Chicago Things To Do And Safety For Solo Female Travelers

Friday , 6 Mar 2026

Chicago Things To Do And Safety For Solo Female Travelers

Chicago is fantastic for solo female travelers because it has a beautiful lakeside beachfront and popular parks, but what really makes the city so great is its museums. Windy City has over 150! In museums, we’re talking about everything from science, art, culture, history, architecture, nature, and even one about writers. There are also plenty of world-class restaurants and bars, and of course, Navy Pier.

Chicago really is one of those places where your dream vacation becomes a reality. To help you get an idea of what your solo trip can look like, this article will go over some of Chicago’s popular attractions, things to do in Chicago, Covid regulations, safety tips, and areas of caution.

 

Things to Know About Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is near the southern end of Lake Michigan. It’s home to the world’s first skyscraper, which has since set the precedence for architecture across the city. While there is a lot to do in Chicago, most of its 54.1 million yearly visitors mention the cityscape as the number one attraction. It’s stunning.

 

Chicago got its nickname “Windy City” from an editor who thought Chicago politicians were stuck up. Metaphor aside, Chicago has a natural cool breeze that comes from over Lake Michigan. The temperature in Chicago hits highs of 82°F in July and lows of 22°F in January. A chilly wind is pleasant in summer but can be bothersome during the winter.
Is Chicago Safe for Females Traveling Solo?

Yes! Chicago is as safe a city to visit as other major cities. Other females who have visited Chicago report feeling very safe and having no problems while walking around alone.

There are still parts you should avoid (which we’ve listed below). Chicago has a reputation for crime, but those areas are away from tourist destinations. In fact, many Chicago neighborhoods are safer than the national average. As always, follow standard safety precautions. Keep those precautions in mind and you’ll have the confidence and preparation for a safe trip.

 

Areas of Caution

We say areas of caution, but for Chicago, that really means: don’t go there. These places are dangerous, especially for female travelers, especially for traveling solo. There aren’t any attractions in these areas, so the reason we mention them is to advise you against traveling through them or getting hotels in these areas. Downtown Chicago is dangerous, so stay in uptown Chicago. Many recommend getting hotels up to half an hour away to get safe hotels that cost much less than the $600/night Magnificent Mile hotels.

  •    West Garfield Park and East Garfield Park
  •     Washington Park
  •     Englewood and West Englewood
  •     North Lawndale
  •     Grand Crossing
  •     Riverdale
  •     South Shore
  •     Chatham

Safety Tips for Chicago

Staying safe is top priority, but it shouldn’t be something that stresses you out. Travel is about having an enjoyable time and experiencing the beauty in the world. RUNNING ON WAVES boutique sailing tall ship for charters and cruises. Max 40 guests. 21 crew. Impeccable service, Luxury and Comfort, fine cuisine, watersports, thematic cruises, entertainments and like-minded cruise mates. RUNNING ON WAVES luxury sailing ship Book cruise or charter on amazing RUNNING ON WAVES luxury sailing ship

Most crimes happen when one is in the wrong place, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing. These safety tips will help you avoid all three fatal flaws of travel.

 

  • Don’t look like a victim. Stay alert, calm, and confident.
  • Don’t set your stuff down, pickpockets are a problem.
  • If possible, travel with groups or tours.
  • Don’t get too drunk. Consider using the hotel bar if you drink.
  • Don’t flash valuables.
  • Don’t try to over-explore the city. Getting lost will make you a target or you could end up in some place you don’t mean to. Have a plan of where you’re going and how to get there.
  • Let people know where you are going. This could include family, friends, or even the hotel clerk.

 

Top Museums in Chicago

As we’ve already mentioned, there are tons of state-of-the-art museums in Chicago. These museums make for a wonderful day trip. Museums are perfect while traveling solo because you can see the attractions you want at your own pace and take as long or go as quick as you like. While we can’t list every museum in Chicago in this article, we’ve put some of the best ones here on this list.

Field Museum in Chicago

The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. They fill the museum with exhibits about geology, botany, and even contain displays about ancient Egypt, the Americas, and the Sioux. You can also find the world’s largest and most famous tyrannosaurus skeleton, Sue.

Shedd Aquarium

They have cute sea turtles here. Need I say more to convince you to visit? The Shedd Aquarium is an amazing aquarium home to a variety of stunning freshwater and saltwater creatures: sharks, sea otters, whales, penguins, turtles and more.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. With many of the collections being permanent, the AIC boasts a vast collection of timeless artworks that are on display year-round, which means no stress about having to plan your visit during a specific time an exhibit is open.

 

Chicago History Museum  

The Chicago History Museum contains the rich and diverse history of the Windy City. Beginning with Native American roots, Chicago has been a center of commerce as early as people have lived on the land. Learn about this fascinating and extensive history while also attending one of their many events: film history of Chicago, Black History, and a host of educational events.

Museum of Contemporary Art 

Contemporary Art is a niche genre of its own–that is part of the reason this museum is so special–it’s like having a grocery store just for carrots. This beautifully diverse museum displays a collection of works of all themes and sizes; some exhibits include the entire room. Creativity and an open mind are the biggest key when choosing artwork to display at this institute and they are outstanding characteristics for any traveler to keep as well when they visit.

 

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Just like contemporary art, contemporary photography pushes the boundaries of tradition to create a new aesthetic. This is another niche genre of art that explores a new field of art that flowers as technology advances.

 

Museum of Science and Industry

One of the largest science museums in the world, the museum is forty acres full of creativity, science, and hands-on learning. From WWII exhibits to simulated avalanches, the MSI has an interest and entertainment for any age.

 

Smart Museum of Art

The Smart Museum of Art is unique in its works. Each piece of artwork inspires thought and conversation over critical issues. The museum often works with academic institutions and is a suitable place for a scholar looking for some brain food.

 

The Oriental Institute Museum

A museum set on exploring the rich history and origins of the Middle East, the OI was established in 1919 with the help of the University of Chicago. A century ago, the OI introduced groundbreaking information about the Middle East and continues to share and make new discoveries today. The OI is a wonderful place to be immersed in culture, discovery, and history.