The best things to do in Chicago (2024)

Steppenwolf concludes its 48th season with the world premiere of Little Bear Ridge Road, an intimate drama by MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. The plot follows two estranged family members reuniting in rural Idaho to sort the mess left behind after a troubled father's passing. As the pair’s relationship begins anew, the two reluctant Fernsbys start to understand the joys and perils of letting someone else into your own story, even if only for a moment.

Based on the family-favorite board game, this immersive and interactive experience puts guests into the roles of beloved CLUE characters as they try to solve the murder of estate owner Boden "Boddy" Black. Themystery starts at Block 37, where detectives are greeted by the Butler before being sent on their way to gather clues from popular Chicago sites and shops. You’ll be tasked with finding long-lost antiques and figuring out who did it, where and with what.

During the summer, one of the best aerial displays you'll find in Chicago originates from Navy Pier. The Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. Of course, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.

Enjoy outdoor live music all summer long at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. The free series will feature local, regional and national acts performing countless genres and musical styles every weekend. Check the official Navy Pier website for the full schedule.

Rooftop Cinema Club, the open-air theater perched atop The Emily Hotel, is back for another season. Guests can catch showings of hand-picked classics, cult films and recent releases while also enjoying sweeping views of the skyline and craft beverages. It’s the perfect summer cinema experience. Check the official website for the full schedule and lineup.

Navy Pier, in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and The Vintage House Show Collective, presents a new exhibit exploring the history of the home-grown artists, clubs and labels that have built House music. The exhibit will be open and free to the public during all Pier operating hours through the end of October.

If dozens of vendors aren't enough of a draw for you to come to the lively Sunday market at this West Town neighborhood’s namesake park, maybe the weekly complimentary market programming—which includes free yoga, meditation and storytime for kids—will be. The market is also committed to sustainability, with plastic-free vendors and composting.

If you can withstand the roar of O'Hare traffic and incoming 747s (plus, you know, the trek on Chicago's most horrible freeway), you'll find some of the best deals in greater Chicagoland at this flea market outside Allstate Arena. Pick up odd trinkets or bulk candy and potato chips, plus clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry and collectibles. Boasting over 700 sellers, this flea market is a favorite of vintage buyers themselves, so you know there are some great finds to be had at the fraction of city prices. Bring your best bargaining skills.

One of Chicago's most popular farmer's markets, Green City Market welcomes vendors selling regional produce to the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark Street and Stockton Drive) on Wednesdays and Saturdays.Amid the rows, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs from Michigan, cheese from Wisconsin and scrumptious piesbaked by Chicago’s own Hoosier Mama Pie Co.

The Museum of Science and Industry debuts a new exhibit dedicated to the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running film franchise, James Bond. Fans can check out 13 vehicles and over 90 additional artifacts, including the prototype jetpack used in Thunderball, an MI6 Retina Scanner from GoldenEye and the Parahawk snowmobile hybrid from The World Is Not Enough. You’ll also be able to step into a lab space inspired by “Q” and test your skills developing the perfect vehicle for spy activities, designing stunts and more.

Navy Pier’s newest attraction is here, transporting guests to some of Chicago’s most epic placesvia exhilarating flights. The multi-sensory experience incorporates drone technologies with aerial shots and first-person views to showcase the city like never before. Guests will swoop, dip and turn in motion seats as they climb up skyscrapers, check out iconic landmarks, float through fireworks and more.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes its way to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, giving fans an opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. The immersive experience showcases the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants, and transport visitors to the grand home of the Crawleys and those who served them. From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office to the family’s glamorous dining room, the exhibition provides a fascinating look into the post-Edwardian period.

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition comes to Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Visitors will experience a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the famous ship. Marvel at hundreds of artifacts that survived the sinking, plus props and costumes featured in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic. Music from the era will play as patrons walk through detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors, including the grand staircase, while the Discovery Gallery will simulate what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic’s wreckage site.

Displayinga 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART,ART onTHE MARTis the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally.ART onTHE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creationsafter dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Head to 360 Chicago on Saturdays for yoga with a killer view. Instructor Britta Eumann will lead an hour-long class on the 94th floor of875 N Michigan Avenue (formerly theJohn Hanco*ck Center) that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels—you just need to bring your own mat and arrived properly dressed.Registration is $55 and includes a co*cktail or coffee, plus admission to the observation deck so you can stick around and snap some photos after you're done striking poses on the mat.

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened over a decade ago for a three-week run, then kept getting extended. A cast of four to six performers portray characters atthe fictional "Franks Bar,"telling stories that explore the city's robust drinking culture. Each show incorporates interactive audience drinking games, allowing you to sip a co*cktail or beer while taking cues from the cast. And if you're up for a nightcap after the performance, you can stick around for the official after partyandmingle with the cast.

For more than 30-years, the Neo-Futurists have been delighting late-night crowds with performances that pack 30 miniature plays into a 60-minute show. The company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever these days, with a handful of compact new plays premiering every week. Within the span of 10 minutes, you may be treated to a poignant monologue about everyday life or an irreverent diatribe delivered by a pantsless member of the cast—all inspired by the experiences of the performers on stage. Always changing and evolving, it's the rare show that truly offers something different everytime you show up to see it.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends torun about two and a half hours.