Top Illinois Attractions & Museums

Make the most of your visit to the Art Institute of Chicago with a local, Chicago-based company that knows the museum inside and out. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a beginner, this opportunity lets you learn about the museum and its pieces through the eyes of an art historian guide without the crowds. Enhance your visit by hearing the stories behind major works.

Discover one of downtown Chicago's highlight museums, and explore the works of leading artists across myriad media and genres, when you book tickets to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Choose from multiple entry times throughout the day, make your own way to the museum, and get ready to explore. Exhibitions are ever-changing, but you can expect to see works by artists the likes of Kara Walker, Jasper Johns, Cindy Sherman, and beyond.

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest American and Impressionist painting collections in the world, but it can be overwhelming to explore on your own. Remove the guesswork and maximize your time inside the museum on a private tour that covers major highlights by Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hopper, and others. Plus, there's no waiting to get inside, as the tour includes a skip-the-line ticket.

Voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience in America by USA Today readers in 2024, Color Factory Chicago celebrates the joy of color. Guests embark on a bright and colorful journey through 14+ immersive installations that inspire joy and human connection, expand boundaries of perception, encourage play, and engage the senses in unexpected ways. Fun for all ages, each visit includes surprise giveaways, sweet treats, and complimentary digital photos. From the lobby to the gift shop and every colorful moment in between, our spaces are as inclusive as they are dynamic and celebratory. Each room is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators. Jump into color with us! Please note: At least ONE person's ID must match the name on ONE ticket. If no one in your party has an ID matching the name on one ticket, you will not be allowed entry. Minors under the age of 18 will not be allowed inside without a parent or guardian.

Visit the Skydeck, located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), with ease thanks to this prebooked ticket option. Avoid long lines at the ticket office and enter directly to access the highest point in Chicago. Peruse interactive displays and exhibits showcasing Chicago's history. Then walk out on to the Ledge, a glass balcony that offers unimpeded views of Navy Pier and Wrigley Field.

Tower above the Windy City’s world-famous skyline with pre-booked admission to 360 Chicago—a great way to avoid long ticket lines. Ascend one of the tallest buildings in North America aboard its lightning-fast elevator, and be rewarded with bird’s-eye views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. You can also upgrade to the Sip and View ticket, which includes one drink at the newly renovated CloudBar. Once onsite, you can purchase tickets to TILT, 360 Chicago's top attraction.

Save time upon arrival to the Chicago Architecture Center; with prepaid tickets in hand, you won't have to wait in line at the box office. Your tickets guarantee your admission even on sold-out days. You'll get access to all the exhibits and galleries, including the Chicago model exhibit and a selection of rotating architecture exhibits.

The Field Museum of Natural History is one of Chicago’s most-visited museums—and this package deal offers a way to beat the crowds and see its top exhibitions without stress. Secure your tickets before you travel, arrive an hour before the galleries open to the public, and explore in the company of a museum docent. You’ll see collection highlights like Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, and much more.

Get the most out of your trip to Chicago as you enjoy discount access to five of the city’s top attractions with the CityPASS®. This easy-to-use mobile ticket grants you free entry into top-tier sights including the Chicago's most famous aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus your choice of admission to three of the following attractions: Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Adler Planetarium, or Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour.

Enter a land of sugar and adventure with admission to Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream. Immerse yourself in a vibrant world of interactive exhibits, including sprinkle-filled pools, whimsical selfie spots, and exclusive ice cream sampling stations offering seasonal flavors. Whether you’re an art lover or a dessert enthusiast, this playful, family-friendly experience promises fun and memories for all. Avoid disappointment by booking your preferred time.

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Griffin MSI is a Chicago must-see. When visiting the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, you'll experience a 40-foot tornado, climb aboard a World War II German submarine, take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel, descend into an Illinois coal mine, board a 727 hanging from the ceiling and much more! Griffin MSI is not a place where you walk around quietly and observe. You get involved in the fun — and learn — by doing. Just a few miles from downtown with convenient underground parking.

Marvel at Chicago's iconic architecture and lakefront from a unique perspective with this 30-minute immersive ride. With drone footage, helicopter-mounted cameras, and other custom media, Flyover Chicago creates the sensation of flying above and through the city to take in its highlights from above. Get up close to details atop the highest skyscrapers and learn about Chicago's history and cityscape during the ride.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to explore Chicago's top attractions is through a Chicago Explorer Pass by Go City. Save money compared to buying individual attraction tickets, and create your own sightseeing itinerary by choosing from among more than 35 top sites, including the Skydeck Chicago, a sightseeing cruise, a hop-on hop-off Big Bus tour, Navy Pier, and more.

Take your Chicago experience to new heights with a ride on the iconic Navy Pier Centennial Wheel. Step into a climate-controlled gondola and enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline, Lake Michigan, and Navy Pier from 200 feet above the water. This family-friendly attraction is perfect for visitors of all ages looking to add a fun and memorable highlight to their day in downtown Chicago. Admire the scenery as you complete multiple rotations, and enjoy easy access to restaurants, shops, and lakeside entertainment right on Navy Pier. Tickets offer flexibility to ride any time during open hours.

Travelers looking for inclusive activity environment for their special needs and typically developing children will enjoy the time they spend with the staff and other families at the Kid's Gym! From our Zipline and Trampoline, to our arts and crafts, and infant and toddler areas, families with kids ranging from infant to middle school (and beyond) ages will find a rich variety of experiences to enjoy together.

Bring the kids to  LEGOLAND® Discovery Center in Schaumburg for a day of brick-building adventure. With 30,000-square-feet of space this family-friendly attraction has activities for everyone: from an interactive pirate-themed playland to a factory tour where you can actually see how LEGO bricks are made. There's even a mini replica of famous Chi-town landmarks made from nearly 2-million LEGO pieces.

• Skip the lines and explore the world-renowned Field Museum with a ticket and a digital tour - all in one app • Get into an Ancient Egyptian tomb and learn incredible facts about mummification and death rituals • Meet face-to-face with the largest predator that ever walked on Earth, SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex • Follow billions of years of evolution to see the 3.2-million-year-old Lucy, the oldest human fossil • Feel like on a wildlife-watching expedition walking along the Nature Walk amidst detailed dioramas

Discover one of the Windy City’s most spooky, gruesome destinations when you book advance tickets to the Medieval Torture Museum. Perfect for Halloween—or any other creepy-crawly occasion—this museum includes a wealth of information about medieval torture practices and devices, plus realistic models to add a macabre edge. Book tickets before you travel for a seamless visiting experience, and make use of an audio guide and included ghost-hunting app.

The Sloomooverse combines delicious scents (birthday cake, fresh berries, cotton candy), sounds that energize as well as soothe, an invigorating palette, and a feast of visual and tactile wonders. Plus, you’ll design your dream slime at our DIY Bar. Over 4,320,000 unique combinations! Play, connect, enjoy!

The best views of Chicago can be yours at 360 Chicago Observation Deck! Perched 94 stories above the Windy City in the former John Hancock Building, 360 Chicago provides commanding views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s towering skyscrapers. Located in the heart of downtown on Michigan Avenue, the observatory is steps away from other top Chicago attractions. It will be the high point (literally) of your Chicago trip! Upgrade to the Sip and View ticket, which includes one drink at the newly renovated CloudBar. The Sip menu includes a rotating selection of beer, wine and cocktails. Once onsite, you can purchase tickets to TILT, a thrill ride that offers visitors unique, downward facing views from 1,030 feet. You may also choose to upgrade your Sip and View ticket from the Sip Menu to the Elevated Menu for an additional $8. *TILT not included in purchase

Discover animals from around the world—no passport required—when you visit the Miller Park Zoo. From Sumatran tigers to pink flamingos and red pandas to a Galapagos tortoise, the zoo houses a huge variety of animals in their recreated natural habitats. Learn about the animals as you check out indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a special Children’s Zoo made just for kids.

Explore one of the country’s great art museums—and discover many of its collection highlights—on this small-group Art Institute of Chicago tour. Meet your guide right out front, and see works from artists the likes of Picasso, Chagall, Seurat, O’Keeffe, and many more. As you go, your guide will share the stories behind the masterpieces, and will help bring the history of the museum and its collection to life.

Experience360 by the Illinois Holocaust Museum memorializes the lives and stories of Holocaust victims and survivors in a way that guidebooks can’t match. With this admission pass, engage with holographic stories and virtual reality experiences, reflecting on the somber lessons taught by one of modern history’s most important and traumatic events.