Looking for indoor things to do in Chicago on a rainy day or on a common cold snowy winter mean solar day? I have put together the ultimate listing of the best indoor activities in Chicago.

Contents

  • Best Indoor Activities in Chicago
    • The Fine art Constitute of Chicago
    • Museum of Science and Industry
    • Field Museum
    • 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
    • Skydeck Chicago
    • Richard H. Driehaus Museum
    • Shedd Aquarium
  • Free Indoor Things to exercise in Chicago
    • Chicago Cultural Center
    • Garfield Park Conservatory
    • Lincoln Park Conservatory
    • Gratuitous Museums in Chicago
  • Chicago Indoor Activities for Toddlers and Kids
    • Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
    • Chicago Children's Museum
  • Fun Indoor Things to practise in Chicago
    • Attend the The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Feel
    • Listen to Music at an Intimate Candlelight Concert
    • Feel the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
    • Experience Frida: Immersive Dream
    • Museum of Illusions Chicago
    • WNDR Museum
    • Hold and Feed a Bunny
    • Go Indoor Skydiving
    • Visit an Escape Room
    • Play Indoor Mini Golf game
  • More Indoor Things to Practise in Chicago

Disclaimer: This article contains chapter links. I may brand a small committee if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to yous.

Tip:  If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Become Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.

Best Indoor Activities in Chicago

These are the best indoor attractions in Chicago that are worth visiting any time of the year (even when the weather is nice).

The Art Constitute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago in one of the best Chicago indoor attractions
The Fine art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) is i of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently establish on lists of the top museums in the earth. In addition to its large permanent collection of art from around the earth, yous can see rotating exhibitions. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if yous want to avoid long lines).

Museum of Science and Industry

cherry blossoms in front of Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
The Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Bulldoze) is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere with 14 acres of easily-on exhibits including a xl-foot tornado, a World War Two High german submarine and a man-sized hamster cycle.

Field Museum

The Field Museum (Museum Campus, 1400 South Lake Shore Dr) is one of the largest natural history museums in the world with more than twoscore one thousand thousand specimens and artifacts. Inside the museum yous volition meet Maximo, the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. (Click hither to purchase an Early Access VIP Tour if y'all want to avoid crowds).

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory), a public observatory on the 94th Floor of 875 Northward Michigan offers scenic 360 degrees views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Visibility tin exist limited on a rainy twenty-four hours but the views should be slap-up on a cold sunny twenty-four hours.

If you lot prefer to savour views over a repast or a drink, 875 N Michigan Avenue has a eating house on its 95th floor named The Signature Room at the 95th and a bar on the 96th floor called The Signature Lounge at the 96th.

The 360 Chicago ascertainment deck is also home of TILT – Chicago'south highest thrill ride – an enclosed moving platform that literally tilts you out over Michigan Artery from the 94th Floor.

Skydeck Chicago

Skydeck Chicago in Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) (233 Southward Wacker Dr) has returned with a transformed feel that will allow you lot to see, hear & be immersed in Chicago from street to sky. Skydeck offers spectacular views spanning upward to iv states. Make sure to visit The Ledge, a glass balcony extending iv feet outside the 103rd floor of Willis Tower. Visibility might exist limited on a rainy day but the views should be great on a cold sunny twenty-four hours. (Click hither to purchase a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines).

Richard H. Driehaus Museum

The The Richard H. Driehaus Museum (40 East Erie Street) is a museum of art, architecture, and design of the late 19th century to the present which is presented every bit an immersive experience in the 1883 Nickerson Mansion, ane of the last remaining mansions of Chicago'southward Gilded Age.

Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore Drive) is i of the all-time and most visited aquariums in the United States.

Free Indoor Things to do in Chicago

Beneath are the best gratuitous Chicago indoor attractions.

Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St) is a free municipal cultural center. The stunning landmark building, opened in 1897, is dwelling house to two magnificent stained-drinking glass domes, and presents hundreds of free cultural exhibits and performances annually.

Garfield Park Conservatory

The Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Fundamental Park Ave) is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the United states of america. Oft referred to as "landscape art under glass," the Garfield Park Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the globe throughout eight indoor display gardens.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

The Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Drive), a public conservatory full of tropical palms and plants, is the perfect warm escape on a cold or rainy day.

Free Museums in Chicago

Chicago has more complimentary museums that you might want to cheque out on a cold or rainy 24-hour interval. (Read: Free Things to Do in Chicago)

• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC)
• Design Museum of Chicago
• Oriental Plant Museum
• Smart Museum of Art
• DePaul Academy Art Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Photography

Chicago Indoor Activities for Toddlers and Kids

While older kids volition enjoy the museums listed in a higher place, these indoor attractions are especially geared towards babies, toddlers and younger kids.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.) is a natural history museum operated by the Chicago University of Sciences which focuses on the natural history of the Chicago region, and offers educational programs for children and adults. It is also known for its live butterfly house.

Chicago Children's Museum

Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier (700 East Grand Avenue) is a children'south museum geared for ages 0-ten where play and learning connect. The Chicago Children's Museum has many hands-on exhibits including The "Dinosaur Expedition," where kids dig for bones and conduct archaeological research.

Fun Indoor Things to do in Chicago

Attend the The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Feel

The Queen's Brawl: A Bridgerton Experience is an immersive Regency-era ball with period costumes and stunning decor. Bask music inspired by the Bridgerton soundtrack and be captivated past the performances around you lot in this ninety minute interactive feel.

When: April twenty – May 29, 2022 (various sessions from Tuesdays to Sundays)

Where: A secret ballroom in Chicago

Cost:  Tickets start at $49 per person for general access. Click hither for full prices and to buy tickets in advance.

Listen to Music at an Intimate Candlelight Concert

Chicago's Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight.

You tin can discover the total list of candlelight concerts in Chicago hither.

Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Showroom

From the creators of the blockbuster show at Atelier des Lumières seen by over two million visitors in Paris and Toronto and featured in Emily in Paris (one of my favorite travel shows on Netflix), the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, is a massive indoor digital presentation of Vincent Van Gogh's artwork. In that location are also yoga sessions which include a 35 minute Yoga class + 45 minutes thereafter to savour the exhibit.

When: Extended through May 30, 2022

Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Identify, 108 W. Germania Pl, Chicago, IL

Cost:  Tickets beginning at $39.99 plus fees for off superlative times. Run into https://www.vangoghchicago.com/ for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.

Experience Frida: Immersive Dream

From the team behind the Immersive Van Gogh, Frida: Immersive Dream is a massive indoor digital presentation of Frida Kahlo's artwork that opens on February 24, 2022 for a 3 month run. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are on sale right now.

When: February 24 – May 28, 2022

Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Identify, 108 W Germania Identify, Chicago, IL, 60610

Cost:  Timed tickets start at $39.99 plus fees for off peak times. See https://www.immersive-frida.com/chicago/ for full prices and to purchase tickets in accelerate.

Museum of Illusions Chicago

The Museum of Illusions Chicago (25 E Washington St) offers an interactive, immersive and fun experience for both adults and kids. Visitors can engage in over fourscore amazing and mind-bending exhibits that will teach you nigh vision, perception, the human brain and science.

WNDR Museum

The WNDR Museum (130 West Monroe St) is an ever-evolving immersive art & engineering science feel in Chicago that is designed to ignite the marvel that exists within and around each​ of us. WNDR reimagines the traditional museum experience through interactive, immersive experiences from artist, collectives, and studios locally and globally.

Hold and Feed a Bunny

Looking for a unique indoor matter to do in Chicago? Visit the Cuddle Bunny 2901 North Clark St, where visitors tin can pet and feed bunnies.  Cuddle Bunny also hosts special events like yoga and story fourth dimension. You tin read more about the experience here.

Go Indoor Skydiving

Go indoor skydiving at iFLY Chicago – Lincoln Park (800 W Scott St, Chicago, IL).

Visit an Escape Room

If you accept a group, why not become to an escape room. Yous and your team will work together to detect clues, overcome challenges, and ultimately complete a mission. Conveniently located in River North, The Escape Game'due south 60-minute adventures play similar Hollywood blockbusters with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping surprises around every corner.

Play Indoor Mini Golf

Big Mini Putt Club (1302 Northward Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622) has a 9-hole indoor miniature golf course with a full bar serving arts and crafts cocktails, local draft beers, and other drinks in a fun, lively setting. Kids and minors are allowed with a parent/guardian earlier half-dozen p.thou.

More Indoor Things to Do in Chicago

Still looking for indoor activities? Hither are more indoor things to do in Chicago.

• Explore the Chicago Pedway, a huge indoor walkway system that connects several buildings in downtown Chicago.
• Store or window shop inside the Merchandise Mart, the earth's largest commercial building which houses architectural and interior design vendors and traders in addition to restaurants, part space and a few other stores.
• Read or study in the Harold Washington Library (400 S. State Street), the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. In addition to work space, the large building contains a beautiful rooftop winter-garden to savor some sun.
• Museum of Gimmicky Art Chicago (MCA)
• American Writers Museum in Chicago
• DuSable Museum of African American History
• Chicago History Museum
• Medieval Torture Museum
• International Museum of Surgical Science

For even more indoor Chicago attractions, run across the complete list of all Chicago museums and cultural attractions here.

What are your favorite indoor attractions in Chicago?

Visiting Chicago for the first time? Check out my Chicago travel guides:

  • The Ultimate Chicago Bucket List
  • 3 Days in Chicago: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary From a Local
  • Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago



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