What to do in Chicago when it rains
Grey skies over Chicago are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
- Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM 435 N Michigan Ave Suite G, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Museum of Illusions Chicago 25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
- Chicago History Museum 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Museum of Illusions Chicago 25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
- Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Color Cocktail Factory Pottery, Date Nights & Art Classes in Chicago 1142 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
- The Arts Club of Chicago 201 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Mana Contemporary Chicago 2233 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
- Randolph Street Market Festival 1341 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Shedd Aquarium 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- The Chicago Theatre 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
- Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain 301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- The Old Post Office 433 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Thalia Hall 1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
- The Richard H. Driehaus Museum 50 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Christkindlmarket Chicago 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
- Trader Joe's 44 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Whole Foods Market 255 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Whole Foods Market 1550 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
- Trader Joe's 1147 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- Whole Foods Market 1 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery 646 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- McDonald's 1035 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Nutella Cafe Chicago (TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR REMODEL) 189 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
- Beatrix 519 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
- Freehand Chicago 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Beatrix Streeterville 671 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Water Tower Place 835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Block 37 108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
- 900 North Michigan Shops 900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- The Shops at North Bridge 520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Roosevelt Collection Shops 150 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- Chinatown 2301 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.