See what the experts are saying about Chicago. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Money
Money It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to you... Continue reading »
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Escorted tours & independent package tours
Package tours are simply a way to buy airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices. One good source of pack... Continue reading »
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Tips for multicultural travelers
Chicago is a cosmopolitan city with a population that's about 36% African American, 30% white, and 26% Latino (Chicago has the second-largest Mexican population in the U.S. after Los Angeles). Visitors of all racial and ethnic groups shouldn'... Continue reading »
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Sustainable travel & ecotourism
Each time you take a flight or drive a car CO2 is released into the atmosphere. You can help neutralize this danger to our planet through "carbon offsetting" -- paying someone to reduce your CO2 emissions by the same amount you've added. Carb... Continue reading »
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Health & safety
Staying Healthy Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) (tel. 716/754-4883 or, in Canada, 416/652-0137; www.iamat.org) for tips on travel and health concerns in the countries you're visiting, and f... Continue reading »
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Insurance
Travel Insurance The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get es... Continue reading »
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Internet access
In downtown Chicago, both Starbucks and the sandwich chain Cosà have numerous locations with Wi-Fi access. In the southern part of the Loop, the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. (tel. 312/747-4300), also has wireless access.... Continue reading »
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Tips for families
Chicago is full of sightseeing opportunities and special activities geared toward children. To locate those accommodations, restaurants, and attractions that are particularly kid-friendly, refer to the "Kids" icon throughout this guide. Also... Continue reading »
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Tips for gay and lesbian travelers
While it's not quite San Francisco, Chicago is a very gay-friendly city. The neighborhood commonly referred to as "Boys Town" (roughly from Belmont Ave. north to Irving Park Ave., and from Halsted St. east to the lakefront) is the center of g... Continue reading »
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Tips for senior travelers
Traveling as a senior can definitely save you money in Chicago; people 60 and older qualify for reduced admission to most major museums and theaters, as well as discounted fares on public transportation. Members of AARP, 601 E St. NW, Wash... Continue reading »
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Tips for student travelers
The best resource for students in Chicago is STA Travel (www.statravel.com), one of the biggest student-travel agencies in the world, which can set you up with an ID card and get you discounts on plane tickets and rail travel. There is an STA... Continue reading »
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Tips for travelers with disabilities
Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling in the U.S. There are more options and resources out there than ever before. Most of Chicago's sidewalks, as well as major museums and tourist attractions, are fitted with wheelchair ramp... Continue reading »
Chicago Travel Experiences
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The Architecture of Chicago
Driving is a challenge, it's fun figuring out where to go next and what to see next and how to get there. But traffic on the four-lane hi... Continue reading »
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Chicago 2006 Christmas
We decided this year to go on a trip for Christmas. Living in Florida we decided where can we go and see snow!!!??? Chicago of cour... Continue reading »
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local Chicagoan
The day started off well at midday with a 'kill me now' spin class at the local gym around the corner and then a healthy lunch followed b... Continue reading »
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night in Chicago
9.25.06 7:40am We have stopped in St. Paul, Minnesota. We are right on time. It was a fitful night of sleep. I couldn’t get comfortable... Continue reading »
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Chicago
First of all, for the family that have copies of the itinerary for our journey, we've put back our departure dates from Chicago and New O... Continue reading »
Popular Chicago Hotels
- The Talbott Hotel
- Hotel Monaco Chicago - a Kimpton Hotel
- Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
- James Hotel Chicago
- Hampton Inn Majestic-Chicago Theatre District
- The Peninsula Chicago
- Omni Chicago Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Magnificent Mile
- Homewood Chicago Downtown
- Affinia Chicago formerly Fitzpatrick
