Best Time to Visit Chicago
The best time to visit Chicago is May to June, September to October.
Here's a month-by-month breakdown to help you pick the perfect time for your trip.
The year at a glance
Choose a month on the ring to see what it's like.
Averages 14°C (57°F) with 131 mm of rain over the month.
4 of 12 months are a best time to visit.
Quick answer
Visit Chicago in May to June, September to October for the best weather and experience. Budget travelers should consider shoulder season for lower prices. A typical hotel night is $152, and daily spend is $33–$110 a person, hotel not included. What a trip costs →
- Best time: the months named above
- Good: either side of the best months
- Off-peak: expect trade-offs, and often deals
Month-by-month guide
January
Off-peakFreezing, some rain. Averages -4°C (25°F) with 60 mm of rain over the month.
February
Off-peakFreezing, some rain. Averages -3°C (26°F) with 63 mm of rain over the month.
March
Off-peakCold, wet. Averages 2°C (36°F) with 81 mm of rain over the month.
April
GoodCold, wet. Averages 8°C (46°F) with 99 mm of rain over the month.
May
Best timeMild, wet. Averages 14°C (57°F) with 131 mm of rain over the month.
June
Best timeWarm, wet. Averages 20°C (68°F) with 121 mm of rain over the month.
July
GoodWarm, wet. Averages 23°C (73°F) with 143 mm of rain over the month.
August
GoodWarm, wet. Averages 23°C (73°F) with 111 mm of rain over the month.
September
Best timeWarm, wet. Averages 20°C (67°F) with 96 mm of rain over the month.
October
Best timeCool, wet. Averages 13°C (55°F) with 132 mm of rain over the month.
November
GoodCold, some rain. Averages 5°C (41°F) with 58 mm of rain over the month.
December
Off-peakCold, some rain. Averages 1°C (33°F) with 65 mm of rain over the month.
What the weather actually does in Chicago
Monthly averages from ten years of recorded weather (2014–2023), not a forecast.
Chicago is warmest in July (23°C / 73°F) and coolest in January (-4°C / 25°F). July is the wettest month at 143 mm of rain, and November the driest at 58 mm. On weather alone, the most comfortable months for walking around (roughly 18–26°C without heavy rain) are June, August and September.
| Month | Avg temp | Rain | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4°C 25°F | 60 mm | |
| Feb | -3°C 26°F | 63 mm | |
| Mar | 2°C 36°F | 81 mm | |
| Apr | 8°C 46°F | 99 mm | |
| May | 14°C 57°F | 131 mm | |
| Jun | 20°C 68°F | 121 mm | |
| Jul | 23°C 73°F | 143 mm | |
| Aug | 23°C 73°F | 111 mm | |
| Sep | 20°C 67°F | 96 mm | |
| Oct | 13°C 55°F | 132 mm | |
| Nov | 5°C 41°F | 58 mm | |
| Dec | 1°C 33°F | 65 mm |
Comfort scores 18–26°C and under 30 mm of rain highest. Weather data: Open-Meteo historical archive (CC BY 4.0).
The cheapest month to fly to Chicago
Lowest fare found from New York for each departure month over the next year.
Flying from New York, the cheapest month to go is December, with round trips from $180. June is the priciest at $327, so the month alone can move the fare by about 45%. Of the best-weather months, October is the cheapest to fly, from $221.
The lowest round-trip fare Aviasales travellers found for each departure month from New York, via Travelpayouts, refreshed weekly. It's the floor rather than the typical fare: the Chicago trip cost uses the typical fare we track.
Book your Chicago trip
Plan Your Chicago Trip
Tell us how you travel and we'll shape a day-by-day plan around it.
Plan My Chicago Trip