Chicago

Transportation and Accommodations

Getting There

Chicago has two airports with Ohare (ORD) being the primary airport and Midway (MDW) being the smaller option. United and American Airlines both have hubs at Chicago Ohare with a large number of flights to domestic and international destinations. Those who prefer Southwest will have to use Midway as Southwest does not fly to Ohare.

From downtown Chicago, Ohare can be reached by public transit on the blue line of the L. In rush hour, traffic from downtown to the airport can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. Midway can be reached on the orange line of the L.

If traveling from towns in the midwest, trains are another option, many of which arrive and depart from Union Station.

Getting Around

Chicago is largely split between the North and Southside. When visiting Chicago, the Northside of the city is where you can expect to spend your time. Since Chicago is a larger city, use the L, buses, taxis, or bikes to travel between the neighborhoods. The L is an elevated transit system running throughout the city.

Accommodations

River North

Located across the Chicago River from the Loop, River North is full of restaurants and bars. Unlike the Loop, which goes quiet after the work day closes, River North stays alive at night. The Loop is home to many office buildings and is the financial hub of the city. For those looking to stay in close proximity to the Loop, River North is a good option with an abundance of dining options.

Gold Coast

One of the nicest areas in Chicago, Gold Coast is just north of River North. The Magnificient Mile, a famous stretch of Michigan Avenue, sits in the Gold Coast. This area is frequented by travelers and can be a nice place to stay when visiting Chicago.

Lincoln Park

Located further north, Lincoln Park is a neighborhood drawing in the younger generation from those just entering the workforce to young families. It is a beautiful area with a residential feel inside the city. Located about twenty minutes from downtown, it is a nice area to walk around, shop, and spend time when visiting Chicago.

Lakeview

Continuing North, Lakeview is another more residential area in the city where many young professionals and families live. This area is also home to the Cubs, as Wrigleyville sits inside Lakeview.

Things to do and see

Millennium Park

Public park on the East side of the Loop not far from Lake Michigan. The park is known for the Bean and some art exhibits including the fountains with changing faces on them. In the winter, an ice skating rink is open in the park.

Movie Night in Millenium Park

In the summer, Millenium Park plays an outdoor movie every week. Grab a picnic blanket, snacks and some friends and watch a movie outside on a warm summer night in the park

The Bean

An art structure called Cloud Gate, but commonly referred to as the Bean due to its shape. The surface of the structure is mirror-like and reflects the city on its west side. This is the focal point of Millenium Park.

Willis Tower Sky Deck

The Willis Tower is the tallest building in Chicago with a floor at the top for visitors to observe Chicago to the North, East, South and West. The West side of the building has glass boxes off the side of the building that visitors can step into and look straight down to the ground.

Grant Park & Buckingham Fountain

Grant Park is a large, urban park between the Loop and Lake Michigan. Buckingham Fountain is located in Grant Park and the large summer music festival, Lollapalooza, takes over Grant Park every year.

Maggie Daley Park

Public park near Grant park with playgrounds for children and an ice skating path in the winter.

Architecture Tour

Take a boat along the Chicago River and learn about the different types of architecture used in buildings throughout the city along with the history of the city itself. There are a variety of companies offering boat tours, typically lasting around 90 minutes. This is a great way to see the city from the water. Most boats offer snacks or drinks onboard as well.

Chicago Riverwalk

A nice path running right along the Chicago River. There are cafes, spots to grab a drink, and grassy areas to sit along the riverwalk.

Lakeshore Path

The city of Chicago sits right along Lake Michigan. There is a nice running and biking path that runs for miles along the lake. It is especially nice from Lincoln Park to downtown Chicago.

Second City

A well-known improv comedy show with a few showings per night.

Magnificent Mile

Also known as Michigan Avenue, the Magnificient Mile is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood and is a big shopping street.

Navy Pier

A well-known pier along the Lake Michigan shoreline with a Ferris Wheel as its focal point. The Ferris Wheel is a smaller version of the Ferris Wheel presented at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893.

Lincoln Park Zoo

A free zoo located just off Lake Shore Drive in Lincoln Park

Zoo Lights

Around the holidays every year, the zoo puts up lights across the property

Field Museum

A natural history museum well known for Sue the T-Rex and located on Museum Campus

Shedd Aquarium

Aquarium located on Museum Campus along Lake Michigan

Art Institute of Chicago

Famous art museum and one of the largest in the United States

606

Approximately 3-mile long elevated walking and bike path running east to west in the northwest area of Chicago

Oak Street Beach

Beach located on the Northside of the city near Lake Shore Drive, often crowded with tourists

North Avenue Beach

Beach north of Oak Street beach

River Kayaking

Rent kayaks or sign-up for an organized kayaking tour where you learn about the history of Chicago and are taken along the main areas of the Chicago River

Sporting Events

Bears

The Bears are Chicago’s football team and play at Soldier Field

BlackHawks

The Chicago BlackHawks are the city’s hockey team. The team won three Stanley Cups in six years (2010, 2013, and 2015) after not having won a Cup in 49 years. If visiting during hockey season, attending a BlackHawks game is always a fun experience.

Cubs

Chicago has two baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs are the Northside team while the Sox are the Southside team. The Chicago Cubs ballpark, Wrigley Field, is famous and sits in Wrigleyville which is an area full of bars where people hop through before and after the games.

If you cannot get tickets to a game, head over to Wrigley and watch from one of the many bars in the area. Another unique way to see the game is on one of the Wrigley rooftops; some of the buildings around Wrigley field have seats on their roof giving fans another place to watch the game.

White Sox

Chicago’s Southside baseball team

Breweries

Goose Island

There are a few different locations, with the Fulton Street location providing tastings and tours of the brewery

Lagunitas

The taproom offers beer tastings and often has live music playing

Half Acre

Brewery with two different locations (Lincoln Brewery and Balmoral Brewery), both of which have taprooms and food service.

Revolution Brewing

Brewpub in Logan Square

Hopewell Brewing Company

Craft brewery in Logan Square

Corridor Brewery & Provisions

Cute little brewery on Southport Avenue in Chicago serving their homebrewed beers and food. They are constantly mixing up their beer flavors.

Metropolitan Brewing

Craft brewery located along the river brewing German-style beers

Old Irving Brewing Co.

Warehouse brewery with lights strung up inside, serving snacks and their beer

Taste of Chicago

A five-day food festival takes place in July and is held in Grant Park. It is the world’s largest food festival and includes numerous food stands along with live music.

Lollapalooza

A four-day music festival held at the beginning of August every year. Stages are spread throughout Grant Park, with artists from different genres playing from the afternoon into the night.