The Best Things to Do in Chicago at Night
Chicago's skyline is at its best after dark. Ranked: sunset and dinner cruises, illuminated tours, and after-dark experiences for a memorable night out.
Available
5 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 4,862 reviews
From
$47 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Chicago at Night: what to know before booking
Chicago's skyline is at its best after dark. Ranked: sunset and dinner cruises, illuminated tours, and after-dark experiences for a memorable night out.
- Availability
- 5 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $47 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 4,862 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Cruises depart from Navy Pier and the Riverwalk; night bus tours have set downtown departure points
- Best time
- Time a sunset cruise to depart 30–45 minutes before sundown for daylight into city lights
- Ticket note
- Date- and time-stamped; boats and buses depart on schedule, so arrive 30 minutes early for cruises
Chicago at Night in Chicago
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Everything you should know before you book
Chicago's skyline lights are the city's best free show, and the water is the place to see them. This list ranks the best after-dark experiences, from sunset cruises that catch the towers turning gold to dinner cruises that turn the view into a full evening, plus tours that lean into the city's darker history.
Sunset cruises are the signature Chicago night, so book ahead in summer. A sunset sail on Lake Michigan or the river catches daylight into city lights on one ticket; a dinner cruise pairs the view with a meal over two to three hours. For something with a story, the ghost bus tour and the mob-and-crime night tour visit the city's haunted and Prohibition-era corners after dark.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Chicago at night?
Sunset and dinner cruises on Lake Michigan or the river, a ghost bus tour, a mob-and-crime night tour, and a sunset Segway ride along the lakefront. The skyline lighting up is the city's best after-dark sight.
Is a sunset cruise or a dinner cruise better?
A plain sunset cruise gives the same skyline-into-lights view for less if you'll eat elsewhere; a dinner cruise runs longer and pairs the view with a meal in one evening. Both sell out in summer, so book ahead.
Are the night and ghost tours family-friendly?
The mob-and-crime night tour suits older kids and adults, and the ghost bus tour is fun for those who enjoy a spooky theme. Check each tour's age guidance on its listing.