Daley Center
Daley Center
4
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Clark/Lake • 3 min walk
- Clark/Lake • 3 min walk
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Restaurants
3,409 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,036 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
83 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
32
Average
10
Poor
6
Terrible
3
parrottdize
Dyer, IN2,418 contributions
Nov 2019
We went here for the Christkindlmarket. For anyone who has never been here for the market, Be aware, it gets very crowded.....very very very crowded. This year in an effort to make more room, the city moved the Christmas tree to Millennium Park. Not sure if I can say it worked.
Having been here before, we know what we are looking for and which shop to stop at. Plus, we got there before it opened and as soon as the gates were open we went straight to the shop we were interested in. Got right in, bought what we wanted and then was free to mill around.
At one side of the plaza is a "eternal flame"......pigeons do like to site close to the flame during cold weather. For some reason I like watching them.
Having been here before, we know what we are looking for and which shop to stop at. Plus, we got there before it opened and as soon as the gates were open we went straight to the shop we were interested in. Got right in, bought what we wanted and then was free to mill around.
At one side of the plaza is a "eternal flame"......pigeons do like to site close to the flame during cold weather. For some reason I like watching them.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curt E
Wayzata, MN60 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
A visit to the Christmas market is a perfect way to get into the holiday season. There are tons of holiday related present ideas. We buy beautiful ornaments for the family while enjoying some tasty Gluhwein!
Written December 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,688 contributions
Jul 2019
While on holiday in Chicago this was one location we had to find its fabulous sceen from the Blues Brothers is the only reason to find it, otherwise its just an large open plan plaza, well worth imho.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nquinby
Germantown, MD195 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
A little bit of olde world Germany in Chicago. Visited on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. It was very difficult to make your way through the crowds. But there were plenty of vendors selling ornaments, cuckoo clocks and other stuff. They have all sorts of food for sale- sugared nuts, strudel, stollen, bratwurst, potato pancakes, hot chocolate, beer, and gluhwein (a spiced red wine). The lines for food and especially the liquor were very long. Be prepared for a wait. Also note most of the vendors only take cash-the food & drink is cash only. If you can survive the crowds, it’s a fun way to spend some time leading up to Christmas.
Written December 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rcmrunner70
Palatine, IL179 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
We love going to the Chicago Christkindlemarket! Usually, we go right before Thanksgiving and there are no huge lines plus it's a great way to start off our holiday season!
My kids and I always get our annual Christmas ornaments from the Lauschaer Glaskugelhsus stands. They have the biggest selection of handmade German glass ornaments; you can't miss their stores because they are the biggest besides the candy stand. There is always a unique ornament for all of us. The downside is that they are expensive so I have a 1 ornament limit each haha! There are several other cool Christmas, German fare stores around so have fun exploring! The candy shop is great, tons of German/European sweet treats to choose from. Most of these stores do take credit cards.
The food stands are awesome! It is so much fun sampling all the different kinds of German food. Everything I've had here is tasty! From the schnitzel, kraut, brats, dogs, potato pancakes with apple sauce/sour cream, pretzels, leberkase, pork chops, fried potatoes and the pastries-yum!! Finally, you cannot leave until you get the gluhwein (spiced warm wine) in the take home mug; hot cocoa for the kiddies in a snowman mug. Happy to see that both versions of the mug show the year in 2016; usually the kids mug doesn't show the year. Most of the food/drink stands only take cash so make sure to come prepared!
The market is conveniently located at the Daly Center; easy to get to from the Blue Line (Washington stop), Red Line (Lake stop) or it's a nice walk from the Metra stations.
My kids and I always get our annual Christmas ornaments from the Lauschaer Glaskugelhsus stands. They have the biggest selection of handmade German glass ornaments; you can't miss their stores because they are the biggest besides the candy stand. There is always a unique ornament for all of us. The downside is that they are expensive so I have a 1 ornament limit each haha! There are several other cool Christmas, German fare stores around so have fun exploring! The candy shop is great, tons of German/European sweet treats to choose from. Most of these stores do take credit cards.
The food stands are awesome! It is so much fun sampling all the different kinds of German food. Everything I've had here is tasty! From the schnitzel, kraut, brats, dogs, potato pancakes with apple sauce/sour cream, pretzels, leberkase, pork chops, fried potatoes and the pastries-yum!! Finally, you cannot leave until you get the gluhwein (spiced warm wine) in the take home mug; hot cocoa for the kiddies in a snowman mug. Happy to see that both versions of the mug show the year in 2016; usually the kids mug doesn't show the year. Most of the food/drink stands only take cash so make sure to come prepared!
The market is conveniently located at the Daly Center; easy to get to from the Blue Line (Washington stop), Red Line (Lake stop) or it's a nice walk from the Metra stations.
Written November 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SUBZEROSKIDD10
Thetford, VT1,192 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
A Christmas tradition in Chicago! This outdoor market is inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt held in Nuremberg, Germany and is ongoing in Daley Plaza until December 24th. Admission to the Market is free, but make sure to buy some of the hot mulled wine in one of the souvenir mugs. There are authentic German kielbasas with sauerkraut, pretzels, candy, popcorn, waffles, potato pancakes, crepes, and more. Not to mention all the merchandise, from cuckoo clocks to beer steins. Chicago's Christkindlmarket is a wonderful event and if you're in the city, make sure to check it out.
Written December 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twinsmom99
Dyer, IN670 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We go to the Christmarket every year for our annual winter trip to Chicago. We go I
on a weekend every year, and it’s always packed and usually quite cold. We go to get the annual mug. We don’t eat here. We make a loop through the market and get a mug of hot chocolate.
on a weekend every year, and it’s always packed and usually quite cold. We go to get the annual mug. We don’t eat here. We make a loop through the market and get a mug of hot chocolate.
Written December 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry O
Indiana84 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Do not even attempt to visit here on a Saturday evening.
To say that it was crowded would be the understatement of my life. Unless you enjoy being packed like a sardine stay away.
We got separated almost immediately and finally got out and met up By the tree in millennium park
We then spent an enjoyable night walking Michigan av and dining on the mag mile.
Stay away!
To say that it was crowded would be the understatement of my life. Unless you enjoy being packed like a sardine stay away.
We got separated almost immediately and finally got out and met up By the tree in millennium park
We then spent an enjoyable night walking Michigan av and dining on the mag mile.
Stay away!
Written December 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott D
Bourbonnais, IL583 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Visit there at the Christkindlmarket at the Daley Center. It is very good Christmas market there. It was first time I was doing this in Chicago. I enjoy it very much. Also with friends at there too. They enjoy it very much.
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon from Dallas
Dallas, TX1,648 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is the exact spot where the Blues Brothers came to pay the $5,000 taxes for St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage in Calumet City, Illinois. They saw Picasso's untitled sculpture in Daley Plaza on their way to the Cook County Tax Assessor's office.
Jake & Elwood were on a mission from God.
Jake & Elwood were on a mission from God.
Written June 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, dogs are allowed in the outside area of the market, as long as they are on a leash. Dogs are not permitted in our inside areas such as the warming tent, Timber House or any walk-in vendor booths.
Written December 20, 2017
Jill B
Jacksonville, Illinois
Is there an elevator to ground level from the Washington Street subway stop?
Written October 17, 2016
I am so sorry for the delay. I usually only go to TripAdvisor after I have been somewhere or I get a wild hair to review something at home here in Chicago. I do not believe that the Washington stop currently has an elevator. You can access both the red line and blue line at Washington but not without exiting the turnstyles. There is a pedway between and an escalator from the platform. From there, you can enter the Daley Center and use an elevator or escalator to the ground. There is an elevator in the Clark/Lake Blue line stop which is across the street. I hope that you had a good trip!
Written April 14, 2017
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