What to do and see in Chicago, Illinois (IL): The Best Arenas & Stadiums

August 3, 2021 Janean Rudisill

The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago

1. Wrigley Field

1060 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60613-4566 +1 773-388-8270 http://Cubs.com/Tours
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,799 reviews

Wrigley Field

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.

Reviewed By MarkT4358 - Houston, United States

This is an old stadium.But everything was clean.The restrooms and seats were new.The stadium was huge.When I was in Fenway, Boston, I thought Fenway was small.But Wrigley was big.It was a Tuesday night after Labor day.I could see a lot of people.Windy City really love Cubs.If you are a baseball fan, Wrigley is a must-visit.

2. United Center

1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612-2459 +1 312-455-4500 https://www.unitedcenter.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,481 reviews

United Center

This modern arena replaced the old Chicago Stadium as home court for the NBA's Bulls and the NHL's Blackhawks.

Reviewed By ToleyTheTolerBear - Chicago, United States

I watched Tool perform here this past Sunday night 11/3/19! I was lucky to have scored 5th row seats! They were mind-blowingly awesome!! What a great time and a great venue! The view/sight lines and the sound quality were both excellent! Also, the food and drinks here are also great! I’ve previously watched Black Hawks and Bulls games here and have had GREAT times watching both teams WIN whenever I was here!! Definitely 1 of my FAVORITE places to watch live events!!

3. Comiskey Park

35th & Shields, Chicago, IL http://whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/information/index.jsp
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Comiskey Park

4. Soldier Field

1410 S Museum Campus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2902 +1 312-235-7000 http://www.SoldierField.net
Excellent
46%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 910 reviews

Soldier Field

Venerable home field of the Chicago Bears football team.

Reviewed By T4232XIjohnb - Toronto, Canada

Located on the east side of the stadium and levels 200 and 300, the United Club is the perfect spot to watch a Bears game. The seats are as close to the field as you'll see in any NFL stadium and the amenities are fabulous. The United Club spans three levels in behind the stands and is enclosed offering a perfect spot to warm up on a cold game day. There's a huge buffet on the first level ($50/person and reservations not necessary - we walked in an hour before kick off) and plenty of interesting food and beverage outlets. Getting in and out is easy.

5. Guaranteed Rate Field

333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616-3696 +1 312-674-1000 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/
Excellent
45%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,058 reviews

Guaranteed Rate Field

Reviewed By AlexB10499 - Providence, United States

The home of the Chicago White Sox! Nowadays this is actually in the older and smaller halves of MLB stadiums when you rank them by opening date and capacity. The White Sox are not as popular as the Cubs, who have a longer history in the Windy City and play in the venerable Wrigley Field ballpark. In my opinion, the best thing about Guaranteed Rate Field is how cheap the bleacher seats are. I paid just $7 for my ticket! (Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but given that the White Sox are in the bottom third of MLB teams for attendance and that there were so many empty seats to choose from, I was able to sit in a great spot a couple rows behind home plate without issue). If you’re in the city during baseball season and love the game, but don’t want to pay Cubs prices, you can get better seats here than you’d get in your home ballpark for a fraction of what you’d normally pay.

6. UIC Pavilion

525 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607-2851 +1 312-413-5740 http://www.vcsa.uic.edu/MainSite/departments/uic_pavilion/home/
Excellent
39%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
8%
Terrible
17%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 38 reviews

UIC Pavilion

7. Lakeview Baseball Club

3633 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613-4303 +1 773-935-1880 [email protected] http://www.lakeviewbaseballclub.com
Excellent
45%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
18%
Terrible
19%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 11 reviews

Lakeview Baseball Club

Reviewed By anthonyz266

Foremost, I’m not a Chicago Cubs fan. But I love baseball. I take in several games a year from various rooftops (especially when the Cubs play the Rockies, from my native Colorado, or the White Sox, my “adopted team” in the Midwest). Yes, the Lakeview Baseball Club has a partially obstructed view. It’s not a secret. People who write bad reviews and claim they “weren’t told” about the sight lines need only read the Club’s website. (They are honest to fault, and even provide photos.) That said, if you’re sitting in the front row, you can see everything but a chunk of right field. The view gets cut off behind and to the side of the first baseman. The further back you sit, the less you can see—home plate and first base get cutoff. However, I have frequented every single Wrigley Rooftop and—even though it’s not the popular opinion—this one is my favorite. For one, it’s independently owned. Cubs ownership bought almost all of the other rooftops; the organization decided to obstruct the view of the rooftops that wouldn’t sell out. This is important to note because, as a result, Lakeview’s ownership actually gives a damn about your experience. It’s considerably cleaner than the rooftops owned by the Cubs. The food and beverage (all-inclusive) are much, much better. (I can eat my weight in their brats and Beyond Burgers) The employees are friendlier. Spectators in general are nicer. (I can wear the opposing team’s jersey and be gently, humorously razzed by Cubs fans.) In short, Lakeview Baseball Club provides a great experience. Regarding the view: Consider the fact that even INSIDE the ballpark itself, Wrigley has a considerable number of “obstructed view seats”—literally, there are stadium seats that are right in front of support beams. People buy those seats and say, “Whatever. I’m just here for the experience.” Lakeview provides an experience LIGHTYEARS better than what that fan might experience. I would liken the Baseball Club to the famed Ravinia Festival concert venue in Highland Park. There, a few thousand people sit in a cramped pavilion and can actually see the show. At the same time, thousands and thousands of people actually prefer to be “lawn dwellers.” The lawn at Ravinia has no view of the stage whatsoever. But people come to eat, drink, listen to the music, and enjoy themselves and the show. The Lakeview Baseball Club operates on a similar premise. They play the radio broadcast of the game over a public address system, and there are televisions everywhere. You can see two of the three scoreboards, and hear the roar of the crowd in full stereo. From this specific rooftop, I saw the Cubs take on the Rockies at the 2018 Wild Card game, and had the time of my life. (I’m attaching the picture I took that evening. Check out that night sky!) If your “plan” is to take in a baseball game on a lazy summer night, shoot-the-bull with acquaintances, and catch the most exiting moments of the game over quality beers, burgers, and brats, then this place is great—so long as you accept that you’re not going to see a quarter of the field. It is a welcoming, atmospheric place. At $80 or so per all-inclusive ticket, you spend less (and get much, much more) than what you would at a Wrigleyville bar watching the game on television. It’s a value that can’t be beat.

8. Wintrust Arena

200 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616-1304 +1 312-791-6900 https://wintrustarena.com/
Excellent
36%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
7%
Terrible
18%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 28 reviews

Wintrust Arena

Reviewed By ransom007 - Anaheim, United States

There are pay-to-park garages and lots in the area. If you can get to McCormick Place Lot A, it is very convenient to walk across the sky bridge for entrance to the arena without having to worry about crossing streets. It cost me $10 to park there. The arena is very nice, if not large. The concourse runs around the playing court in an elevated manner, which affords a decent view of the game action if you are shopping at food concessions or the team kiosk. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and helpful. There are good sight lines, a good scoreboard and big screen. The public address system is clear. It is like an N. B. A. arena except for the seating capacity.

9. Skybox on Sheffield

3627 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613-4365 +1 773-303-9999 [email protected]
Excellent
37%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
11%
Terrible
42%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 19 reviews

Skybox on Sheffield

Skybox on Sheffield was opened in 1993, as primarily, a corporate entertainment facility for Cubs rooftops. Over the past 18 years it has grown into one of Chicago's most exciting full-service entertainment facilities. Conveniently located at 3627 N. Sheffield, Skybox on Sheffield is just inside the right field foul pole.Renovated in 2011, Skybox on Sheffield now offers four luxurious levels including: a three-tier outdoor roof deck, a lavish indoor clubhouse, a three course menu and beer selection from Goose Island, premium wines, 150 stadium seats, fully staffed bars on all levels, bathrooms on each level, an elevator with easy access and over 20 HD TVs throughout the rooftop. This unique Chicago Cubs rooftop offers an area for pre-game meetings and events with unbelievable views into Wrigley Field.If you are interested in more information about Cubs rooftop tickets at Skybox on Sheffield please contact us. We will be happy to assist you with any questions you have about Cubs tickets.

10. Joseph J. Gentile Arena

North Sheridan Road Loyola University Campus, Chicago, IL 60610
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

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