Chicago

From MyVacationsTo

Chicago [1] is a major metropolis located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Cook County, Illinois, which is located in the northeastern part of Illinois. It's the third-largest city and metropolitan area in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles. An exciting city, Chicago is noted for its Lake Michigan shoreline and downtown skyline, considered by many the most picturesque skyline in the world.

Contents 1 Understand 1.1 Climate 1.2 Newspapers 1.3 Tourist Information 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By bus 2.3 By train 2.4 By car 3 Districts 4 Get around 4.1 By public transit 4.1.1 Transit services 4.1.1.1 CTA 4.1.1.2 Metra and South Shore 4.1.1.3 For disabled visitors 4.1.2 Trolleys 4.2 By car 4.3 By bicycle 5 See 5.1 City of Chicago 5.2 Ethnic 6 Do 6.1 Events & Festivals 7 Buy 8 Eat 9 Drink 9.1 Bars 9.2 Music 10 Sleep 10.1 Budget 10.1.1 Hostels 10.1.2 Bed & Breakfast 10.1.3 Hotels 10.2 Mid Range 10.3 Splurge 11 Contact 11.1 Internet 12 Stay safe 13 Cope 14 Get out

[edit] Understand

Progress and modernization rule in Chicago. The old Chicago with its smoke-spewing factories and quarreling politicians - not to mention machine gun-wielding gangsters - is mostly gone, having given way to a new Chicago known for architecture, world-class museums, and tourism in general.

Chicago is known as The Windy City. Popular myth has it that this nickname for Chicago was coined by Charles Dana, the editor of the New York Sun, in 1893. Chicago was competing with New York to host the 1893 Columbian Exposition and Dana allegedly coined the name as a derogatory moniker. Supposedly the term is not a reference to the winds off Lake Michigan as one might suppose, but rather refers to the Chicagoan habit of rabid boosterism and shameless boasting. To a New Yorker like Dana, Chicago was full of hot air.

The story simply isn't true. The name dates to at least 1885, and clearly refers to the breezes off the lake. 1885 references include "city of winds" as well as "Windy City." This isn't new information either. Mathew's Dictionary of Americanisms, published some 50 years ago, includes an 1887 quotation of "Windy City", but the myth persists--largely due to newspaper reporters and editors who repeat the tale without checking the facts.

Chicago is also known as The Second City, which refers to its rebuilding after the famous Chicago fire. The current city of Chicago is literally the second city. Some also believe it refers to the city's historical position as the United States' second largest city, after New York City, though it has long since been surpassed in population by Los Angeles. Chicago, however, is still the second largest financial center in the country, ahead of Los Angeles.

Carl Sandburg called Chicago the City of the Big Shoulders, referring to its tall buildings. Chicago was the birthplace of the skyscraper.

The best-known song about Chicago, written in 1922 by Fred Fisher, calls it That Toddlin' Town. Since then many different well known artists, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and of course Chicago, have sung their versions of the song.

Finally, the city is sometimes called the The City That Works, which is a local promotional campaign by the Mayor Richard M. Daley administration. It refers to the long labor tradition as well as the long hours worked by residents, as well as a stable, municipal government which provides numerous services to its inhabitants.

Chicago's history with corruption cannot be ignored. During the Prohibition Era, the Mafia became entrenched, with names like Al Capone and Baby Face Nelson. Eliot Ness was known as the "incorruptible" investigator. Al Capone was eventually sentenced on tax evasion and Baby Face Nelson was shot and killed in the northwest suburb of Barrington, IL (small plaque at Langendorf Park briefly describes the dramatic shootout). This continued with claims of ballot packing, where the dead would vote, and the motto was "vote early, vote often". More recently the former governor of Illinois, George Ryan, was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to prison.

The Chicago Fire was a major event in the city's history. On October 8, 1871, a fire was reportedly started by Mrs. O'Leary's cow knocking over a lantern in the crowded immigrant quarters in the West Side. This quickly spread throughout most of the city, killing 300 and destroying entire blocks, including most of the original downtown buildings. A famous surviving structure is the stone Water Tower, just north of the Loop. The city was able to rebuild, in some cases improving the layout of streets, and by 1875 little evidence remained.

[edit] Climate

The climate is temperate continental, and quite variable. July and August are hot and humid, with many days easily reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity (though lakefront neighborhoods are slightly breezier and cooler). Summer daytime temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while not commonplace every year, may be experienced. Summer nights average about 67 degrees Fahrenheit. December through March will see very cold temperatures, with January and February seeing possible nighttime lows in the teens and possibly subzero, with even lower windchill factors (the "no exposed skin" regimes). These extreme conditions may happen one to two times during the entire winter season, lasting for only a few days before nighttime temperatures return in the range of 20-35 degrees. Winter days average between 30-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is usually limited to a handful of heavy storms per season, with dustings in between. East coast cities tend to receive more snowfall than Chicago in the winter, but Chicago generally has colder temperatures in the winter. Shorter timescales also vary widely - temperatures may swing 30 degrees Fahrenheit within a week. May through September are mild and highly recommended, and the lake effect may prolong a pleasant autumn through October, and sometimes into November.

[edit] Newspapers

• The Chicago Tribune [2] ("The Trib") is the Chicago area's biggest daily.
• The Chicago Sun-Times [3] is the other major daily.
• New City [4] is a free weekly alternative arts and entertainment magazine, distributed every Wednesday.
• The Chicago Defender [5] is Chicago's biggest African-American daily.
• The Chicago Reader [6] is a free weekly newspaper distributed beginning each Thursday. It includes extensive listings of local arts, music, and events.
• Chicago Magazine [7] is a monthly handy guide to events, dining, and shopping for the upcoming month.
• TimeOut Chicago [8] is a weekly "where to go, what to do" magazine. A sister publication to TimeOut found in Europe and New York.
• Redeye [9] is a free weekday newspaper produced by the Chicago Tribune, while Red Streak [10] was a similar, short-lived variant of the Chicago Sun-Times. Both are designed to be shorter and appeal to younger readers, and are virtually interchangeable.
• The Daily Herald [11] is a large daily newspaper aimed primarily at the suburbs.

[edit] Tourist Information

Chicago's visitor information centers offer maps, brochures and other information for tourists.

• Chicago Water Works Visitor Information Center, 163 E. Pearson Avenue - Open daily from 7:30AM-7PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center - 77 E. Randolph Street - M-Th 10AM-7PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Chicago is served by two large airports, and a smaller one.

• O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD), is 17 miles northwest of downtown and serves many international and domestic carriers. The CTA Blue Line train runs 24 hours a day between downtown and O'Hare in about 45 minutes, which can be faster than a taxi during rush hour periods and a lot less expensive. The airport has a chapel, a library, a post office, and a medical center among its many services.

• Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW) is 10 miles southwest of downtown. Recently modernized, and serviced by domestic and discount airlines. The CTA Orange Line train runs between downtown and Midway in around 30 minutes. As Midway is more compact, less crowded, closer to downtown, and usually cheaper, it is often recommended for domestic travelers that have an option. Midway has a nondescript meditation room/chapel accessible from within the terminal area.

• Gary/Chicago International Airport (IATA: GYY) is 25 miles southeast of downtown in nearby Gary, Indiana. Currently undergoing an extension of its main runway to nearly 9000ft, this airport is currently served by a single airline, operating as a scheduled charter. Train service is via the NICTD South Shore Line from its nearby Clark Road station.

Additionally, Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (IATA: MKE) is served by 7 Amtrak trains per day (6 on Sunday). The trip from Chicago Union Station to Mitchell Airport Station is about one hour and 15 minutes. (Comparatively, the Blue Line to O'Hare can take 40 minutes from the Loop.) There are numerous discount flights into Milwaukee; and, the Hiawatha Service was Amtrak's most on-time train route in 2006. Therefore, this may be an option to consider.

Chicago's Meigs Field (Formerly ICAO: KCGX), perhaps best known as the "home" airport for some versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, was closed in 2003.

There are plenty of taxis from both larger airports to downtown Chicago, but they are quite expensive, especially during rush hours. To/from O'Hare a taxi can cost upwards of $40, while Midways runs more in the $25-$30 range, and Gary/Chicago somewhat more. The CTA trains provide direct service to both larger airports and are cheap. They are a strongly recommended alternative.

CTA trains (referred to by locals as the "El" or "L", and almost never as the "Subway") cost $2, and at certain stations you can transfer to other train lines at no extra cost. Keep the card you purchase as you can add more money and reuse it for future trips.

Before you travel, find out the name of the train stop closest to your destination, and the color of the train line on which it is located. The CTA Trains are divided into Red, Green, Brown, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Orange and Pink Lines. The Blue Line serves O'Hare International Airport, and the Orange Line serves Midway Airport. Online route planning [12] provides an easy, convenient, and inexpensive way to travel around the city. There are maps showing the connections between train lines located on each train car, located above the door.

Many large hotels have shuttle vans to one or both larger airports, particularly the O'Hare-area hotels. Inquire before you leave.

[edit] By bus

Chicago is also served by local bus transportation. By using bus and train, nearly all areas within the city are serviced.

The main Greyhound [13] terminal, which has interstate bus service, is at 630 West Harrison Street. There is also one at 95th/Dan Ryan red line station. Detroit is approximately six hours from Chicago.

Megabus [14], a bus service very popular in the United Kingdom, recently established a branch in Chicago. The company is known for providing fares as low as $1 as long as the customer books well in advance. These buses stop in Chicago near Union Station on the east side of South Canal Street, between Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street. At present, buses run express from Chicago to eight other major Midwestern cities.

[edit] By train

Chicago's Union Station is the hub of Amtrak's [15] midwestern routes, making it one of the most convenient U.S. cities to visit by train. Amtrak continues to have a superior service quaility and match prices with Greyhound Bus, thus making it the better choice for travel to Chicago.

[edit] By car

I-55 will take you directly from St. Louis into downtown Chicago. I-90/94 comes in from Indiana to the east. If you are travelling from the southeast, save yourself the frustration from the worst traffic congestion in the midwest and take I-74 West from Indianapolis (not I-65 that takes you up to I-80 and I-90/94), heading west into central Illinois. As you pass through Urbana-Champaign I-74 intersects with I-57, and from there Chicago is a mere two-hour drive northward. I-90 comes in from Madison, WI to the west. I-94 comes in from Milwaukee, WI to the north. I-80 will get you to the city from Iowa which neighbors Illinois to the west.

If arriving downtown from Indiana, from the south on I-57 to the Dan Ryan Expressway, or from the north, Lake Shore Drive provides a scenic introduction in both directions, day or night. The shore and skyline are not to be missed. If arriving on the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) from the southwest, or on the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) from the west, the skyline may also be visible from certain clear spots, but without the shore view.

Major reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expressway began in April 2006, and is scheduled to continue for at least two years. Lane closures on I-90/94 extending south to (and encompassing) the I-57 interchange make the approaches to the city from the south difficult at best.  Non-commercial traffic is strongly recommended to find alternate routes, and the surrounding neighborhoods are not the best places to hang out; travel suggestions and updates may be found at http://www.avoidtheryan.com/.
During the rush hour, major holidays, and rain and snow storms, traffic in all of the Chicagoland area tends to be the worst in the midwest, if not the entire country, costing you a substantial amount of time in bumper-to-bumper traffic with not many alternate routes to spare.  Aside from the renovation of the Tri-State and the extension of I-355, don't expect to find relief from the long commutes for quite a few years.  Be sure to listen to the latest traffic report on 780 AM before travel here.

[edit] Districts

• The Loop - the financial center of the midwest. Boundaries are the Chicago River to the north and west, Roosevelt Road to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east.

• Near North - shopping, restaurants, clubs, galleries

• Near South - Printer's Row, Bronzeville, Blues, Jazz, and McCormick Place

• Old Town - a striking collision of rich and poor, and a few relics of an edgier time (like Second City)

• Lincoln Park - 80s gentrified, still has a few sites worth seeing. Bordered by Lincoln Park between Diversey Parkway and North Avenue, and as far west as Clybourn Avenue.

• Wrigleyville - the Four Corners of baseball, punk rock, yuppie, and gay culture

• West Town - Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Bucktown. Hipsters mix with Polish, Mexican, and Puerto Rican immigrants

• West Side - The United Center for Basketball + fabulous parks

• South West - Ethnic enclaves such as the Mexican Little Village, Polish Pilsen, Italian little Italy.

• Rogers Park - a dense highrise bedroom community but with a few surprises including fantastic coffee shops and the totally Indian Devon Avenue

• Hyde Park - Mid-south home to museums and the University of Chicago. Boundaries are Lake Michigan, 59th Street to the south, Cottage Grove Avenue to the west, and 51st Street to the north.

[edit] Get around

Navigating Chicago is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the whole city. Chicago is divided east-west by State Street and north-south by Madison Street. Standard blocks, of 100 addresses each, are 1/8th of a mile long. Each street is assigned a number based on the address system, with major thoroughfares at each mile (multiples of 800, such as Western Ave at 2400 W) and secondary arteries at the half-mile marks (e.g. Montrose Ave at 4400 N).

Since in general a mile is equivalent to a street number difference of 800, addresses can be used to estimate distances. The only exceptions are the distances between Madison St (0 N/S) and Roosevelt Rd (1200 S); between Roosevelt Rd and Cermak Rd (2200 S); and, between Cermak Rd and 31st St (3100 S). The distance between each of these exceptions is one mile.

In general, avenues run north-south and streets run east-west -- but there are numerous exceptions to this. On the South Side, streets may alternate with places of the same name. Aside from this, Chicagoans rarely distinguish between streets, avenues, and roads (unlike New Yorkers). Often, addresses will only give the name of the street.

A handful of streets follow diagonal or meandering paths and radiate away from the city center, including Clark St, Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee Ave, Ogden Ave, and Archer Ave.

[edit] By public transit

The best way to see Chicago is by public transit. It is cheap, efficient, and safe for the most part. Nevertheless, the century-old elevated railway, or 'L', is in some cases painfully slow compared to more advanced systems of transit such as the DC metro.

[edit] Transit services

Public transit consists of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains and buses, Metra commuter trains for the suburbs and Pace suburban buses. They are all overseen by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). You can plan your trips online at the RTA trip planner or get trip-planning assistance and information by calling 836-7000 in any local area code between 5AM-1PM. Many visitors find the only public transit services they need to use are the CTA services, mostly the trains.

[edit] CTA

Click here to view a map of the 'L'.

Most CTA rail tracks are elevated above ground level and the CTA train system is known as the 'L' (a proper trademark) or, incorrectly, as the 'El' (short for elevated). The Red and Blue lines go underground in the downtown area and become subways, but in general the whole system is known as the 'L', so avoid calling it the subway. All the L lines radiate from downtown. The circle of elevated downtown train tracks is called the "Loop" (which has become another name for the oldest section of downtown). The name originally referred to a surface-level streetcar loop, which pre-dated the current elevated tracks.

The Red and Blue lines run 24 hours/ 7 days a week making Chicago one of only two American cities with 24-hour rail service (the other being New York City). Hours for the other lines vary somewhat by day, but as a general rule are from about 4:30am - 12:40am. Crime on the CTA is low but as in any major urban area, single travelers should be aware of their surroundings when traveling in the wee hours of the night.

The CTA services use fare cards called transit cards which you can keep topping up with money and reusing. Transit cards are sold and charged up from vending machines at L stations. The fare for the L and buses is $2 ($1.75 with a pre-paid "Chicago Card", which cannot be purchased at stations). At certain L stations you can transfer to other train lines at no extra cost; once you're inside the turnstiles, you can get on and off trains without paying again. Once you have exited the turnstiles, the first time you re-enter a turnstile or board a bus within two hours of starting the first trip, it costs $0.25 and the third transfer is free. The system automatically knows you are using the card for a transfer within the 2-hour period. Because of this memory function, each traveller will need their own transit card.

As of January 1, 2006, the CTA is no longer selling cash fare transfers. It is wise to add enough cash to your fare card at the vending machine upon arriving in Chicago, so that you will not be forced to pay full price for each additional bus and train ride within a two hour period. Buses do not sell fare cards but they do accept cash. However, buses do not provide change. If you overpay, the CTA keeps the extra. Alternatively, buy a 7-day CityPass which provides unlimited rides for a full 7-days after purchase and is sold at a flat rate (see below).

There are also visitor passes for unlimited travel. These are very convenient and very affordable: Ride everywhere on CTA and Pace for 1-Day (24 hours) for $5; 2-Days for $9; 3-Days for $12; 5-Days for $18 and 7-Days for $20.

There is an attendant at every L station. They can't provide change or deal with money, but they can help you figure out where you need to go and guide you through using the machines. The attendants are usually very bored and are happy to have something to do, so don't hesitate to ask them questions. Also, upon arriving in Chicago, at your first L station, ask the attendant for a folding "system map", a large paper foldable map of every L route and all of its stops along with a map of every bus route in the city. It also includes a convenient chart listing every CTA bus route's hours of operation and frequency, on Weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays/holidays. This map will prove invaluable if you are planning a trip with the CTA as your sole means of transportation around the city.

Chicago's bus system is one of the best in the nation. Buses run on nearly every major street in the city, usually every 7-15 minutes apart during daylight hours, depending on the route. Other less traveled routes or evening service for all routes may have buses running every 15-30 minutes apart. There are also several bus routes that are on a 24 hour /7 day a week schedule. The major streets are basically every 1/2 mile apart so you are usually near a bus line from every starting point or destination.

The L may be a source of ambivalence for most Chicagoans, but is most certainly a unique attraction in and of itself for visitors. To some, the short trip around the elevated Loop circuit may be worth every penny of the $2 fare. There are no revenue-producing trains that remain solely on the Loop circuit (they all enter and exit the Loop at some point), but during summer months you can also take a free Loop tour train with a guide from the Chicago Architecture Foundation - see Do below.

[edit] Metra and South Shore

The local commuter rail agencies are Metra (providing service within Illinois and to Kenosha in Wisconsin) and the South Shore railroad (providing service to Indiana). Commuter trains in Chicago are generally fast, clean, and on-time.

Most visitors will have little reason to use local commuter rail—with one exception. Metra's Electric Line, running south along Lake Shore Drive, provides service to the convention center (McCormick Place) and Hyde Park (Museum of Science and Industry, University of Chicago). The Electric Line is fast, taking at most 15 minutes to reach Hyde Park from the Loop. In addition, 55-56-57 St station is one block from the Museum. Unfortunately, service outside of rush hours is infrequent (about once/hour).

Also, be aware that none of the commuter trains accept CTA passes as payment. However, the fare to McCormick Place and Hyde Park is only 2$. Buy your tickets before boarding the train at one of the automated vending machines. Buying your tickets aboard the train will incur a $2/ticket surcharge for not using the machines.

Ten-ride, weekly, and monthly passes are available. If you have a group of four or more people, it may be cheaper to purchase a ten-ride card and have all of your fares punched from that one card.

[edit] For disabled visitors

The CTA is ADA compliant and all CTA buses and some 'L' stations are accessible to wheelchairs. Wheelchair-accessible 'L' stations are indicated by the international wheelchair symbol. Areas with non-accessible stations have bus service to compensate. Pace also provides some paratransit services should you need to go somewhere inconvenient via CTA.

[edit] Trolleys

Downtown there are also free "trolleys", used mostly by tourists. These are actually uncomfortable buses made to look like trolleys. They're a quick way to get around downtown. They use specially-marked bus stops, but they'll usually let you off wherever you want. They run every 20 to 30 minutes. Most run from late May to early September, M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. The Navy Pier trolley runs seven days year-round during hours in which the Pier is open. The official website has more info.

If you travel by trolley, you might want an alternative for your return trip. The return trolleys may be full, late, not running at all, or you may just not want to get on them again (one trolley ride is enough for a lot of people). For alternatives you may want cab fare, a list of appropriate CTA routes and associated fares, or just walking directions.

[edit] By car

It is strongly advised to avoid driving in downtown Chicago. In fact, many Chicagoans do not own cars.

Street parking is expensive and not readily available in the city center or North Side neighborhoods. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced including ticketing and prompt towing, especially in downtown rush-hour and special event no parking zones. Parking garages in the Loop can cost as much as $30 per day.

Driving on the Dan Ryan and parts of the Kennedy expressways can be very aggressive (especially near local-express exits). For those used to driving on expressways in the Northeast, this may be a welcome reminder of home. For those from other parts of the country, it can be frightening and intimidating.

On the other hand, driving is a viable option for suburbs without 'L' service, which generally also have readily available free parking. Free on-street parking is also easy to find in the Hyde Park neighborhood (so long as you are not near the University of Chicago or the Museum of Science and Industry) and throughout the South Side.

[edit] By bicycle

Chicago has many on-road bike lanes, park trails, and a scenic Lakefront Trail (trail map), which runs for 18 continuous miles along the city's beautiful shoreline. Some of the most beautiful views in Chicago are best seen by bicycle. (The Museum Campus and the area from Navy Pier to North Avenue Beach have spectacular views.)

Chicago has a fine bicycle culture. (Mayor Daley even rides to work.) Chicago's terrain is flat -- a boon for easy-going cyclists! Many streets have bike lanes on them and the city has installed signs specifically pointing out directions to major bike routes. Diagonal streets run Northwest to Southeast just like the Chicago River, but if you want to go Northeast you have to go North then East.

Bicyclists have to follow the same "rules of the road" as autos; in some areas of the city, police officers will write citations for bicyclists in violation of traffic laws (especially disregarding stop signs and traffic lights). Bicyle riding is never allowed on sidewalks (except children under age 12) and this rule is strictly enforced in the higher density neighborhoods of the city (mostly areas near the lake) and is actually an arrestable (misdemeanor) offense. You must walk your bike on the sidewalk.

Conveniently, CTA buses are all equipped with bike racks which carry up to two bicycles, and CTA trains permit bicycles except during rush hour (roughly 7AM-9:30AM and 3:30PM-6:30PM Mondays-Fridays, excluding major legal Holidays on which the CTA is running on a Sunday schedule).

Bicycles may be rented from the North Avenue Beachhouse, the Millennium Park bike station, and from several bike shops in the city. Pedalling your way around the city is one of the best ways to get to know Chicago.

[edit] See

[edit] City of Chicago

Chicago is a city of vibrant neighborhoods. While the downtown has many great cultural institutions and tourist attractions, most Chicagoans live and play outside of the central business district. To truly understand Chicago, travelers must venture away from the Loop and Michigan Avenue and out into these neighborhoods. The North Side has many neighborhoods of interest. Take the Brown Line to Armitage to visit upscale boutiques and see residential streets lined with million-dollar homes in the historic Lincoln Park Neighborhood. Walk down Sheffield towards Fullerton and take a shortcut through DePaul University before you get back to the "el" for your next adventure. Take the Red, Brown, or Purple Line to Belmont to visit Lakeview, a neighborhood defined by its mix of various races, alternative youth, gays & lesbians, independent retailers, sports, and family cultures --the Belmont strip is a favorite hangout of Chicago youth; the Belmont, North Halsted, Clark Street area is the center of Chicago's Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender culture and is called Boystown (pronounced Boys Town); Clark Street near Addison is where baseball fans hang out and where Major League Baseball's Cubs play at Wrigley Field; and Broadway south of Belmont is a laid back mix of all of the above. Take the Blue Line to Damen to visit Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, the center of Chicago's "in" scene and home to many chic restaurants, bars and boutiques. Finally, make sure to check out Andersonville and Lincoln Square for some great Swedish pancakes or German beer.

Most of Chicago's attractions lie in the downtown or North Side areas but there are points of interest on the South Side, which also graces the lakefront, except in a southernly direction from downtown. The Kenwood and Hyde Park neighborhoods border one another and are upscale affluent South Side neighborhoods which could easily pass for any North Side area. Hyde Park is anchored by the University of Chicago, one of the world's foremost institutions which is affiliated with 79 Nobel Prize laureates and the illustrious Indiana Jones. This neighborhood is also home to the excellent Museum of Science And Industry, located in Jackson Park. This museum houses a submarine, a coal mine with an underground railway, a Boeing 727, and far too many other exhibits to mention. There are no El lines which serve Hyde Park directly. The closest are the Green and Red lines which are about one mile and one mile and a half, respectively, from the western most border of the neighborhood. A regional train (Metra) does, however, stop in Hyde Park before continuing on to the suburbs.

Hyde Park and Kenwood are relatively safe day or night but caution should be use when traveling in some other South Side neighborhoods at night or if traveling on the West Side of the city. Use good judgement when traveling in any large unfamiliar city.

Chicago has many world-class museums and attractions. A CityPass, [16] will get you into five attractions within nine days at a much reduced rate than paying for each attraction separately. The five attractions are: Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Field Museum, Hancock Observatory, Museum of Science and Industry and Shedd Aquarium. $49.50 adult (save $42.62), $39 child (save $31.70). CityPass is highly recommended even if you only want to visit two or three of these locations. Also, the CityPass allows you to cut to the front of lines, and this convenience alone is just icing on the cake.

• Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, [17] - Daily 9:30AM-4:30PM except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and first Friday of the month 9:30AM-10PM. Admission and one show $16 adult. Additional shows $5. Features a permanent collection, many fixed and touring exhibits, seasonal and topical shows, and some demonstrations and workshops.

• Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., +1 312 443-3600 [18] - M T W F 10:30AM-5:00PM, Th 10:30AM-8PM (free 5-8), Sa Su 10.30AM-5PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days. One of the premier museums in the US—-definitely not to be missed. Famous pieces include "American Gothic" by Grant Wood (yeah, the most famous stoic farm couple from Iowa). "NightHawks" by Edward Hopper, and Seurat's pointillist masterpiece "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte". But there are many other paintings—one of the best collections of Impressionists in the world, and early 20th-century pieces – and other art covering 5,000 years, including archaeological finds and medieval armor. Suggested donation: $12 ($7 children and seniors, free on Thursday/Friday evenings).

• Brookfield Zoo - Truly one of the best zoological parks in the US, located a few miles west of the city in the suburb of Brookfield. It may be reached via the Metra BNSF line from Union Station.

• Chicago Blues Museum, 3636 S. Iron Street, +1 773 828-8118 - Closed M. Phone to confirm hours.

• Chicago Board of Trade Visitor Center, [19] - Currently closed due to new security measures except for pre-arranged groups. The 1930 building is an Art Deco masterpiece and is currently undergoing a major restoration of its grand main lobby.

• Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street [20] - M-Th 10AM-7PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM, closed holidays. Built in 1897 as Chicago's first public library, the building now houses the city's Visitor Information Center, galleries, and exhibit halls. The ceiling of Preston Bradley Hall includes a 38-foot Tiffany glass dome. Worth a visit to see the beautiful interior. Free.

• Chicago Historical Society, Clark Street at North Avenue (south end of park) [21] - M-W noon-8PM, Th-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM, Su noon-5PM. Urban history museum. Exhibits include The Pioneer, the first railroad locomotive to operate in Chicago; and the bed upon which Abraham Lincoln died. Suggested admission $5 adult, $1 child, free on Mondays.

• Chicago Mercantile Exchange Visitors Center, Lobby level, 20 S. Wacker Drive [22] - M-F 8AM-4:30PM. The 4th Floor Visitor Gallery is currently closed but the lobby level visitors center has displays on the history and role of the exchange. Free.

• DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Washington Park (near the University of Chicago) [23] - M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. $3 adult, $1 child, free on Su.

• Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, +1 312 922-9410 [24] - Daily 9AM-5PM. Chicago's natural history museum—-highlights include the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world as well as a great, kids-friendly Egyptian exhibit. Regular admission $19 ($9 children, seniors and students, M T free seasonally).

• Garfield Park, History-filled Chicago park 4 mi (15 minutes) west of downtown. It's in a rough neighborhood, though you can take the El (Green Line) right to the Conservatory-Central Park Drive Station in the park. Looking at the city from the El gives you a picture of a different part of Chicago. On the trip out, you might also notice the gentrification spreading west from downtown—-there are startlingly rapid changes from gentrified to decayed neighborhoods.
  • Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue [25] -M T W F 9AM-5PM, Th 9AM-8PM. Amazing botanical conservatory, one of the largest indoor gardens in the world. Free admission and parking.

• Grant Park - Park located between Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Drive - Home of the huge Buckingham fountain which runs 10AM-11PM and is accompanied by music and colored lights 8PM-11PM, May-Sep. Millennium Park is to the north and the Museum Campus to the south, so there is a large area you can wander.

• Hancock Observatory, John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Avenue [26] - F 9AM-11PM. 360-degree view from the 94th floor. Rivals the Sears Tower Skydeck. $9.75 (plus amusement tax) adult, $6 (plus amusement tax) child, or for free you can visit the bar a floor below [27] and order a (very expensive) drink or two, the view is almost as good and they have live jazz on the weekends.

• Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street and Congress Parkway [28] - M-Th 9AM-7PM, F S 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Chicago Public Library’s central library in a beautiful building. It holds exhibitions and has well-equipped free computer and Internet services which visitors can use on presentation of photo ID.

• Lincoln Park - 1.5 mi long park with nearly everything one could hope for. Take a free trolley when they're running or a CTA bus (routes 151 and 156 stop right at the zoo gate).
  • Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive (Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway) [29] - Daily 9AM-6PM, winter 9AM-5PM, summer weekends 9AM-7PM. A great free urban zoo—-one of the few remaining. Includes a Great Ape house, and the Farm In The Zoo. Don't miss the penguins! Free.
  • Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2400 N. Stockton Drive (north end of zoo) - 9AM-5PM. Free.
  • Notebaert Nature Museum (Chicago Academy of Sciences), 2430 N. Cannon Drive [30] - M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM. Adult, $4 child, free on Th.

• McCormick Place, Convention complex, Lake Shore Drive south of Museum complex and Soldier Field - Home to multiple national events such as the Auto Show and the Tool Show.

• Millennium Park. Has modern sculptures in steel and glass. The Art Institute is immediately to the south and Grant Park to the southeast.

• Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, 312 280-2660 [31] - T 10AM-8PM, W-Su 10AM-5PM. Art of all types from around the world made since 1945. Be sure to check out what the current exhibit is—the museum can be rather boring when they are between exhibits. $10 ($6 student, free Tuesday after 5PM).

• Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Avenue, 312 663-5554 [32] - M-F 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-8PM, Sa 12-5PM. The Museum is free and open to the public. A stimulating and innovative forum for the collection, creation, and examination of contemporary imagemaking in its camera tradition and in its expanded vocabulary of digital processes.

• Museum of Holography - "America's only museum of holography," at least according to the curator. It'll only take you 20 minutes, but it's kind of interesting. It's more like 25 minutes if you pet the cat. Admission is NOT what the website says. After you're done, take a swing by Oprah Winfrey's studios next door, which are heavily guarded day and night, or have lunch at the Wishbone across the way. Note: the cat seems to appear at the donation box, so you might find yourself giving more than you counted on.

• Navy Pier [33] - Summer, Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-midnight, shorter hours other seasons. Home of the excellent Chicago Shakespeare Theater, a Children's Museum, an IMAX theater, a small stained glass museum, a wonderfully large Ferris wheel ($5 adult, $4 child) and shops. It is an easy place to entertain a child. Navy Pier has fireworks shows on summer nights every W at 9:30PM and Sa at 10:15PM.

• Sears Tower Skydeck, 233 S. Wacker Drive [34] - Avoid the worst of the crowds after 4PM. Higher than the Hancock Observatory. $9.95 (plus admissions tax) adult, $6.95 (plus admissions tax) child.

• Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lakeshore Drive, +1 312 939-2438 [35] - Located on the Museum Campus, the Shedd Aquarium is home to a large collection of marine life from throughout the world. The Pacific Northwest-themed Oceanarium features dolphins, whales and other animals from the region, as well as a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. The recently-opened Wild Reef exhibit offers floor-to-ceiling windows for an extraordinary view of a Philippine coral reef environment, complete with dozens of sharks. If you want to take pictures, bring an SLR camera with fast film or a good digital SLR so you don't need a flash. $23 adult, $16 child.

• Spertus Institute, 618 S. Michigan Avenue, [36] - Su-W 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-7PM. (Jan-Feb 10AM-5PM ),F 10AM-3PM. A museum dedicated to Judaica. $5 adult, $3 child; free on F.

• Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven, 2120 S. Michigan Avenue (from downtown catch buses 3 or 4 on South Michigan Avenue) - M-Sa noon-2PM. Formerly the Chess Records studios where many Chicago blues and early rock 'n' roll recordings were made.

[edit] Ethnic

Some neighborhoods are well-known enough by outsiders to have acquired distinctive names. Others are given by the neighborhood name or by the main commercial streets.

• Chinatown, south of South Loop. (Red Line to Cermak-Chinatown)
• Little Italy, Taylor Street, west of Halsted. (#12 bus west to Halsted; or, Blue Line to UIC-Halsted and walk south)
• Greektown, west of the Loop. Halsted and Adams is a fine place to start. (Blue Line to UIC-Halsted, walk north)
• Devon (South Asian) in Rogers Park.
• Albany Park and Little Seoul (Korean)
• Belmont, from Milwaukee through Central (Polish) (Blue Line to Belmont, walk west)
• Andersonville (Swedish)
• Lincoln Square (German)
• Archer Heights (Lithuanian)
• Ukrainian Village (Ukrainian) (although the community has been fading for many years now)
• Puerto Rican
• Argyle and Broadway in Uptown (Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian) (Red Line to Argyle)
• Pilsen and Little Village/La Villita (Mexican) (Pink Line to 18th St)

[edit] Do

• Architectural boat tour [37] [38] - From downtown piers. A full 90 minutes of floating edu-admiration.

• Bicycle city tour [39] - There are different thematic tours, stopping for information on the most interesting points. The tours are very safe, driving through streets, parks and the beach. All tours start and end near the Navy Pier.

• Loop tour train - Sa 11:35 AM, 12:15 PM, 12:55 PM, or 1:35 PM May-Sep. Free tour of the Loop on the El with a guide from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. You go around the Loop three times, taking 40 minutes. Highly recommended if you're at all interested in the El or Chicago architecture. Tickets at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue. Departs nearby Randolph/Wabash station.

• The Old-Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, 773 728-6000 or fax 773 728-6999 [40] - If you're interested in folk music from America or anywhere else in the world you should definitely plan to spend some time at the Old-Town School. There are classes ranging from beginners clawhammer banjo to advanced Flamenco dance. Even if you are just passing through town you should seriously consider stopping by to see a concert or just to check out the store which features a fabulous array of banjos, fiddles, guitars, and quite a few rare folk instruments from around the world, as well as recordings of just about every sort of folk music (and early jazz) you can imagine.

• Blue Man Group, [41] - Try to get tickets on the floor, instead of the balcony, and well in advance for this popular show.

• Improv Olympic, [42] - If the downstairs show is full, don't waste your time on the upstairs show.

• Second City, near North Side (walking distance from Sedgwick station) [43] - The origin point for NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and many of its stars, this Chicago fixture still features great shows on two stages.

• Steppenwolf Theater, [44] - The home of John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, and many others, Steppenwolf features cutting-edge theater.

• Goodman Theater, [45].

• Lyric Opera of Chicago, [46] - Famous theater for extraordinary shows.

• Symphony Center, East Loop near Millenium Park - Winter home of the Chicago Symphony.

• United Center, near West Side - Chicago Bulls/Blackhawks stadium.

• Soldier Field - Home field for National Football League's Chicago Bears. A classic stadium that underwent some controversial (but much needed) renovations. The amenities have improved tremendously.

• Wrigley Field, [47] Wrigleyville neighborhood (Addison stop on the El-Red Line) - Historic stadium of Major League Baseball's National League members, the Chicago Cubs. Now distinguished as a historical landmark, no more corporate conversions here.

• US Cellular Field, (take El-Red Line to Sox-35th stop) [48] - Formerly known as New Comiskey Park, this south side stadium is the home of Major League Baseball's American League members, the Chicago White Sox, the champion of 2005 Major League Baseball.

• Six Flags Great America, in Gurnee (technically accessbile by train, but driving is more recommended) [49] - A world-class family entertainment destination with thrilling rides, spectacular shows and exciting attractions.

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During the summer months, the lakefront parks are a destination for organized and impromptu volleyball, skating, soccer, and chess, as well as simply enjoying the beach. Try the parks and beaches around the Diversey or Fullerton level, though many such activities extend down to North or Oak street beaches.

[edit] Events & Festivals

Chicago was the host of the 7th Gay Games in July 2006.

Yearly events include:

• Air & Water Show - Chicago also hosts a fantastic Air and Water Show each August with the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds alternating as the final act from year to year. Thunderbirds will be featured in 2007, scheduled for August 18 and 19. Acrobatic demonstration teams and a wide range of military aircraft fill out the five-hour show each day. The US Coast Guard usually makes an appearance with an amphibious rescue demonstration — unless they've been called away for an actual rescue. "Show Central" is at North Avenue beach, but the action may be viewed anywhere from Northerly Island to Montrose Point, inland through Lincoln Park, and offshore by boat (if you go by water, take a big boat, as the heavy traffic makes for choppy, seasickness-inducing waves). The Chicago Air & Water Show is the oldest and largest free admission exhibition of its kind in the US. Every year over 2 million spectators gather to watch this event from both land and water. (Hint: a dress rehearsal takes place on Friday, often with multiple run-throughs by the headlining act. You won't see 100% of the weekend show, but it's a great way to avoid the crowds.)

• Taste of Chicago, Grant Park - Every year the 4th of July weekend, an outdoor food showcase of Chicago restaurants, vendors, and producers. Also a great opportunity to watch Independence Day fireworks from the park and lakefront.

• Saint Patrick's Day Parade - Takes place on Columbus Drive, the weekend preceding 17th of March each year. The Chicago River is dyed green.

• Lollapalooza, Grant Park - Held annually in the first week of August, Lollapalooza is one of the biggest music festivals in the country. Formerly a moving tour, it has now found a permanent location in Chicago and every year the lineup gets bigger and the show gets more popular.

• please add more festivals.

[edit] Buy

Whatever you need, you can buy it in Chicago at stores ranging from ultra budget to ultra luxury.

Destination shopping is quite convenient along the Michigan Avenue strip (from the Loop to the beach, use Chicago, Grand, or Lake stops on Red Line), including many designer boutiques, and several multi-storey malls anchored by large department stores including 900 N Michigan (Bloomingdales), Watertower Place (Macy's), North Bridge (Nordstrom) and Chicago Place (Saks Fifth Avenue). Additional brands are available from off-strip shops to the south and west of Michigan.

State Street features department stores such as Macy's in the former Marshall Field's building, Carson Pirie Scott (until March, 2007 when it will close), and Sears. Discounts can be found at Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx and Filene's Basement. Other retailers inclue Borders Books, Barnes & Noble and numerous other smaller shops. Despite the takeover of Marshall Fields by Macy's and the impending closure of Carson Pirie Scott's landmark location, the next few years promise to be very exciting for State Street, with new retail development across the street from Macy's and the Carson Pirie Scott location being filled with a number of smaller, more varied retailers.

For trendy boutique shopping, try the shops around Halsted Street and Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park, and the shops near the intersection of Damen, North, and Milwaukee Avenues in Wicker Park.

For art or designer home goods, River North is an excellent district. Centered between the Merchandise Mart and the Chicago Avenue Brown Line "L" stop, River North's gallery district boasts the largest arts and design district in North America outside of Manhattan. Many art galleries are concentrated closer to Chicago Avenue, with more design galleries closer to the Merchandise Mart. The entire area is walkable and makes for fun window-shopping. Saturday's at 11am, there is also a 1-hour art gallery tour starting from the Starbucks under the Chicago Avenue Brown Line stop. There are also several upscale and discount malls in the near and far suburbs. The most upscale is: Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora.[50]

• Frango Mints, famous mint chocolates are still available at Macy's stores in Chicago (formerly Marshall Fields'). Frango was a much loved brand of chocolate manufactured in Chicago for Fields until that was outsourced out-of-state. The original recipe appears to still be in use, which pleases the loyal crowds fond of the flavor, yet disappoints those who prefer not to consume unhealthy trans-fats.

• Dusty Groove America, 1120 N Ashland Ave, 773 342-5800. This record store is regarded as one of the best in the country. They specialize in r&b, soul, and jazz music.

[edit] Eat

Chicago is one of the great restaurant towns in America. Great restaurants are scattered across the city, from the long established, traditional Greektown to the street-glam, edgy East Ukrainian Village, from the exotic Indian-flavored Devon Avenue in West Rogers Park to the eclectic Clark Street in Andersonville, where you'll find great American, Swedish, Korean, Persian, and Italian restaurants (to name a few) lined up in a row and Pilsen, with the best Mexican food north of the Rio Grande. River North is the neighborhood where most upscale and "hot-spot" restaurants can be found. Avoid tourist traps such as Rainforest and Hard Rock Cafe's, or the routine fast food joints. Original establishments catering to literally every taste bud and wallet size can be found just about anywhere throughout the city. Don't be afraid to ask the locals for recommendations. Bus and taxi drivers, as well as average people on the street can be great wealths of restaurant knowledge.

You can also find hundreds of unique and inexpensive restaurants that deliver to you on Grubhub.com, [51]. After searching for restaurants based on your address, you can see all of the menus and coupons of the restaurants that deliver to you.

• <eat

   name="Ceasar's Polish Deli"
   address="901 N. Damen Ave."
   directions="One block north of Chicago avenue"
   phone="(773) 486-6190"

>A great place for self-catering, Ceasar's has a wide selection of home-made Piroguies, with both savory and sweet fillings, as well as a good selection of fresh foods, and prepared products imported from Poland.</eat>

• Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont, 773 348-2378 - This Swedish standby is a can't-miss for one of the city's best breakfasts, served all day, including warm, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls dripping with sugary icing. Now a bona-fide chainlet with five locations around Chicago, but try the 50-year-old Belmont branch.

• Bonsoiree Cafe and Delicacies, 2728 W. Armitage, 773 486-7511 [52]- A French inspired restaurant/cafe/deli hybrid in Logan Square prepares astounding gourmet food you would normally find at a five star restaurant. Deli case provides options for carryout and a fabulous brunch is served on weekends.

• The Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted, 773 935-6696 - A restaurant serving vegetarian-only food on Chicago's north side, the Diner's emphasis on quality has kept it around for more than 20 years.

• The Handlebar, 2311 W North Avenue, 773 384-9546 - A vegetarian friendly restaurant in Chicago's hip Wicker Park, a home to Chi-town's bicycle culture.

• Francesca's on Taylor, 1400 W. Taylor, (near the University of Illinois, Chicago campus) - Excellent Italian restaurant in the "Little Italy" section of Chicago. Most evening reservation are desirable but if you eat early during the week, you often won't need them. Moderately priced and normally provides excellent service for large parties.

• Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, 445 N. Clark St. [53] - Renowned chef Rick Bayless gives us Mexican cuisine as most have never experienced it. Topolobampo is the high-class side of the house, while Frontera is more casual, though still top-notch. Frontera won the 2007 James Beard Award for Outstanding U.S. Restaurant.

• Mirai, 2020 W. Division Street (just west of Damen), 773 862-8500 - Sushi has come to Wicker Park, in a setting that is possibly more about atmosphere than the food, which is still formidable.

• Lula Cafe, 2537 N. Kedzie (Logan Square stop on Blue Line), 773 489-9554 - A true "neighborhood restaurant" serving an eclectic mix of global cuisines...which can sound daunting, but everyone — vegetarians included — will find something to love on the menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner offered Su M W Th F Sa. Sa Su brunch. Closed T. Open until 11PM F Sa.

• Le Bouchon, 1858 N. Damen in Bucktown - Small, funky bistro with a limited but excellent menu of standard French fare. For peak dining hours you will need a reservation. Reasonably priced.

• Mama's Fish and Chips, (Red Line Morse Stop) - A total dive but serves fantastic fried chicken. Skip the fish.

• Greek Islands and Santorini, Adams & Halsted in Greektown - Two of the top Greek restaurants in the city. They sit on opposite sides of Adams on Halsted. Good standard Greek food...Santorini specializes in seafood. Both excellent for the real Chicago Greek experience. Free valet parking. Reservations usually not necessary.

• Gino's East, downtown Chicago location at the corner of Wells and Ontario, four blocks west of the Grand stop on the Red Line, additional suburban locations - The best deep-dish pizza in Chicago (though everyone has their own opinion). Also try Giordano's, Eduardo's, or Lou Malnati's for good Chicago deep dish. Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due are often tourist-infested, but are great nonetheless.

• Heartland Cafe, Located in Roger's Park at 7000 North Glenwood (just across from the Morse stop along the Red Line). Hippie atmosphere, vegetarian items on the menu, live music, kozmic bookstore located within the establishment..... Good food and good vibe.

• Vito & Nick's, 8433 S. Pulaski - You'll probably want to drive here. Public transportation is not convenient. (Pulaski is a major thoroughfare 5 mi west of State Street.) This restaurant is widely regarded on the South side as serving the best thin crust pizza in the city. Contrary to reputation, the neighborhood is quite safe. Many Chicago police live in the vicinity.

• Leona's - Good all-around Italian fare, multiple locations.

• Bongo Room - Great breakfast, design your own omelets, praline bannana pancakes are large and delicious.

• Lou Malnati's, multiple locations - Great place to get real Chicago style deep dish pizza or other Italian fare.

• Pequod's - Great place to get caramelized/burnt crust Chicago style deep dish pizza, considered a secret favorite. Located at 8520 Fernald Ave, Morton Grove. Other location at 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago.

• Mity Nice Grill, 835 N. Michigan Avenue (hidden behind Food Life on the second floor of the rear of Water Tower Place mall), 312 335-4745 - This establishment is one of the many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants scattered throughout the city. Billed as "1940s Style Bar and Grill". Even on busy nights, you won't wait long for a table, mainly because few people seem to know about it, but reservations are accepted. Fare includes steaks, seafood selections, pasta, and excellent recurring daily specials like meatloaf and a turkey dinner.

• Hot Doug's, 3324 N California Avenue(corner of W. Roscoe Avenue) [54] - In a town known for its sausages (the Chicago-style hot dog), Hot Doug's is unique and nationally renowned. The restaurant only sells sausages but amongst its menu you'll run across bacon sausages, venison sausages, ostrich sausages, and other sausages made from exotic game. These are always done with a gourmet flair, such as Guinness mustard or feta cheese. In addition, on F and S, they offer french fries made with rendered duck fat; it's an interesting treat. However, you need to plan; the store's only open from 10:30AM-4:00PM. Monday–Saturday (closed Su) and the line is often out the door. Cash only.

• Superdawg, 6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago (Milwaukee and Devon), 773 763-0660 [55] - For the best hot dogs in town. One "superdawg" comes with pickled tomatoes, mustard, small hot peppers, and a kosher dill. The true Chicago-style hot dog never has ketchup, so save it for your fries! They also sell burgers and sausages, but the superdawg can't be beat. You can also order directly from your car, '50's style with the tray hanging from your car window. Open Su-Th 11AM-1AM, and F Sa until 2AM. Cash only.

• The Weiner Circle, 2622 N. Clark Street (between Fullerton and Diversey) - The food is only so-so, the prices fair, but what makes this walk-up joint famous is the staff, who have zero patience for customers and the colourful language skills of a bartender at the seediest dockside bar imaginable. A favourite of the late-night crowd (it's open until 4AM), who after a long night of drinking seem to find major entertainment value in being served a massive dose of profane invective with their greasy chili fries.

• Portillo's, Multiple Locations (Downtown location on Ontario) - Probably the best hot dog in Chicago, and therefore the best hot dog in the world. Polishes, Italian Beef, Burgers, and everything else you would expect at a hot dog place. Each location is themed to a different decade from Turn of the Century to the 50's.

• Chopper's, 1659 N Ashland (between North Ave and The Kennedy) - A great hot dog place with the best milkshakes in Chicago.

If you're feeling adventurous, check out bustling 26th Street Between Pulaski and Kedzie, where you'll find hundreds of Mexican Restaurants and bakeries, ranging from carry-out taco booths to more formal sit-down joints.

Chicago also has a spectacular cadre of five star restaurants. If it is within your budget, it is highly recommended that you make an advance reservation at one of the following restaurants in order to enjoy at least one truly fine dining experience on your trip. All of the following restaurants accept online reservations, most requiring a deposit. The following is only a sampling of some of Chicago's high-end gustatory establishments. Keep in mind that all of the following restaurants will, with wine, cost well into the triple digits per person.

• Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted, 312-867-0110 - Ranked #1 in 2006 on Gourmet Magazine's "America's Top 50 Restaurants," this newcomer is just two blocks from Charlie Trotter's, where Alinea's head chef started his career. The meal is served as either a 12-course tasting menu or 24-course "tour" menu, so plan your evening with plenty of time.

• Arun's, 4156 N. Kedzie, 773-539-1909 - One of the finest Thai establishments in the world, including Thailand. One book named it to a list of places to visit throughout the world before one dies.

• Everest,440 S. LaSalle St., 40th Floor, 312-663-8920 - Arguably the best restaurant in Chicago. The French fair of Executive Chef Jean Joho is world renowned. The view is magnificent as well. (Free valet parking)

• Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan ave., 312-280-2750 - World-class contemporary regional Italian fair with classic touches in a remarkable dining room overlooking the Mag Mile.

• Tru, 676 N. St. Clair, 312-202-0001 - Spectacular Contemporary American cuisine in a stunning atmospere. Every detail is carefully planned. A glass caviar staircase is an amazing course woth special mention. Offering several 12 course pre-planned degustation menus (including vegetarian). Unbelievable wine selection managed by an excellent somelier. Co-owner and pastry chef Gale Gand's dessert creations are nothing short of breathtaking.

• Charlie Trotter's, 816 W. Armitage , 773-248-6228 - One of the finest restaurants in the world, this contemporary American establishment, for the past 20 years, has set the standard by which all others are judged. A once in a lifetime gastronomic experience.

• Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse 1028 N. Rush, 312-266-8999 - Look on the wall at the pictures of countless celebrities who have dined at Gibsons and you'll see why it's a must for those who want to stretch their wallets during a visit to Chicago. Chances are you may run into a celebrity yourself.

If you are in the southwest suburbs, try these restaurants:

• Blue Oasis Cafe, 12947 Western Avenue, 708-293-1505 - Mexican food with an international twist.
• Beggars Pizza, Various locations [56] - Great southside pizza.

• Aurelio's is Pizza, Holiday Inn Downtown [57] - Dining options include breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service.

LTHForum [58] is an excellent resource for discovering best of's and lesser known Chicago eateries. A well fed and opinionated crowd argue over everything at this Chicago-oriented foodie website.

• If you travel to Chicago, you must try to eat, “Chicago Deep Dish Pizza “. There are more than 2,000 pizzerias in Chicago, most of them serving "deep dish" because this pizza is Chicago’s specialty. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is different from ordinary Italian Pizza. The usual pizza crust is thin but Chicago’s pizza isn’t thin. Thin layer of dough is laid into a deep round pan and pulled up the sides. Meats and vegetables such as Italian sausage, onions, bell peppers, mozzarella cheese etc are lined on the crust. At last, tomato sauce goes on top and the pizza is baked. Traditionally, the pie-like crust gets its character from lard.

The best Chicago Deep Dish Pizza restaurant is, “Lou Malnati's pizzas”, 3859 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, IL 60623, Phone 773.762.0800.

Dine In & Carry Out Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 11:00am - 9:00pm Friday & Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm Sunday 12:30pm - 4pm

Web site: www.loumalnatis.com

[edit] Drink

Chicago is a drinking town, and you can find bars and pubs literally everywhere throughout the city. Beware however, of the ageist attitude that exists throughout the United States and prohibits the consumption of alcohol for people under the age of 21. Be prepared to be asked for identification to verify your age, as Chicagoans tend to take the matter very seriously.

The River North area contains many restaurants and bars, such as the Chicago Hard Rock, Ed Debevic's, the former Michael Jordan's (now Lalo's), and Excalibur nightclub. Many consider them touristy, but for the tourist they are quite convenient. Most are on or near Ontario; walk west from Grand (Red Line) or east from Merchandise Mart (Brown Line). The immdiately adjacent Streeterville neighborhood contains many high-priced hotel bars and lounges, if that's your scene.

Most nightclubs in Chicago can be found in River North, West Loop and the Gold Coast.

Other nightlife areas include: Wrigleyville, which as the name suggests centers around Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs play; the "Viagra Triangle", near Rush and Division, where Chicago's wealthy older men hang out with women in their early 20s; Lincoln Park, with its many college bars; and fake-edgy Wicker Park, centered at the tri-intersection of Milwaukee, Damen and North Avenues.

[edit] Bars

It is believed that Chicago has the second highest bars-per-capita in the US, after San Francisco. To list even 1/4 of them would take too long. Here are several that you won't regret visiting.

• Quenchers Saloon, 2401 North Western [59] - Chicago's premier beer bar, with 200 different beers from around the world, 60 different whiskeys, and a decent bar menu. Reflecting the diverse neighborhood of east Logan Square/West Bucktown, everyone drinks together at this comfortable neighborhood bar.
• The Map Room, 1949 N. Hoyne Avenue, 773 252-7636 [60] - Their motto is "Don't be lost," but you may as well give in to their disorienting collection of exotic beers. Their tap selection is one of the more extensive in the city, with surprises for even the most jaded beer drinker: extensive draught and bottle menu, including a cask-conditioned selection, but occasionally unfriendly management.
• The Sovereign, 6205 N. Broadway, [61] - Super friendly, comfortable establishment in far north Edgewater. A place where the jukebox is just the right volume and you'll never feel uncomfortable. For cheap beer and generous mixed drinks, this your friendliest neighborhood bet.
• Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark Street, 773 334-9851 - Fantastic selection of beer, with a surprisingly accessible menu for delving into the world of Belgians and local microbrews. The food is great (their steamed mussels are fantastic) but the beer is even better.
• Delilah's, 2770 N Lincoln Avenue, 773 472-2771 [62] - This is the joint where Kurt (Cobain) met Courtney (Love). No kidding. The booze selection is unbeatable and recent almost-rock-stars spin the records.
• Kasey's Tavern, 701 S Dearborn Avenue, 312 427-7992 [63] - Excellent dive bar in historic Printer's Row. Extensive beer selection, disgusting bathrooms and "Absolutely No Dancing." Near the Harrison Red Line stop, Kasey's is good for a drink before or after a Sox game.

[edit] Music

See the Chicago Reader music guide for club bookings and concerts. And see this Chicago Music 101 for an overview.

• B.L.U.E.S. (or B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted), 2519 N. Halsted Street, Lincoln Park (walking distance from Fullerton station on the Brown Line) [64] - Su-F 8PM-2AM, Sa 8PM-3AM. Small but dedicated Northside blues bar. On Sundays one cover charge gets you into B.L.U.E.S. and Kingston Mines across the road.
• Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash Avenue (corner E. 8th Street), South Loop [65].
• The Continental, 2801 W Chicago Ave, +1 773 292-1200 - This is the best new late night bar in Chicago. Don't come before midnight as it can be pretty empty until then. This placed gets packed every Friday and Satruday night after the 2am bars closed. This bar is pure local flavor.
• The Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee (at Damen/Milwaukee/North intersection, right at the Damen Blue Line El stop), +1 773 489-3160 [66].
• Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Avenue, +1 773 465-8005 - Live band or open mic almost every night.
• The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia (just east of Elston, just north of North Avenue), +1 773 227-4433 [67] - One of the finest drinking and hollering establishments in the US, the Hideout hosts the best in alt-folk, bluegrass, Americana and just plain hillbilly music. The place is a bit hard to find, hidden as it is next to the city's main north-side refueling station for garbage trucks, but more than worth the trouble. Of special interest to old-timey fans is the regular Tuesday night appearance of Devil in a Woodpile.
• Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted Street, Lincoln Park (walking distance from Fullerton station on the Brown Line) [68] - Su-F 8PM-4AM, Sa 8PM-5AM. The larger of the blues bars on Halsted. Has a great set-up with two stages and two bands every night. One band plays for an hour on one stage then the other band takes over on the second stage for an hour--continuous music all night from 9:30PM.
• Lampo, 2116 W. Chicago Ave, [69] - electronic and electroacoustic music, free improvisation and sound art projects.
• Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Avenue, [70] - Blues bar.
• The Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Road, +1 312 791-9050, [71] - Taxi is recommended. If you want to go to a bar that represents the real Chicago jazz tradition from Louis Armstrong right up to Pharaoh Sanders, then you must go to the Velvet Lounge. As owner/operator/saxophone player Fred Anderson points out, jazz at its best is nothing other than a black American folk music, and this bar is one of Fred's contributions to that folk tradition.
• The Vic, [72] - Accessible by Belmont El stop. This place hosts the Brew and View, a BYOB movie theater
• The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Avenue, +1 773 276-3600 [73] - To Chicago as the Knitting Factory is to NYC, the Empty Bottle hosts a mix of touring indie-rock veterans, local bands, and on Tuesday and Wednesday nights the best in American and Dutch avant-garde jazz. There is also a healthy amount of electronic music that comes through.
• Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, +1 773 878-5552 - Jazz and lots of it. Go on a Sunday evening for the weekly poetry slam. Former hangout of legendary gangster Al Capone. National talents Kurt Elling and Patricia Barber perform on weekdays.
• Katerina's, 1920 W. Irving Park Road, +1 773 348-7592 [74] - A small and intimate setting for music most nights and poetry, performance and movies when there isn't music.
• Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark Street, +1 773 549-0203 [75] - Chicago's most obvious venue for indie music varities, including electro, hip-hop, and rock alternative.
• Park West Theatre, 322 W. Armitage, +1 773 929-5959 [76] - This converted movie theater (and former burlesque hall) has some of the best acoustics in the U.S. for a room its size, which is surprisingly intimate for holding up to 1000 patrons. None other than Ringo Starr has said that Park West is second only to London's Royal Albert Hall. Fans will crowd the stage, but the best seats are toward the back, near the main bar and in the balconies... or call in advance to reserve a booth.

Larger concerts are held at the University Illinois-Chicago Pavilion or United Center on the west side, Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Soldier Field, or larger amphitheaters in Tinley Park (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre [77]) and East Troy, Wisconsin (Alpine Valley Music Theatre).

[edit] Sleep

Chicago hosts many major conventions each year and has plenty of places to stay, although most of them are in the "mid" or "splurge" range. The vast majority of hotels are either at the airport or downtown (Loop or Near North). If you want to explore the city, aim for the latter. Budget-priced places are usually pretty far from downtown, so when you're booking, remember that Chicago is vast. Travelers on a budget should consider accommodations away from the city center which can be easily reached via the El.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Hostels

• Hostelling International Chicago (HI-Chicago) Downtown, 24 East Congress Parkway, +1 312 360-0300, [78]. Quick and easy access to airports, bus terminal and train stations. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No curfew, no age restrictions (under 18 must be accompanied by adult). Rates start at $27.

• Chicago International Hostel - Edgewater Neighborhood (on border of Rogers Park), 6318 N. Winthrop Avenue, +1 773 262-1011, [79]. One block from Loyola University Chicago. No curfew, 24 hour check-in available. Minimum age 16, dorm room, groups welcomed. Reservations required, xxxtended stays welcomed. Complete kitchen, linens included, safebox rental, lockers, common room with TV/Internet access. Visa, MasterCard and Travelers Checks accepted.

• Arlington International House, 616 West Arlington Place, +1 773 929-5380, toll-free +1 800 467-8355, [80]. Connecting El station: Fullerton. $28 per night, kitchen and laundry.

[edit] Bed & Breakfast

• Wicker Park Inn 1329 N. Wicker Park Avenue, +1 773 486-2743 [81] - This bed and breakfast is in Wicker Park, about 15 minutes northwest of downtown, and offers beautiful rooms and great rates. Close to restaurants and entertainment.

[edit] Hotels

• Days Inn, 644 West Diversey Parkway - Frequented by touring bands in town to play at one of the many big clubs on the north side. $98-$130 per night.
• Clarion Barcelo Chicago Hotel, 5615 N. Cumberland Avenue, +1 773 693-5800 [82] - Near Chicago O'Hare Airport.
• Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Chicago Hotel, 15 E. Ohio Street, +1 312 894-0900 [83].
• Econo Lodge North Chicago Hotel, 2315 N. Greenbay Road, +1 847 689-4500 [84].
• Rodeway Inn Mid-City Plaza Chicago Hotel, 1 Midcity Plaza, (Madison at Halsted), +1 312 829-5000 [85].
• Chinatown Hotel, 214 West 22nd Place, +1 312 225-8888 - Rooms from $67, free wired Internet and computers. Located at Cermak/Chinatown on the Red Line.
• Chicago Lodge, 920 W. Foster Avenue, +1 773 334-5600 [86].
• Chicago Radisson Hotel and Suites,160 East Huron Street, +1 800 333-3333 -Located in the heart of Magnificent Mile.

[87]

[edit] Mid Range

• Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile 1-877-782-9444. Located the Magnificent Mile, and adjacent to the River North dining & entertainment area.
• Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile Close to the Magnificent Mile and the Loop. 1-312-573-0800.
• Midway Hotel Center Seven different hotels closer to downtown than accommodations near O'Hare Airport. 1-888-MID-INNS.
• Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown Magnificent Mile 1-312-943-3800. Central location.
• Intercontinental Chicago Located in the famed Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. +1 312 944 4100.
• Hotel 71 Located on the Chicago River at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. +1.312.346.7100.
• Hotel Blake Located in Chicago's Printers Row District. +1.312.986.1234.
• Swissotel Chicago Located close to The Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. + 1 (312) 565-0565.
• Lincolnshire Marriott On the North Shore near downtown Chicago and O'Hare Int'l Airport. 1-847-634-0100.
• NIU Conference Center Located in Chicagoland's northwestern suburbs, NIU Outreach Centers provide the perfect venue for productive meetings.
• Pheasant Run Resort & Spa Golf, Theater, Shopping, Spa, Restaurants...the Midwest's largest entertainment resort. 800.4.PHEASANT (474-3272)
• Holiday Inn Hotels of Chicago (Holiday Inns of Chicago) 19 locations throughout Chicago. 1-877-410-6685.
• Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Downtown Chicago, 506 West Harrison Street, +1 312 957-9100 [88] - Steps away from the Sears Tower, Greek Town, the financial district, and Amtrak's Union Station. Easy access to the United Center, Grant Park, Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, McCormick Place, and the University of Illinois-Chicago. Located on the Blue Line of Chicago's "EL" trains.
• Hawthorn Chicago/Schaumburg Hotel, 1251 E. American Lane in Schaumburg, +1 847 706-9007 [89] - Renovated lobby.
• Hawthorn Chicago/Vernon Hills Hotel, 975 North Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills, +1 847 367-8031 [90] - Enjoy all the amenities of home and experience consistency, quality and comfort when you stay with Hawthorn Suites. Hotel features suites, full or efficiency kitchens, exercise facilities, video cassette players and on-site guest laundry and valet service.
• Hawthorn Chicago/Wadsworth Hotel, 4555 W. Yorkhouse Road in Wadsworth, +1 847 360-0550 or +1 847 360-1199 [91] - Complimentary hot breakfast buffet. For business travelers: oversized work area, dual phone lines and data port, voice mail and daily complimentary newspaper.
• Hotel Allegro, 171 West Randolph Street at Wells (just across from the Clark and Lake stop on the Blue Line), +1 866-672-6143 [92] - Open 365 days/year. This lovely hotel calls itself a "boutique hotel", probably in reference to its friendly, full four-star service, designer decorated rooms and prices that are the same, or just a little bit more than you would pay for a blander three-star place just north of the river. $119-$229 per night (the $229 room has a double jacuzzi, as do the suites).
• Hotel Burnham, 1 West Washington Street, +1 312 782-1111 [93] - Another Kimpton Boutique hotel, like its sister hotel the Allegro.
• Hotel Monaco, 225 North Wabash, +1 312 950-8500 [94] - Like Monaco Hotels across the US, the Monaco Chicago provides a bit better than four-star comfort at a bit less than four-star prices, though they are a little higher than at Kimpton sister hotels like the Allegro or theBurnham. What you get for the extra money is a number of specialty services geared for business travelers, so if you are traveling for pleasure go for the Allegro.

[edit] Splurge

• The Peninsula, 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue), +1 866-288-8889 [95] - Known as one of the city's most luxurious hotels, The Peninsula has been recognized by AAA with a Five-Diamond award. Located right off of the "Magnificent Mile".
• The Drake, 140 East Walton Place (at North Michigan Avenue), +1 312 787-2200 - It doesn't get any more top-of-the-line than this in Chicago.[96]
• The Ritz Carlton, 160 E Pearson Street, +1 312 266-1000 [97].
• The Four Seasons, 120 East Delaware Place, +1 312 280-8800 [98].
• The Palmer House Hilton, 17 E Monroe St., +1 312 726-7500 [99].
• Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, 301 East North Water Street, +1 877-242-2558 [100].
• The Park Hyatt, 800 North Michigan Avenue, +1 312 335-1234 [101].
• The Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan ave., 312-922-4400 - One of the finest Hilton hotels in the chain. This Hilton has many luxery suites and rooms, including ambassador and presidential suites. With a wonderful view of Grant park, the Chicago Hilton and Towers is located in the South Loop neighborhood, just south of downtown and a very brief bus or taxi ride to the Magnificent mile and Gold Coast. [102]
• James Hotel Chicago [103] A luxury boutique hotel located in downtown Chicago near the Magnificent Mile, featuring rooms with plasma screen TV’s, luxury spa, modern gym, & David Burke’s Primehouse. 55 East Ontario Chicago, IL 60611 Tel. (877) JAMES-55
• The Whitehall Hotel, 105 East Delaware Place Chicago, Illinois 60611, (312) 944-6300 or (800) 948-4255, +1 866-288-8889 [104] - The Whitehall Hotel, Downtown Chicago's Truly Independent Boutique Hotel, proudly and successfully endures the test of time. We're sure that we will exceed your expectations and invite you to explore The Whitehall Hotel today.
• Eaglewood Resort & Spa, [105] reservations: 877-285-6150 has 295 guest rooms and suites that feature amenities including polished woods, over-sized work station, and high speed Internet access.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet

Free wireless Internet access (splash) and public terminals at the Chicago Public Library. Visitors without a Chicago Public Library card can present photo ID to use the library computers at the downtown Harold Washington Library Center or the city's many branch libraries.

Free Wi-Fi is available at every McDonald's in Chicago when you have an ArchCard.

[edit] Stay safe

As in almost the entire United States, dial 911 to get emergency help. Dial 311 for all non-emergency situations in Chicago.

Chicagocrime.org coordinates the Chicago Police crime data with Google maps.

Chicago, despite having a dramatically lowered crime rate from the 1970's and '80's, is still a big city with big city crime problems. Blocks around some areas of the city may quickly turn dangerous, with run-down areas near well-traveled areas, such as near the United Center and US Cellular Field. Avoid especially some areas of the South and West Sides at night (areas around the Dan Ryan expressway near the Skyway interchange/ 69th st, and areas near the Eisenhower expressway west of Western ave.) It is also best to take caution in the Loop at night (and on Sunday's) as well (watch for muggers and purse snatchers). Chicago has many beggars-just ignore them and keep on walking. It's generally a good idea to know which areas to avoid, and to defer any unnecessary travel to those areas, especially on side streets off the main thouroughfares and at night.

[edit] Cope

Summers are hot & humid with July & August being the peak, thunderstorms bringing heavy winds can also occur suddenly. Winters can be cold, but you will not be spending much time outside when its too cold, so dress in layers. Weather tends to get very extreme; Chicago is commonly regarded as a city which can experience 'four seasons in a day'.

[edit] Get out

Lake cruises depart from several downtown destinations, including Navy Pier, for various prices, durations, and levels of amenities.

Forest preserves are in the far north, northwest, and southwest sides, and into nearby suburbs. They are excellent for biking, jogging, and picnicing.

Evanston is on the north border of Chicago, approximately one hour from downtown on the El, or half an hour via car (during light traffic), and contains shops, restaurants, bars and Northwestern University.

The Indiana Dunes are quieter beaches within a moderate drive of downtown.

Lake Geneva is a summer getaway across the Wisconsin border. Nearby are the Kettle Moraine state parks, with good mountain biking.

Don't miss the coasters at Six Flags Great America, 40 miles north on I-94 in Gurnee.

Historic Galena, three hours west-northwest of Chicago via I-90 and US-20, is great for hiking, sightseeing, and antiquing.

Another fun summer destination would be the world-famous Wisconsin Dells, just three hours north of the city by car (I-90/94) or take the Amtrak train.