Month guide · Chicago · United States
Chicago in April
What April is really like in Chicago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
April is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 15°C (59°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.3 hours of daylight. Cool and showery, but the baseball season opens and the first magnolias bloom in Lincoln Park.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 15°C (59°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Chicago: days average 15°C (59°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with March (8°C (46°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:10
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 19:31
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
Spring (March–May). Changeable weather that can swing from snow to warm sunshine; baseball returns in April and cruises and outdoor terraces open fully by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in April
- Cubs and White Sox home openers (usually early April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Zoo · Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
Founded in 1868 and still free, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in North America.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Waterfront · The Loop
Chicago Riverwalk
Look into the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in the DuSable Bridge tower to see the gears that raise the bridge; it opens seasonally.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
- Outdoors
Park · Wicker Park and Bucktown
The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)
This 4.3-km elevated trail on a former freight line links Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square, with access ramps every few blocks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Hyde Park
Frederick C. Robie House
Combine it with a walk through the University of Chicago quadrangles and Rockefeller Chapel, a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- History
- Art
What to pack
For highs near 15°C, lows near 4°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Chicago?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Chicago in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Chicago?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cool and showery, but the baseball season opens and the first magnolias bloom in Lincoln Park.
+How warm is Chicago in April?
Average highs are around 15°C (59°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chicago in April?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.