Illinois attractions

It used to be the Sears Tower, but in 2009, London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings acquired the naming rights. No matter what you call it (everybody still refers to it as Sears Tower), it's an architectural icon. When it was built in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world. It's now 14th-tallest, but offers unrivaled views of the Windy City, and sees more than a million visitors each year.

The Field Museum is a natural history museum in Chicago, Illinois. As one of the largest and most impressive of such museums in the world, its houses extensive scientific specimen and artifact collections. The museum's high-quality permanent exhibitions attract up to two million visitors a year.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck sits 1,000 feet over Chicago’s legendary Michigan Avenue. Located on the 94th floor of 875 N. Michigan (formerly the John Hancock Center), 360 CHICAGO gives you the opportunity to experience the best views of the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan. 360 CHICAGO’s concourse level includes an interactive exhibit highlighting the history of Chicago and the vibrant cultures and businesses across Chicago neighborhoods. Get inspired to explore Chicago beyond downtown after watching a short documentary titled 3 of 77 featuring an immersive view of three Chicago neighborhoods. Travel to the 94th floor in 40-seconds on one of North America’s fastest elevators and step foot onto the observation deck to experience what 'Travel & Leisure Magazine' voted one of the best views in America.

Touring the Windy City for the first time and looking to be swept sway? With so much to see in this deep-dish destination, just fitting everything in can be a challenge. But not if you travel smart, with Chicago city passes! Conveniently combine admission fees on major attractions in 'America's second city' to save time and money on Chicago's must-sees – Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago. With a variety of transport options included, Chicago City passes are the way to go when you want to make getting around the Windy City a breeze.

Navy Pier is a Windy City tourist hotspot. Attractions include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Crystal Gardens, Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze and the Centennial Wheel - all on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The tasty Museum of Ice Cream brings to life the universal power of ice cream by creating experiences that inspire imagination, helping you to rediscover the kid in you! The museum's inclusive environments are designed to inspire human connection and energize the senses to reimagine the way you experience and love ice cream. Unlimited ice-cream will only boost your new-found appreciation of the good stuff! (Arrive hungry!)

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, attracting approximately 1.5 million guests annually. It is home to some of the world's most famous paintings including The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges-Pierre Seurat, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, and Grant Wood's American Gothic, among countless other works.

Explore the Windy City from the water on a cruise around Chicago

Chicago's premier art gallery is dedicated to showcasing art in all its forms – so expect to see painting, photography, film, music, theater and more in a stunningly designed exhibition space.