Activities

Art & Culture

The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879 and located in Chicago's Grant Park, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 million guests annually. Its collection—stewarded by 11 curatorial departments—is encyclopedic, and includes iconic works such as Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, and Grant Wood's American Gothic. Its permanent collection of nearly 300,000 works of art is augmented by more than 30 special exhibitions mounted yearly that illuminate aspects of the collection and present cutting-edge curatorial and scientific research.

Landmarks

The Riverwalk offers a variety of opportunities to find the beauty and spirit of the Chicago River. Any way you decide to take on the Riverwalk, you will be delighted with the choices you have to enjoy this treasure. Live performances from local musicians, public art exhibitions, and special events will be offered throughout the season. Chicago's Navy Pier, which juts an entire six city blocks from the heart of downtown into Lake Michigan, is made up of an outdoor boardwalk adjacent to corridors of exhibits and attractions. More than 8 million people visit it every year. Dare to stand out on the 103rd floor of Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower. A glass boxes extends four feet from the Skydeck, providing never before seen views of Chicago from 1,353 feet above it.

Shopping

The Magnificent Mile — encompassing the 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue — is the nerve center of Chicago shopping. The district extends a full square mile from North Michigan Avenue Chicago, including east to the scenic lakefront. A spectacular showcase of style, flavor, and entertainment, it’s home to more than 460 stores, 275 restaurants, and unique entertainment packed and stacked along its length.

Just steps away from Viceroy Chicago — located in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast shopping district — sits Oak Street. Oak Street is Chicago's most prestigious retail center, with a mix of international couture houses, American luxury brands, and local boutiques (such as American Girl Chicago). Whether picking up a little something for yourself, seeking out souvenirs, or getting seasonal with holiday shopping in Chicago, visitors to the Windy City will always find exactly what they’re looking for.

Sports

Wrigley Field, built in 1914, is a true baseball treasure with over nine decades of rich history and home to the 2016 World Series Champions, the Chicago Cubs. United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side neighborhood of Chicago. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. It’s the site of major concerts and events throughout the year.