Things to Do in Chicago: Fun & Unique Activities | F1® Arcade

Top Things to Do in Chicago: How to Spend a Day in the Windy City

Chicago is a city defined by bold architecture, deep history, and a creative spirit you can feel on every block. In the Windy City, you can move from world-class museums and lakefront landmarks to neighborhoods like River North, where art galleries, top restaurants, and nightlife collide. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or here for a longer stay, here are some of the top things to do in Chicago, from must-see attractions to local favorites. It’s the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable, high-energy experience at F1® Arcade Chicago

Start Strong by Racing at F1® Arcade

Kick off your visit at F1® Arcade Chicago, located at 1 West Grand Avenue in River North — one of downtown Chicago’s most dynamic dining, nightlife, and gallery districts. With cutting-edge Formula 1® racing simulators, an elevated food menu, and the brand’s first-ever rooftop terrace, it’s a standout way to have fun in Chicago before heading out to explore the city.

The Grand Avenue and State Street corner is easy to reach, whether you’re driving or using public transit. This River North location is a quick walk from the Magnificent Mile, the Loop, and the Chicago Riverwalk, with nearby parking garages and ride-share access. The CTA Red Line’s Grand stop is just steps away, and the Brown and Purple Lines stop at Merchandise Mart, making it a convenient spot for visitors staying anywhere in the city.

Late morning and early afternoon are good times to visit if you’re traveling with kids and want to avoid the evening crowds (we become a 21+ venue after 7 PM). If you’re in Chicago during a Formula 1® race weekend, check the F1® Arcade Watch Party page to see if you can catch live action on screen while you race, eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Weekends can book up quickly, so reserving your preferred time slot in advance is highly recommended.

Iconic Landmarks in Chicago

F1® Arcade is just one of the fun things to do in Chicago. The city’s landmarks tell powerful stories, from groundbreaking architecture to global cultural moments.

Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) at Millennium Park

Anish Kapoor’s polished stainless-steel sculpture in Millennium Park is one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. Its mirrored surface reflects the Chicago skyline and the people gathered around it, making it a must-see stop on any visit to downtown Chicago.

Willis Tower Skydeck

Once the tallest building in the world, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) rises 110 stories above the Loop. The Skydeck observation level features The Ledge, a set of glass boxes that extend out from the 103rd floor, offering an unforgettable view straight down to the streets of Chicago and across four states on a clear day.

Navy Pier

Stretching out into Lake Michigan just east of downtown, Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. The 3,300-foot pier hosts the Centennial Wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, lakefront boat tours, seasonal fireworks, and a packed lineup of festivals and live music. It’s a classic stop for first-time visitors and a reliable favorite for locals showing friends around the city.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park

Built in 1927 and modeled after a fountain at Versailles, Buckingham Fountain anchors the eastern edge of Grant Park. From spring through mid-October, the fountain runs hourly water shows, with a lighting and music display each evening that draws visitors against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Chicago

Explore Chicago’s Rich History

Chicago’s identity is shaped by its role as a hub of architecture, immigration, labor history, and the arts. The Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park traces the city’s story from its earliest days through the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and its rise into a modern metropolis. Interactive exhibits and rotating shows make it a strong starting point for understanding what makes Chicago tick.

For a deeper look at the people who built the city, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, the oldest independent museum dedicated to African American history in the country, sits on the edge of Washington Park and tells stories that are central to Chicago’s identity. Just north, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the most important art collections in the world, from American Gothic and Nighthawks to expansive galleries of European, Asian, and contemporary art.

Child-Friendly Chicago Attractions

If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago with kids, the Museum Campus on the lakefront delivers three world-class options in walking distance. Shedd Aquarium is home to beluga whales, sea otters, and immersive aquatic galleries that easily fill a morning or afternoon. Next door, the Field Museum hosts SUE the T. rex, one of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus skeletons ever discovered, along with exhibits spanning ancient Egypt, world cultures, and natural history.

North of downtown, Lincoln Park Zoo offers another great family stop. Free to enter and open year-round, the zoo combines conservation-focused exhibits with shaded paths through one of the city’s prettiest parks, making it an easy and engaging stop for families looking for fun things to do in Chicago without spending a fortune.

Nature & Outdoors

When you want a break from the city’s pace, Chicago has no shortage of green and blue space. Millennium Park sits between the Loop and Lake Michigan, with the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, free summer concerts, and skyline views that make it a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

The Chicago Riverwalk transforms the south bank of the Chicago River into a 1.25-mile pedestrian path connecting restaurants, bars, kayak rentals, and architecture boat tour docks. Nearby, the 18-mile Lakefront Trail follows Lake Michigan from Edgewater down to South Shore, linking Lincoln Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, and Burnham Park. It’s one of the best ways to walk, run, or bike between many of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods and attractions.

Discover River North Chicago

Why River North is the Coolest Neighborhood Right Now

River North, where F1® Arcade Chicago is located, blends repurposed industrial buildings, one of the largest concentrations of art galleries in the country, and some of Chicago’s top restaurants and bars. The neighborhood sits just north of the Chicago River, bordered by Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile to the east, and is a favorite among locals, creatives, and foodies looking for cool things to do in Chicago without straying far from downtown.

Shopping, Art & Culture

You can explore River North’s gallery district along Franklin and Superior Streets, browse flagship stores and luxury boutiques on the Magnificent Mile, and catch shows at venues like House of Blues, all within walking distance of 1 West Grand Avenue. Don’t miss Art on theMART, the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, which lights up the Merchandise Mart’s riverfront facade after dark on select evenings, a free, only-in-Chicago experience.

Don’t Miss: F1® Arcade Chicago

What Is F1® Arcade?

F1® Arcade Chicago is an immersive social racing venue that combines state-of-the-art Formula 1® auto racing simulators, globally inspired food, and a high-energy bar experience. Whether you’re a lifelong Formula 1® fan or brand new to the sport, the venue is designed to be approachable, competitive, and fun for everyone. The Chicago location features 70 full-motion simulators across two stories, the brand’s signature Octane Bar, and the first F1® Arcade rooftop terrace anywhere in the world.

Why It’s a Must-Visit in River North

F1® Arcade stands out as a one-of-a-kind group experience, perfect for birthdays, date nights, corporate events, or casual afternoons with the family. Daytime hours are especially well-suited for kids, while evenings bring a more competitive, social vibe for adults, making it one of the more versatile things to do in Chicago at night when the venue shifts to 21+ after 7 PM.

F1® Arcade Must Try Bar Menu

At F1® Arcade, the excitement doesn’t stop at driving. Our team has created a food and drink menu that matches the pace of the racing. The menu features fresh, high-quality ingredients and caters to all tastes. It’s the perfect way to fuel up between laps.

Plan Your Visit

F1® Arcade Chicago is open seven days a week, making it easy to fit into your itinerary whether you’re stopping by in the afternoon with family or heading out for a lively evening with friends. The venue is located at 1 West Grand Avenue in River North, with nearby parking garages, ride-share access, and quick connections via the CTA Red Line’s Grand stop and the Brown and Purple Lines at Merchandise Mart.

To secure your preferred time slot and explore upcoming events and race watch parties, be sure to book online in advance. It’s the easiest way to make sure your itinerary of fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois, includes a high-energy, one-of-a-kind experience your entire group will enjoy.