Nearby places

Getting to know Chicago's big venues before you go

The venues listed above cover very different corners of the city and suburbs, and the right plan for one rarely works for another. Thinking about location, venue type and transport before you buy tickets can save a lot of stress on the night.

Downtown and the Loop

The Chicago Theatre on State Street and the Auditorium Theatre near Grant Park sit in the heart of downtown, close to many CTA 'L' lines and bus routes. Both are historic theatres, so expect grand interiors, steep upper balconies and lobbies that fill quickly before a show. Arriving early gives you time to find your seat and avoid queues at the doors.

Arenas and ballparks

The United Center on the Near West Side hosts the Bulls and Blackhawks as well as major concert tours. Wrigley Field in Lakeview and Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side are baseball parks that also stage summer concerts. Crowds around all three can be heavy, so public transport is usually simpler than driving, and nearby streets get busy well before start time. Bag policies at large venues tend to be strict, so check the official venue site before you set off.

Outdoor and out-of-town options

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is an open-air lakefront stage near the Museum Campus, while Ravinia Festival in Highland Park is a long-running summer music festival known for lawn seating and picnics. Both are weather-dependent, so pack layers and check for updates on the day. Allstate Arena in Rosemont, close to O'Hare, is handy if you are staying near the airport but is a longer trip from downtown.

Plan the whole evening

Think about how you will get home as well as how you will arrive: late finishes can mean reduced transit service and surge-priced rides. For more on timing, transport and where to stay, see our planning notes, or browse the events guide for ideas on what to see next.