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THE 10 BEST Chicago Tours & Excursions

Chicago tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Chicago Architecture River Cruise

2. Chicago River 90-Minute History and Architecture Tour

3. Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

4. Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

5. Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour

6. Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise in Chicago

7. Skydeck Chicago Admission Ticket

8. Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour

9. Flyover in Chicago

10. Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour

11. Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

12. Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

13. 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission

14. Chicago in a Day: Food, History and Architecture Walking Tour

15. Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

16. Chicago CityPASS®

17. Chicago's Secret Interiors Architectural Tour

18. Chicago River Cocktail Cruise

19. Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour

20. Shot Of Art After Dark

21. Chicago Gangster and Food Walking Tour

22. Chicago River Architecture Boat Tour

23. Chicago Buffet Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

24. Chicago Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

25. Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

26. Chicago City Minibus Tour

27. 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago

28. Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago

29. Chicago's Chinatown Food and Walking Tour

30. Field Museum of Natural History Admission Tickets

What travelers are saying.

• Keishiro H 6 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Review of Chicago River cruise tour Firstly, the service was amazing! I missed my scheduled cruise tour due to the traffic, but they were able to book me to the next available cruise tour! Secondly, the guide throughout the tour was a very outgoing person! She was communicating with the guest throughout the whole 75 minutes, making sure all of our needs were met. Make sure to remember to bring something warm in the windy city! Although it may be warm on land, the wind cuts right through the river, so it gets much chillier than on land. Read more Review of: Chicago Architecture River Cruise Written April 30, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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• Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
• Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
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• Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady
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Chicago Tours

Chicago is a sprawling city, comprised of dozens of neighborhoods with unique characteristics and singular attractions. It can be hard to approach exploring the city without an insider’s knowledge of the best way to get to Wicker Park, or the top pizza place in River North. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of tours available in Chicago to help visitors make the most of their time in the city while easily navigating the best attractions, areas, and cuisines.

For first-time visitors, bus tours are a smart option. They can help you see more of the city than you would be able to via mass transit (without some very complex planning, that is). Bus tours also allow you to see the highlights of the city via a pre-planned route that maximizes sightseeing potential and minimizes driving time. Hop-on hop-off options are key here, too, as they facilitate exploring the city at your own pace, and visiting attractions that pique your interest from the bus. There are even themed bus tours that cover topics like food, drink, and Chicago culture.

Chicago boasts many types of tours beyond the typical bus tour, however. If you’d like to experience Lake Michigan or the Chicago River – two essential components to the city’s identity – then a boat tour is a smart option. You can choose a tour that simply showcases the lake, or one that highlights city architecture. Visitors can also opt to explore the via bike: take a guided tour or explore on your own. Given that Chicago is a very walkable city, it’s unsurprising that another popular type of tour is a walking tour. These are usually themed around a concept like food, drink, pop culture, local legends, and more. The Chicago Architecture Center also runs many architecture-specific tours, and many companies offer guided tours (on foot or via bus) related to culinary concepts.

Whatever kind of tour you’re interested in, you’ll find a number of excellent options in Chicago. Here’s an overview of the most popular tour types in Chicago.

The classic option for exploring Chicago, bus tours come in a variety of styles ranging from guided tours of the North and South Sides to fully-narrated hop-on hop-off tours.

With Lake Michigan and the Chicago River being so important to the city, it’s no surprise that you can tour the city via boat. Choose a theme, or just enjoy the sail.

Explore the city in an eco-friendly way by making your way through the parks and trails of Chicago on two wheels. Take a self-guided tour, or opt for the full experience.

Walking Tours

In spite of its massive size, Chicago is the ideal city for a walking tour. Explore a neighborhood, a theme, a concept, or a story on these guided excursions.

If you’re interested in Chicago’s culinary scene, then a food tour is a must. They’re organized around neighborhoods or cuisines and are perfect for foodies.

Architecture Tours

Chicago’s architectural legacy is among the best in the country. Enjoy the amazing, inspiring buildings that populate the city skyline on an architecture tour.

Tour Companies

Gray line chicago.

Gray Line Tours offers 5 different tour options in Chicago. Popular Gray Line Chicago tours include the Chicago Grand City tour, the Chicago North Side tour, and the Historic Chicago South Shore tour.

Chicago Crime Tours

Takes visitors on guided outings to a number of famous crime scenes. Along the way, guests will learn about Chicago’s history as a hotbed for criminals like John Dillinger, Al Capone, and more.

Bike and Roll Chicago

Offers a variety of guided bike and Segway tours that take visitors to a number of Chicago’s most iconic attractions. They also offer bike rentals by the hour or day.

Tall Ship Windy

Based out of Navy Pier, Tall Ship Windy operates a variety of scenic cruises on its approximately 150-foot schooner. Popular tours include the Lakeside Architecture Sail and the Skyline Sail, with several other options available.

Big Bus Chicago

With their distinctive fleet of open-top, double-decker buses, Big Bus Chicago offers hop-on, hop-off tours that let you choose where and when you stop at a given attraction.

Shoreline Sightseeing

Has been running scenic tours of Chicago along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River for 80 years. Their most popular tours include a river excursion highlighting Chicago’s acclaimed architecture and a lake cruise departing from Navy Pier .

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Go Visit Chicago Let's Discover the Windy City

Chicago Sightseeing Tours

Chicago tours are one of the best ways to explore our windy city's culture, history, attractions and world renowned architecture. Chicago features great skyscraper buildings and each historic buildings hold unique story. You can get all those details easily through guided tours.

There are different kinds of Chicago tours including boat tours, bus & trolley tours, bike tours, Segway tours and kayak tours.

I recommend you to consider one of these guided top-rated Chicago boat tours, bus tours, Chicago bike tours or walking tours to explore Chicago's best attractions, landmarks, skyscraper buildings, history and culture.

If you are foodie then I also recommend you to check out top food tours to enjoy the local flavors. Through these food and beer tours you will be able to explore Chicago's best restaurants and craft breweries.

Whether you are Chicago local or visitor, it is time to embrace your inner tourist and experience the best of Chicago through these tours. Let's discover the windy city better!

Popular Chicago Tours

Chcago Boat Tours

Chicago Architecture Boat Tours

Chicago Skyline Lake Tours

Chicago Fireworks Cruises

Chicago Night Cruises

Chicago Day Cruises

Chicago Food Tours

Bus & Trolley Tours

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Top chicago boat tours.

Chicago is blessed with the ocean like Lake Michigan. I recommend you to consider at least one of the cruises and sailing water tours on Chicago River or Lake Michigan. Odyssey Chicago dinner and lunch cruises are very popular among Chicago locals and tourists. You must take advantage of one of these Chicago boat tours during summer.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Chicago Architecture River Cruise Chicago is very famous for its beautiful architectural gems. Chicago architecture river cruise treats you to the magnificent visual display of these architectural marvels. This one hour architecture river cruise on the historic Chicago River offers breathtaking views of the Chicago city skyline as you pass by more than 40 prominent buildings including the AON Center, …

Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride

Lakefront Seadog Speedboat Ride If you love speed then you will love this exhilarating Seadog speedboat tours ride along Chicago’s famous Lake Michigan. Feel the thrill of the 2000-horsepower engine as you cruise on your speedboat on the beautiful lake. Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to enjoy the fabulous views of Chicago from the Michigan lake. Overall, lakefront speedboat …

Chicago Lunch Cruise Enjoy a fine dining experience aboard Chicago’s largest luxury yacht at Navy Pier. This two hour lunch cruise not only tantalizes your taste buds but also gives you an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent city skyline while on the cruise. During this two hour extravagant lunch cruise, you get to relish a freshly prepared three-course meal along …

Chicago River and Lake Architecture Tour

Chicago is known for world famous stunning and original architecture. One of the best and enjoyable way to see it, is on a cruise on the Chicago River through Chicago Architecture River Cruise. Fascinating Chicago river and Lake Architecture tour gives you an opportunity to not only get acquainted with Chicago’s leading landmarks and attractions but also at the end …

Spirit of Chicago Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet

Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise with Buffet The Spirit of Chicago Sunset Dinner cruise with buffet includes dinner, dancing and sightseeing aboard a three-hour luxury cruise on Lake Michigan. I would say, it is your chance to get to see the most magnificent Chicago attractions like Navy Pier and Chicago skyline while you sail on Lake Michigan and dine on …

Top Chicago Bus Tours

There are many bus tours available to explore our windy city the fullest. Hop on Hop off Chicago tour is one of the easiest way to discover the top attractions such as Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Magnificent Mile to explore. You may also want to consider Chicago crime and Mob tour to experience and learn about gangster history.

Chicago Bus Tours: Hop-On Discover Hop-Off Explore The Hop on Hop off Chicago is operated by Big Bus tours Chicago company. This Chicago bus tour is one of the best ways to visit top attractions and landmarks in Chicago. This hop on hop off Chicago bus tour allows you to explore and discover the windy city for one low priced …

Best of Chicago Tour Including a Deep-Dish Pizza Chicago is a city that is known for its magnificent architecture, stunning attractions and of course the world famous deep-dish pizza. This tour combines the best of what this Windy City has to offer with a comprehensive city tour accompanied by a local guide and the tour ends with a bite into …

Chicago North Side Tour Chicago is a culturally rich city and every tour is distinctively different as you get to explore a new side to this world famous Windy City. The North side tour of Chicago allows you experience the vibrancy and vitality of Chicago’s main business district.. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of this part of Chicago as your …

Chicago Grand Tour and Hancock Observatory

The one attraction that must be part of anyone’s travel itinerary to Chicago is the Hancock Observatory. This comprehensive half-day guided tour allows you to not only enjoy the fascinating observatory but also get acquainted with other myriad attractions of this amazing city. With this charming drive discover the numerous highlights of the North Side and South Side along with …

Chicago Grand Half-Day Tour

Chicago Grand Half-Day Tour Review The best way to explore Chicago in a short duration of time is through this comprehensive Chicago half-day tour. You get to see the highlights of Chicago’s North Side and South Side and enjoy a scenic drive along the Lake Shore Drive. The beautiful Washington Park and Grant Park along with the fascinating Lincoln Park …

Top Chicago Food Tours

Chicago is famous for local foods from Chicago style Hot dogs and pizza to fine dining. If you love food then I recommend you to consider one of Chicago's best Beer & Brewery Tours to enjoy the local flavors.

Food lovers will thoroughly relish the thought of digging into the culinary side of Chicago through this three-hour walking Chicago food tour of Gold Coast and Old Town. You will enjoy food tour full of delicious flavors as you visit seven well-known Chicago restaurants in these two neighborhoods. Situated just north of the downtown area, Gold Coast and Old Town …

Small-Group Chicago Food Tour – Wicker Park and Bucktown Neighborhoods

Chicago is a city that is not only famous for its amazing architecture and rich culture but  also known worldwide for offering amalgamation of foods. How can one forget the famous Chicago deep-dish pizza and Chicago style hot dogs? Keep in mind, list of restaurants keeps changing throughout the year. So make sure to check the list of places here …

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35 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Downtown Chicago, Illinois

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Thousands of tourists make their way to Chicago every year, and for good reason. The “windy city” has plenty to offer in the form of great architecture and a stunning skyline filled with skyscrapers, world-class museums, a growing craft beer culture, and a shoreline that mixes modern waterfront areas with miles of beaches and iconic landmarks.

The list of places to visit in Chicago is long and exciting and covers everything from amazing food to an exciting cultural scene.

No matter why you’re visiting, though, there are plenty of fun things to do in Chicago – so many, in fact, that we are focusing our list on the best things to do in Downtown Chicago , a 35-block area famous for its vibrant urban atmosphere.

1 – Take a sightseeing river cruise

There’s no better way to admire the city’s great architecture than from the water – and the Chicago River offers the perfect opportunity to relax on board a cruise and enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline.

Most cruises depart from Navy Pier and for 60-75 minutes (depending on which cruise you choose) will take you to see many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Tribune Tower, Marina City, and the John Hancock Center skyscraper.

You’ll sail under historical bridges, be able to listen to a live narration, and discover all three branches of the Chicago River as you learn about the buildings that helped shape the city.

Drinks are available for purchase and cruises depart several times a day, so you can choose the time more convenient for you.

• boat tours in Chicago

Read more about the best Chicago architecture boat tours

2 – Soak up some sun at Millennium Park

Covering almost 25 acres, Millenium Park is much more than just a green space in the heart of Chicago. Filled with interesting art and great attractions, the park has become a gathering point and the place to be for major annual events (like the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree every year).

Crown Fountain is perhaps the best-known spot in the park – a video tower sculpture that displays videos as it spouts waters into the reflecting pool next to it.

The park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a massive outdoor amphitheater, is home to the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and holds musical series, summer concerts, and performing arts events.

Another favorite in the park is Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), a massive 10 m× 13 m×20 m stainless steel sculpture that reflects a distorted Chicago on every inch of its surface.

Near the northwest end of the park, there’s Wrigley Square, best known for its Millenium Monument, a fun semi-circle of 12-meter-tall Roman-style columns popular for photo opportunities and events.

3 – Get your culture fix at one of the many art museums in Chicago

Chicago is home to some incredible museums, and your list of things to do in Downtown Chicago should certainly include some of them.

With a world-class collection of over 300,000 pieces, The Art Institute of Chicago is a good place to start. If you’re still hungry for more great art, try the Museum of Contemporary Art , where the collection focuses on post-WWII artists.

With a massive collection of work by Ansel Adams, portraitist Julia Margaret Cameron, and street-photography pioneer Julia Margaret Cameron among many other famous names, the Museum of Contemporary Photography  is a great place to spend a couple of hours discovering the great American photographers of the past century.

Housed in a former private mansion, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum is an homage to the stunning decorative arts of the past two centuries. In addition to original art nouveau items, the home features lots of Tiffany glass and artworks and marble sculptures.

For a unique experience, it’s hard to beat the WNDR Museum , an immersive experience that features exhibits like an Infinity Mirror Room, audio-visual installations, and optical illusions.

Read more about the best museums in Chicago

4 – Enjoy the waterfront views at Navy Pier

The 1,000-meter-long pier has become one of Chicago’s most recognizable and popular destinations. Sitting right on Lake Michigan and home to a number of attractions, shops, and restaurants, the pier is a busy place no matter the season.

Outdoor attractions include everything from remote control boats to a drop tower, an old carousel, and a state-of-the-art Centennial Ferris Wheel that will take you over 60 meters up into the air for breathtaking 360-degree views over Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Other attractions include a 370-square-meter maze, a one-acre botanical garden, and the Chicago Children’s Museum. On rainy days, an IMAX theater and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater offer great indoor options as well.

Even if you don’t visit any of the attractions, the pier itself is a great place for a walk and often features outdoor art installations and live music in summer. The 45-meter Schooner Windy tall ship departs from Navy Pier and offers not only great views of the shoreline but also a choice of a Pirates-inspired sail or a sunset sail.

• Navy Pier Centennial Wheel tickets

5 – Say hi to marine creatures big and small at the Shedd Aquarium

Home to over 30,000 animals, the Shedd Aquarium is divided into major zones like Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, Polar Play Zone, and Waters of the World.

Learn about the animals inhabiting Chicago’s local waters, say hello to rescued green sea turtles, meet red-bellied piranhas and green anacondas, and pet giant rays. Or head to the underwater viewing area to come face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins.

A 4D theater inside the aquarium shows water-inspired films like Sea Monsters and Ice Age. There are also special temporary exhibits focused on beautiful marine creatures, the unique Australian Lungfish, sharks, and American alligators.

6 – Discover Chicago’s past with a gangsters and crime tour

The Windy City is historically known for being home to notorious mobsters during the 1920s Prohibition Era. Al Capone once called Chicago home and ran an underground gambling and bootlegging “industry” that was worth millions of dollars.

Today, plenty of tours will take you to the hot spots of Prohibition-era mobster activity, showing you the criminal underworld of Chicago and giving you a glimpse of how big names like Capone, the Untouchables, and John Dillinger forever changed the city.

Both walking and bus tours are available, and both come with a history-savvy guide who will take you to the most important location of Chicago’s criminal past. Visit the place where the St Valentine’s Day Massacre took place, stop by an old gangster headquarters, see where Al Capone used to carry out business and also where he went for fun, and stop by Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse to visit the secret vault once used by Frank Nitti.

Gangsters and Ghosts tours are also available, where you’ll get a peak into Chicago’s most haunted places, including the Palmer House and Death Alley.

• gangsters and crime tours

7 – Take the kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum

At the top of things to do in Downtown Chigaco if you have kids is this interactive museum located at the popular Navy Pier. At almost 8,000 square meters, it’s one of the largest children’s museums in the country.

Four floors of hands-on exhibits are divided into three age groups, including babies and toddlers, ages 4-8, and ages 9 and up. This means everybody gets a chance to have fun learning for hours on end at the Chicago Children’s Museum .

Exhibits include everything from boats and climbing corners to an art studio, a kids’ town, a dinosaur area (complete with an excavation pit), and a tinkering lab where young scientists can explore technology, math, and engineering concepts.

8 – Catch breathtaking panoramic views from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck

There’s no better place to catch breathtaking 360-degree views of Chicago’s skyline than from the top of the 360 Chicago Observation Deck.

Set 94 stories up in the air, near the top of the John Hancock Center skyscraper, the observatory offers bird’s-eye views of many city landmarks as well as the lakefront shoreline and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Downtown Chicago.

Just getting to the observatory is thrilling (you’ll be riding one of the fastest elevators in the country), but the real excitement here is TILT, a thrill ride in the form of a glass platform that tilts forward at a 30-degree angle so you can get the best downward-facing views from 1,000 meters up in the air.

The observatory is also home to the Architect’s Corner Café and Bar and an open-air SkyWalk.

• 360 Chicago Observation Deck tickets

9 – Discover local delicacies with a food tour

Chicago has its share of special local foods – perhaps the most famous ones being the Chicago deep-dish pizza or Chicago-style pizza and the iconic Italian beef sandwich – and the best way to experience them is through a food tour.

Stroll through the streets of Chicago with an expert guide and discover the best spots to taste a number of foods. Learn about the history of the city as you walk past famous landmarks like the Chicago River and Millennium Park and discover great architecture and street art.

Sink your teeth into some deep-dish pizza, sip a local beer, taste a Chicago-style hot dog, and enjoy original Italian pastries. You can even choose special food tours like a 2.5-hour Taste of Chinatown walking tour or a half-day tour exploring both the food and the architecture of Chicago. There’s even a donut tour for a mouth-watering sweet experience at some of the best donut shops in the city.

• food tours in Chicago

10 – See Chicago like never before from the Willis Tower Skydeck

The 108 stories tall Willis Tower is best known for its observatory. It’s not only the tallest Skydeck observatory in the country but also one of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

Here, visitors can step into retractable glass balconies – essentially glass boxes with a glass floor extending more than 1 meter out from the building.

Not only can you look 400 meters straight down over the streets below, but also get 360-degree views over Lake Michigan and spanning four states on clear, sunny days. Don’t miss out on this thrilling experience when in Chicago!

• Willis Tower Skydeck Chicago tickets

Hot tip: Cheap Skydeck Chicago Tickets – How to Save up to 20%

11 – See the city’s most famous buildings with an architecture tour

Chicago’s most iconic buildings sit near the river – and there’s no better way to enjoy them than with an architecture river cruise tour. Jump onboard and let your expert guide introduce you to landmark buildings as you cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River.

You’ll pass by the 36-floor neo-Gothic skyscraper Tribune Tower, the Rookery Building (Chicago’s oldest standing high-rise), and the Wrigley Building, a stunning 1920s skyscraper with a bright white facade. You’ll also see the Chicago Water Tower, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once used to pump water from the lake.

Would you rather try an architectural walking tour of Chicago? For a shorter, self-guided architecture tour, head to the 2 km-long Chicago Riverwalk .

Otherwise, try The Loop route, which takes you through the best of Downtown Chicago art-deco buildings, where you’ll step inside the dazzling lobby of the Rookery Building, see the vibrant facade of the Chicago Board of Trade, and marvel at the beauty of buildings right out of the roaring 1920s.

Some of these walking tours will also take you to the Chicago Cultural Center (famous for its Tiffany glass dome) and the Chicago Architecture Center , where you’ll have a chance to learn more about the city’s architectural history.

• architecture tours in Chicago

12 – Visit the stunning Holy Name Cathedral

This breathtaking Gothic Revival cathedral was built after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed two of the main churches in the city.

The result is an architectural marvel that mixes dark wood with lots of stained glass and details like massive bronze doors, 21-meter-tall ceilings, and a number of sculptures and castings depicting the apostles and Old Testament scenes.

The church is home to two pipe organs often used during mass and an overall design that focuses on the “Tree of Life” theme of Biblical salvation.

The Holy Name Cathedral is open to visitors during the day if you just want to admire its beauty and take some photos.

13 – Walk the historical Michigan Avenue

Running from the shore of Lake Michigan all the way through the city, Michigan Avenue was once primarily residential. Over the years, the road has been extended north of the Chicago River and now crosses over the Michigan Avenue Bridge (officially named the DuSable Bridge), connecting Chicago’s south side and north side.

Today, a walk down Michigan Avenue is one of the must-do things in Downtown Chicago. Home to some of the city’s most important attractions – including Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago – Michigan Avenue has become an attraction in itself. Part of the reason for that is the stretch of the avenue known as the Magnificent Mile .

Flanked by skyscrapers and similar to Fifth Avenue in New York, the Magnificent Mile is filled with luxury shops, restaurants and 5-star hotels, and a number of Chicago landmarks. During the Christmas season, over a million lights are used to decorate the trees lining up the avenue.

• walking tours in Chicago

14 – See the world’s largest dinosaur at the Field Museum of Natural History

With a collection of over 24 million objects, the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH) is one of Chicago’s most impressive museums. The collection covers everything from fossils and meteorites to ancient civilizations, creepy creatures, gemstones, and biodiversity.

The main attractions here are, without a doubt, the dinosaurs – which include SUE (the most complete T.rex ever found) and Titanosaur Máximo, the largest dinosaur that ever lived at 37 meters long and almost 9 meters tall.

There’s also a 3D theater, a kid-friendly PlayLab, and an exciting Egyptian exhibit complete with mummies, a 4,000-year-old boat, and an ancient burial chamber.

The FMNH is part of the Museum Campus, a 57-acre waterfront park that’s also home to a number of other attractions such as the Adler Planetarium, the multi-purpose Soldier Field stadium, the Shedd Aquarium, and America’s largest convention space at McCormick Place.

• Field Museum of Natural History tickets

15 – Catch a game at the United Center

This multi-purpose indoor arena is the permanent home of the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls and the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks. Other sporting events, including NCAA basketball, professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts tournaments are sometimes held at United Center as well.

With a capacity of over 20,000, the arena has also become a popular venue for concerts – over the years, everybody from Paul McCartney to Lady Gaga to the Rolling Stones has performed here.

The arena features a number of statues representing some of the most famous house players, including Michael Jordan and Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull.

If you’re visiting Chicago during the pre-season (which starts in October), you should be able to get tickets last minute to cheer for the local team.

16 – Discover the city with a hop-on hop-off bus tour

Save time and money and see all the city’s top sights with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. You’ll avoid headaches and trying to figure out an itinerary – just jump on board and get off at the stop of your choice to explore and take some photos.

When you’re ready, just get back on the open-top, double-decker bus and continue on your journey as you listen to the audio commentary and learn more about Chicago’s history and culture.

The bus takes you on a two-hour loop that includes 11 stops, such as the Navy Pier, the 360 Skydeck, Museum Campus, and the Chicago Riverwalk.

If you want to see a different side of the city, grab a seat on the Big Bus Chicago Night Tour , a 75-minutes non-stop tour that takes you to see the most stunning landmarks as the city lights turn on.

• bus tours in Chicago

17 – Celebrate the world of sports at the Chicago Sports Museum

The 2100-square-foot Chicago Sports Museum not only houses a massive collection of sports memorabilia, but it’s also home to interactive experiences that will make you feel like your favorite sports stars are right there with you.

Learn about the evolution of baseballs, test your vertical jump against the giants of basketballs, see game memorabilia, and explore the history of Chicago baseball. You can jump into a racing car simulator and learn about the superstitions and legends of the sports world.

You can even see the original Sports Almanac prop from the movie “Back to the Future II,” which predicted the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series in 2015. The Cubs, which had not won a World Series since 1908, actually won the title in 2016 – just a year off from what the movie predicted.

18 – Trick your mind at the Museum of Illusions

Stop by this museum to discover a great collection of magic and trickery exhibits that will both confuse you and amuse you! Get ready for lots of interactive fun created with paint, holograms, and clever design.

Over 80 mind-bending illusions will keep both kids and adults busy for a couple of hours – Step into a spinning vortex tunnel, walk into rooms that defy the laws of physics and practice some anti-gravity moves, come face-to-face with a bottomless pit, and shrink yourself to tiny sizes.

You’ll find plenty of perfect selfie opportunities here; each exhibit even has a mark to show you where to stand for the best photos!

• Museum of Illusions tickets

19 – Take a Segway tour around Grant Park

Looking for things to do in Downtown Chicago when you only have a couple of hours to fill? You can discover Chicago’s beautiful lakefront on a fun Segway tour as you learn about the area’s history and famous landmarks.

Most tours start at the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park and then bring you closer to popular attractions like Lake Michigan and the city skyline, Museum Campus, and Millennium Park.

Don’t worry if this is your first time riding a Segway! Your tour guide will guide you through the basics before you set off on your adventure. There is nothing like seeing the city on a Segway tour – you’ll be able to cover a lot more ground than you would walking and have lots of fun in the process!

• segway tours in Chicago

20 – Spend an afternoon discovering Lincoln Park

Chicago’s largest park has so much to offer, you’d need an entire day to truly explore it all. Over 1,200 acres of green space serve as home to nature reserves, recreational facilities including a golf course and a skate park, and a number of public beaches that offer great swimming and boating facilities. North Avenue Beach is particularly popular and offers plenty of space for lounging shoreside and water activities.

Perhaps the most famous attraction here is the Lincoln Park Zoo , a 35-acre space home to over 1,000 animals. The Conservatory is another big draw, home to displays of everything from giant palms to an orchid room. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a nice complement, with a butterfly house and exhibits about the ecosystem of the region.

If you’re up for learning more about Chicago and American history, the Chicago History Museum offers a great look into the growth of the city, chronicles Lincoln’s assassination, and provides a number of exhibits for kids.

21 – Enjoy the magic of Lake Michigan

The largest (by area) of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan attracts thousands of visitors every year, who mostly come here for water sports like sea kayaking, kitesurfing, and yachting.

A number of wide and busy beaches line up the shoreline, with Ohio Street Beach offering convenience (it’s very close to Navy Pier) and lots of open space to lounge. Winter visitors often stop by the fascinating phenomenon of ice volcanoes forming on the lake.

Boat tours are a great way to discover the beauty of the lake. You can choose between a relaxing skyline or a brunch cruise. Or end the day with a relaxing dinner cruise where you can indulge both your eyes and your taste buds with a great all-you-can-eat buffet and onboard entertainment with DJ music.

Adrenaline lovers can choose an exciting speedboat ride that takes you on an architecture tour along skyscrapers and old bridges and ends with a massive fireworks display. There are also ferries that take passengers to different nearby islands for sunbathing in a bit more privacy.

If you’d rather stay on land, the 29km-long Lakefront Trail is a great way to explore the shoreline – no matter if you’re biking or hiking.

• Lake Michigan tours

22 – Get inspired at the American Writers Museum

The only museum in the country completely dedicated to American writers and their work, this quirky but interesting space offers exhibits on the work of novelists, poets, journalists, and even humor writers. There’s even a special section dedicated to the work of local Chicago writers.

Interactive stations allow visitors to play videos and sounds and even to activate scents connected to important literary works.

See how American writers from the 1600s and 1700s started to develop their own style away from European influence, what readers were choosing to read for fun through the centuries, and the writing habits of famous authors.

The American Writers Museum also hosts temporary exhibits and organizes special “meet the writers” evenings.

23 – Check out Soldier Field Stadium

The multi-purpose Soldier Field Stadium is home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the Chicago Fire FC soccer team, but it has also hosted a number of other events, including games for the Special Olympics, rallies from famous figures like Martin Luther King Jr, and the occasional hockey game.

The stadium can sit over 61,000 people, making it perfect for large events and shows. Concerts held here have included everybody from Barbra Streisand and Paul McCartney to The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and Jay-Z.

The 1924 stadium lost its National Historic Landmark designation in 2006 after an extensive renovation that modernized the space and added environmentally sustainable details.

24 – Visit The Second City, Chicago’s best comedy club

If you’re looking for things to do in Downtown Chicago once the sun sets, this one is a must. Chicago’s oldest improv theater takes its name from one of the city’s old nicknames. Back in the early 20th century, Chicago earned the second-place slot in an ongoing rivalry between Chicago and NYC as the best metropolitan area.

While this might sound like a loss, Chicago has embraced its nickname in a fun way – and you can see just that when you visit The Second City premier comedy club.

The club served as the starting point for many famous comedians – including Alan Alda, Mike Myers, and Bill Murray – and a number of well-known performers still take to the stage here regularly. Stop by any night of the week for a laugh-out-loud good time with live shows starting at 7 pm.

25 – Spend the day at Maggie Daley Park

The 20-acre Maggie Daley Park , located near Lake Michigan, is best known for its many activities and features available.

The biggest attraction is the half km long ice skating ribbon, which runs along one side of the park and offers slight changes in elevation for some fun challenges. During the summer, the space is used as a rollerskating area.

Two rock-climbing structures with a maximum height of 12 meters welcome both beginners and experienced climbers and offer both bouldering and lead-harnessed climbing.

For family-friendly fun, there’s an 18-hole miniature golf course, tennis courts, and an Alice-in-Wonderland inspired “play garden” filled with lots of water features, climbing spaces, slides, and bridges for kids of all ages.

26 – Take a helicopter tour over the Chicago’s skyline

Want to see Chicago’s beautiful architecture and green spaces from up above? A helicopter tour is the best way to do just that! Soar over Downtown Chicago, past the Willis Tower and over famous sights like Wrigley Field, the Navy Pier, and the Chicago River.

The 15-minute ride will allow you to capture stunning photos of the city in a Bell 206, turbine-engine helicopter. You’ll feel the rush of the flight combined with the excitement of seeing iconic landmarks like never before.

Private 45-minute scenic flights are a great choice if you’re traveling with your own group and want some privacy and out-of-this-world views of Chicago.

• helicopter tours in Chicago

Read more about helicopter tours in Chicago – which one is the best?

27 – Attend a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall

The historical Orchestra Hall at the Symphony Center has been home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus for many years.

While the building retains many original architectural details dating back to 1904, the Orchestra Hall was extensively renovated in the 20th century to improve acoustics, re-organize seating spaces to avoid blind spots, and add rehearsal spaces and features like a cafe and better lighting.

The hall’s concert series includes a mix of classical masterpieces and unique new shows, including piano concerts, kid-friendly programs, and acclaimed guest conductors. There are also unique movie experiences throughout the year where you get to enjoy classic films — from Amadeus to The Princess Bridge to Harry Potter — on giant screens as the orchestra performs the film’s score live.

28 – Grab a drink or two during a beer-tasting tour

Chicago has become a great destination for craft beer, and you can try several of them in one single evening when you book a special guided tour of some of the best breweries in town – you’ll get a chance to see the brewing process and enjoy plenty of beer samples along the way.

For a truly unique experience, grab a seat on the Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel bus tour. Visit a number of craft beer breweries onboard a bus shaped like a giant barrel reminiscent of those used during the 1920s Prohibition Era.

Want to explore on your own? There are plenty of breweries in Downtown Chicago that are worth a visit, including The Moody Tongue brewery with its barrel-aged brews, Motor Row Brewing and its unique beers (don’t miss their Blonde Belgian honey wheat brew), and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery , one of the original breweries in Chicago.

Miller’s Pub , one of Chicago’s oldest late-night spots, offers great comfort food and an old-school vibe perfect for grabbing some drinks.

• beer tasting in Chicago

29 – Indulge your inner space explorer at the Adler Planetarium

Despite its name, the Adler Planetarium is also an astronomy and astrophysics museum. Built in the 1930s as the first planetarium in the country, the Adler has become synonymous with the quest for understanding the universe.

Visitors should stop at the planetarium’s Doane Observatory first, which is open on select Wednesdays nights, before heading into the main building to explore more. There, you can catch a show at the massive Grainger Sky Theater or the Samuel C. Johnson Family Star Theater, which specializes in 3D shows.

The museum includes a number of exhibits dedicated to the history of stargazing, the Chicago night sky, the missions to the moon (which includes the original Gemini 12 spacecraft), and our solar system.

Visitors can take photos with some of NASA’s rovers, learn through interactive stations, and take a look through a 17th-century telescope.

30 – Test your wits at The Escape Game Chicago

Do you have what it takes to find clues, solve puzzles and beat the clock? You have just 60 minutes to test your problem-solving skills and unlock the room – and you will require great teamwork and a sense of adventure to make it happen!

Rated the #1 Escape Room in the country with over 6,000 reviews on Google, The Escape Game Chicago offers five scenarios to choose from. Become a secret agent in a mission around a mysterious spice market, travel back in time to the Gold Rush era, fix your spaceship that just crash-landed on Mars, or find a stolen Monet painting.

Expert players can try their luck in the Prison Break room, considered one of the hardest escape rooms ever designed.

• escape rooms in Chicago

Hot tip: Challenge your problem-solving skills at an escape room, highlighted as one of the best indoor activities in Chicago for groups

31 – Catch some late-night tunes at Buddy Guy’s Legends

Considered one of the best blues club in the country, Buddy Guy’s Legends prides itself for bringing the best blue acts and some of the world’s most talented musicians under one roof. Buddy Guy himself – a blues guitarist and singer who’s won eight Grammy Awards – performs at the club every January to a sold-out space.

Live shows are available seven nights a week but you can also stop by just to admire the amazing collection of personal items that cover the walls. From rare photos and artwork to Keith Richards and Eric Clapton’s personal guitars, there’s plenty to discover here.

32 – Grab a seat to the most exciting shows at the Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre started life as an opulent movie theater in 1921 and is now considered one of the last surviving “grand movie palaces” in the country. The theater had space for a large live orchestra to accompany silent films, and an opulent interior that included stunning murals painted on the walls.

After years the neglect in the 1970s and a major restoration in the late 1980s, the Chicago Theatre now serves as a stage for everything from music concerts to comedy shows to stage plays.

Part of the restoration included revitalizing the theater’s interior and bringing back to life the grand lobby and staircase, Tiffany stained glass windows, and grand Wurlitzer pipe organ, one of the oldest of its kind still around.

• Chicago Theatre tickets & tours

33 – Connect with history at the International Museum of Surgical Science

Chicago’s most unique museum is home to a collection of items and exhibits focusing on the history of Eastern and Western medicine. From very early drawings and medical equipment to photographs, skeletons, and artifacts chronicling the breakthroughs and failures of medicine through the centuries, this is a museum that will awe, inspire and shock.

Special exhibits are dedicated to the 19th-century apothecary, polio and the use of the iron lung, pathology, the science of sight, and the history of dentistry.

The International Museum of Surgical Science also organizes temporary exhibits that focus on specific areas of medicine and history, such as a look into the deadly medicine of the Nazis, the world without polio, how the world has changed after 35 years of HIV/AIDS, and would healing through the ages.

34 – Catch a concert at the Civic Opera House

The country’s second-largest opera house, Civic Opera House , opened in 1929 and although it was extensively renovated in 1993, it still retains its original beauty. Limestone sculptures, gilt paint, and an opulent Art Deco lobby are still the heart of the building, where the traditional and the contemporary mix perfectly.

During the renovation, structural improvements and a state-of-the-art new sound system were added. Major operas like Madam Butterfly and La Boheme, as well as more modern options like Fiddler on the Roof now play here year-round.

35 – Let your imagination fly at the Briar Street Theatre’s Blue Man Show

Once a horse stable for the 19th-century Marshall Field department store, the space was abandoned and then used for several purposes until it reopened as the Briar Street Theater in 1985. With just 635 seats and an intimate elegant setup, this is a great space to truly appreciate a performance in the heart of Chicago.

While the theater still holds other performances (including full-length plays and musical shows) from time to time, it has mostly become known as the home of the performing Blue Man Group, where three characters painted in blue lead a multi-sensory experience combining music, theatrics, and visual effects.

• Blue Man Show tickets

How to get to Chicago?

A number of European airports (including Amsterdam, London, and Frankfurt) offer direct flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. From there, you can reach the heart of the city using airport shuttles and regional buses in about 40 minutes.

If you’re carrying a lot of luggage or arriving late and would rather go directly to your hotel, you have the option of using local taxi drivers, but be aware that extra fees might apply during busy hours or if you’re carrying lots of bags.

To save time and hassle, you can book an airport transfer . You won’t have to worry about timetables and you’ll arrive directly at your hotel’s door quickly and efficiently so you can make the most of your time in the city.

Where to stay in Downtown Chicago?

Sitting in a prime location overlooking the Chicago River, the Swissotel Chicago knows how to do luxury well. Expect sleek accommodations, a fitness center with panoramic views, and an award-winning restaurant. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of all major Downtown Chicago attractions and steps away from Lake Michigan.

Just steps from Millennium Park, the Hampton Inn Majestic is a more affordable option with a great location in the theater district. It offers colorful, spacious rooms, and a 24/7 fitness center, and it’s surrounded by great restaurants and cafes.

Right on the Magnificent Mile, the 4-star Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago offers innovative design, well-appointed rooms, a ballroom with a gold-gilded domed ceiling, great farm-to-table cuisine, and a 1920s-inspired cocktail bar.

• best hotels in Downtown Chicago

Visiting Chicago on a budget?

If you’re traveling on a budget but still want to see as many tourist attractions in Chicago as possible, the Chicago CityPass or the Go Chicago Explorer Pass might be for you.

Both offer discounts of 48% or more on up to 7 attractions chosen from a long list of 25 available attractions that include Skydeck Chicago, Adler Planetarium, the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, and the American Writers Museum.

The passes often include extras such as skip-the-line access and unique features and attractions like four-hour bike rentals, a panoramic night tour bus, and a shoreline architecture river cruise to choose from.

Some of the passes are valid for 60 days after activation, so if you’re visiting Chicago for a week you could easily do one attraction per day and save lots of money.

Final thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best things to do in Downtown Chicago! With plenty of world-renowned cultural attractions, beautiful waterfronts with innovative architecture, and a past right out of a gangster movie, you won’t run out of exciting attractions here.

Have another favorite must-see attraction in Downtown Chicago to recommend? Let us know in the comments below.

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Billie Eilish tour comes to United Center in November

Pop star’s worldwide ‘hit me hard and soft’ tour kicks off sept. 29 in quebec city..

Billie Eilish acknowledges the cheers during her Grant Park performance at Lollapalooza 2023.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Billie Eilish is hitting the road, and Chicago will be one of the destinations.

The pop performer announced Monday that she will embark on a worldwide arena tour this fall, kicking off in Quebec City in Canada on Sept. 29. The Chicago stop of “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour” will include two shows, Nov. 13 and 14 at the United Center.

After hitting major North American cities she’ll head to Australia and then Europe.

An American Express presale begins Tuesday, and any remaining tickets will become available Friday at billieeilish.com . A percentage of proceeds will benefit the environmental nonprofit REVERB.

Earlier this month, Eilish announced her highly anticipated third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” will be released May 17.

The news arrived via Instagram, where Eilish shared the album artwork showing the pop singer floating in a body of water after being ejected from a door. In the caption, she wrote that she will not drop singles in advance of the release.

“I wanna give it to you all at once,” she captioned the image. “I truly could not be more proud of this album.”

Eilish worked with her brother and longtime collaborator Finneas on “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” The siblings recently took home their second Oscar for their big “Barbie” ballad “What Was I Made For?” In doing so, Eilish, 22, became the youngest person by far to have won two career Oscars.

Billie Eilish announces 2 Chicago concerts as part of new tour

Eilish's "hit me hard and soft: the tour," which is set to kick off its northern american leg in september, includes two performances at chicago's united center in november, published april 29, 2024 • updated on april 29, 2024 at 11:58 am.

Billie Eilish's new tour will include two stops in Chicago this fall.

Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour," which is set to kick off its Northern American leg in September, includes two performances at Chicago's United Center in November.

Watch NBC Chicago local news and weather for free 24/7

The shows are set to take place on Nov. 13-14, Live Nation announced.

The tour announcement comes just after Eilish dropped her third studio album "Hit Me Hard and Soft."

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Tickets are set to go on sale Friday, with presale beginning Tuesday here .

See the full tour dates below:

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR   - NORTH AMERICA*

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Sun Sep 29 – Québec, QC – Centre Videotron

Tue Oct 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Wed Oct 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Fri Oct 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

Sat Oct 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Mon Oct 07 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

Wed Oct 09 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

Fri Oct 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Sun Oct 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

Wed Oct 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Thu Oct 17 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Fri Oct 18 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Sat Nov 02 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Sun Nov 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Wed Nov 06 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

Fri Nov 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center

Sun Nov 10 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

Mon Nov 11 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

Wed Nov 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Thu Nov 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Sat Nov 16 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

Sun Nov 17 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha

Tue Nov 19 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Wed Nov 20 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Tue Dec 03 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Thu Dec 05 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Fri Dec 06 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Sun Dec 08 – Portland, OR – Moda Center

Tue Dec 10 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose

Wed Dec 11 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose

Fri Dec 13 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena

Sun Dec 15 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

Mon Dec 16 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

Tue Dec 17 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

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LIV Golf announces Chicago as host city for the 2024 individual championship

C hicago, more specifically Bolingbrook Golf Club, will host the Individual Championship for LIV Golf. It is the 13th tournament of the 2024 season in which players will battle it out for final positions in the individual standings. The title of 2024 LIV Golf League Individual Champion will also be bestowed on one player.

Team seedings for the 2024 Team Championship will be set based on this as well. It will take place September 13-15, effectively wrapping up the LIV schedule with an epic final individual event.

CEO Greg Norman said via the tour's website:

"The passionate sports fans of Chicago have embraced the intense competition and fan-first experience that LIV Golf delivers, and this year it will be an incredible setting for a high-stakes event as players battle it out for the individual title and a roster spot for 2025. We're thrilled to return to Illinois with an event at Bolingbrook Golf Club as we celebrate the season-long race and set the stage for the 2024 finale," he said.

Mayor Mary Basta said they are excited to host the "star-studded, international field" of LIV's stars at The Village of Bolingbrook and Bolingbrook Golf Club for the event as well.

This event will determine who wins the season as an individual, but it also determine how free agency will go. The ranks the star players earn matter for where they'll go next year, be it out of the league or to a different team.

Those who finish in the top 24 will play again next year. Players with expiring contracts who finish from 25th to 48th will become free agents who can re-sign or move to a new team. Everyone else is relegated out of LIV and will have to play in the Promotions tournament.

Last season, the Individual Championship was in Jeddah. It involved a tense playoff between Brooks Koepka (who eventually won) and Talor Gooch, who did well enough to get the 2023 season-long title. Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau were also tightly involved.

This season, it's difficult to tell who will be up for it when September rolls around. But currently, Joaquin Niemann, Jon Rahm and Dean Burmester are at the top of the leaderboard and could be battling it out all season.

LIV Golf CEO not invited to Open Championship

R&A director of corporate communications Mike Woodcock noted that LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman hadn't been given an invitation to the upcoming Open Championship, a tournament he won twice as a player.

"I don't think there's a G. Norman [on the list]. I think they would have let me know if there was. So, I'm not aware that he's bought a ticket so far… Obviously there are tickets still available on the resale platform or hospitality. He's very welcome to look there."

Norman has become a controversial figure at Major tournaments. He wasn't invited to the Masters in 2023 and didn't go, and he didn't get invited in 2024 but attended purely as a spectator in spite of that.

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Primus, Puscifer, & A Perfect Circle: last chance to get tickets for SESSANTA

• Updated: Apr. 29, 2024, 4:05 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 29, 2024, 3:56 p.m.
• Mallory Dwortz | [email protected]

Primus has two Midwest shows coming up this week, performing at Chicago, Illinois’ Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, May 1 and Pine Knob Music Theatre on Thursday, May 2 .

With only a few days left to purchase tickets, some prices are still as low as $49.50 for lawn GA and $56 for a seat selection — available now on SeatGeek , Vivid Seats , StubHub , and Ticketmaster .

About the band:

Primus is an alternative, post-punk band made up of Les Claypool on bass and vocals, Larry “Ler” LaLonde as guitarist, and Tim “Herb” Alexander on the drums. The group boasts an expansive discography, stretching from their debut EP “Suck on This” in 1989 and their first studio album “Frizzle Fry” in 1990, to the 2022 EP “Conspiranoid” and this year’s tour focus, “Sessanta,” a 60th birthday celebration for Maynard James Keenan comprised of a split EP and three-way performance featuring Primus, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle.

Following the triple EP shows, their tour continues solo throughout the summer, making their way back to the Midwest from July 30 to August 6 with stops in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. View tickets here .

Get tickets today for the upcoming May 1 show in Chicago and the May 2 show at Clarkston, Michigan’s Pine Knob Music Theatre , seats ranging from lawn to pavilion sections. Purchase yours from SeatGeek , Vivid Seats , StubHub , and Ticketmaster .

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Frankie Beverly & Maze farewell tour features legends of R&B and soul

• By Eddy "Precise" Lamarre
• Apr 28, 2024

On the evening of April 27, 2024, the United Center in Chicago witnessed an unforgettable farewell performance by the legendary Frankie Beverly, who was joined by iconic openers El DeBarge and Chaka Khan. The I Wanna Thank You farewell tour marked the conclusion of Beverly’s illustrious career and a celebration of decades of influential music.

The night started with El DeBarge, who effortlessly transported the audience back to the heyday of falsetto with his timeless charm and masterful vocal control. Known for his piercing falsetto that dominated the airwaves during the peak of his career, DeBarge proved he still holds the throne in the realm of high-pitched soulful melodies. His performance was a poignant reminder of why his music has endured, resonating with both longtime fans and new listeners.

Following DeBarge, Chaka Khan took the stage, amplifying the energy to remarkable heights. With a career spanning over 50 years, Khan’s performance was spectacular. Her voice, powerful and seemingly effortless, filled the arena, hitting every note with immaculate precision. Khan began her set with a short video montage of her hits, which served both as a nostalgic recap and a vibrant showcase of her dynamic range. Opting to perform a selection of B-sides, Khan celebrated her greatest hits and also illuminated her extensive catalog, highlighting her versatility and ongoing relevance in the music industry.

The climax of the evening was Frankie Beverly’s performance with Maze. Despite recent vocal complications, Beverly’s presence was a radiant display of resilience and joy. His songs, particularly classics like “We Are One,” “Golden Time of Day,” and “Happy Feelings,” are anthems of unity and happiness. As he performed, the audience was invited not just to listen but to participate, singing along and contributing to an atmosphere filled with love and collective joy. It was a powerful reminder of how his music has served as a soundtrack to many lives, fostering a sense of community and positivity.

The emotional resonance of the concert was further amplified when Mayor Johnson declared April 27 as “Frankie Beverly & Maze Day,” a fitting tribute to Beverly’s impact on the music scene and the cultural life of Chicago. This gesture from the city underscored the deep appreciation for Beverly’s contributions and his lasting legacy.

The concert was not only a farewell tour but also a master class in musical longevity and transformation. Each artist demonstrated adaptability and relevance, traits that have enabled them to resonate across different eras and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The night was a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the enduring power of music, and the unbreakable bonds it creates.

The concert was a spectacular showcase of talent, resilience, and artistic brilliance. El DeBarge reminded us of the enchanting power of falsetto, Chaka Khan demonstrated the sheer force of her vocal prowess, and Frankie Beverly, alongside Maze, enveloped all in attendance in an aura of positivity and unity. This farewell was not just a goodbye but a celebration of timeless music that will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.

Take a look at a few photos from the tour below.

6 Responses

Great last tour

Beautifully written article. I was there to experience it and it was amazing! All three artists were fantastic in their own right!

Nicely and accurately written. Expressed exactly what I witnessed and felt.

I went to the farewell tour concert at the United Center with my girlfriend’s and I we had a blast. Frankie Beverly & Maze, Shaka Khan, & El Debarge had the rocking & singing to there favorite song. Everyone was dressed to impress in their white outfits from head to toe. After the concert was over no one wanted to leave.

Promoters, don’t forget Central Illinois, Bloomington/Normal, IL. Illinois State University, Champaign Il, University of Illinois, Peoria IL, Peoria Civic Center,. Springfield,IL, Springfield Civic Center.

Sorry, I missed this Farewell!

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• Chaka Khan , Chicago music scene , el debarge , farewell tour , frankie beverly , live concert review , music legacy , R&B legends , soul music , United Center

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