Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.
Below is an interactive map of things to do in the local area while you’re here for DXC 2026. Click on each map key icon to learn more!
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. This scenic promenade contains restaurants and concessions during the summer months, benches and lookout points, boat rentals and tours, and theater-style seating for performances.
Millennium Park is a can’t-miss attraction for any Chicago visit. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space. Come explore everything Chicago’s Millennium Park has to offer.
North Avenue Beach is one of Chicago’s most popular beaches with locals and visitors alike, thanks to its spacious sands, cool beachfront bars, and convenient location near other top attractions. Get out on the water with a paddleboard or kayak or a Jet Ski. You can also rent bikes and cruise down the Lakefront Trail, take a beachfront yoga class, play beach volleyball, or just kick back in the sand and soak in the sun and skyline views.
Opened in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is among the oldest zoos in the United States. It’s open 365 days a year and is one of the few zoos across the country that offer free admission. The zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals from across the globe, including mammals, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, many rare and endangered species.
Opened in 1908, Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest conservatories in the nation, occupying two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens on a beautiful site designed by William LeBaron Jenney. The conservatory is known as “landscape art under glass,” and one visit to environments like the Palm House, Fern Room, Desert House, and Aroid House will tell you why.
Explore the history of Chicago and United States through permanent and temporary exhibitions drawn from more than 20 million items in the Chicago History Museum’s collections. “Chicago: Crossroads of America” explores the city’s development and its influence on US history. Examine a treasure trove of historical artifacts, including a chunk of the original Fort Dearborn and the actual first locomotive to operate in Chicago.
The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether it is introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler’s focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century. The museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors each year and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, people-powered research, and other outreach efforts.
The Field Museum is a must-see destination while you’re here in Chicago. Where else can you meet Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered; experience SUE, the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered; descend into an ancient Egyptian tomb, and explore over 10,000 years of Chinese history and culture, all in one afternoon? With 4.6 billion years in one place, the Field Museum takes you to the farthest reaches of this incredible planet we live on. Stop by the Field Museum and unearth a truly must-see experience.
The Art Institute of Chicago is home to the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including works by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, and Van Gogh. Explore the Renzo Piano–designed Modern Wing and its extraordinary collection of works by Chagall, Dal, Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock. The Art Institute has something for everyone!
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences that support the Museum’s mission: to inspire the inventive genius in everyone. Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, Griffin MSI features award-winning exhibits and hands-on activities. During your visit you can walk through a World War II German submarine, descend into our iconic Coal Mine, explore the universe at the newly renovated Henry Crown Space Center and so much more. Griffin MSI has something for everyone from the young to the young at heart.
The Biograph Theater opened as a Chicago movie house in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1914. It’s most famous as the place where John Dillinger, one of the most legendary bank robbers in American history, was ambushed by the FBI in 1934. The theatre is also on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2001.
By the early 1900s, Chicago’s west side was home to a thriving Polish community. Many of these immigrants made their home near the “the Polish Triangle”, bordered by Division, Milwaukee, and Ashland. That’s where you could find the Chopin Theatre, a nickelodeon that opened in 1918 where you could see a movie for just 5 cents. The theatre reopened in 1990, with an emphasis on Eastern and Central European work, to stay true to the area’s roots.
The stunning Auditorium Theatre, located in Chicago’s bustling South Loop neighborhood, is a National Historic Landmark that’s known around the world for its impeccable acoustics and innovative design. The space was designed by the renowned Chicago architecture firm Adler and Sullivan and incorporated the latest advancements in modern technology, such as electric lighting and air conditioning. Extravagant design elements included dramatic gold-leaf arches, ornate gilded designs, and massive mosaics. When it opened in 1889, it was the city’s tallest building.
In 1959, a small group of comedians who called themselves The Second City opened the doors to their small cabaret theatre, debuting a new type of comedy called improv. The area, then nicknamed Piper’s Alley, was a funky, hippie hangout with eclectic shops and restaurants up and down the street. The Second City went on to revolutionize the industry and become one of the most prolific comedy empires in the world.
The Athenaeum opened in 1911, as part of the campus of nearby St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lakeview. At the time, the area was still being developed from its previous farmland roots and attracted large numbers of German, Polish, and Irish immigrants. The Athenaeum was intended as a neighborhood playhouse and opera house, complete with a gymnasium, a bowling alley, an assembly hall, and various meeting rooms. Today, the Athenaeum is the oldest continuously operating off-Loop theater in Chicago.
Stroll through the home of the Chicago Cubs and get the chance to see what happens behind the scenes of the Friendly Confines. Learn the storied history of Wrigley Field or observe the grounds from the best views in the house. Guided tours are offered on game days and non-game days starting in March.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of historic Soldier Field and experience both the historic and modern-day journey of the stadium. Established in 1924 and dedicated to the men and women of the armed services, Soldier Field is home to the Chicago Bears (NFL) and Chicago Fire FC (MLS) teams. Sports fans and history enthusiasts will delight in seeing the inner workings of this iconic stadium.
One of Chicago’s most beautiful assets, its expansive shoreline, is on display in its full glory from the Lakefront Trail. An impressive 18-mile-long stretch, Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a paved path that extends from Ardmore Street on the North Side to 71st Street on the South Side. Run, walk, bike or rollerblade with the blue waters of Lake Michigan to one side and gorgeous, green parks to the other.
As one of only a few U.S. cities with two MLB teams, Chicago and its baseball diehards divide their loyalties between the Chicago White Sox on the South Side and the Chicago Cubs on the North Side. The White Sox have definitely earned their bragging rights. The team swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series in 2005, led by Ozzie Guillén. the first Latino manager in history to win a World Series. The Sox also won it all in 1906 and 1917. If you’re a baseball fan in town during the season, a trip to Rate Field is something that shouldn’t be missed.
Chicago Park District Golf Courses
Chicago Park District Golf maintains several scenic courses, a driving range, and a miniature golf course all within the heart of the city and all with affordable rates. Imagine golfing on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan with the spectacular Chicago skyline as a backdrop. Two of the Chicago Park District’s nine-hole golf courses are situated on the lakefront, while an 18-hole course and two driving ranges are conveniently located just minutes from downtown Chicago.
Dare to Stand Out on the 103rd floor with never before seen views. 1,353 feet straight down, with a glass boxes extending 4.3 feet out from the Skydeck, providing never before seen views of Chicago. Enjoy 360-degree views spanning up to 50 miles and 4 states.
Soaring skyscrapers, historic homes, magnificent churches, glamorous hotels only scratches the surface of Chicago’s architectural treasures. Learn from the experts at the Chicago Architecture Center and discover the brilliant minds and incredible stories behind the city’s urban landscape.
The Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood is considered one of the best examples of Wright’s signature Prairie style — one of the reasons it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only did Wright describe it as “a cornerstone of modern architecture,” but the American Institute of Architects also named it one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century.
Soaring 1,000 feet over Chicago’s legendary Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO is one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Located at 875 N. Michigan Avenue on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory) offers breathtaking views of Chicago lakefront, magnificent skyline and four neighboring states.