Wondering what to do in Chicago at night? Below are the best things to do in Chicago at night. Looking for fun things to do in Chicago tonight? There are tons of unique things you can do in Chicago at nighttime. Whether you are visiting Chicago or have lived here all your life, you will find something unique and new to do in the city in the evening.
Best Things to do in Chicago at Night
Contents
- Best Things to do in Chicago at Night
- Join a Mob or Crime Tour
- Listen to Music at an Intimate Candlelight Concert
- Take an Architecture River Cruise
- Take a Lake Cruise
- Enjoy the Views from 360 Chicago
- Enjoy the Views from the Skydeck at Willis Tower
- Have Fun at Navy Pier
- Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop
- See Famous Works of Art at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Relax on the Riverwalk
- Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
- Take a Ghost Tour
- Adler at Night
- Admire Chicago’s Skyline
- See the Skyline from a Helicopter
- Have Dinner and Drinks on a Rooftop
- Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
- Listen to Live Jazz Music
- Listen to the Blues at Kingston Mines
- See a Burlesque Show
- WNDR After Dark
- Play Indoor Mini Golf
- Adults Night at the Trampoline Park
- Go Kayaking in the River
- Take Photos at The Bean
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Below are the top things to do in Chicago in the evening.
Join a Mob or Crime Tour
Chicago is known for its history of organized crime and being the home of mafia figure Al Capone. There are several fun mob tours in the evening for those that want to learn more about the history of organized crime.
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. Upcoming candlelight concerts include:
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé
Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA
Candlelight: A Tribute to Radiohead
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Chicago has amazing architecture and the best way enjoy it is by going on an architecture river cruise. In addition to cruises throughout the day, there are also architecture cruises available in the evening.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is also a fun activity at night. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views.
Enjoy the Views from 360 Chicago
360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory) on the 94th floor of the 875 North Michigan Avenue (the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center) has an observatory with great panoramic views of Chicago. The highlight is TILT an enclosed moving platform that tilts you out over Michigan Avenue. You can also visit BAR 94 which has a full 360-degree view of Chicago. If you prefer to enjoy the same views over a meal or a drink, there is an upscale restaurant on the 95th floor named the The Signature Room at the 95th, and a bar on the 96th floor called The Signature Lounge at the 96th which are open late in the evening.
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket.
Enjoy the Views from the Skydeck at Willis Tower
The Skydeck at Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower and what locals still call it) is the most well known of Chicago’s two tall skyscrapers with public observatories. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and was the tallest building in the world from 1974 until 1998. If you are not scared of heights, stand on The Ledge, a glass balcony extending four feet outside the 103rd floor of Willis Tower!
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket.
Open until 10pm
Navy Pier is a must do if you are visiting Chicago with toddlers or kids. There are fun attractions at Navy Pier including restaurants, bars, rides and games and a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line).
Navy Pier is also the starting point for various sightseeing tours, boat rides and cruises. Navy Pier puts on a free fireworks show on Wednesday and Saturday nights in the summer.
Open to 10pm Sunday-Thursdays and midnight on Friday & Saturday
Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop
Grab some spray paint and unleash your inner street artist at a Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip Urban Art Workshop. This interactive spray paint workshop will teach you the ins and outs of working with spray paint and other elements of graffiti and street Art as you create your own painted mural. Click here to purchase tickets.
6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays – Sundays
See Famous Works of Art at the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world. In addition to its large permanent collection of art from around the world, you can see rotating exhibitions.
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines.
The museum is open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
Relax on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk, a 1.25-mile long path along the south bank of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago from Lake Michigan to west of Franklin Street. It is one of the best spots in Chicago for boat and people watching. There are restaurants, bars, benches and steps to sit and relax. You can see a map of attractions on the Riverwalk here.
Open until 11 p.m. daily
Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
Art on theMART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART. Free 30-minute program of projections are shown twice nightly. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Nightly projections will resume in April 2023
Take a Ghost Tour
Explore Chicago while learning about its haunted past and visiting the sites of some of the most gruesome disasters and murders in Chicago’s history.
This haunted segway tour and Halloween bike tour are only offered in the fall.
Adler at Night
The Adler Planetarium is open late every Wednesday night. Experience hands-on, minds-on activities, experiences, and shows about the universe and see their award-winning sky shows. Every Wednesday is free Museum Entry for Illinois residents with proof of residency. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Open late on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Admire Chicago’s Skyline
Chicago has an amazing skyline and it is even more beautiful at night when it is all lit up. Here are the best places to visit in Chicago for skyline views.
See the Skyline from a Helicopter
Looking for a romantic activity in Chicago? If you are able to splurge one of the best ways to see the beautiful skyline is from a helicopter tour.
Have Dinner and Drinks on a Rooftop
Chicago has several rooftop bars and restaurants with amazing views of Chicago. Here are some of the best rooftops in Chicago:
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LH ON 22 (85 East Wacker Drive) – Enjoy classic cocktails and small bites from the outdoor LH terrace of LondonHouse Chicago which offers great views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile. Cindy’s (12 S Michigan Ave) – Restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel located across Millennium Park which offers panoramic instagram worthy views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. The J. Parker (1816 N Clark St) on the rooftop of the Hotel Lincoln with great views of Lincoln Park. Kennedy Rooftop (1551 W North Ave) on top of the Hyatt Place Wicker Park, has amazing skyline views.
Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
From the creators of the blockbuster show at Atelier des Lumières featured in Emily in Paris (one of my favorite travel shows on Netflix), the popular Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is a massive indoor digital presentation of Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork.
When: Extended by popular demand through February 26, 2023
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania Pl, Chicago
Cost: Tickets start at $39.99 plus fees for off peak times. You can see full prices and purchase tickets in advance here.
Listen to Live Jazz Music
Listen to live jazz music at a historical Chicago spot. The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (4802 N Broadway) is known for its live jazz and its connection to Chicago mob history. It was a prohibition era speakeasy and one of Al Capones favorite spots to hang out.
Le Piano (6970 N Glenwood Ave), an elegant jazz bar inspired by the Latin Quarter of Paris, is perfect for a date night in Chicago.
Listen to the Blues at Kingston Mines
Kingston Mines is the oldest blues bar in Chicago and has hosted blues legends like Magic Slim, Koko Taylor and Joanna Connor since opening in 1968.
See a Burlesque Show
For adults looking for some sexy fun, a burlesque show is a unique evening activity. Here are some of the best burlesque shows in Chicago:
Peep Show Burlesque at The Grand Cabaret
STRIPPED a Decadent, Debaucherous Burlesque Revue at The Grand Cabaret
Newport Peek-Easy Burlesque Show
Vinyl Vixens: A Rock and Roll Burlesque
WNDR After Dark
Visit the WNDR Museum, an immersive art and technology experience, for a special “WNDR After Dark” event where guests can enjoy a live DJ as they walk through the museum during extended hours. All ages are welcome. Alcohol will be available for purchase for guests 21+. Tickets to WNDR Museum must be purchased in advance at https://www.wndrmuseum.com/chicago/events.
Runs one Friday night a month.
Play Indoor Mini Golf
Big Mini Putt Club (1302 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622) is 9-hole indoor miniature golf course with a full bar serving craft cocktails, local draft beers, and other drinks in a fun, lively setting.
Open until 11:30pm Monday-Thursday, 1am Friday and Saturday and 11pm on Sundays.
Adults Night at the Trampoline Park
Have fun jumping on trampolines during adults night (21+ only) at Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park (404 N Armour St). Have fund with over 30,000 square feet of indoor trampolines and other attractions, including trampoline basketball, extreme dodgeball, foam pits, trapeze swing, rock wall, wipeout and more. You will also receive a cold beer at the end. Check here for upcoming dates.
Once of a month on select dates from 7:30 pm – 8:30pm.
Go Kayaking in the River
A fun and active way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River. There are several companies that offer kayaking tours in Chicago including Urban Kayaks, Kayak Chicago and Wateriders. There are several tours to choose from including sunset tours, moonlight tours and fireworks tours. Please note that you will get a little wet so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Take Photos at The Bean
If you have seen photos of Chicago on social media, chances are you have seen photos of Cloud Gate (also called The Bean), the famous mirrored sculpture in Millennium Park. Although The Bean is very very touristy, don’t skip it. It is a great photo spot and a must on any Chicago bucket list.
Open daily to 9pm.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
There are several places to go outdoor ice skating in Chicago in the evening.
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park (right in front of The Bean) is open daily until 10:30pm. Admission is free, but online ticketed reservations are required. Reservation dates are released 2 weeks in advance.
The skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park located next to Millennium Park is open daily to 10:00 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
As you can see there are many fun and unique things to do at night in Chicago.
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