I am going to Chicago with my girlfriend for three days. What are the most interesting things to see and do in central Chicago? We will not have a car. We do not like sports but we do like history, architecture and food. We also love to walk in interesting (but not dangerous) neigbourhoods. Thanks in advance.
As you like architecture (and history), the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s boat tours on the Chicago River are well-regarded (and a friend of mine has been a docent on the tours for years).
When I asked this question last year, in anticipation of my trip to Chicago, the architecture boat tour was overwhelmingly recommended. After we got there, probably 2 of 3 service workings (hotel, restaurant, taxi drivers, etc) asked us if we were going to take the architecture boat tour. So, of course, we took it…it was worth every last penny and more. It was my second favorite thing after visiting Wrigley Field, which was a lifelong dream.
You might benefit from a search of previous threads. This question seems to get asked every couple of months. I know of nothing new since my previous responses.
Enjoy your trip. Hope you get good weather.
Art Institute. It’s a top 5 art museum in the US (I personally would put it at 3 behind MMOA and the National Gallery)
If you like Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, take the green line train out to Oak Park and walk to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Tour the studio, then rent a headset for a walking tour of the neighborhood, where there are a couple of dozen Wright-designed homes.
ETA: Ditto on the architectural boat tour.
Of Chicago’s “big five” museums, three of them (Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium) are essentially adjacent to each other, on the downtown lakefront, and they’re only about a mile or so southeast of the Art Institute. The Museum of Science and Industry is the outlier, being on the South Side (in Hyde Park, near the University of Chicago), but that’s still an easy cab / rideshare ride away.
I know Chicago has been beaten to death on cable news, but there really is almost no chance of a tourist finding themselves in a ‘dangerous’ neighborhood. Most of the areas that you don’t want to be in are far removed from anything of interest to a tourist. I’d suggest my own neighborhood of Lakeview as a good place for walking an interesting neighborhood, as well as Lincoln Park and Old Town. Your only risk in those neighborhoods is seeing one too many hipsters with a man bun.
There are quite a few different architecture boat tours. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is certainly the one to take if you’re interested in architecture, their guides know the material quite well. Some of the other tours offer the same excellent views of the city, but the guides are very hit and miss.
Of the major museums, I’d consider skipping Adler Planetarium, it’s fine but nothing really unique. Shedd Aquarium is usually mobbed during peak summer tourist season, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting soon. The Field museum is excellent and you’ll probably be able to keep yourself busy with just the general admission as their add on extras start to add up quickly to the cost of admission. Plan Your Visit - Tickets & Hours
The Art Institute is world class and I highly recommend it if you have any interest. They have an extremely varied collection, so don’t think it’s just Madonna and Child paintings. http://www.artic.edu/
I’ll be honest that the theatre schedule this summer doesn’t blow me away. http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ If you do see something on there you like (except Hamilton) then I can suggest a few websites with legitimate discounted tickets
There are classical music concerts in Grant Park. http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2018season
You’re right. I found a good one from not too long ago. I got a list going but I can add to it if there are any more suggestions. Maybe some festivals happening for July 7-10?
That weekend is pretty light on festivals, probably because the 4th of July would have just been a couple of days previous, falling in the middle of the week this year.
I think you’re just missing Taste of Chicago which is an awesome food festival. I have great memories of Taste from back when I was young. 
If you like history, you might enjoy the Untouchables Tour. It’s kinda cheesy, but lots of fun and full of interesting historical tidbits.
ETA: and of course the architecture boat tour.
The Broadcast Museum is always fun. Not too far from it is a great Tiki Bar, Three Dots and a Dash.
If you are coming this weekend (as my son and his fiancé are), dress for HEAT. Gonna be mid-upper 90s thru Mon! Any outdoor activities are going to require planning…
Upper 90s, with tropical-level humidity, as well. Ugggggh.
May I also suggest a plethora of food options, breweries, and beaches. Lake Michigan really IS an inland freshwater sea 
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Lakeview resident here, can confirm man-bun sightings.
I also second the opinion of the Field Museum.
The Museum of Science & Industry is phenomenal too (https://www.msichicago.org/)
Well, you could try to spot celebrities.
Went downtown this a.m. - saw Sebastian Arcelus (Madame Secretary) and his kids playing in the Millenium Park fountain, then couldn’t get away from Harrison Ford in the Sargeant exhibition at the Art Institute.
Chinatown is easy to got to, lots of great food and interesting shops