Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
© Shutterstock
Every year, a large number of visitors buy their plane tickets to the United States. At the same time, who would say no to a road trip through all these fantastic cities like New York, Houston, or Los Angeles? All these regions tend to make French people dream...And not only them! Rich in culture, art, shows, sports activities, and landscapes, you will be immediately won over by this way of life. Isn't "The American Dream" a well-known phrase? Today, we will focus on the mythical city of Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest and capital of Illinois. Famous for its imposing architecture, there are many activities, all as interesting as each other, to do there.
What to Do in Chicago?
1. Marina City
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: Chicago? It's above all architecture and monuments that exceed all your expectations and wildest dreams. Indeed, most of them seem to come from another galaxy! The "Marina City" is the perfect example: it's a residential complex made up of two mixed-use towers. It took at least 8 years to build them, between 1959 and 1967. Their particularity? They were built by the famous architect "Bertrand Goldberg". These two concrete towers with a circular plan that easily exceed 170 meters never cease to amaze and make heads turn, so imposing they are and standing proudly up to the sky in the city of Chicago. When you go inside, you will discover a total of five buildings: composed of a vast concert hall that was originally a cinema; a splendid luxury hotel, as well as a ground floor where all the delicious restaurants are located. Marina City is located at "300 N.State" and is open every day.
2. Visit the City and Eat a Hearty Meal
Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic
Description: Especially if you go there during the summer, throughout the period from May to September, strolling and wandering through the city of Chicago will be an enriching activity for you! Why so? It's a region that has the particularity of being composed like an open-air museum: everywhere you turn your head, you will see a place, a building, a statue...That will attract your attention and make you pull out your camera in less than two seconds! We highly recommend that you go to "Millennium Park", which is a small public park where families love to go for a bike ride; but also don't forget to go admire the "Cloud Gate", the most famous monument in the entire city, which is an absolutely fantastic urban sculpture. As a bonus, Chicago has the gift of having varied cuisine. What are your preferences: Italian; African, French, American? You're spoiled for choice!
3. The Loop
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: If Chicago is recognized as the third largest and most imposing American city, it's partly thanks to the famous "Loop", the business district, which makes all the world fame of the city so fabulous it is. It's a huge lively district (probably the most visited in the city), which includes a whole bunch of restaurants, stores, parks, and other entertainment of all kinds. Needless to say, this is where you can devote all your shopping hours! Going to the Loop also means having a new look at Chicago, a look in the image of the 21st century: it's a city that never stops transforming over the years and that matures and grows at an unprecedented speed. You'll love the gentle lifestyle of this place: it's huge and although there are people, you'll never be afraid of feeling oppressed. During your walk, you'll very likely come face to face with the "Willis Tower", a building 108 stories high, which takes at least two good hours to visit because there are so many things to see!
4. The Art Institute
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: Let's set aside the great monuments for a moment, and focus on art, beauty in its pure state. Chicago is teeming with artistic and cultural attractions, and the Art Institute is the perfect example. Just at the entrance of the museum, you will be won over by the two magnificent lions made of bronze. When you are inside, you will discover a whole collection of emblematic works of art known around the world, as well as ancient objects, over a period of 5,000 years before AD until today. And yes, we trace history in Chicago, through an incredible impressionist collection! It's an excellent activity to enrich yourself, and understand as best as possible the world around us and why it has become what it is today. The city's art galleries are a real treasure for anyone who decides to venture there, you will come out with stars in your eyes. The Institute is located at "111 South Michigan Avenue", and is open from 11am every day, except Tuesday and Wednesday.
5. Lincoln Zoo
Category:Free/Cultural
Description: Open every day from 10am to 5pm and located at "2001 N. Clark", it's a very nice free zoo to visit. This allows you to set aside the big city for a moment to venture into a wild setting filled with greenery and impressive animals, in adapted enclosures. The park is very large, you can take a nice walk without seeing time pass. It's a calm and pleasant place, where the tranquility of animals from different regions of the globe is ensured. The zoo being a little set back from the city, it has the advantage of remaining close to the beach. Especially if you're passing through Chicago during the sunny summer days, how about spending an afternoon lounging in the sun after visiting Lincoln Zoo? A pleasant program! Generally, visitors rank Lincoln Park Zoo among the best activities to do in Chicago: beyond being able to spend time with family, it also allows you to reconnect a little with nature, which we sometimes tend to forget in all the hustle and bustle of the city.
6. John Hancock Observatory
Category: Cultural/Unusual
Description: We know what you're thinking. Chicago is a big city with intimidating buildings, we feel a bit like ants there. Why not reverse things and gain some height, by hoisting yourself to the top of the "John Hancock Center" tower? This one is perched at a height of 305 meters, needless to say you will easily feel like the kings of the world! Now, you're the one dominating the famous Chicago skyscrapers. If you go there in clear weather, you'll be happy to admire the surroundings nearly 130 kilometers around! Don't forget to enjoy the multimedia visit, which is often highly appreciated by visitors for all the information it provides about the different "secrets" of the city, which until then, were kept under seal. Meet at "875 North Michigan Avenue", from 9am to 11pm every day, for an activity that is certainly unusual, but nonetheless enriching!