Top 10 Best Things to do in CHICAGO 2026

Key Moments
Editorial Summary
This video provides a comprehensive guide to the top ten activities for visitors in Chicago. The creator begins by highlighting the Field Museum, noting its extensive natural history exhibits and the famous T-Rex named Sue. The Chicago River Walk is presented as an ideal outdoor destination for walking, dining, or kayaking, especially during warmer months. Cultural enthusiasts are directed toward the Art Institute of Chicago for its vast impressionist collections and the Museum of Science and Industry for its interactive displays and historical artifacts. For those interested in the city's skyline, the creator recommends an architecture river cruise. Animal lovers can visit the Lincoln Park Zoo, which offers free admission, while families are encouraged to explore the rides and museums at Navy Pier. The guide also covers the shopping and dining opportunities along the Magnificent Mile and the artistic landmarks within Millennium Park, such as Cloud Gate. The list concludes with Grant Park and the Buckingham Fountain, described as the city's front yard, which features choreographed water displays. The video suggests that these locations offer a diverse range of experiences for travelers of all interests.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
chicago has all the offerings you'd expect from a major city world-class museums vibrant shopping districts and ample nightlife venues
start your vacation with an architecture river cruise which can provide background on chicago's famous skyscrapers
most travelers recommend climbing aboard a chicago's first lady cruises boat with a chicago architecture center docent
recent travellers appreciated all of the large mammal species found here as well as the zoo's lack of an entrance fee
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyVideo content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube