Things to do
The 50 best things to do in Chicago right now
No matter where your interests lie, you can always find something to get excited about in this no-nonsense Midwestern metropolis.
Things to Do
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, including popular events, festivals, attractions, tours and free activities
Museums
The best Chicago museums
Want to see premier pieces from famous artists? Some of the world's most famous collections and exhibits can be found in Chicago.
Attractions
The best Chicago attractions
Chicago might be known as the Second City, but our attractions are first-class.
Things to do
Cheap things to do in Chicago
Enjoy the city without spending a ton of cash by searching out cheap things to do in Chicago.
Things to do
The best things to do indoors
Don’t let the weather get in the way of having a great day and stay warm and dry by enjoying some of the best things to do indoors in Chicago.
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Things to do in Chicago every day
Things to do this fall in Chicago
Things to do
Fall activities in Chicago: The best things to do
It won't be long before we're huddled inside for winter, so get out and enjoy the city with the best things to do in the fall in Chicago.
Travel
Admire fall foliage
Hoping to go leaf peeping this year? Head to Chicago's finest parks, gardens and cemeteries for some seasonal sightseeing.
Things to do
Take a hike
Thankfully, you don't need to go too far to escape the urban jungle, because there's no shortage of great spots for hiking near Chicago.
Museums
The best Chicago museums
Experience art, history and science and these well-respected cultural institutions.
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Events at Time Out Market Chicago
Things to do
Industry Mondays
Enjoy delicious food while sipping specialty Cafeto cocktails; all hospitality workers will receive 20% off their bar tabs.
Things to do
Winesday
Join Time Out Market Chicago every Wednesday for a relaxing evening of wine specials. Unwind with a glass of vino, paired with food from some of the...
Things to do
Trivia with Whaddayaknow?
Come alone or bring a group for weekly trivia on Wednesdays at the Market! Hosted by Whaddayaknow?, the evening will test your knowledge on a variety of...
Bottomless Lunch at Time Out Market
Indulge in our Bottomless Lunch every weekend! For just $55, enjoy a $20 TOM Card to spend on your favorite meal from 15 of our delicious concessions, plus 3...
The latest things to do in Chicago
Things to do
The Chicago Rat Hole wasn’t made by a rat—but it was perfectly, hilarious Chicago
Scientists have set the record straight on Chicago’s viral rodent-shaped divot.
Things to do
For Maya-Camille Broussard, a humble pie can create more change than you might think
The owner of Chicago’s Justice of the Pies shares how food can make just as much of an impact on the dinner table as it can in social movements.
Things to do
Dennis Scott is the man who makes the Music Box sing
For over three decades, he’s filled Chicago’s beloved movie palace with music, laughter and enough Christmas cheer to make even Scrooge crack a smile.
Things to do
New Year's Eve at LondonHouse
Take in some of the best views of the skyline from the 21st floor lounge of riverfront hotel LondonHouse this year. Guests will enjoy...
Things to do
New Year's Eve at Three Dots and a Dash
Bid (a temporary) farewell to Chicago's winter chill and ring in the new year from Three Dots and a Dash's tropical hideaway. Along with the bar's signature...
The latest Chicago news
Restaurants
16 Chicago restaurants were just ranked best in the U.S. in a new OpenTable report
These restaurants made OpenTable’s Top 100 list based on user reviews
Things to do
The Chicago Rat Hole wasn’t made by a rat—but it was perfectly, hilarious Chicago
Scientists have set the record straight on Chicago’s viral rodent-shaped divot.
The latest Chicago events
Things to do
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Every two years, Chicago becomes a global hub of architecture and design during the Chicago Architecture Biennial. This edition’s theme is SHIFT:...
Art
ART on THE MART
Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in...
Art
Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance
For 39 years and counting, the National Museum of Mexican Art has celebrated one of Mexico’s most extraordinary traditions with a multimedia...
Things to do in Chicago neighborhoods
Things to do
Avondale
The traditionally Polish neighborhood is dotted with arts centers, small parks and interesting shops.
Shopping & Style
Shopping
The best boutiques and shopping in Logan Square, Chicago
Fill an afternoon browsing the neighborhood's shops.
Shopping
19 Chicago gift shops for unique presents
It’s been said that the best gifts in life are free, but no one’s really buying that, right?
Most popular things to do features
Things to do
An all-you-can-eat Italian beef festival is taking over Chicagoland
It’s an aficionado’s dream: mix and match ingredients from some of the best Italian beef spots in the region.
Things to do
This Chicago thoroughfare is one of Time Out’s coolest streets in the world
The community-driven thoroughfare proves the “Village in the City” motto correct, with a strong small business scene and vibrant restaurants.
Things to do
Chicago’s first-ever holiday book trolley is sweeping through Chicagoland next month—here’s everything you need to know
Hop aboard for a citywide literary adventure featuring local bookstores, exclusive deals and enough holiday spirit to fill a tote bag.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago this weekend
Find the best things to do in Chicago this weekend with our guide to concerts, exhibitions, festivals and more.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago today
Find the best things to do in Chicago today, including parties, concerts, screenings and other can't-miss events.
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Things to do
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Simone Mitchell-Peterson is proving that joy doesn’t age
The Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly CEO of 21 years has architected programs that provide friendship and companionship to older adults throughout...
Things to do
The best November 2025 events in Chicago
Pack your month with the best activities, pop-ups, concerts and things to do.
Things to do
First look: Chicago Botanic Garden’s wintertime wonderland Lightscape returns with fan favorites and new additions
The seventh iteration of Lightscape, the Glencoe garden's premier holiday attraction, is the “brightest, boldest and most unforgettable” yet.
Things to do
Chicago is finally getting its own live New Year’s Eve countdown on ABC
Chicago lands its first live Central Time countdown, complete with riverfront fireworks.
Things to do
The 50 best things to do in Chicago right now
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, from iconic venues and views to cultural musts and late-night shenanigans.
Time In - movies we love
Movies
‘After the Hunt’: the story behind the most talked-about film of the year
Luca Guadagnino was first struck by his After the Hunt star’s A-list powers when she played Steel Magnolias’ effervescent Southern belle Shelby in...
Movies
'Predator: Badlands' review: sci-fi franchise turns (bloody) buddy movie
A lot of movie franchises could learn a few things from Dan Trachtenberg. The director reinvigorated the Predator series with 2020’s Prey, stripping the...
Movies
'Frankenstein' review: Guillermo del Toro jolts his creature into glorious life
The king of creature features, Guillermo del Toro resurrects Mary Shelley’s literary creation in all its full-on gaudy gothic glory. Oscar Isaac is Baron...
Movies
'Hamnet' review: Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal extraordinary in Tudor tearjerker
The jury’s out on popcorn and the case has been made against phone use (time to criminalise?), but where do we stand on big, ugly,...
Movies
'The Choral' review: Ralph Fiennes is his usual immaculate self in this Great War drama
Measured rather than playing to the gallery, The Choral is Brassed Off in a minor key – an elegant, Yorkshire-set exploration of music as a spiritual...
Time In - songs we love
Music
The 50 best Christmas songs of all time
As much as Christmas trees, turkey and a mildly overworked Santa have become staples of the festive season, so has the music that soundtracks this cheer-soaked...
Music
The 50 best karaoke songs ever made
Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all.
Music
The 40 best party songs ever made
Party songs come in all shapes and sizes, but to be a party song, there are some rules.
Music
The best albums of 2025 so far
Our auditory canals have been graced with some absolutely cracking new music in 2025.
Music
The best songs of 2025 so far
From Chappell Roan to Bad Bunny, there have been some absolute bangers released in 2025 already.