Month guide · Chicago · United States
Chicago in March
What March is really like in Chicago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Changeable, with mild days and late snow both possible; the city comes out for St Patrick's Day.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Chicago: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (2°C (36°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:03
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:57
- Daylight
- About 11.8 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, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- Chicago River dyed green and downtown St Patrick's Day parade (usually the Saturday before 17 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · The Loop
Willis Tower Skydeck
Check the visibility before buying; low cloud can hide the view completely, and a late-afternoon visit gives you daylight and sunset in one ticket.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
Landmark · Wrigleyville
Wrigley Field
Opened in 1914 and home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard and rooftop bleachers on the neighbouring buildings.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours for a game
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
Experience · Old Town
The Second City
Stay after the late show for the improv set, where the cast tests new material from audience suggestions.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
.jpg){kind=link}
Viewpoint · Streeterville
360 Chicago observation deck
The observation deck on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, the tapering black tower long known as the John Hancock Center, looks straight up the lakefront over Oak Street Beach and the Gold Coast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near -1°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Chicago?
A quieter month with trade-offs, 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 March a good time to visit Chicago?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Changeable, with mild days and late snow both possible; the city comes out for St Patrick's Day.
+How warm is Chicago in March?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chicago in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.