The Windy City is a fairly easy place destination to navigate. Many people have a few set attractions in mind before they come, and fill the rest of their time with whatever comes up along the way. Plenty of things come up along the way, and while some are the good things that make your trip unforgettable and spontaneous, there are some things you wish you could have just stayed on schedule for. It’s not always easy going to a new city, but Chicago welcomes first-timers with open arms and there’s almost always someone willing to lend a helping hand to a tourist in need. For everything else, here are a few tips that may come in handy.
1. Don’t let the weather deter you. Chicago is home to four seasons, and every season has a few days of extreme weather, whether it’s very hot, extremely cold or pouring rain. Fortunately, “bad” weather doesn’t last too long, and there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself for the few hours from the time it comes until the time it goes. Definitely don’t just sit in your room the whole time! There are plenty of things to do in Chicago, from exploring the city through the underground tunnels (The Chicago Pedway) to exploring the world-famous museums you probably wanted to see anyways. Both of these are perfect activities for winter weather, rainy days or extreme summer heat. Another way to beat the heat is on a refreshing boat tour on the Chicago River!
2. Take the El. While this is both a very easy and reliable form of transportation in Chicago, many of the routes are also very scenic! You can see the Chicago Loop on the Brown Line, which also takes you past the Chicago River. Be sure to bring your camera! Another great reason to be aware of Chicago’s public transportation system is because unlike some cities, not everything is located right on top of each other. There are 198 neighborhoods that make up Chicago, and while you’re probably not going to want to see over half of those, it is good to explore the variety a few popular neighborhoods have to offer! The Chicago Loop and Magnificent Mile are home to many top attractions. Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park and Argyle Street are also very popular but slightly less touristy areas where you’ll find more local shops, restaurants and bars that are well worth going out of your way for if you like to mix some of the non-touristy stops in your vacations.
3. Bring Your Kids. Chicago is an extremely family friendly destination that your kids will be really bummed you left them at home for once they find out what they’re missing. There are tons of famous Chicago museums that you and your kids will love, like the Field Museum that houses Sue the T-Rex, the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute, and even museums made just for kids like the Children’s Museum. On top of that, what kid doesn’t love beaches, pizza and a giant Bean that allows them to stare at themselves at every angle?
4. For the best sights in the city, go to the John Hancock Observatory. Willis Tower may be taller, but you can’t beat the beautiful ocean views, city skyline and any other sights you can see from the top of the John Hancock Building. While both buildings offer fantastic views that let you see into several states for miles, the John Hancock Building offers a little more diversity and a lot more charm.
5. Stay Downtown. Many people think that it’s hard to stay near all the things they want to do in Chicago because the hotels are so expensive, but that’s not always the case. Even some of the top hotels in Chicago offer outstanding hotel deals and packages that make any trip to the Windy City more affordable and convenient. There are also some great hostels Downtown that many travelers who are coming on a budget enjoy, like Hi-Chicago, which offers low-cost boarding near all of the best things to do in Chicago. Staying in Downtown or on Magnificent Mile doesn’t have to be as expensive as you’d think!
While there are tons of things you probably want to know about Chicago, there’s no better way to find out than by exploring the city yourself!
This article was written by Lizz Riggs, editor of ChicagoTraveler.com.
