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 »  Home  »  Destinations  »  Illinois  »  Chicago
Chicago

Chicago, “The Windy City” as it is fondly called is also the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. A luxurious city with real mid-western friendliness.  

Get in: 

There are two airports in Chicago. The O'Hare and the Midway with the Midway airport being the closest to downtown Chicago. The O'Hare is the main airport and services the international flights as well as some domestic flights. The Midway Airport on the other hand provides service for most domestic and discount airlines.

For those coming by bus, Greyhound and Megabus provide the bus services throughout the state.

Chicago is historically the rail hub of the entire United States. Amtrak and Metra suburban trains provide rail services.

By car, Chicagoans have a maddening habit of referring to some expressways by their names, not the numbers used to identify them on the signs you'll see posted on the U.S. interstate highway system, so you'll have to commit both name and number to memory. Best to bring a map. It can really help. 

Get around: 

Navigating Chicago is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the whole city. Standard blocks, of 100 addresses each, are roughly 1/8th of a mile long. Keep in mind also that "avenues" run north-south and "streets" run east-west, but there are numerous exceptions. On the South Side, "streets" may alternate with "places" of the same name (e.g., 48th Place). In conversation, however, Chicagoans rarely distinguish between streets, avenues, etc.

The best way to get around Chicago is by using the public transit. It's clean, reliable and best of all, it's cheap. Buses are fine too since they travel on most busy streets. In the suburbs, Pace runs the bus service and has some routes that cross with the city. Pace provides paratransit services should you need to go somewhere inconvenient via CTA.

Metra runs commuter trains for the suburbs, providing service within Illinois, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and to the South Shore railroad, which provides service to South Bend, Indiana. Metra trains are fast, clean, and on-time, but unpleasantly crowded during rush hour.

Chicago also has a free trolley running in the Near North and the Loop. They use specially-marked bus stops, but they'll usually let you off wherever you want.

Why drive a car when driving can just give you headaches? Traffic is really bad. Add to that dazed pedestrians and you'll surely find yourself stuck somewhere. Stay away from driving.

Take a taxi if you want, it's actually cheap and readily available almost all over Chicago.

You can ride a bike too, thanks to the bike paths that are available. 

See: 

  • museum campus
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Field Museum
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Some smaller museums with great content
  • The city's architechture
  • The ethnic neighborhoods
 Do: 
  • Visit the beaches
  • Stroll in the parks
  • Join events
  • Watch theaters
  • Bike
  • Water activities
 Get out: 
  • Illinois
  • Wisconsin
  • Indiana
  • Michigan


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» Chicago: The Budget Traveler's Jewel of the Midwest
By Ben Cooper | Published 08/27/2008 | Chicago | Unrated
Along with New York and San Francisco, Chicago is one of the essential backpacking destinations in the United States. From blues shows to unique (and enticing!) cuisine to some of the most impressive architecture around, Chicago is undoubtedly one of the world’s cultural hubs.
» Thinking Chicago as a place of Sightseeing
By Steve Maglecic | Published 08/25/2008 | Chicago | Unrated
Chicago is considered a special place in terms of travelling, entertainment, history and location as it is in the heart of the Midwest. Chicago, located at the shore of the Lake Michigan, has attraction for the people who want to enjoy the pleasures of the comedy, theatre, blues and jazz. Chicago has become the great destination for the travelers coming from round the globe. While having walk on the streets of this city, you will find several skyscrapers and great architectures that contribute a lot in achieving the title of “city‘s skyline” for this place. Chicago has become the home of millions people belonging to different ethnicities which can easily traced when you are have a visit to this great city.
» On Vacation in Chicago? Key Things to Remember
By Rc Williams | Published 08/21/2008 | Chicago | Unrated
I spent several years as a retail store manager on Michigan Avenue. It always use to amaze me how I would see some unsuspecting tourist walk into my store and be completely oblivious to the guy wear the long, beat up overcoat in sunny 90 degree weather trailing close behind them. It was like watching a bad reality show take place right in front of me.
» Rekindle the Romance in Chicago
By Elisha Burberry | Published 08/21/2008 | Chicago | Unrated
Despite your best efforts, the day to day demands of life can have a real effect on your relationship with your partner. Work, kids and family commitments can all take time away from the two of you, and it’s important to make sure you reconnect every now and then in order to keep your relationship strong.
» Stay Lavishly At Luxurious Hotels in Chicago
By Anjali Bakshi | Published 08/18/2008 | Chicago | Unrated
If you are going to spend a luxurious vacation in Chicago then it would be best to reserve a room in Luxury and Deluxe hotel in Chicago. These hotels have elegant and sophisticated look with stylish interiors which is totally lavish. And the amenities of luxury and deluxe hotels are more comfortable and classy rather than 5 star hotels. Chicago is famous for its glamorous shopping centre, striking architecture, buzz nightlife and for fabulous cuisine. And you will find a mirror image of Chicago in these five star hotel . The exclusive amenities of these hotels include 24-hour Front Desk, handicapped services, VIP Room services, commercial services, valet parking and laundry services.


(Page 1 of 4)   « Back | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Next »