It's the grandaddy of modern music festivals and it's still going strong. Book your trip to Chicago from Aug. 1-4 for this year's Lollapalooza.
Headline acts include The Strokes, Childish Gambino and Ariana Grande, but more than 170 acts from all over the world will play the festival's eight stages. Offstage, look for plenty of food and drinks, merch and kid-friendly offerings, along with space for visual arts.
The festival plays out in Grant Park, nestled in the Windy City's Loop overlooking Lake Michigan and convenient to the city's vast cultural and culinary offerings.
Whether you’re ready to book your trip now or just curious about the options, take a look at these forthcoming flights between Washington and Chicago, which we pulled from travel site Skyscanner.
We've also included popular hotels, restaurants and attractions in Chicago to highlight the city's best for visitors headed there soon. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Flight deals to Chicago
Currently, the cheapest flights between Washington and Chicago are if you leave on Aug. 1 and return from Illinois on Aug. 7. Spirit Airlines currently has round-trip tickets for $173.
If you fly out of Washington on Aug. 1 and return from Chicago on Aug. 6, Spirit Airlines currently has $174 round-trip tickets.
Top Chicago accommodations
To plan your stay, here are two of Chicago’s top-rated hotels, which we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel (17 E. Monroe St.)
If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, consider The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $92.
The hotel is a lively destination within walking distance of the best attractions the city of Chicago has to offer, like Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lake Michigan, the Art Institute of Chicago, the theater district and the Magnificent Mile.
The Drake, a Hilton Hotel (140 E. Walton Place)
Another option is The Drake, a Hilton Hotel. With a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, this hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city. Rooms are currently listed for $109/night. Nearby attractions include Navy Pier, Oakton Street Beach and Millennium Park.
Featured Chicago restaurants
If you're looking to snag a bite at one of Chicago's many quality eateries, here are a few popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated.
Giordano's (730 N. Rush St.)
If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Giordano's, which has a current average of 4.3 stars out of 113 reviews on Skyscanner.
Visitor Ulani wrote, "Minestrone soup was chock-full of veggies and tasty. Pizza, as always, was crisp on the crust and ooeey-gooey inside."
The Signature Room at the 95th (875 N. Michigan Ave.)
Another popular dining destination is The Signature Room at the 95th, with 4.5 stars from 65 reviews.
The Signature Room at the 95th, atop the John Hancock Center, offers diners a 360-degree skyline view, with floor-to-ceiling windows. There's a lunch buffet Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly with seafood, steaks and chops.
"I love this place for the food and the awesome views of Chicago," wrote reviewer geminitraveller. "The classy and cozy ambience is perfect for a romantic date."
The Purple Pig (500 N. Michigan Ave.)
Also worth considering is The Purple Pig.
A collaboration among four top chefs, The Purple Pig specializes in "cheese, swine and wine."
"This place is perfect for brunch," wrote Maggie. "Every dish was delicious!"
Ema (74 W. Illinois St.)
Finally, there's Ema.
If you're into dipping and snacking, Ema is the place for you, because the menu is concentrated on spreads, dips and snacks with a Mediterranean/Californian flair. Spicy hummus or an avocado and green pea spread are highlights, or try pan-roasted romanesco cauliflower with yogurt and honey.
Reviewer Julie wrote, "I suggest their roasted potatoes and rosemary, beef kebab and the shredded romaine lettuce salad. We finished the meal with fresh hot tea."
What to see and do in Chicago
Chicago is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
First up is Millennium Park.
It is the most famous section of Grant Park, and is home to most of the park’s highlight attractions, namely the Cloud Gate sculpture, nicknamed The Bean. The park is one of the largest green roofs in the world, as it was built on top of parking garages and a railroad yard.
"Love, love, love Millennium Park in all seasons," wrote visitor Marcia. "My child enjoys going there for movies, dancing events, really every reason a child could have a blast."
The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.)
Next, there's The Art Institute of Chicago, an art museum in Chicago’s Grant Park.
It is most famous for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections. Some of the more notable works include Monet’s "Haystacks," Toulouse-Lautrec’s "Moulin Rouge" and Edward Hopper’s "Nighthawks."
Visitor Ulani wrote, "Kids can take part in free workshops, draw, build, read, create a unique journey map for a self-guided museum tour. Tweens and older may enjoy the lounge where you can leave questions for the museum or pick a conversation starter to engage with your group."
Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker Drive)
Finally, spend some time at Willis Tower.
The skyscraper, formerly known as the Sears Tower (a name which is still commonly used), is actually nine square buildings bundled together; an engineering strategy to help the 110-story structure resist Chicago’s infamously high winds. When its construction was finished in 1974, it was the world’s tallest building at 1,451 feet.
Visitor Yvonne wrote, "We waited in line to step out onto the glass floor, which was pretty cool. Great views of the city and on a clear day you can see out across Lake Michigan."
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
