Month guide · Chicago · United States
Chicago in May
What May is really like in Chicago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Chicago. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.5 hours of daylight. Pleasant and green, with river cruises in full swing; the lake stays cold, so near-shore areas can feel cooler than inland.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Chicago: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (15°C (59°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:30
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:03
- Daylight
- About 14.5 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, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Chicago beaches open for the season (usually Memorial Day weekend, late May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · The Loop
Art Institute of Chicago
Start with the Impressionists on the second floor before tour groups arrive, then take the Modern Wing's Nichols Bridgeway straight into Millennium Park.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Museum Campus
Field Museum
One of the world's major natural-history museums, the Field holds Sue, one of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found, a cast of the giant titanosaur Máximo in the main hall, a walk-through Egyptian tomb and the Evolving Planet fossil galleries.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Iconic
Aquarium · Museum Campus
Shedd Aquarium
Walk the lakefront path from the Shedd to the Adler Planetarium afterwards for the classic skyline photo.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Museum Campus
Adler Planetarium
America's first planetarium opened in 1930 at the end of the Museum Campus peninsula.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 10°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Chicago?
One of the best months to visit Chicago, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Chicago in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Chicago?
It is one of the best months to visit Chicago. Pleasant and green, with river cruises in full swing; the lake stays cold, so near-shore areas can feel cooler than inland.
+How warm is Chicago in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chicago in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.