Things to Do in Illinois

There are 25 attractions in Illinois. Art Institute of Chicago, major art museum with extensive impressionist collection, is the most popular.

Most Popular By Name
Art Institute of Chicago
1
Art Institute of Chicago
Major art museum with extensive Impressionist collection
Museum
Shedd Aquarium
2
Shedd Aquarium
Large indoor aquarium featuring marine exhibits and performances
Museum
Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
3
Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
Large interactive science museum in Chicago's Hyde Park
Museum
Field Museum of Natural History
4
Field Museum of Natural History
Major natural history museum with extensive scientific collections
Museum
Gateway Arch National Park
5
Gateway Arch National Park
Iconic stainless-steel arch symbolizing westward expansion
Park
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
6
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Preserved 19th-century home where Lincoln lived
Park
Adler Planetarium
7
Adler Planetarium
Historic planetarium with astronomy exhibits and sky shows
Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
8
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions
Museum
DuSable Black History Museum
9
DuSable Black History Museum
Chicago museum documenting African-American history and culture
Museum
Willis Tower
10
Willis Tower
Chicago skyscraper formerly tallest in Western Hemisphere
Building
Cahokia
11
Cahokia
Pre-Columbian Mississippian mound complex near St. Louis
Park
Aon Center (Chicago)
12
Aon Center (Chicago)
Chicago skyscraper and one of the city's tallest buildings
Building
Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)
13
Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)
Mixed-use skyscraper hotel and residential tower in Chicago
Building
United Center
14
United Center
Chicago arena hosting basketball and hockey events
Stadium
875 North Michigan Avenue
15
875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago skyscraper with distinctive X-braced exterior
Building
Soldier Field
16
Soldier Field
Chicago stadium and National Football League venue
Stadium
Home Insurance Building
17
Home Insurance Building
Chicago building often called the world's first skyscraper
Building
18
Cloud Gate
Iconic reflective public sculpture in Chicago
Monument
Two Prudential Plaza
19
Two Prudential Plaza
Chicago skyscraper with distinctive stepped crown
Building
Millennium Park
20
Millennium Park
Urban park featuring Cloud Gate and public art
Park
Wrigley Field
21
Wrigley Field
Historic Chicago baseball stadium, home of the Cubs
Stadium
22
Tower Lakes, Illinois
Small suburban village northwest of Chicago
Park
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
23
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
University museum and research center for ancient Near East
Building
Rate Field
24
Rate Field
Major MLB ballpark, home of the Chicago White Sox
Stadium
Grant Park (Chicago)
25
Grant Park (Chicago)
Large urban park on Lake Michigan waterfront
Park
Buckingham Fountain
26
Buckingham Fountain
Large ornamental fountain and Chicago landmark in Grant Park
Monument
Chicago Water Tower
27
Chicago Water Tower
Historic 19th-century water tower surviving the Great Chicago Fire
Tower
Hull House
28
Hull House
Historic Chicago settlement house and social reform center
Museum
Lincoln Park
29
Lincoln Park
Large Chicago lakefront park with zoo and beaches
Park
Barack Obama Presidential Center
30
Barack Obama Presidential Center
Museum and library complex dedicated to President Obama
Museum
Navy Pier
31
Navy Pier
Chicago waterfront pier with attractions and Ferris wheel
Area
Chicago Stadium
32
Chicago Stadium
Former Chicago arena, historic sports and concert venue
Park
Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago)
33
Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago)
Historic Roman Catholic cathedral in downtown Chicago
Church
Auditorium Building
34
Auditorium Building
Historic Chicago building housing Auditorium Theatre and offices
National Park
35
Lincoln Tomb
Mausoleum housing Abraham Lincoln and family graves
Tomb
36
Monks Mound
Largest Mississippian earthwork at the Cahokia site
Mountain
Mosque Maryam
37
Mosque Maryam
Nation of Islam headquarters mosque in Chicago
Mosque
Basilica of Saint Hyacinth
38
Basilica of Saint Hyacinth
Historic Chicago basilica serving Polish-American community
Church
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
39
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Large Chicago-area zoo noted for conservation programs
Park
Civic Opera House (Chicago)
40
Civic Opera House (Chicago)
Historic Chicago opera house hosting major performances
Theater
Piasa
41
Piasa
River bluff painting depicting the Native American Piasa bird
Archaeological Site
Charles Mound
42
Charles Mound
Highest natural point in Illinois
Mountain
Chicago Botanic Garden
43
Chicago Botanic Garden
Extensive botanic gardens and research center near Chicago
Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
44
Lincoln Park Zoo
Historic Chicago zoo with free public admission
Park
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica
45
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica
Historic Catholic basilica in Illinois
Church
Unity Temple
46
Unity Temple
Frank Lloyd Wright church landmark in Oak Park
Church
Willow Creek Community Church
47
Willow Creek Community Church
Large evangelical megachurch near Chicago suburbs
Church
Morton Arboretum
48
Morton Arboretum
Extensive tree research arboretum and public gardens
Park
Abraham Lincoln: The Man
49
Abraham Lincoln: The Man
Monumental sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois
Park
Portage Park, Chicago
50
Portage Park, Chicago
Chicago community with large public park and pool
Park
Burnham Park (Chicago)
51
Burnham Park (Chicago)
Lakeside park along Chicago lakefront with paths
Park
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
52
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
Restored 19th-century Illinois capitol building and museum
Park
Prophetstown State Park
53
Prophetstown State Park
Illinois state park with prairie restoration and history
Park
Starved Rock State Park
54
Starved Rock State Park
Illinois state park noted for sandstone canyons
Park
Chopin Park
55
Chopin Park
Public park honoring composer Frédéric Chopin
Park
Gage Park, Chicago
56
Gage Park, Chicago
Large urban park with gardens and performance space
Park
Humboldt Park (Chicago park)
57
Humboldt Park (Chicago park)
Large Chicago park with lagoon and cultural institutions
Park
Jackson Park (Chicago)
58
Jackson Park (Chicago)
Large Chicago lakefront park housing cultural sites
Park
Kankakee River State Park
59
Kankakee River State Park
Illinois state park along the Kankakee River
Park
Peoria Zoo
60
Peoria Zoo
Small zoological park in Peoria focusing on conservation
Park
Pullman National Historical Park
61
Pullman National Historical Park
Preserved company town illustrating 19th-century industrial heritage
Park
Riverview Park (Chicago)
62
Riverview Park (Chicago)
Urban park overlooking Chicago skyline and river
Park
Robert Allerton Park
63
Robert Allerton Park
Estate park featuring sculpture gardens and trails
Park
Rosemont Theatre
64
Rosemont Theatre
Large suburban performing arts and concert venue
Theater
65
Union Base-Ball Grounds
Former 19th-century baseball grounds in Chicago area
Park
White Pines Forest State Park
66
White Pines Forest State Park
Illinois state park with sand prairies and pines
Park
Krannert Art Museum
67
Krannert Art Museum
University art museum with diverse global collections
Museum
Illinois Railway Museum
68
Illinois Railway Museum
Large museum displaying historic trains and railcars
Museum
Battery Rock
69
Battery Rock
Limestone river bluff on the Ohio River, Illinois
Cliff
Fountain Bluff
70
Fountain Bluff
Prominent limestone bluffs and scenic overlook in Illinois
Cliff
71
Illinois State Museum
State museum showcasing Illinois natural and cultural history
Museum
Monticello Railway Museum
72
Monticello Railway Museum
Heritage railway museum preserving historic trains and equipment
Museum
73
Terra Museum
Museum of American art with international collections
Museum
74
Elgin Public Museum
Natural history museum focused on regional ecosystems
Museum