Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Chicago
A Great Lakes city famous for its bold modern and early-skyscraper architecture, deep-dish pizza, and a long lakefront path connecting its parks. It's often cited as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, and that architectural history is still visible throughout downtown.
Best time to visit: May to June or September to October, avoiding the bitter winter cold and the most humid days of summer.
Local tip: A river or lake architecture boat tour is one of the best ways to see the skyline that made Chicago famous for its buildings.
Getting around: The 'L' train network covers downtown and most neighbourhoods well, and the Loop area itself is easily walkable once you're there.
Good to know: Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is closer to a pie than a typical flat pizza — it takes longer to bake, so many restaurants ask you to order it before you sit down.
What to plan your trip around
- Millennium Park
Home to the reflective 'Cloud Gate' sculpture (locally nicknamed 'The Bean').
- Art Institute of Chicago
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.
- Willis Tower Skydeck
A glass-floored observation deck high above the Loop, with views across four states on a clear day.
- Navy Pier
A lakefront entertainment pier with a Ferris wheel, gardens, and boat tours.
Chicago weather by month
Chicago weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Chicago gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C | -5°C | 48 mm | 86% |
| February | 0°C | -6°C | 61 mm | 85% |
| March | 5°C | -1°C | 57 mm | 82% |
| April | 10°C | 3°C | 108 mm | 81% |
| May | 15°C | 9°C | 129 mm | 83% |
| June | 21°C | 15°C | 113 mm | 82% |
| July | 25°C | 20°C | 93 mm | 79% |
| August | 25°C | 20°C | 95 mm | 76% |
| September | 22°C | 17°C | 85 mm | 77% |
| October | 15°C | 10°C | 107 mm | 78% |
| November | 8°C | 3°C | 59 mm | 80% |
| December | 3°C | -1°C | 53 mm | 85% |
Chicago through the year
January · 0° / -5°C · 48 mm
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- Nights often drop below freezing (average low -5°C), so expect frost and icy mornings.
April · 10° / 3°C · 108 mm
- In Chicago, April is mid-spring.
- It warms up quickly from here: by May highs are about 6°C higher.
July · 25° / 20°C · 93 mm
- It's humid — around 79% — so the heat feels heavier.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
October · 15° / 10°C · 107 mm
- Check the hourly forecast before heading to Millennium Park — showers are likely.
- It cools down fast from here: November is about 7°C cooler.
The best time to visit Chicago is June, August and September, when average highs are 21–25°C and rainfall is around 98 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Chicago, season by season
December – February
Cold1° / -4°C · 54 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Cold10° / 4°C · 98 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
June – August
Best time24° / 19°C · 100 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Chicago?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Chicago in June, August and September. Average highs are then 21–25°C.
- Why is June a good time to visit Chicago?
- In June, Chicago averages 21°C by day and 15°C at night, with about 113 mm of rain and 57% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Chicago?
- July is the warmest month in Chicago, with average highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C.
- What is the coldest month in Chicago?
- January is the coldest month in Chicago: average highs of 0°C, dropping to -5°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Chicago?
- May is the wettest month in Chicago with about 129 mm of rain. The driest is January, with around 48 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Chicago?
- January is the least pleasant month in Chicago, with average highs of just 0°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- How can I check the weather in Chicago before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Chicago from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Chicago. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/chicago
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