitor Bz, which indicates the magnetic orientation of solar winds. It’s more accurate for determining real-time lights probabilities, especially in the continental U.S. A negative Bz (anything below zero, such as -10nT), means the solar winds are more likely to latch onto earth’s magnetic field and create auroras. A rule of thumb: the more negative the Bz, the better your odds—and the likelier you are to spot them in lower latitudes.

Solar wind speed and density are also important, and shared in aurora apps, too. Quicker winds typically create stronger storms with eye-popping lights. Additionally, the higher the density of solar winds (e.g., the more charged particles), the brighter and more powerful the ribbons.

Another thing to keep in mind with aurora predictions is timing. It needs to be dark outside for visible auroras, yet the arrival of a CME is tough to pin down; sometimes they hit earth within a day, other times it takes several, according to NOAA . Predictions made days, or even hours, in advance are so-so, especially for chasers in the lower 48, since we need more things—ample storm strength and Bz, for example—to line up for a sighting. That’s why I’ve honed my own tracking system, which has resulted in multiple successful lower-48 chases each year for the past four years.

My Process for Tracking the Northern Lights in the Lower 48

1. download the right apps..

As I mentioned, I swear by SpaceWeatherLive , a free app that provides data on not just Kp, but Bz, solar wind speed, and density. I also receive alerts from the app following any solar flare or CME. Aurora Alerts also provides these measurements in an easy-to-understand visual format.

2. Next, look to the experts.

When I receive multiple alerts within a day or two (the pinging was nonstop in the lead-up to May 10), I turn to my favorite space-weather professionals for their expert analyses. Most share their insights on X (formerly Twitter), including Chris Wicklund , the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center , SpaceWeatherLive , and Space Weather Watch .

3. Use a dark-sky map to determine the best viewing location.

It’s unusual to have auroras sashay overhead in the contiguous U.S.; often the show is happening hundreds of miles away, near the poles, so any pillars you see are at a distance. In America, they appear closer to the northern horizon, so to see them you need a viewing spot with minimal north-horizon obstructions, like a large lake. ( Here are some ideal places to chase the northern lights in our  national parks —recommended perches included).

You also want a viewpoint that’s far from light pollution. Sure, during the powerful May 10 show, the aurora borealis was strong enough to break through artificial lights in places like Cleveland, but like everything about that strong storm, it was a rarity. Use this dark-sky map to find a spot that’s green or, better yet, blue or gray. Not only will this increase your odds, but it will offer locations where colors are more visible to the naked eye, as light pollution dilutes the vibrancy.

If aurora experts confirm the likelihood of lights, and I’m in a location where I could potentially see them, I prepare for a long night—blankets and snacks included.

4. Find a north-facing viewpoint or travel to a more northerly locale.

For potential light shows visible in my home city, Cleveland, I already have a few north-facing viewpoints I’ve scouted over the years. But more commonly I’m chasing lights during trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. During these getaways, I strategically book accommodations or campsites with north-facing views over a lake. That way I can easily roll out of bed or my sleeping bag to scout.

5. Find an online aurora interest group.

When it’s finally time for the lights—which can happen as soon as it’s dark, although NOAA says that between 10 P.M. to 2 A.M. are historically best—I head to the Great Lakes Aurora Hunters Facebook group (pending cell service). This online gathering unites over 80,000 lights chasers from the Midwest and beyond. Another more geographically widespread option is Northern Lights Alert , which includes enthusiasts from around the world. Members share real-time updates of what they’re seeing in the sky, and the excitement is contagious as the Bz dips negative. This community is also a great resource to keep tabs on what’s happening nearby or in a location with a similar latitude.

6. Put your phone camera to work as a spotting tool.

If I don’t have cell service or Wi-Fi, I use my iPhone camera to intermittently scout the horizon. Cameras, even those on smartphones, are more sensitive to color and light than our eyes. My iPhone picks up the lights before my eyes do. During some trips, I set my alarm to wake me up every hour for a test shot. This led to one of my all-time favorite shows during a backpacking trip on Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park .

7. Learn how to shoot nighttime photos.

I photograph auroras with mirrorless cameras, like the Sony A7R IV , known for its low-light prowess, as well as a wide-angle lens. A tripod is also essential for stabilization, since I need a long shutter speed— usually between two to ten seconds, depending on how quickly the auroras are moving—to let more light in. Shaky hands make the image blurry and out of focus. The latest smartphones are increasingly impressive during low-light situations, too. 

If you’re using an iPhone—the best cameras for this kind of shooting are on the iPhone 12 or newer iterations—night mode will automatically activate beneath a dark sky. Click the half-moon icon to turn the shutter to at least three seconds (or even better, ten seconds for a brighter photo). Keep the image crisp by setting your phone on a tripod or makeshift one. (For example, I took this Isle Royale time-lapse video by stabilizing my camera on a packing cube full of socks.) Finally, if you have it, make sure your iPhone’s raw mode is activated so you have more editing control. (Check out a quick aurora-photography tutorial here .)

I’ve been successfully chasing the northern lights in the lower 48 since 2020 using this tracking system. That said, nothing is guaranteed. If you really want to see the aurora borealis and have the means, I recommend traveling far north. From fall through spring, your odds of catching the lights are significantly higher in hot spots like Alaska, Iceland, or Norway, where aurora tours and lights-friendly accommodations abound. Plus, the intensity and colors are much more striking there, given the show usually happens right above your head.

If this sounds up your alley, here are some of my favorite places around the world to chase the northern lights.

Stephanie Vermillion is an adventure and astrotourism writer and the author of the upcoming National Geographic book 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark , out December 3.

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