Chicago — the Windy City, home of skyscrapers, blues, deep-dish pizza, and the iconic lakefront — is one of the most visited cities in the United States.
In 2024, the city welcomed ~55.3 million visitors, up 6.5% year-over-year, and international arrivals topped 2 million for the first time since 2019.
With world-class museums, sports, architecture, and festivals, Chicago remains a magnet for domestic and international travelers.
💡 Expert Insight — Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO, Choose Chicago
“Chicago welcomed an estimated 55.3 million visitors in 2024, a 6.5% year-over-year increase. Preliminary estimates indicate that international visitation topped 2 million for the first time since 2019.”
How Many Tourists Visit Chicago Each Year?
In 2024, Chicago attracted about 55.3 million visitors, continuing its steady recovery toward the pre-pandemic peak of 57.6 million in 2019.
- 2019 (record): 57.6M
- 2020: ~16.3M (pandemic low)
- 2022: ~48.9M
- 2023: ~50M
- 2024: ~55.3M
How Many Tourists Visit Chicago Each Day?
Chicago sees an average of ~151,000 visitors per day, with peaks in summer and during major events.
How Much Do Visitors Spend in Chicago?
Tourists spent nearly $18 billion in Chicago in 2024, generating strong tax revenues and supporting over 120,000 jobs.
- 2023 visitor spend: ~$16.9B
- 2024 visitor spend (est.): ~$18B
- Jobs supported by tourism: ~120,000 in Chicago metro
💡 Expert Insight — Mayor Brandon Johnson
“The numbers released today show that the future of our tourism industry is bright… I am confident that tourism will continue to serve as a cornerstone of our economy, generating critical tax revenues and supporting thousands of good-paying jobs if we continue to work together.”
Which Countries Visit Chicago the Most?
Most international visitors to Chicago come from Canada, Mexico, and the UK, with Germany and India also growing markets.
| Country | Visitors (2023 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ~210K | Cross-border travel strong |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | ~180K | Family + business |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~170K | Strong airlift |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~120K | Leisure + trade fairs |
| 🇮🇳 India | ~95K | VFR & business |
| 🇨🇳 China | ~90K | Rebounding post-pandemic |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ~60K | Long-haul leisure |
| 🇫🇷 France | ~55K | Arts & culture |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ~50K | Steady |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | ~45K | Cultural tourism |
What Are the Most Visited Areas in Chicago?
Downtown/The Loop is Chicago’s busiest area, followed by the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
- The Loop & Millennium Park — heart of Chicago, Cloud Gate (“The Bean”)
- Magnificent Mile — shopping, dining, hotels
- Navy Pier — entertainment, family attractions
- Lincoln Park — zoo, lakefront
- Wrigleyville — sports & nightlife
What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Chicago?
Millennium Park and Navy Pier are Chicago’s top attractions, each drawing millions of visitors yearly.
| Attraction | Visitors (latest est.) |
|---|---|
| Millennium Park | ~20M |
| Navy Pier | ~8.5M |
| Art Institute of Chicago | ~1.5M |
| Shedd Aquarium | ~1.9M |
| Field Museum | ~1.6M |
| Museum of Science and Industry | ~1.4M |
| Willis Tower Skydeck | ~1.7M |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | ~3.6M |
| Wrigley Field | ~3M annually (games/events) |
| Chicago Riverwalk | ~10M |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Chicago? (Seasonality)
Summer and early fall are the busiest tourism seasons in Chicago, while winter sees fewer visitors.
| Season | Visitor Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Low | Cold, fewer tourists |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Moderate | Festivals start, weather mild |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peak | Festivals, lakefront activities |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | High | Sports, foliage, cultural events |
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Chicago?
Lollapalooza, the Chicago Air & Water Show, and Taste of Chicago are among the city’s biggest tourist draws.
| Event | Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taste of Chicago | ~1.5M | Largest food festival in U.S. |
| Lollapalooza | ~400K | Global music festival |
| Chicago Air & Water Show | ~2M | Free, largest of its kind in U.S. |
| St. Patrick’s Day Parade (River Dyeing) | ~400K | Iconic river event |
| Chicago Marathon | ~45K runners + 1.7M spectators | |
| Christkindlmarket | ~1M | Holiday market |
| Blues Festival | ~500K | Music heritage |
| Jazz Festival | ~150K | End of summer |
| Cubs & White Sox Games | Millions combined | Sports tourism |
How Much Money Does Chicago Make From Tourism?
Tourism generated about $18B in spending in 2024, up from $16.9B in 2023.
- ~$18B visitor spend (2024)
- ~120K jobs supported
- ~$2.5B in state & local taxes
💡 Expert Insight — Kristen Reynolds, CEO, Choose Chicago
“Chicago’s strong 2024 visitor numbers set the stage to go into uncertain times with great momentum.”
Hotels Snapshot (2024/25)
Chicago hotels averaged ~$245 per night in 2024 with occupancy around 70–75%.
- ADR (2024): ~$245
- Occupancy: ~72%
- Downtown Chicago remains the priciest submarket.
FAQ – Chicago Tourism Insights
How many tourists visit Chicago each year?
~55.3M in 2024.
What is Chicago’s most visited attraction?
Millennium Park (~20M visitors annually).
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
Summer (Jun–Aug) and early fall.
Which international visitors come most?
Canada, Mexico, and the UK lead.
How much money does Chicago make from tourism?
Around $18B yearly.
Sources
- Choose Chicago — 2024 Visitation (~55.3M) & Economic Impact – 2025 Annual Meeting
- WBEZ Chicago — Chicago visitor growth in 2024; CEO Kristen Reynolds quotes
- Choose Chicago — New Marketing Campaign: “Never Done. Never Outdone.”
- Secret Chicago — Tourism growth wrap & Mayor Brandon Johnson statement
- City of Chicago — Millennium Park overview & annual visitation context
- Navy Pier — Annual Reports & Visitation
- Art Institute of Chicago — Annual Report & Visitor Statistics
- Shedd Aquarium — Annual Reports & Attendance
- Field Museum — Annual Reports & Visitor Numbers
- Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) — Annual Report & Visitation
- Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower) — Press & Visitor Information
- Lincoln Park Zoo — Annual Report & Attendance
- City of Chicago — DCASE — Chicago Air & Water Show (official event page)
- Taste of Chicago (DCASE) — Event overview & attendance context
- Lollapalooza — Official site; attendance typically reported by city/press
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon — Press room (runners & spectator figures)
- Christkindlmarket Chicago — Press & attendance updates
- Choose Chicago — Research — Monthly hotel performance (ADR/occupancy) & market insights
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