Build your Chicago trip.
Your days, your pace—with the details from our visits.
Your route through Chicago
3 days, at your pace.
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Suggested order, not reserved times. Check hours and ticket availability for your dates before booking. Allow extra time for hotel travel, queues, and delays.
Day 1
The Loop · Streeterville · Ogden Slip · Gold Coast
Visits 5h · Transfers ~55m · Pizza is the meal stop
Skydeck Chicago
The Loop Allow 1h 15m
Our midday visit felt comfortable, and The Ledge made it memorable. It is our default observation-deck pick; swap in 360 CHICAGO if you prefer.
Ticket & timing note
Check timed-entry availability and visibility. Our quieter midday experience is not a crowd guarantee.
Official hours & details ↗Rideshare or transit Allow ~35m
Chicago Line architecture cruise
Streeterville · Ogden Slip Allow 2h
An excellent guide; July heat lowered our score. This allowance includes a 90-minute sailing and 30 minutes for boarding. Choose a cooler departure in hot weather.
Ticket & timing note
Match the order to an available departure. Chicago Line is a different operator from the Shoreline cruise offered through CityPASS.
Official hours & details ↗Walk Allow ~20m
Giordano’s on Rush Street
Gold Coast Allow 1h 45m
Our stuffed deep dish was a sit-down occasion. We planned around a roughly 45-minute bake; table waits can add more time.
Ticket & timing note
Check the Rush Street location’s hours. Use this as the day’s meal stop, rather than squeezing it between tight ticket times.
Official hours & details ↗
Day 2
Museum Campus
Visits 5h · Transfers ~10m · Meal break 1h
Shedd Aquarium
Museum Campus Allow 2h 30m
Belugas and sharks were our standouts. Our 10 a.m. visit worked as a highlights morning before Field; allow longer for presentations and add-ons.
Ticket & timing note
Choose a timed ticket for your date. Check the daily program before fixing the rest of the day.
Official hours & details ↗Leave room for a meal 1hFit this pause around your ticket times, during or between visits. It is included once in the day’s total.
Walk Allow ~10m
Field Museum
Museum Campus Allow 2h 30m
SUE and the mummies led our highlights visit. Shedd is nearby, but each museum can fill a day if you like to read every display.
Ticket & timing note
Check closing time and any separately timed exhibitions. Keep the museum portion of your day early.
Official hours & details ↗
Day 3
Hyde Park
Visits 4h 30m · Meal break 1h
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Hyde Park Allow 4h 30m
Our highest-rated attraction: the tornado, U-505, model railway, and aircraft. We saw the submarine from outside; its onboard tour needs separate planning.
Ticket & timing note
Check museum hours and reserve desired add-ons. The Spider-Man exhibition from our visit has closed.
Official hours & details ↗Leave room for a meal 1hFit this pause around your ticket times, during or between visits. It is included once in the day’s total.