Forecast by:  | 11 Sep Fri | 12 Sep Sat | 13 Sep Sun | 14 Sep Mon | 15 Sep Tue | 16 Sep Wed | 17 Sep Thu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 27° 14° | 30° 20° | 23° 16° | 22° 13° | 28° 19° | 22° 19° | 27° 19° |
| Precipitation | 0% | 46% | 61% | 30% | 70% | 78% | 51% |
| Humidity | 65% | 68% | 59% | 61% | 75% | 83% | 82% |
| Wind | 14 km/h | 19 km/h | 18 km/h | 17 km/h | 18 km/h | 16 km/h | 15 km/h |
Best time to visit Chicago
The best times to visit Chicago are April, May, September and October, when conditions suit city walks, parks and neighbourhood exploring. June to August are warm or hot but can bring thunderstorms, while November to March is colder, with occasional snow or ice and more disruption to outdoor plans.
JanuaryTemp (°C)-5°Rain (mm)42Sun Hours4Dry Days10
January is deeply wintry, around -8°C to -1°C, with heavy snow, ice and dangerous wind chill. Indoor sightseeing suits conditions that can disrupt outdoor plans.
FebruaryTemp (°C)-3°Rain (mm)47Sun Hours5Dry Days8
February is cold and wintry, around -6°C to 1°C, with heavy snow, ice and dangerous wind chill. Museums and indoor attractions suit the frequent winter-weather disruption.
MarchTemp (°C)2°Rain (mm)68Sun Hours6Dry Days10
March is chilly, around -1°C to 7°C, with cold wind and occasional snow or ice. Indoor attractions and flexible city sightseeing suit the unsettled conditions.
AprilTemp (°C)10°Rain (mm)87Sun Hours8Dry Days13
April is cool and variable, around 5°C to 14°C, with sudden showers, thunderstorms and strong winds possible. Museums, neighbourhood walks and adaptable outdoor plans fit the month.
MayTemp (°C)15°Rain (mm)96Sun Hours9Dry Days14
May is mild, around 11°C to 20°C, with pleasant conditions for parks, architecture cruises and city walks. Rain remains possible, so a light layer is useful.
JuneTemp (°C)20°Rain (mm)95Sun Hours10Dry Days18
June is warm and occasionally humid, around 17°C to 26°C, with frequent thunderstorms and strong winds. Outdoor plans work well with nearby indoor alternatives.
JulyTemp (°C)24°Rain (mm)96Sun Hours11Dry Days19
July is hot and humid, around 20°C to 28°C, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional severe weather. Outdoor activities suit the month when plans allow for heat and storms.
AugustTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)111Sun Hours10Dry Days20
August is hot and humid, around 19°C to 27°C, with thunderstorms and strong winds possible. Allow time for indoor attractions during sudden weather changes.
SeptemberTemp (°C)19°Rain (mm)84Sun Hours8Dry Days19
September is mild, around 15°C to 23°C, with comfortable conditions for walking, parks and lakefront activities. Occasional showers remain possible.
OctoberTemp (°C)11°Rain (mm)65Sun Hours6Dry Days15
October is cool but manageable, around 9°C to 17°C, and suits city walks and neighbourhood exploring. Crisp mornings and occasional rain call for layers.
NovemberTemp (°C)4°Rain (mm)77Sun Hours4Dry Days12
November is cool, around 2°C to 9°C, with brisk winds and occasional wintry spells. Indoor attractions suit the month, while outdoor visits call for layers.
DecemberTemp (°C)-1°Rain (mm)51Sun Hours3Dry Days11
December is cold and windy, around -4°C to 2°C, with snow and ice possible. Festive indoor attractions suit the month, while outdoor plans require winter clothing.
Sources: en.wikivoyage.org
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Cost: From 39 USD · ★ 4.8 (16,969 reviews)
Experience the stunning beauty of Chicago on a captivating cruise along the historic Chicago River. This architectural tour takes you down the main branch of the river, up the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past the iconic Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the historic Old Post Office Building. Marvel at the magnificent city skyline
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Cost: From 45 USD · Duration: 1.5 hours · ★ 4.7 (10,918 reviews)
Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive 90 minute tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while your professionally-trained arc
Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
Cost: From 49 USD · ★ 4.6 (3,542 reviews)
Escape into Chicago's underworld on a crime and mob tour with stops on-and-off the luxury, climate-controlled bus. Explore historic crime scenes with great photo opportunities. Hear true crime stories about Chicago Gangster Al Capone, The Untouchables, The Chicago Mob, Prohibition, John Dillinger, Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, Cap George Streeter, Le
Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
Cost: From 45 USD · Duration: 1.5 hours · ★ 4.7 (2,437 reviews)
An authentic Chicago tradition since 1935, this is the tour that started it all. This unique excursion tells the story of more than 200 years of fascinating social, cultural and political history, and explores more than a century of groundbreaking architecture. The journey begins with an up-close perspective of Chicago's internationally-known archi
Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Cost: From 49 USD · Duration: 2 hours · ★ 3.9 (2,389 reviews)
Discover Chicago at your own pace with Big Bus. Travel aboard an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy panoramic views of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, The Bean, Navy Pier and more. Hop on and off at conveniently located stops to explore Chicago's top attractions, vibrant neighbourh
Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour
Cost: From 84.99 USD · Duration: 3 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,300 reviews)
The perfect Food Tour of Chicago for first timers or anyone eager to explore Chicago's famous foods & top attractions—all in one tour. Stroll the beautiful streets of downtown & taste the Windy City’s favorite eats on this iconic Chicago Food Tour! Bobby’s Bike Hike & Food Tours, whose food tours rank Top 20 worldwide on Tripadvisor, offers this ul
Skydeck - Willis Tower Admission
Cost: From 44 USD · ★ 4.3 (1,911 reviews)
Gaze upon the city sights from the pinnacle of Chicago, the Skydeck. Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower -- the third-tallest building in the world -- the Skydeck offers spectacular sweeping views and is full of interactive exhibits. To complete your exciting Chicago experience, head to the Ledge, a glass balcony showca
Brief
- Try Chicago specialties including deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Garrett popcorn.
- The Presidents Cup takes place at Medinah Country Club near Chicago from September 24-27, 2026. Expect increased demand for accommodation and transport around the western suburbs during the tournament. (
jacksonville.com)
Safety and health
- Rabies is rare but possible after bites or saliva exposure from bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, or other mammals. Avoid wildlife and seek urgent medical care after any bite or scratch. (
wikivoyage.org)
- Lyme disease occurs in the Great Lakes region, including wooded and grassy areas around Chicago. Use tick repellent and check for ticks after hiking or visiting natural areas. (
- Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. Confirm that travel insurance covers the U.S. and emergency treatment before travelling. (
cdc.gov)
Recent News
- A mass shooting in Washington Park over the weekend of August 29-30 left one person dead and 14 wounded. Visitors should remain alert in unfamiliar areas, avoid gathering near active police incidents, and follow local authorities' instructions. (
cbsnews.com)
- A man died after being shot during an argument in Chicago Lawn late on September 4 or early September 5. The incident was reported in the city's Southwest Side neighborhood. (
nbcchicago.com)
- Gas prices reached record highs during the Labor Day travel period, potentially increasing the cost of rental-car and road travel in the Chicago area. (
