Suggested Itineraries in Chicago

Downtown Chicago is relatively compact, so it's possible to get a general sense of the city in 1 day (although, of course, you really should spend more than 24 hours here). How you spend your time depends in part on your interests and the weather; you could easily spend 3 days exploring Chicago's museums, and if you're here in the winter, that's probably a lot more appealing than a daylong walking tour. On a sunny summer day, though, you might be tempted to spend an afternoon wandering along the lakefront without any particular destination. In this spirit, I've composed the following itineraries, which contain a mix of cultural institutions and scenic walks.