Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
4 MIN READ – Following the success of the inaugural event, Chicago will welcome the NASCAR Cup Series back to Grant Park on Sunday July 7, 2024 at 3:30 pm CT, with the NASCAR Xfinity Series set to return on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 1:30 pm CT, with both races broadcast on NBC for the first time.
1 MIN READ — Who said the Loop isn’t a hot dining spot? Surely not Top Chef Fabio Viviani, who is set to open a Loop rooftop, Seville, at the Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop hotel this fall.
The report tracks pedestrian activity, shared mobility and transit, hotel occupancy, office workers on-site, arts and culture, investment, and more. Sold-out and world-class events; an incremental increase in office workers; and record-breaking summer tourism contributed to a stable third quarter.
4 MIN READ – Fall is arguably the best season in Chicago (or at least top two!). Cooler temps, light layers, and plenty of things to do encourage Chicagoans to step outside. If you want to paint with the colors of the wind, here are some ways to enjoy some of the vestiges of a perfect autumn day downtown in the Loop.
The Center for Native Futures (CfNF) is located in the Loop’s Marquette Building and serves as Chicago’s only all-Native
artist-operated fine arts organization.
2 MIN READ – Chicago has been named the Best Big City in the U.S. for the seventh straight year by Condé Nast Traveler through their annual Readers’ Choice Awards. This award, which is voted on by Condé Nast Traveler readers, has been bestowed on Chicago every year since 2017 and is a momentous achievement and a true testament to the enduring allure of our beautiful and dynamic city.
2 MIN READ — The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) announced programming for this year’s Open House Chicago (OHC), a free festival that provides behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most historically, culturally and architecturally important sites.
3 MIN READ – The Chicago Marathon kicks off on Sunday, October 10, in Grant Park. Whether you’re running or watching, treat yourself and celebrate in the Chicago Loop.
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…
June 20, 2026
MUSIC BY MARK HOLLMANN LYRICS BY MARK HOLLMANN AND JAY REISS BOOK BY ERIN QUINN PURCELL AND JAY REISS DIRECTED…
June 30, 2026
An exciting lineup of outdoor films on Tuesdays this summer.
