Things to do in Chicago

Chicago is a city defined by bold architecture, world-class culture and a food scene shaped by its neighborhoods. “From the best views to amazing food, Chicago is the most beautiful city in the world,” says Thai Dang, chef and owner of award-winning HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen. 

Here, he and his wife Danielle Dang, the restaurant’s director of operations, share some of their favorite spots for dining, lodging and exploring to make your time in Chicago a one-of-a-kind experience.

What you’ll learn:

• There are many things to do in Chicago, from scenic river cruises to visiting world-class museums.

• Restaurants like HaiSous, Virtue and Gibsons Italia showcase the city’s mix of global flavors and hometown comfort.

• Hotels such as The Langham, Pendry Chicago or The Peninsula Chicago double as architectural landmarks, each offering its own take on luxury and local character.

• Eligible cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

“We are a food town with chefs who are pioneers. They have done amazing things for the city,” Thai Dang says. “What chefs are doing to push the limits for the city is what makes Chicago one of the best culinary destinations in the world.”

Whether you’re looking for eclectic global flavors, hearty Midwestern comfort food or lots and lots of meat—served everywhere from high-end steakhouses to down-home barbecue joints—you’re in the right place. 

The Dangs’ restaurant, HaiSous, is located in a 136-year-old building and is a culinary showcase for Vietnamese cuisine. It offers family-style dining and multicourse menus spotlighting the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia. “I wanted to develop my own style of Vietnamese food,” Thai Dang says. “You have this nuance of flavors and textures that is found in Vietnam, but all elevated.” Their signature dishes include a grilled meat platter, crispy whole fluke and caramelized fish sauce wings. “Culinarily for us, Chicago has been a place of inspiration, and we are really proud to be part of this dining scene,” he adds. 

HaiSous: 1800 S. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60608; 312-702-1303

Just across town, Gibsons Italia offers a very different but equally indulgent experience. Here, tradition meets theatrical flair. “The wagyu tartare is a must,” Thai Dang says. “The way they present it—in a clear cloche pumped with smoke—when they lift it at the table, it’s such a showpiece.” This riverfront destination blends the refinement of an Italian trattoria with the legacy of a Chicago steakhouse. “They do classic Italian dishes so well, from simple pasta to tiramisu.” Chef-driven takes on cacio e pepe or spicy rigatoni balance perfectly with roasted Mediterranean branzino or the restaurant’s signature cuts of beef.

Gibsons Italia: 233 N. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606; 312-414-1100

In Hyde Park, Virtue channels Southern hospitality and homespun elegance. “We love Virtue,” Thai Dang says. “Chef Erick Williams, he’s a pioneer. We fell in love with his food, especially his gumbo and the blackened catfish. And you’ve got to get the corn bread—it comes piping hot, and then you slather this whipped butter on top.” This hot spot gets rave reviews for its farm-to-table approach and exacting attention to service. Its seasonally inspired menu includes refined takes on old favorites such as gizzards, green tomatoes, collards and smoked turkey, and short rib.

Virtue: 1462 E. 53rd St., Chicago, IL 60615; 773-947-8831

Downtown, Bazaar Meat is a boundary-pushing steakhouse from esteemed chef José Andrés (a Capital One Dining culinary partner) that serves up hefty plates of vaca vieja, ohmi wagyu strip loin and other carnivorous indulgences from around the globe. If beef isn’t to your taste, you could try the pluma Iberico de Bellota pork, Amish half-roasted chicken or “meats from the sea” such as Spanish octopus or seared scallops.

Bazaar Meat: 120 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606; 312-820-6601

For something sweet, Lost Larson offers a Scandinavian-inspired taste of artistry. This beloved bakery is considered one of the best artisanal shops in the country. “Bobby Schaffer is a masterful pastry chef,” Danielle Dang says. “He mills his own flour. You really can taste his passion for pastry.” Lost Larson offers both dine-in and carryout at its two locations in Andersonville and Wicker Park, and the bakery’s commitment to freshly milled whole grains and seasonal ingredients shows through in its limpa bread, lingonberry almond cake, chocolate spelt cookies and cardamom buns. “We are very lucky to have Lost Larson in Chicago,” Danielle Dang adds. “You have to get their cinnamon bun—it’s decadent and rich.”

Lost Larson: 5318 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640; 773-944-0587 and 2140 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-9015

There’s no single way to take in Chicago. You can glide down the river on an architecture cruise, sip tea with a skyline view or wander through galleries that rival the great museums of the world. Each experience captures a different side of the city’s character: bold, creative and endlessly inviting.

Since 1935, Wendella Tours & Cruises has been showcasing the Windy City’s architectural crown jewels from a lazy drift down the Chicago River. “When you’re in Chicago, you have to go on an architecture tour,” Danielle Dang says. “To look up at all these buildings, from old to new, it just takes your breath away.” She even has a favorite spot on the boat to take it all in: “Go to the back corner—you’ll have the best views.” Wendella guides offer a detailed century-plus history of the cityscape’s construction and evolution and how it ties into the modern history of the capital of the Midwest. “The skyline tells a story of Chicago,” she says. “The boat takes you all the way to Navy Pier, where you can then get an overall look from north to south of the city. It’s just amazing.” Choose between a 45- and 90-minute tour or extend the adventure with a cruise that loops around Lake Michigan. Drinks and snacks are available on board.

Wendella: 400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-337-1446

For a taste of refined tradition, The Langham Afternoon Tea offers an elegant afternoon tea service every weekend in a stunning room with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Chicago River. The experience is inspired by British tea culture but infused with contemporary flair—expect a rotating seasonal menu of finger sandwiches and delicate desserts paired with carefully sourced loose-leaf teas. 

The Langham: 330 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-923-9988

One of the largest, oldest and most prestigious museums in the world, the Art Institute of Chicago is replete with fine works and cultural treasures from countless countries and historical eras. Founded in 1879 and still among the city’s most enduringly popular attractions, the downtown museum boasts an impressive collection of exhibits in both its main building, which dates from the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, and its Modern Wing. The museum is home to ancient works from Greece and Rome, well-curated collections of Asian and African works, medieval and Renaissance art, impressionist classics, homegrown Midwestern favorites (Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” to name one) and leading-edge modernist masterworks.

Art Institute of Chicago: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603

When it comes to accommodating visitors, the city stands out for its elegance and sophistication. There are several beautiful, history-steeped hotels that offer incredible views of an architecturally unique skyline—not to mention indulgent guest experiences.

When you’re planning your perfect trip to Chicago, consider choosing one of the handpicked premium hotels, resorts or vacation rentals of the Premier Collection or Lifestyle Collection featured below. Booking through Capital One Travel gives eligible cardholders premium benefits with every visit, including an experience credit to use toward activities unique to each stay; room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available; and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards. 

“When you’re in town, you have to stay at The Langham,” Danielle Dang says. “We send all of our friends and family here for something special.” Indeed, not many hotels can claim a Mies van der Rohe-designed skyscraper as their home. In a city world-renowned for its soaring architectural treasures, this one stands out—not just for the building itself but for the breathtaking views it offers of its neighbors. With nearly 270 guest rooms and four dozen suites, the hotel has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer dramatic and sweeping sights of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the bustling Magnificent Mile below. “It’s gorgeous and such a beautiful view,” Thai Dang says.

Amenities include a spa specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, a toy-and-game-stocked Kids Suite and a rentable 12-seat cinema for private movie nights. “Every single time we bring someone here for a special occasion, they always walk away amazed,” Thai Dang says. 

The Langham, Chicago: 330 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-923-9988. Book through Capital One Travel.

Pendry Chicago is also part of Chicago’s impressive architectural history. The building is set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood and is said to be reminiscent of a champagne bottle. The hotel pays tribute to the sleek and glamorous design of the roaring twenties while maintaining a 21st-century elegance. The stylish design extends to Pendry Chicago’s on-site culinary spots, including Venteux restaurant, which specializes in new French cuisine, and Bar Pendry.

Pendry Chicago: 230 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601; 312-985-0942. Book through Capital One Travel.

The Peninsula Chicago sets the standard for five-star hospitality. It’s been a recipient of Forbes Travel Guide’s five-star rating every year since its opening and was recently named the best hotel in Chicago and Illinois by U.S. News & World Report. The property blends timeless elegance with thoughtful, family-friendly service. Guests can dine on refined Chinese cuisine at Shanghai Terrace, unwind in the spa and wellness center with skyline views or enjoy kid-focused touches like in-room tents and scavenger hunts that make every stay memorable.

The Peninsula: 108 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-337-2888. Book through Capital One Travel.

Equal parts sophistication and soul, Chicago invites travelers to explore its architecture, art and acclaimed dining scene. Each experience reveals another side of the city’s character.

If you’re planning a trip to Chicago, you might want to consider taking a travel rewards credit card:

• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights, vacation rentals and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture X card.

• Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture card. 

• Earn 2X miles on all other purchases, at home or away, with the Venture X and Venture cards.

From booking to destination, you can elevate every part of your trip with Capital One:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit. Venture X and Venture cardholders can receive up to a $120 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® when they pay for the application fee with their card. 

• Flexible options for redeeming rewards. Redeem rewards for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel.  

• Travel protections. Cardholders may have access to travel insurance through their credit card. Benefits may include trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage insurance. You can review your guide to benefits for more information on which benefits come with your credit card.

• Security features. You’ll also have access to security features like fraud alerts, card lock, $0 liability for unauthorized charges and virtual card numbers.