Chicago
Imagine an evening walk along North Avenue Beach as the lights of Chicago's famous skyline begin glittering to life. This spot is one of the most romantic places in the country to take a stroll. With the majesty of the Sears Tower looming in the foreground, and a cooling breeze coming in off of the bay, snuggle close together and take it all in. This is Chicago.
As the third largest city in the United States, Chicago travel presents one stellar place to visit. The city is an action packed extravaganza of places to see and things to do, but it can very difficult to find the time to take advantage of everything this place has to offer. Chicago has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in American history. It’s no longer a haven for gun-toting mobsters, seedy politicians and smog producing factories. The new Chicago is a refined showcase on the American landscape. The Windy City is one of the leading architectural centers in the world and thanks to a host of museums and attractions including famous Chicago theater, it's also a vibrant tourist destination.
Visiting Chicago
Most visitors enter Chicago by way of O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and the moment you step off the plane, you know you're somewhere special. O'Hare is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and it simply has to be seen to be believed. There are some smaller airports that service Chicago as well and they include the Midway International Airport (MDW), the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) and the General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) which is in Milwaukee. When planning to visit Chicago, always compare airfare on the Internet to secure the best rates. This may be your best bet for finding cheap flights to Chicago.
Guests to Chicago can expect the unexpected as far as the weather goes. During the summer months, it can get quite hot and muggy, while the winter months bring in lake-effect snow, which can be piled pretty high! May and September are probably your two best bets for pleasant weather, but the lake can bring in a thunderstorm quickly and without much warning. An October visit is something of a treat as the leaves put on their annual color and the winds begin to add a chill to the air, letting you know that autumn is in full swing.
Chicago's Hotels
If your are looking at where to stay in Chicago, know that the hotels there are plentiful. Whether you're in town for a conference or you're on vacation, there's a hotel designed with you in mind. The businessman will no doubt be better off with a hotel near O'Hare, and there are quite a few to choose from. Accommodation choices near O'Hare range from comfortable budget rooms like the ones at the Comfort Inn or the Econo Lodge all the way up to the luxurious suites at the Westin or the Chicago Hilton.
Downtown offers a host of Chicago hotels to choose from for someone planning to be in the city for a while. Other than the local hostels, where you can grab a bunk for around $20 a night, the primary hotels in Chicago are within the mid to upscale price range. The Hotel Blake offers finely appointed rooms for only $189 per night and for the epitome in style and comfort, the Swissotel Hotel combines opulence with amazing views of the city and lake for around $339 per night.
Dining in Chicago
Chicago restaurants are a major attraction in the city. With arguably some of the world's best pizza, Chicago is also highly regarded for its culinary delights. Since many of Chicago's more affordable eateries close down at the end of the workday, it can be tough finding cheap eats after dark, but for lunch, you have your pick! The Soupbox on West Madison is a great place to find belly-warming goodness, in a delicious bread bowl, for less than $7. The Artist's Cafe, located in the old Fine Arts Building provides a nice menu with plenty of beer and wine choices and it’s a great place to sit outside, eat and people watch.
The finer dining aspects are covered thoroughly in the Windy City, and getting a meal at one of the best restaurants in downtown Chicago should be high on your list of things to do. For example, Everest is home to some of the world's finest French cuisine and it's complimented by the stunning view from atop the Chicago Stock Exchange. Italian connoisseurs will appreciate Trattoria No.10's authenticity and for a traditional Russian feast, try Russian Tea Time, one of the foremost Russian restaurants in the world. Of course, the deep dish pizza is always worth returning to and the pies at Ed & Joe's Restaurant are routinely voted the best.
Chicago Must-Sees
No visit to Chicago is complete without a trip to the skydeck of the Sears Tower. Pay attention and you can actually feel the tower sway on windy days. The Magnificent Mile is the place to be for shopping, dining and a general all around good time. The colorful shops and trendy eateries along with the views of the surrounding skyscrapers make this a must-see on every itinerary.
The Art Institute of Chicago is home to some of the most famous 20th Century American works of art as well as the most impressive collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris. Chicago also has a number of popular parks which tourists find irresistible. Millennium Park features the Crown Fountain and the Pritzker Pavilion is an ideal setting for an outdoor concert. Grant Park is located in the city's center and has been the main park of Chicago since it was built. It offers visitors the delights of the Buckingham Fountain and it's also the home to most of the city's special events and festivals.
For someone inspired by architecture, Chicago is a dream vacation. Visit the Chicago Architecture Foundation for a complete tour of some of the city's finest examples of human ingenuity. Walking around on an architecture tour of the city can one of the easiest ways how to do Chicago on a budget.
Chicago is not just an up-and-coming tourist destination. It's already there! With so much to enjoy in the Windy City, you don't have to be a graduate from the Naval boot camps of Great Lakes to appreciate this grand spectacle of this modern American city. For a vacation where you can enjoy the finer things in life, try Chicago!
As the third largest city in the United States, Chicago travel presents one stellar place to visit. The city is an action packed extravaganza of places to see and things to do, but it can very difficult to find the time to take advantage of everything this place has to offer. Chicago has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in American history. It’s no longer a haven for gun-toting mobsters, seedy politicians and smog producing factories. The new Chicago is a refined showcase on the American landscape. The Windy City is one of the leading architectural centers in the world and thanks to a host of museums and attractions including famous Chicago theater, it's also a vibrant tourist destination.
Visiting Chicago
Most visitors enter Chicago by way of O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and the moment you step off the plane, you know you're somewhere special. O'Hare is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and it simply has to be seen to be believed. There are some smaller airports that service Chicago as well and they include the Midway International Airport (MDW), the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) and the General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) which is in Milwaukee. When planning to visit Chicago, always compare airfare on the Internet to secure the best rates. This may be your best bet for finding cheap flights to Chicago.
Guests to Chicago can expect the unexpected as far as the weather goes. During the summer months, it can get quite hot and muggy, while the winter months bring in lake-effect snow, which can be piled pretty high! May and September are probably your two best bets for pleasant weather, but the lake can bring in a thunderstorm quickly and without much warning. An October visit is something of a treat as the leaves put on their annual color and the winds begin to add a chill to the air, letting you know that autumn is in full swing.
Chicago's Hotels
If your are looking at where to stay in Chicago, know that the hotels there are plentiful. Whether you're in town for a conference or you're on vacation, there's a hotel designed with you in mind. The businessman will no doubt be better off with a hotel near O'Hare, and there are quite a few to choose from. Accommodation choices near O'Hare range from comfortable budget rooms like the ones at the Comfort Inn or the Econo Lodge all the way up to the luxurious suites at the Westin or the Chicago Hilton.
Downtown offers a host of Chicago hotels to choose from for someone planning to be in the city for a while. Other than the local hostels, where you can grab a bunk for around $20 a night, the primary hotels in Chicago are within the mid to upscale price range. The Hotel Blake offers finely appointed rooms for only $189 per night and for the epitome in style and comfort, the Swissotel Hotel combines opulence with amazing views of the city and lake for around $339 per night.
Dining in Chicago
Chicago restaurants are a major attraction in the city. With arguably some of the world's best pizza, Chicago is also highly regarded for its culinary delights. Since many of Chicago's more affordable eateries close down at the end of the workday, it can be tough finding cheap eats after dark, but for lunch, you have your pick! The Soupbox on West Madison is a great place to find belly-warming goodness, in a delicious bread bowl, for less than $7. The Artist's Cafe, located in the old Fine Arts Building provides a nice menu with plenty of beer and wine choices and it’s a great place to sit outside, eat and people watch.
The finer dining aspects are covered thoroughly in the Windy City, and getting a meal at one of the best restaurants in downtown Chicago should be high on your list of things to do. For example, Everest is home to some of the world's finest French cuisine and it's complimented by the stunning view from atop the Chicago Stock Exchange. Italian connoisseurs will appreciate Trattoria No.10's authenticity and for a traditional Russian feast, try Russian Tea Time, one of the foremost Russian restaurants in the world. Of course, the deep dish pizza is always worth returning to and the pies at Ed & Joe's Restaurant are routinely voted the best.
Chicago Must-Sees
No visit to Chicago is complete without a trip to the skydeck of the Sears Tower. Pay attention and you can actually feel the tower sway on windy days. The Magnificent Mile is the place to be for shopping, dining and a general all around good time. The colorful shops and trendy eateries along with the views of the surrounding skyscrapers make this a must-see on every itinerary.
The Art Institute of Chicago is home to some of the most famous 20th Century American works of art as well as the most impressive collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris. Chicago also has a number of popular parks which tourists find irresistible. Millennium Park features the Crown Fountain and the Pritzker Pavilion is an ideal setting for an outdoor concert. Grant Park is located in the city's center and has been the main park of Chicago since it was built. It offers visitors the delights of the Buckingham Fountain and it's also the home to most of the city's special events and festivals.
For someone inspired by architecture, Chicago is a dream vacation. Visit the Chicago Architecture Foundation for a complete tour of some of the city's finest examples of human ingenuity. Walking around on an architecture tour of the city can one of the easiest ways how to do Chicago on a budget.
Chicago is not just an up-and-coming tourist destination. It's already there! With so much to enjoy in the Windy City, you don't have to be a graduate from the Naval boot camps of Great Lakes to appreciate this grand spectacle of this modern American city. For a vacation where you can enjoy the finer things in life, try Chicago!
