The best places to escape the freezing cold, pouring rain, or horribly humid days in Chicago.
Looking for cool indoor activities in Chicago on a freezing cold day or a heavily rainy day?
Wanna have an awesome Chicago experience, while avoiding public spaces?
I’ve put together the 15 coolest indoor activities in Chicago for you. Have a great time, regardless of how the weather outside is!
15 Fun Indoor Things To Do In Chicago
Our favorite places in Chicago to keep you entertained throughout the year (whether it be good weather or bad).
Including a few activities for very young children!
Find your inner artist at The Art Institute of Chicago
Descend into a coal mine at The Museum of Science and Industry
Check in with Sue at The Field Museum of Natural History
Have a soothing dip at AIRE Ancient Baths
Enjoy a spell of blues at Buddy Guy’s Legends
Team up for an adventure at Fox in a Box Escape Rooms
Savor some deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s
Catch a show at the Music Box Theater
Get the 360 CHICAGO view of Chicago
Get your luxury shopping done at 900 North Michigan Shops
Drop in at the Chicago Cultural Center
Sift through the titles at Quimby’s Bookstore
Catch some of the action at Diversey River Bowl
LOL at The Second City
Indoor activities in Chicago for kids
Find your inner artist at The Art Institute of Chicago
Image credit: The Art Institute of Chicago
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the world, the Art Institute includes everything from Medieval and Renaissance paintings to 20th and 21st century art (in its Modern Wing)...
And even exhibits like the Arthur Rubloff Collection, which features over 1400 glass paperweights from different periods.
Apart from the permanent collections, they frequently have rotating exhibitions so remember to visit their website and see what they have going during the time of your visit.
Did you know the Art Institute is a great thing to do in downtown Chicago.
Tip: Check if their guided tours are available when you visit. You can also search for private tours by art experts and artists.
Website: Visit their website
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Email: Check their contact page
Face a tornado at The Museum of Science and Industry
Image credit: The Museum of Science And Industry
MSI is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere, but that’s hardly the best reason it’s such a ‘cool activity’ in Chicago.
On the other hand…
Descending into a coal mine, climbing aboard a WWII German submarine, standing in front of a towering tornado - all of which, and a whole lot more you can do at MSI. No wonder museums are among the top kids' wintertime favorites in Chicago!
Tip: MSI offers free entry to Illinois residents, on showing proof of residency on certain free days.
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773) 684-1414
Check in with Sue at The Field Museum of Natural History
How’s this for a record? The museum with the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex in the world.
Find that hard to believe?
Do yourself a favor, visit the Field Museum, and seek out Sue, their resident Tyrannosaurus Rex.
And while you’re there, check out some of the other specimens and objects they have down there (they have 30 million of them).
It’s so vast the walking will wear you out but on the bright side they have an excellent restaurant and plenty of vending machines for you to replenish yourself. All of which makes this an excellent place to check out even when Lollapalooza is here in Chicago!
Tip: Just like MSI, the Field Museum also offers free days to Illinois residents.
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 922-9410
Have a soothing dip at AIRE Ancient Baths
Located in a restored 1902 factory, AIRE has six refreshing thermal baths, modeled after the ancient Greek, Roman, and Ottoman traditions.
You’ll enjoy gazing at the original exposed brick, wooden beams, and industrial columns (all of which have been preserved) as you indulge yourself.
And follow it up with some of their spa treatments.
Definitely one of the best things to do in Chicago for adults, and a great way to unwind amidst the excitement of the NASCAR Street Race Weekend.
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 800 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642
Email: bookingchicago@beaire.com
Phone: (312) 888-7099
Enjoy a spell of blues at Buddy Guy’s Legends
One of Chicago’s most popular music venues, helmed by the legend - Buddy Guy - himself, and drawing performers from near and far.
You can catch both relative newbies as well as established musicians like Larry Carlton perform here. If you’re lucky you’ll be there when Buddy Guy himself is one stage (yes, he still plays).
Plus there’s the amazing New Orleans-inspired menu. If you’re visiting for the first time, don’t forget to try out their Catfish Po’ Boy, the Louisiana style Gumbo and the Blues Margarita!
Website: Visit their website
Address: 700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 427-1190
Team up for an adventure at Fox in a Box Escape Rooms
Lead your team of up to 6 players on a thrilling adventure in one of our escape room games.
You’ll be led into the game room; the door will close behind you, and the countdown begins. You have exactly one hour - 60 minutes - to solve clues, do tasks, and spot clues in order to accomplish some objectives and find your way out.
To win, you must put your observation, quick thinking, and team skills to the test.
Now, we have games of varying difficulty levels...but if you want to beat our most difficult game on your first try, feel free to take up the challenge - and remember to master how to best the hardest escape rooms!
Can you beat them all?
Website: Visit the homepage
Address: 47 W Polk Street, Ste L5 Chicago, IL 60605
Email: info@foxinaboxchicago.com
Phone: (312) 878-7899
Savor some deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s
Deep dish pizza is one of Chicago’s iconic foods.
As far as we’re concerned, pizzas were meant to be voluminous (no fat-shaming pizzas, please), with oodles of goodies stuffed into it, and a generous sprinkling of toppings.
And where else to have that signature Chicago dish than at Lou Malnati’s? I prefer the one on South State Street. It's a fab addition to your birthday party menu and a great complement to this Chicago birthday activity that everyone is talking about.
Tip: Order some wings and Caesar’s salad with your deep dish delight…you won’t regret it!
Website: Visit their website
Address: 805 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 786-1000
Catch a show at the Music Box Theater
Image credit: The Music Box Theater.
If your idea of watching movies is Netflix and chill…ed beer at home, that’s fine.
BUT
If you like the retro theater experience (the old type of seats, films in 70mm and so on),
If you have a hankering for reruns of old movies (like the original The Thing, independent features and foreign films,
Then you’ll want to check out what they’re showing at the Music Box Theater.
Tip: Get popcorn and remember to ask for butter (you get the real deal here). And also explore other Chicago favorites among grown-ups.
Website: Visit their website
Address: 3733 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Email: Check their contact page.
Phone: (773) 871-6604
Get the 360 CHICAGO view of Chicago
Breathtaking views of Chicago from over a THOUSAND feet above the Magnificent Mile?
- Check (from the 94th floor observatory).
A mouthwatering meal as you enjoy the view?
- Check (food at the 95th floor Signature Room, and drinks at the 96th floor Signature Lounge).
Something even more thrilling to wrap things up?
- Check (via TILT, a ride that literally tilts you over Michigan Ave from the 94th floor).
And, if you didn't know, TILT is a top draw among Chicago's teens and tweens.
Tip: If you’re a photographer, you should know that they allow tripods all day on Mondays.
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (888) 875-8439
Get your luxury shopping done at 900 North Michigan Shops
Located on the first 7 levels of the 900 North Michigan skyscraper, 900 North Michigan Shops are a stunning shopping destination on the Mag Mile.
Anchored by Bloomingdale’s, they are a one-stop destination for everything from luxury brands like Gucci to multiple spas, a restaurant (the Aster Hall ‘food hall’) and even an indoor sports simulator (the Topgolf Swing Suite).
Over 70 luxury retailers including Gucci, Montblanc, Tesla and Aritzia have showrooms here, making it a truly inclusive as well as exclusive shopping experience.
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 915-3916
Drop in at the Chicago Cultural Center
If you’re searching for free indoor things to do in Chicago, this is one of the best! The Chicago Cultural Center is a municipal center and it’s completely free!
A stunning Chicago landmark with fantastic art nouveau decor, mahogany doors, fascinating mosaics and two stunning stained glass domes (including the world’s largest Tiffany Dome).
You’ll want to visit only to gaze in awe at the sheer beauty of the architecture; but they do hold art shows from time to time, featuring works of both great and lesser known artists so search for what’s going on when you’re there.
Also remember to check out the gift shop!
Tip: They have a shop called Buddy that focuses entirely on smaller and less well-known artisans and manufacturers, so if you want to support small and local artists and businesses, visit Buddy.
Website: Visit their website
Address: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 744-5000
Sift through the titles at Quimby’s Bookstore
Remember how I said the Music Box Theater focuses on indies, foreign features and reruns of old movies?
Quimby’s is roughly the same, only it sells books.
All you fans of zines, minicomics, graphic novels and other books catering to niche topics, flock to Quimby’s!
Website: Visit their website
Address: 1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 342-0910
Heading indoors to beat the heat? Explore the top 5 things to do in Chicago on crazy hot days.
Catch some of the action at Diversey River Bowl
Riverfront bowling alley with typically a mixture of old-timers and young amateurs. A great place to escape the outdoors, especially during bad weather.
After all, what could be better than gorging on beer and pizza, and hitting the lanes while it’s scorching hot or freezing cold outside?
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: 2211 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60647
Email: Check the contact page
Phone: (773) 227-5800
LOL at The Second City
Calling all SNL, Just For Laughs and Whose Line Is It Anyway fans in Chicago!
Wanna experience all that, up close and personal? You can, at Second City.
Grab some drinks and snacks and settle down in comfortable seats for some of the best, on-point improv, standup and sketches you’ve ever seen in your life! And not just on any day but also to celebrate Valentine's Day this year!
Website: Visit their website
Contact page: Visit their contact page (enquiry form)
Address: They have multiple theater locations
Email: customerservice@secondcity.com
Phone: (312) 337-3992
Indoor activities in Chicago for kids
Image by Rachel on Unsplash.
While older kids and teenagers will enjoy most of the above activities (of course, barring the activities that are for adults), here are a few indoor Chicago attractions where your little kids (including toddlers) will enjoy themselves.
Chicago Children’s Museum on the Navy Pier features displays and activities like the Dinosaur Expedition where kids can become archeologists. Great for kids aged 0-10.
Thomas Hughes Children’s Library in the main branch of the Chicago Public Library is a favorite with kids, not least because it hosts puppet shows from time to time.
Look for storytimes at public libraries and cultural centers.
Brooklyn Boulders has climbing walls for kids.
And if you’re really craving some peace and quiet, let ‘em loose at Razzmatazz. They’ll have burnt most of their energy and become tired and sleepy by the time they’re done!
Tips for enjoying your days out in Chicago
If you’re planning on visiting multiple indoor attractions within a few days, you should consider getting yourself all-inclusive passes like the ones offered by Go City and CityPass.
Couple that with a 7-day CTA pass (as the city passes are valid for between 5 to 9 days).
Wherever you want to go, book in advance. You’ll never be faced with “sorry, we’re sold out right now”, and sometimes booking even a day in advance can save you some money.
Have these apps installed and working on your phone:
The Ventra app to load balance on your Ventra card. It also displays arrival/departure info for CTA, Metra and Pace.
The Transit app will help you find the best route to get from A to B in Chicago. It’s well known for tracking El trains and CTA buses.
If you’re driving, the ParkChicago app lets you pay for parking from your phone. You can even add time from your phone.
If you’re new to Chicago, here are some things you should NEVER do before a Chicagoan!
Finally, if you found this post useful, bookmark Chicago’s best special events and activities blog.
Also, if you're getting bored at home, here are some party games you can play at home.
Featured image by batavia60510 from Pixabay.
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