Chicago Travel Guide

  The giant ferris wheel at night.
by paulcalle
 
  • The giant ferris wheel at night.
      The giant ferris wheel at night.
    by paulcalle
  • The Bean in Millennium Park
      The Bean in Millennium Park
    by riorich55
  •   Chicago
    by jomusick
  •   Chicago
    by morochaargentina
  • View from the ship with Navy Pier in the distance.
      View from the ship with Navy Pier in the...
    by paulcalle
 

Pro

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  Clean, friendly, vibrant, soulful, musical, sport's minded yet filled with culture and art 


Con

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  winters suck 


In a nutshell

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  Big City with the heart of a small town. 

 

Explore Chicago

Things to Do  

Michigan Avenue

Michigan Avenue, Chicago

 107 Reviews  it is a nice way to unwind here after a hectic walking tour of millenium park during the spring and summer and autumn why? since the huge ice skating rink is replaced by a huge Park Grill Outdoor restaurant that's why (see my nightlife and restaurant tips for separate reviews of the Park Grills and... 

John Hancock Center

John Hancock Center, Chicago

 120 Reviews  Last visit June 2011 Of the four tallest buildings in Chicago, if I had to choose one to go up to take a look at the city from above, I'd choose the Hancock which at 1,127 feet and 100 stories is the 4th tallest in Chicago. The 2nd tallest building in Chicago, the Aon building, doesn't have... 

Hotels  

The Peninsula Chicago

 4 Reviews and 305 Opinions  The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago is an absolutely wonderful hotel! Every detail is thought through and... 

Hotel Monaco Chicago - a Kimpton Boutique Hotel

 4 Reviews and 705 Opinions  Had a great time at the Monaco. We've stayed at the SF version and it was pretty much the same... 

See all 249 Hotels in Chicago

Restaurants  

Pizzeria Uno/Pizzeria Due

Pizzeria Uno/Pizzeria Due, Chicago

 39 Reviews  It is said that back in 1943 Ike Sewell of Pizzeria Uno invented the Chicago style deep dish pizza. Today Pizzeria Uno still is a great place and the pizzas are indeed of excellent taste. Lots of toppings, cheese and tomato sauce and a tasty crust. Because of the thick toppings even a smaller pizza... 

Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory, Chicago

 29 Reviews  The Cheesecake Factory is a chain restaurant that serves good food at a decent price. The menu provides a huge selection with something that is sure to whet your appetite. You can get appetizers and drinks or a full dinner. Of course, for dessert you should try a piece of their specialty... 

Nightlife  

Bars/Nightclubs

Bars/Nightclubs, Chicago

 127 Reviews  Back in August I went to Underground and had a great time. I met Miss March and Miss May of Playboy, a few Chicago Bears players, and wouldnt you know it but the guy with us coming in would later jump on a small stage and rock the place out- it was Mike Posner. I took a photo with my phone. I think... 

Blues Clubs

Blues Clubs, Chicago

 28 Reviews  "[Buddy] Guy's earthy soul and gutsy acoustic performances make any latter-day "unplugged" record sound clean cut by comparison." – Guitar Player Any music fan has to hit at least on Blues club in Chicago. For the most amazing live music in the city, Buddy Guy's is the place to go! Bands such and... 

Transportation  

CTA (city trains & buses, the EL)

CTA (city trains & buses, the EL), Chicago

 110 Reviews  Getting around the city of Chicago is easy, especially when accompanied by locals who actually know where they are going - thanks David and Kristi. Almost every bus or EL train will take you downtown for $2.00. P.S.Be prepared to get off quick as the train doesn't stop long. (I almost got stuck on... 

O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare International Airport, Chicago

 47 Reviews  Who hasn't flown through O'Hare, United Airline's hub and until 2005, the world's busiest airport? Even today, O'Hare remains the third busiest airport in the world with some 65 million passengers. America's fourth busiest airport to/from international destinations, O'Hare serves over 60 foreign... 

Shopping  

Magnificent Mile/Michigan Avenue

Magnificent Mile/Michigan Avenue, Chicago

 50 Reviews  North Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, is one of the world's best shopping destinations, rivaling US streets like 5th Ave. in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Shopping centers such as Water Tower Place and 900 N. Michigan offer hundreds of stores, along with plenty of other stores... 

Marshall Field's

Marshall Field's, Chicago

 18 Reviews  I do not find anything especially unique or interesting about Water Tower Place. It's a big mall, that is about it. I would have you go to State and Washington for the 'original' department store (now a Macys)...Marshall Fields...This is truly one of the orginal dept stores in the country. There is... 

Local Customs  

Eating & Drinking

Eating & Drinking, Chicago

 25 Reviews  Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, and continuing until Christmas Day, there is an old world outdoor German Winter Market in Daley Plaza. It's so much fun, I go there every year, and am always bringing new friends! The Christkindlmarket is full of booths of special gifts to buy, and German foods and... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Common Sense Advice / Sketchy Neighborhoods

Common Sense Advice / Sketchy Neighborhoods, Chicago

 69 Reviews  I was just reading what other people thought of my home city (didn't get very far) and came across a rather ridiculous piece of advice lumping Hyde Park with Englewood. Hyde Park is probably my favorite area in the city. 57th street is full of book stores and little storefront restuarants, Harold... 

Parking

Parking, Chicago

 17 Reviews  Chicago residents don't like it when you take their spots for an enormous amount of time. I am reading all this cheap parking reviews, but keep in mind residents pay a lot to live here. A lot more than the suburban areas. Take the train or move to the city. Stop with all this free parking, because... 

Tourist Traps  

Sears Tower or John Hancock Building

Sears Tower or John Hancock Building, Chicago

 20 Reviews  Getting up there is not all too cheap. And before you get on the elevator, they force you to pose for a picture with a fake background. On your way out, they try to sell you that picture for nearly $30. Then they force you to pass through a long hall of gift shops instead of walking straight out.... 

Navy Pier

Navy Pier, Chicago

 27 Reviews  I want to start with the notion that I absolutely understand why tourists would visit Navy Pier, Chicago's #1 tourist draw, but I am sticking under tourist traps for three reasons: 1) 90% of the people you encounter here are tourists 2) Restaurants and shops are overpriced and not the best in the... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Architecture & Public Art (outdoor)

Architecture & Public Art (outdoor), Chicago

 72 Reviews  Just wandering home to my friend's condo... Lots of fun architecture and city art! Good times! Home to Second City, Zanies Comedy Club, the Red Orchid Theatre, the Bijou Theatre, & the Stanley Paul Orchestra, all on Wells Street. On North Avenue, you can find tickets to "Tony & Tina's Wedding" at... 

Neighborhoods-other

Neighborhoods-other, Chicago

 48 Reviews  We 1st visited Beverly probably around 20 years ago when we used to go out to Maple Tree Inn when it was located in Chicago on Western, we would drive down Longwood and gape at the beautiful mansions up on the ridge before heading to dinner. Once a year we would participate in the History/Mystery... 

Sports & Outdoors  

BASEBALL - Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field

BASEBALL - Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Chicago

 46 Reviews  Wrigley Field, which was built in 1914, was originally known as Weeghman Park. It was built on the grounds once occupied by a seminary. The Wrigley Field bleachers and scoreboard were constructed in 1937 when the outfield area was renovated to provide improved and expanded seating ... the original... 

Favorites  

Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods, Chicago

 51 Reviews  Chicago's OLD TOWN is a neighbourhood bounded by the Ogden Ave. right-of-way on the Northwest, Larrabee Street on the west, Clyburn Avenue on the southwest, Division Street on the South and Clark street on the east and northeast. Old Town is an historic neighbourhood, site of many of Chicago's... 

History, Architecture, & Landmarks

History, Architecture, & Landmarks, Chicago

 118 Reviews  Named after real estate developer Donald Trump TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER is a skyscraper in downtown Chicago. The 98-story structure reaches a height of 1,389 feet (423 meters) including its spire. It is built next to the main brance of the Chicago River, with a view of the entry to Lake... 

The Place

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The People

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Advice from the Locals
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 The place I call home - I'm having fun in my hometown of Chicago. Summer is my favorite time of the year in Chicago, the city really comes to life from Memorial Day until Labor Day with a multitude of festivals every... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Those of you who have traveled through O'Hare Airport in Chicago are there are left luggage facilities located in Terminal... 

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A: Rich...you beat me to it...Thanks for posting this :o) 

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Top Chicago Writers

1

The place I call home

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 I'm having fun in my hometown of Chicago. Summer is my favorite time of the year in Chicago, the city really comes to life from Memorial Day until Labor Day with a multitude of festivals every... 

2

Captivating City of "The Big Shoulders": Chicago

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 "I have struck a city--a real city. And they call it Chicago. The other places do not count." Rudyard Kipling I recently took this photograph (July, 2006) on a beautiful day in the city when my... 

3

Never A Lovely So Real

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 I've been updating my Chicago pages (i.e. as of September 2007) - you have to stay on your feet in order to keep up with the ever-changing Windy City! You'll find lots of new architectural tips on the... 

4

Chicago!

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  STOP THE PRESSES!! A Chicago institution will close its doors on February 28. It's the family-owned Berghoff Restaurant [see my restaurant tips] -- parts will remain open, but the old main dining... 

5

Chicago - My Favorite City in the United States!

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 My connection with Chicago goes back to February 1994 when I visited there for the first time. Though a much too long story to mention here, I became best friends with a wonderful grandmother named...... 

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