Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
2 MIN READ — Chicagoans everywhere know this city is the best in the world, but now it’s official. According to the latest Time Out Index survey results, Chicago grabbed No. 2 spot for their 2022 roundup of the world’s (you read that right — world’s) very best cities.
5 MIN READ – Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) released its June report on downtown activity, using a variety of data sources to track operations during COVID-19, as it has done monthly since July 2020. The report tracks COVID-19 positivity rates, pedestrian activity, parking volumes, hotel occupancy, number of office workers on-site and more. The data this month indicates that hotel occupancy reached another record high, along with an increase in office occupancy, and continual progress in pedestrian and public transportation.
Chicago Loop Alliance has announced an expansion of the Chicago Loop Alliance Ambassador Program, which will patrol the central Loop from Dearborn to Canal and Ida B. Wells to Wacker on weekday evenings through September. The Ambassador program is contracted by Chicago Loop Alliance through Streetplus, a national business improvement district service, and will patrol the corridor from 4 p.m. to midnight, six days a week.
2 MIN READ – Celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the Chicago Loop. Here are four ways to celebrate without breaking the bank!
5 MIN READ –Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) released its May report on downtown activity, using a variety of data sources to track operations during COVID-19, as it has done monthly since July 2020. The report tracks COVID-19 positivity rates, pedestrian activity, parking volumes, hotel occupancy, number of office workers on-site and more. The data indicates that hotel occupancy has reached a record high, along with pedestrians edging closer to pre-pandemic levels, and office occupancy stabilizing. View the full May report here.
Inspired by the return of a vibrant Loop, filled with notions from your wildest imagination, ACTIVATE invites guests to dream in color. The event is free, and guests who RSVP in advance receive a complimentary drink ticket with additional beverages available for purchase on-site.
Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) released its April report on downtown activity, using a variety of data sources to track operations during COVID-19, as it has done monthly since July 2020. The report tracks COVID-19 positivity rates, pedestrian activity, parking volumes, hotel occupancy, number of office workers on-site and more. The data indicates that office occupancy, parking reservations and Metra ridership reached record recovery rates, with parking reservations consistently reaching 100% recovery for a year. View the full April report here.
2 MIN READ – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Lyft announced that Divvy is now the first docked micromobility system in the nation that can accommodate bikes, ebikes, and scooters all in the same stations.
March 15, 2026
Chicago’s top-rated architecture boat tour, 90 minutes with expert CAC guides, stunning skyline views, open-air seating, and onboard amenities.
March 21, 2026
Explore Chicago’s haunted past on a nighttime river cruise featuring ghost stories, mob history, and eerie secrets of the Windy City.
April 17, 2026
Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruise with skyline views, iconic landmarks, and engaging guides sharing the city’s history and stories.
April 17, 2026
Experience Chicago at night on a 90-minute river and lake cruise, featuring a glittering skyline, cool breezes, and lively, family-friendly commentary.
April 22, 2026
Directed by Andrew Scoville. Co-created by Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne* and writer Mala Gaonkar, Theater of the Mind is a new theatrical…
May 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cruise from the Chicago Riverwalk to Lake Michigan for skyline views and a 3D-enhanced fireworks show with music and narration.
June 1, 2026
Let your creative potential shine this summer with a class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with options available for kids, teens and…
July 11, 2026
Cruise Chicago’s waterways with your dog. Pet friendly, scenic, and fun. Available July to October every Saturday and Sunday for pups of all sizes.
August 26, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Taste of Greektown comes early to Renaissance! Featuring a special evening celebrating local Mediterranean heritage with an artisanal mezze spread…
