Verdict
Chicago travel view

A Verdict itinerary

Chicago on a budget

Spend where it changes the experience. Save where the free version is just as good, or better.

Independent, never pay-to-rankGraded for your kind of tripHow we decide
The plan

54 places worth your time

Open any place for the full call, the tradeoffs and the practical details.

See every Chicago itinerary
  1. Pilsen Murals & 18th Street01Pilsen · neighborhoodPilsen Murals & 18th StreetPilsen Murals & 18th Street earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  2. Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)02The Loop · attractionMillennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory03East Garfield Park · attractionGarfield Park ConservatoryGarfield Park Conservatory earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  4. Jackson Park & Garden of the Phoenix04Jackson Park · attractionJackson Park & Garden of the PhoenixJackson Park & Garden of the Phoenix earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  5. Starved Rock State Park (day-trip)05Starved Rock State Park (day-trip) · destinationStarved Rock State Park (day-trip)Starved Rock State Park (day-trip) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  6. Lakefront Trail06Lincoln Park · experienceLakefront TrailLakefront Trail earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  7. Chicago Cultural Center07The Loop · attractionChicago Cultural CenterChicago Cultural Center earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  8. Chicago Architecture River Cruise08The Loop · experienceChicago Architecture River CruiseChicago Architecture River Cruise earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  9. Chinatown09Chinatown · neighborhoodChinatownChinatown earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  10. Girl & the Goat10Chicago · restaurantGirl & the GoatGirl & the Goat earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  11. Green Mill Jazz Club11Uptown · experienceGreen Mill Jazz ClubGreen Mill Jazz Club earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  12. The Loop & the 'L'12The Loop · neighborhoodThe Loop & the 'L'The Loop & the 'L' earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  13. Lincoln Park13Lincoln Park · attractionLincoln ParkLincoln Park earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  14. Logan Square14Logan Square · neighborhoodLogan SquareLogan Square earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  15. Wicker Park / Bucktown15Wicker Park / Bucktown · neighborhoodWicker Park / BucktownWicker Park / Bucktown earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  16. Chicago Architecture Walking Tour16The Loop · experienceChicago Architecture Walking TourChicago Architecture Walking Tour earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  17. Art Institute of Chicago17The Loop · attractionArt Institute of ChicagoArt Institute of Chicago earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  18. Hyde Park18Hyde Park · neighborhoodHyde ParkHyde Park earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  19. Smoque BBQ19Chicago · restaurantSmoque BBQSmoque BBQ earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  20. Chicago Riverwalk20The Loop · attractionChicago RiverwalkChicago Riverwalk can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  21. North Avenue Beach21Lincoln Park · attractionNorth Avenue BeachNorth Avenue Beach can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  22. Indiana Dunes (day-trip)22Indiana Dunes (day-trip) · destinationIndiana Dunes (day-trip)Indiana Dunes (day-trip) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  23. Pequod's Pizza23Chicago · restaurantPequod's PizzaPequod's Pizza can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  24. Old Town24Old Town · neighborhoodOld TownOld Town can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  25. Monteverde25Chicago · restaurantMonteverdeMonteverde can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  26. Lincoln Park Zoo26Lincoln Park · attractionLincoln Park ZooLincoln Park Zoo can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  27. Grant Park27The Loop · attractionGrant ParkGrant Park can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  28. Au Cheval28Chicago · restaurantAu ChevalAu Cheval can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  29. Milwaukee (day-trip)29Milwaukee (day-trip) · destinationMilwaukee (day-trip)Milwaukee (day-trip) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  30. Alinea30Chicago · restaurantAlineaAlinea can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  31. Museum of Contemporary Art31Streeterville · attractionMuseum of Contemporary ArtMuseum of Contemporary Art can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  32. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria32Chicago · restaurantLou Malnati's PizzeriaLou Malnati's Pizzeria can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  33. Buckingham Fountain33Grant Park · attractionBuckingham FountainBuckingham Fountain can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  34. Chicago Athletic Association Hotel34Chicago · hotelChicago Athletic Association HotelChicago Athletic Association Hotel can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  35. The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)35Wicker Park / Bucktown · experienceThe 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  36. Deep-Dish Pizza Crawl36The Loop · experienceDeep-Dish Pizza CrawlDeep-Dish Pizza Crawl can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  37. 360 Chicago (Hancock)37Streeterville · attraction360 Chicago (Hancock)360 Chicago (Hancock) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  38. Field Museum38Museum Campus · attractionField MuseumField Museum can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  39. Museum Campus39Museum Campus · attractionMuseum CampusMuseum Campus can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  40. The Publican40Chicago · restaurantThe PublicanThe Publican can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  41. Adler Planetarium41Museum Campus · attractionAdler PlanetariumAdler Planetarium can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  42. The Robey42Chicago · hotelThe RobeyThe Robey can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  43. Willis Tower Skydeck43The Loop · attractionWillis Tower SkydeckWillis Tower Skydeck can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  44. Ace Hotel Chicago44Chicago · hotelAce Hotel ChicagoAce Hotel Chicago can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  45. The Peninsula Chicago45Chicago · hotelThe Peninsula ChicagoThe Peninsula Chicago can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  46. The Langham, Chicago46Chicago · hotelThe Langham, ChicagoThe Langham, Chicago can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  47. The Second City47Old Town · experienceThe Second CityThe Second City can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  48. Wrigleyville48Wrigleyville · neighborhoodWrigleyvilleWrigleyville can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  49. The Walnut Room49Chicago · restaurantThe Walnut RoomThe Walnut Room can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  50. The Hoxton, Chicago50Chicago · hotelThe Hoxton, ChicagoThe Hoxton, Chicago can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  51. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago51Chicago · hotelFour Seasons Hotel ChicagoFour Seasons Hotel Chicago can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  52. Museum of Science & Industry52Hyde Park · attractionMuseum of Science & IndustryMuseum of Science & Industry can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  53. Christkindlmarket53The Loop · experienceChristkindlmarketChristkindlmarket can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  54. The Purple Pig54Chicago · restaurantThe Purple PigThe Purple Pig can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict