What to do in West Side, IL

Activities, attractions and tours

A view of the cacti and succulent display at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Opened to the public in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory, consists of a series of naturalistic landscapes under glass, a revolutionary idea at the time.

Sort of off the radar of a lot of Chicago tourists because of the more downtown-centric location of the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Garfield Park Conservatory is a gem on the west side of Chicago.

The Garfield Park Conservatory occupies 4.5 acres of the 184 acres of Garfield Park. Both Garfield Park and its conservatory are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The conservatory has recovered nicely from a 2011 hailstorm that shattered over 50% of the conservatory's glass panes and damaged many plants.

#colorful
A view of the cacti and succulent display at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Opened to the public in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory, consists of a series of naturalistic landscapes under glass, a revolutionary idea at the time.

Sort of off the radar of a lot of Chicago tourists because of the more downtown-centric location of the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Garfield Park Conservatory is a gem on the west side of Chicago.

The Garfield Park Conservatory occupies 4.5 acres of the 184 acres of Garfield Park. Both Garfield Park and its conservatory are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The conservatory has recovered nicely from a 2011 hailstorm that shattered over 50% of the conservatory's glass panes and damaged many plants.

#colorful
Great view of Chicago from this #beach #architecture #goldenhour
River North showing railway items, street scenes and a city
Downtown Chicago featuring a city

West Side Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that West Side has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to West Side, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to West Side with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in West Side

West Side is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in West Side, and make it a breeze to explore West Side and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in West Side to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to West Side, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in West Side.

West Side attractions

West Side has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in West Side to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of West Side.

Looking for things to do in West Side can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of West Side or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to West Side attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!


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Most fun & popular experiences in West Side

Tours & day trips

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What to do in West Side


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of West Side

Blue Hour evening cityscape in West Loop neighborhood. Long exposure, nightscape architecture. Main street in Chicago, streets in Illinois.

West Loop

Consider a visit to Milwaukee Avenue and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in West Loop. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Racine Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center.

West Loop
Chicago Skyline from the west side with the train

West Town

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Noted for its live music and theatres, there's plenty to explore in West Town. Top attractions like The Salt Shed and Milwaukee Avenue are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Division Station or Damen Station to see more of the city.

West Town
A view of the Chicago skyline from the rooftop of the Ace Hotel in the West Loop.

Near West Side

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Live music, theatres and shopping highlight some notable features of Near West Side. Make a stop by Credit Union 1 Arena or United Center while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Polk Station (Pink Line) or Racine Station to get around town.

Near West Side
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Lawndale

When in Lawndale and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Garfield Park Conservatory or United Center and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Central Park Station (Pink Line) or Pulaski Station (Pink Line).

Lawndale
Wicker Park Historic District, a residential neighbourhood, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Wicker Park

Spend some time visiting places like Milwaukee Avenue while getting to know Wicker Park, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Damen Station or Division Station to see more of the area.

Wicker Park
Panoramic perspective of Chicago's West Loop neighborhood during golden hour at Lake Street and Interstate 90. Illinois, USA.

Fulton Market

Though Fulton Market may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Michigan Avenue and Civic Opera House.

Fulton Market

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from West Side

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