Things to Do
Discover the best things to do in Chicago, including popular events, festivals, attractions, tours and free activities
Time Out Love Chicago Awards 2016
Show your Chicago love by nominating your favorite neighborhood bars, restaurants, coffee shops, stores and cultural venues now through September 30
46 exciting openings in September
September is packed with events, concerts, art openings and more
Best things to do with kids in September
It's another fun month for the little ones, from parties to sing-alongs
5 ways to stargaze in and around Chicago
Consider spending an evening at one of these spots near Chicago when you crave the nighttime sky
The best movie screenings in Chicago this month
There's much more to film in Chicago than new releases at the multiplex. The city is home to festivals of all sizes, from the Chicago International Film Festival to Reeling to CIMMfest. Outfits like the Gene Siskel Film Center, Facets Cinematheque and Doc Films serve as year-round fests. And then there are summer movies in the parks, along with special screenings and series at indie theaters, some of Chicago's best bars and other venues you might never expect. Take a look at the best movie screenings and events in Chicago this month.
The best things to do in Chicago
The best corn mazes near Chicago
The best corn mazes in and around Chicago offer up some serious challenges, from 30-plus acres of corn in Spring Grove to a haunted maze in Minooka that puts some haunted houses to shame. No matter what kind of autumn outing you're looking for, these make for some great family-friendly day trips. Once you've hit the pumpkin patch and gone apple picking, check out our list of farms for more adventure.
Every free museum day in Chicago
Don't have to spend a fortune to visit the best museums
The 25 best sights and attractions in Chicago
Entertain guests or act like a tourist in your hometown and revisit these iconic Chicago attractions
The best apple picking near Chicago
You know apple picking near Chicago is one of the best things to do in fall in the city. Before you hit one of the area's best corn mazes on a family weekend getaway, don't forget to check out our list of the best places for apple picking nearby.
Events and festivals
Riot Fest music festival
North Coast Music Festival bills itself as "Summer's Last Stand"
Chicago Marathon guide
Whether you're a spectator or a competitor, here's everything you need to know about the 26.2 mile race
A complete guide to Chicago Cubs games
The Chicago Cubs are more than just a baseball team
Oktoberfest events in Chicago
Halloween is still weeks away, but that shouldn't stop you from getting into the festive spirit of the season at one of the city's many 2016 Oktoberfest celebrations. Welcome fall's colorful foliage and bountiful harvest by having a meal (and a few drinks) at a German restaurant. Whether you're itching to squeeze into your lederhosen or just want to tip back a boot of beer, you'll want to take a look at our list of the best Oktoberfest events in town. RECOMMENDED: Our guide to fall in Chicago
Things to do in Chicago every day
The latest Chicago news
Six awesome tech events to check out in October
It’s officially fall, and the tech industry in Chicago has turned up the dial on workshops and events. Learn about game design or Ruby at Dev Bootcamp’s new...
London’s mayor says Chicago is more than deep dish pizza—it’s its people
When Time Out talked with London Mayor Sadiq Khan after his September visit to Chicago, no one was sure just what he’d say about our great city. But most of...
Logan Square fire may affect local businesses on Milwaukee Avenue
Fire and emergency crews were onsite near the busy intersection of Milwaukee and California avenues this morning when a fire broke out at Threads Etc, the...
The CTA has proposed routes for a Red Line extension to 130th Street
First proposed as part of the Red Ahead program in 2014, the Chicago Transit Authority is moving forward with its plan to extend the Red Line south from 95th...
Things to do with kids
Pumpkin patches near Chicago
It wouldn't really be the fall season without a big ol' pumpkin, right?
8 great playgrounds
Where to find the best wings, slides, climbing structures and mazes
Why Chicago is the best city to raise kids
25 reasons that will make you fall in love with Chicago all over again—this time as a parent
Chicago museums
Free museum days at the best Chicago museums
You don't have to spend a fortune to visit some of Chicago's best museums
The best contemporary art galleries in Chicago
There's so much more than the Art Institute and the MCA
Chicago's top children's museums
Chicago has some of the best exhibits for kids in the country
Chicago attractions
The most romantic places in Chicago
Believe it, Chicago is a city of romance. And possibly even more so for all the amorous pleasantries that go unseen during our brutal winters, in sweatpants, under blankets in our heated living rooms with a movie on TV. You know, the unsexy kind of stuff so often portrayed on Midwestern sitcoms. When the weather permits though, we’re out and about like it's nobody's business, which makes Chicago one of the best cities for singles. Whether it's frequenting the nearest watering hole or lazing about Chicago's beaches, there's no shortage of things to do during Chicago's summer months, and a good portion of those places to go and sights to see are loaded with romantic potential. If you're looking for venues with the best opportunities to make sparks fly or rekindle an old flame, search no further. These are the most romantic spots in Chicago.
Chicago's best boat tours
You can walk the streets of Chicago and look up in awe at the towering buildings (maybe skip the ugly ones), but most of the city's architectural attractions are best appreciated from a different vantage point. In the summer, there are few better ways to see the sights than by taking a cruise along the river or riding up and down the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you're interested in Chicago's history, want to watch some fireworks or just wave at your friend on the beach, there's probably a tour that will float your boat. RECOMMENDED: Find more to explore on the best Chicago tours
Things to do in Chicago neighborhoods
Lincoln Square and Ravenswood neighborhood guide
Tap into the history and culture of this German-American enclave
Old Town and Goose Island neighborhood guide
Old Town is a neighborhood that oozes with history, including former speakeasies and ornate churches
Ukrainian Village and Noble Square neighborhood guide
Discover an abundance of restaurants, bars, cheap eats and attractions