Things to do
Chicago in winter: Our ultimate guide
Bundle up and prepare to brave the cold weather while exploring some of Chicago's best winter offerings.
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? We've got you covered.
Things to do
Where to go ice skating
Show off those figure eights while sliding around the best ice skating rinks in the city.
Things to do
Cheap things to do in Chicago
Our top picks for enjoying the city without breaking the bank.
Things to do
The best things to do indoors
Don’t let the weather get in the way of having a great day.
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Things to do in Chicago every day
How to spend winter in Chicago
Bars
The 19 best winter rooftop bars in Chicago
Soak in the city’s beauty from one of these winterized rooftops.
Things to do
The best Midwest winter getaways for families
Who says you need to escape the Midwest in winter?
Restaurants
The best Chicago restaurants and bars with fireplaces
These moody spots will cure your cabin fever.
Museums
The 28 best museums in Chicago
Experience art, history and science and these well-respected cultural institutions.
Health and beauty
The 23 best spas in Chicago
Before the city warms up, squeeze in some much-needed rest and relaxation.
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The latest things to do in Chicago
Things to do
Name a cockroach after your ex at this Chicago zoo this Valentine's Day
Because nothing says closure like immortalizing your ex as a Madagascar hissing cockroach, while supporting wildlife conservation.
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
West Town First Fridays
Explore a host of galleries and programming at this monthly event that showcases West Town’s dynamic arts community. On the first Friday of every...
Things to do
The best things to do indoors in Chicago
When it’s pouring rain, snowing or disgustingly muggy, escape the weather with these fun indoor activities in Chicago.
Things to do
The best things to do in Chicago this week
Find the very best things to do in Chicago this week, including cultural events, festivals and shows.
The latest Chicago news
Things to do
Name a cockroach after your ex at this Chicago zoo this Valentine's Day
Because nothing says closure like immortalizing your ex as a Madagascar hissing cockroach, while supporting wildlife conservation.
Restaurants
Famous ‘Family Guy’ bar Drunken Clam pops up in Chicago for a limited time
The animated dive bar takes over a West Town spot with themed cocktails, trivia and karaoke.
Restaurants
Viral Southern chicken chain Zaxby's just opened its first-ever location in Chicagoland
Expect a dizzying array of signature sauces at this new exciting spot.
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:...
Things to do
Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park
Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction...
Things to do
Ice Skating at Millennium Park
Skate under the Chicago skyline and within eyeshot of the Chicago Christmas Tree at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Plus, take advantage...
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
A special Pokémon exhibit is opening at a Chicago museum this spring
Through interactive exhibits, you can compare Fossil Pokémon with real life fossils like Sue the T-Rex.
Things to do
Chicago hosts a festival entirely dedicated to puppetry—and you won’t believe what it has in store
Now in its eighth year, the festival spans the provocative and the whimsical—featuring adult puppetry, a Roald Dahl-inspired showcase, free neighborhood tours...
Things to do
Current temperatures are apparently causing 'exploding trees' in Chicago. Here’s what that actually means.
It’s not a winter horror movie—just trees cracking under extreme cold, loud enough to sound explosive.
Things to do
A beautiful wildlife lantern festival is debuting at this Chicago zoo in the spring
Glow Wild will transform Brookfield Zoo into a magical, larger-than-life experience.
Things to do
This is the No. 1 thing to do during winter in Chicago, according to Time Out
Our editors ranked Chicago’s best winter activities, and this Scandinavian-inspired newcomer at Navy Pier is our top pick.
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Things to do
The best February 2026 events in Chicago
Keep yourself busy in February with the Chicago Auto Show, a folk festival, Lunar New Year celebrations and more.
Things to do
A new exhibit featuring costumes from films and Broadway shows is opening at this Chicago museum
See costumes from 'Wicked,' 'Hamilton,' 'West Side Story' and more.
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 five best things to do in Chicago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
From immersive museum programming to a powerful Chicago Sinfonietta tribute, here are ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy across the city.
Things to do
The best March 2026 events in Chicago
Plan your March in Chicago with our calendar of the best things to do, including picks for theater productions, parades and festivals.
Time In - movies we love
26 massive movies you need to see in 2026
From ‘The Odyssey’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it’s a year of epic visions and make-or-break blockbusters.
The 20 most anticipated horror movies of 2026
20 reasons why 2026 will be a gala year for gorefests
Movies
15 book-to-movie adaptations to get (very) excited about in 2026
Book lovers have a year to savour in store for them at the movie theatre and on streaming. Among the literary giants having their work adapted are Emily...
Movies
‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ review: Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes star in this terrific zom-quel
Trains and heroin. There are moments when you have to remind yourself that it’s Nia DaCosta (director) and Alex Garland (screenwriter) behind this...
Movies
'Rental Family' review: Brendan Fraser delivers a tender performance
Rental Family might be on the mawkish side, but Hikari's comedy-drama, about a struggling American actor seeking connection and purpose in Japan, has its...
Time In - songs we love
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 37 best inspirational songs of all time
There’s a reason why motivational songs that put a firm pep in your step stand the test of time. As these timeless inspirational tracks prove, music that...
Music
The 40 best party songs ever made
Party songs come in all shapes and sizes – here’s what should be on your playlist.
Music
The 35 best cover songs of all time
From soul and pop all the way through to heavy metal, covering other artist’s songs is an art form.