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Mike

Favorite Kid-Friendly Activities in Chicago

Chicago, 4 Days

Table of contents:Guide Description 2

Itinerary Overview 3

Daily Itineraries 5

Chicago Snapshot 17

Guide Description

2

AUTHOR NOTE: Guide written by Joy Bartolini and MadelineJhawar of Italy Beyond the Obvious...Chicago is a favorite American city for many and a blast for kidsof all ages. There are best-in-class museums, parks, shops,and restaurants. It’s easy to plan a trip that combines culture,educational opportunities, and outdoor activities. The onlychallenge is deciding what to see if you have just a few days intown. ...Note: Be sure to read the Day Notes for the kid-friendlydetails on recommended attractions...Ciao Bambino provides tips and advice around all things relatedto traveling with kids and is a guide to the best kid friendly hotels.

Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

3

Day 1 - ChicagoDAY NOTE: Michigan Avenue Double Decker Bus Tour:..Start your Chicago experience with a double decker bus tour.The tour lasts about 2 hours and you can hop on and off as oftenas you like. Kids love riding in the open air and the Sears Tower(now the Willis Tower) is one of the many highlights of the tour...American Girl Place:..Another popular activity here is a visit to American Girl Place inthe Water Tower Building. You can bring your American Girl dollto the café for tea, lunch or dinner and even have her hair styled!You may want to book a reservation ahead of time because theyget very busy. In the meantime, the boys can head over to GarrettPopcorn Shop. Garrett's has been serving popcorn since 1949and the smell of fresh cheese and caramel corn greets you beforeyou open the doors. This is consistently one of Oprah's "FavoriteThings" - make sure you save some for the girls!..Hancock Tower:..When the weather and visibility is good, there are fantastic viewsfrom the top of this iconic Chicago landmark...Navy Pier:..Navy Pier attracts both locals and tourists and is a greatdestination because there is something for everyone here. Youcan take the free Trolley from Water Tower Place on MichiganAvenue to get here. The Children's Museum is very popular andfun for toddler age children. Older kids love the wild ride on theSea Dog speedboat cruises and adults and kids alike will havefun at the Billy Goat Tavern made famous by the Saturday NightLive skit! Note, the Children's Museum at Navy Pier is open until8p on Thursday nights and it is fun to ride the ferris wheel atsunset followed by dinner at one of the many restaurants on thePier. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are fireworksoff the pier every Wednesday and Saturday at 9pm..

Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off TourHop-on Hop-off Tours

Magnificent MileHigh-end shopping Mecca

American Girl PlaceCelebrating Girlhood

John Hancock CenterMagnificent view of the Mag Mile and beyond

Family Pavilion At Navy PierGreat Place For the Family

Navy Pier Ferris WheelJolly Ride on a Wheel

Day 2 - ChicagoDAY NOTE: Museum Campus and Museum of Science andIndustry:..The Museum Campus is a 57-acre lakefront park that connectsthe Field Museum with the Shedd Aquarium and the AdlerPlanetarium. Large museums can be overwhelming so it pays todo your homework before you arrive and find a self-guided tourthat works well for your family. It is also important to note thateach museum could easily warrant a day-long visit – plan yourvisit accordingly...The Field Museum has tours that include scavenger hunts andadventure highlights. If you need a break from sightseeingand want to relax, both the Aquarium and Planetarium offereducational movies for different age groups...The Museum of Science and Industry is a bit of a trek from theother museums, but for elementary school age children it has alot to offer. You can customize a museum day for your family withthe museum's interactive visit planner. The museum recommendsa "tour" for you based on your child's age and interests andprovides a printable map of what your tour would look like -it's customizable for both first time or returning visitors . . . andkids love planning their day! Preschoolers will also enjoy thismuseum – there are tractors in the Farm Tech Exhibit they love toclimb, baby chicks in the hatchery, and the world’s largest pinballmachine (The Swiss Jolly Ball). The exhibit that takes the cake forinfants through Grade 3 is the fabulous Idea Factory, which hastimed entries, so it’s worth heading here first and then tackling therest of the museum...Millennium Park:..It’s nice to balance a museum visit for half a day with an outdooractivity. Millennium Park is a fun outing for the entire family andideally located on the way to the Museum Campus. This 25-acrepark features award-winning landscape design and architectureas well as concert venues and a summer schedule with freeprograms for all ages. The Family Fun Festival runs throughoutthe summer and includes interactive activities, reading circles,musical games, concerts and lots of water activities. Kids love

Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

4

to splash in the 1 inch of water between the giant faces in theMillennium Park Fountain - be sure to bring swimsuits and towels.After you dry off, grab a rainbow cone, a Chicago tradition,at the ice cream shop. In winter, the ice skating rink is openand the Park Grill is open year-round for dining (reservationsrecommended)...If you are visiting Chicago between Memorial Day and Labor Day,check the Grant Park Music schedule to see whether the ChicagoSymphony Orchestra will be rehearsing at the outdoor PritzkerPavilion (in Millennium Park) at Noon. If they are, get a picnic, siton the lawn, and enjoy free music...Chicago Art Institute:..You can walk from Millennium Park across a pedestrian bridgethat connects it with the new wing of the Art Institute, and enjoythe view over the park from the museum’s terrace. The bridgealso crosses train tracks which kids find exciting...If you don’t have time to get to the Museum Campus, or want tostick around Grant Park, take the kids to the Art Institute’s TouchGallery, which is designed specifically for little ones. And yes,they can touch everything! Note, admission to the museum is freeon Thursdays and the museum is open until 8p..hide

Field Museum (The)Natural history museum by the lake

John G. Shedd AquariumExplore the Deep

Adler Planetarium and AstronomyMuseumExplore the Celestial Skies

Museum of Science and IndustryTechnological Treasury

Millennium ParkDowntown Outdoor Urban Oasis

Art Institute of ChicagoGlobal Art Leader

Day 3 - ChicagoDAY NOTE: Lincoln Park Zoo and Beach:..

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a year-round destination and one of theoldest and most established zoos in the country. Kids love theFarm in the Zoo, and riding the vintage-looking-but-safe carousel.At Christmas time, the zoo is lit up with thousands of lights andoffers a variety of holiday activities..North Avenue's huge sandy beach is the city's most popularbeach in the summertime and can be easily accessed from theLincoln Park Zoo - just walk across the pedestrian footbridge thatcrosses the Lakeshore Drive (at the south end of the zoo parkinglot). Bring buckets, shovels, towels, and a picnic, or eat lunch atthe cafe right on the beach...Architecture River Cruise:..A 90-minute boat tour on the Chicago River, led by a memberof the Chicago architecture foundation, is one of the touristhighlights for teenage-or-older children and adults. Book ticketsin advance or risk them selling out. Not recommended foryoung children, as there is nowhere for kids to run around, andpassengers have to be somewhat quiet in order to hear theguide’s descriptions..

Lincoln Park ZooAnimal lover must-see

Architecture River CruiseFun and informative river cruise

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Day 1 - ChicagoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Michigan Avenue Double Decker Bus Tour:..Start your Chicago experience with a double decker bus tour. The tour lasts about 2 hours and you can hop on and off as often as youlike. Kids love riding in the open air and the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) is one of the many highlights of the tour...American Girl Place:..Another popular activity here is a visit to American Girl Place in the Water Tower Building. You can bring your American Girl doll to thecafé for tea, lunch or dinner and even have her hair styled! You may want to book a reservation ahead of time because they get verybusy. In the meantime, the boys can head over to Garrett Popcorn Shop. Garrett's has been serving popcorn since 1949 and the smell offresh cheese and caramel corn greets you before you open the doors. This is consistently one of Oprah's "Favorite Things" - make sureyou save some for the girls!..Hancock Tower:..When the weather and visibility is good, there are fantastic views from the top of this iconic Chicago landmark...Navy Pier:..Navy Pier attracts both locals and tourists and is a great destination because there is something for everyone here. You can take thefree Trolley from Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue to get here. The Children's Museum is very popular and fun for toddler agechildren. Older kids love the wild ride on the Sea Dog speedboat cruises and adults and kids alike will have fun at the Billy Goat Tavernmade famous by the Saturday Night Live skit! Note, the Children's Museum at Navy Pier is open until 8p on Thursday nights and it is funto ride the ferris wheel at sunset followed by dinner at one of the many restaurants on the Pier. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day,there are fireworks off the pier every Wednesday and Saturday at 9pm..

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contact:http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6793/tours/Chicago/Chicago-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d673-2985TROLLEY

location:Chicago Illinois

Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off TourDESCRIPTION: See all the sights of Chicago at your ownpace! On a Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off Tour you can get offthe bus at any scheduled stop to visit Chicago's most popularattractions, then pick up the tour where you left off or get on atany other regular stop on the route. For individuals and families,this is the best way to see the sites in a day!Your fully-narrated trolley (heated in winter) or double deckerbus will tour 13 magnificent miles of Chicago's downtown andThe Loop, taking you by the city's premier shopping, diningand attractions. The tour is about two hours if you do not getoff. Special Offer - Price displayed currently includes adiscount of 10% off the recommended retail price - BOOKNOW! © Viator

viator

contact:tel: +1 312 642 3570fax: +1 312 642 3826http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

location:625 North Michigan AvenueChicago IL 60611

1 Magnificent Mile

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:To avoid larger than usual crowds on the Mile,it is best to visit this area outside of the holidayshopping season. There are also cute shops onState Street (two blocks west) in River North and onOak Street that tend to have fewer patrons, but bewarned that some of them are expensive boutiques.

DESCRIPTION: No trip to Chicago is complete without a strolldown North Michigan Avenue, or "the Magnificent Mile" tothose in the know (which includes most, if not all, tourists).This stretch of almost a mile to the north of the Chicago river ishome to most of the city's powerhouse retailers, which attractlocals and visitors year-round. It is worth noting that all landto the east of Michigan Avenue is landfill; it was built up fromdebris from the Great Fire of 1871. Also of note is the ChicagoWater Tower, located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues, whichprovided much of the water to put out the Fire. For a breakfrom shopping sprees, head beneath the street to the BillyGoat Tavern (stairs are at Illinois Street) for a cheezborger. ©NileGuide

Magnificent Mile

contact:tel: +1 877 247 5223http://www.americangirl.com

location:835 North Michigan Ave.(Water Tower Place)Chicago IL 60611

2 American Girl Place

DESCRIPTION: When Louisa May Alcott penned her classicbook Little Women, she probably never imagined that anAmerican retail center would someday pay such a completetribute to young girls, too. Just around the corner from theMagnificent Mile shopping district, this three-story complexfeatures a playhouse showcasing The American Girl Review,a cafe offering delicious meals, and a shop featuring American Photo courtesy of American Girl

Place

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Girls dolls and clothing. Girls aged seven and up will find this anirresistible getaway. © wcities.com

contact:tel: +1 312 751 3680http://www.johnhancockcenterchicago.com/

location:875 North Michigan AvenueChicago IL 60611

3 John Hancock Center

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Go for the Signature Room bar, and order an importbeer or martini. It's a bit more relaxing than theObservatory, and drinks are served!

DESCRIPTION: Chicago has two giant black buildings withobservation decks- the Willis Tower downtown, and theJohn Hancock Center, which is at the top of the MagnificentMile. Both are popular with tourists, but given its location inChicago's main shopping district, a visit to the Hancock Centercan be more of an afterthought than a planned excursion.Visitors must pay a fee to visit the observatory, but can goto the Signature Room, a restaurant on a floor above theobservatory deck, for "free" with the purchase of a drink at thebar (or an expensive meal, if you prefer). The views from eitherthe observatory or the Signature Room are impressive, andon a clear day visitors can see up to four states- Wisconsin,Michigan, Indiana, and, of course, Illinois. © NileGuide

Photo courtesy of John HancockCenter

contact:tel: +1 312 595 7437http://www.navypier.com/

location:600 East Grand AvenueChicago IL 60611

4 Family Pavilion At Navy Pier

DESCRIPTION: The Family Pavilion At Navy Pier, located inChicago is one of the most popular places in the city when itcomes to family outings. There is a lot to choose from at theFamily Pavilion, go watch a great movie at the IMAX Theatreor pay a visit to the Chicago Children's Museum. Take a strollthrough the indoor botanical park or just check out the variousshops and restaurants in the area. © wcities.com Photo courtesy of Family Pavilion At

Navy Pier.

contact:tel: +1 312 595 7437http://www.navypier.com/

location:600 East Grand AvenueChicago IL 60611

5 Navy Pier Ferris Wheel

DESCRIPTION: You cannot afford to miss the Navy Pier's most visible attraction, the 150 foot-highFerris wheel. This fun ride is open year-round. It is not only fun for kids but for all age groups. It ismodeled after the very first Ferris wheel, which was built for Chicago's 1893 World's ColumbianExposition. On the Navy Pier Ferris wheel you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Chicago skylineand lake-front. During the evening, the illuminated Ferris wheel with thousands of sparkling lights isa sight that one must not miss. © wcities.com

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Day 2 - ChicagoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Museum Campus and Museum of Science and Industry:..The Museum Campus is a 57-acre lakefront park that connects the Field Museum with the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.Large museums can be overwhelming so it pays to do your homework before you arrive and find a self-guided tour that works well foryour family. It is also important to note that each museum could easily warrant a day-long visit – plan your visit accordingly...The Field Museum has tours that include scavenger hunts and adventure highlights. If you need a break from sightseeing and want torelax, both the Aquarium and Planetarium offer educational movies for different age groups...The Museum of Science and Industry is a bit of a trek from the other museums, but for elementary school age children it has a lot tooffer. You can customize a museum day for your family with the museum's interactive visit planner. The museum recommends a "tour"for you based on your child's age and interests and provides a printable map of what your tour would look like - it's customizable for bothfirst time or returning visitors . . . and kids love planning their day! Preschoolers will also enjoy this museum – there are tractors in theFarm Tech Exhibit they love to climb, baby chicks in the hatchery, and the world’s largest pinball machine (The Swiss Jolly Ball). Theexhibit that takes the cake for infants through Grade 3 is the fabulous Idea Factory, which has timed entries, so it’s worth heading herefirst and then tackling the rest of the museum...Millennium Park:..It’s nice to balance a museum visit for half a day with an outdoor activity. Millennium Park is a fun outing for the entire family and ideallylocated on the way to the Museum Campus. This 25-acre park features award-winning landscape design and architecture as well asconcert venues and a summer schedule with free programs for all ages. The Family Fun Festival runs throughout the summer andincludes interactive activities, reading circles, musical games, concerts and lots of water activities. Kids love to splash in the 1 inch ofwater between the giant faces in the Millennium Park Fountain - be sure to bring swimsuits and towels. After you dry off, grab a rainbowcone, a Chicago tradition, at the ice cream shop. In winter, the ice skating rink is open and the Park Grill is open year-round for dining(reservations recommended)..

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.If you are visiting Chicago between Memorial Day and Labor Day, check the Grant Park Music schedule to see whether the ChicagoSymphony Orchestra will be rehearsing at the outdoor Pritzker Pavilion (in Millennium Park) at Noon. If they are, get a picnic, sit on thelawn, and enjoy free music...Chicago Art Institute:..You can walk from Millennium Park across a pedestrian bridge that connects it with the new wing of the Art Institute, and enjoy the viewover the park from the museum’s terrace. The bridge also crosses train tracks which kids find exciting...If you don’t have time to get to the Museum Campus, or want to stick around Grant Park, take the kids to the Art Institute’s Touch Gallery,which is designed specifically for little ones. And yes, they can touch everything! Note, admission to the museum is free on Thursdaysand the museum is open until 8p..hide

contact:tel: +1 312 922 9410fax: +1 312 665 7701http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

location:1400 S Lake Shore DrChicago IL 60605-2496

hours:Daily 9am-5pm

1 Field Museum (The)

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:To view temporary exhibits, call ahead for tickets-sometimes they are sold out well in advance.

DESCRIPTION: As part of the Museum Campus on thelakefront (in addition to the Shedd Aquarium and AdlerPlanetarium), the Field Museum of Natural History is always ator toward the top of the list when it comes to popular culturalattractions in Chicago. The Field Museum was originallynamed the Columbian Museum of Chicago for the World'sColumbian Exposition in 1893, but changed its name to honorMarshall Field, its first major benefactor, in 1905. Since 2000,the Field Museum has housed Sue, the world's most completeand best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex to date, in its mainhall. The building itself was designed by famous Chicagoarchitect Daniel Burnham, the mind behind the White Cityat the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Admission is free on theSecond Monday of every month, and on additional daysthroughout the year as designated on the Field's website:www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/free_days.htm. © NileGuide

Photo courtesy of a2gemma

contact:tel: 312/939-2438fax: +1 312 939 8069www.sheddaquarium.org

location:1200 S. Lake Shore DrChicago IL 60605

hours:Memorial Day-Labor Daydaily 9am-6pm; early Sept-

2 John G. Shedd Aquarium

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Be prepared for crowds, there is often a long wait.Plan your visit for the weekdays when school is insession.

DESCRIPTION: The Shedd is one of the world's largestindoor aquariums, and houses thousands of river, lake, andsea denizens in standard aquarium tanks and elaborate new

wcities

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late May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,Sat-Sun 9am-6pm

habitats within its octagon-shaped marble building. The onlyproblem with the Shedd is its steep admission price ($24.95 foradults). You can keep your costs down by buying the "AquariumOnly" admission, but you'll miss some of the most stunningexhibits. A CityPass can save you money if you visit enoughof the other included attractions. The first thing you'll see asyou enter is the Caribbean Coral Reef. This 90,000-galloncircular tank occupies the Beaux Arts-style central rotunda,entertaining spectators who press up against the glass toogle divers feeding nurse sharks, barracudas, stingrays, anda hawksbill sea turtle. A roving camera connected to videomonitors on the tank's periphery gives visitors close-ups of theanimals inside, but I'd recommend sticking around to catchone of the daily feedings, when a diver swims around the tankand (thanks to a microphone) talks about the species and theireating habits. The exhibits surrounding the Caribbean coralreef re-create marine habitats around the world. The best isAmazon Rising: Seasons of the River, a rendering of theAmazon basin that showcases frogs and other animals as wellas fish (although the sharp-toothed piranhas are pretty cool).You'll pay extra to see the other Shedd highlights, but they'requite impressive, so I'd suggest shelling out for them if you planto spend more than an hour here. The Oceanarium, with awall of windows revealing the lake outside, replicates a PacificNorthwest coastal environment and creates the illusion of oneuninterrupted expanse of sea. On a fixed performance schedulein a large pool flanked by an amphitheater, a crew of friendlytrainers puts dolphins through their paces of leaping dives,breaches, and tail walking. Check out the Oceanarium scheduleas soon as you get to the Shedd; seating can fill up quickly, soyou'll want to get here early. If you're visiting during a summerweekend, you may also want to buy your Oceanarium ticket inadvance to make sure you can catch a show that day. (Note:The Oceanarium will be closed for structural maintenancefrom Sept 2008 until early June 2009.) Wild Reef -- Sharksat Shedd is a series of 26 connected habitats that house aPhilippine coral reef patrolled by sharks and other predators.The floor-to-ceiling windows bring the toothy swimmers upclose and personal (they even swim over your head at certainspots). If you want a quality sit-down meal in a restaurant witha spectacular view of Lake Michigan, check out Soundings.There's also a family-friendly cafeteria. Allow 2 to 3 hours. ©Frommer's

contact:tel: 312/922-STARfax: +1 312 322 2257www.adlerplanetarium.org

location:1300 S. Lake Shore DrChicago IL 60605

hours:Memorial Day-LaborDay daily 9:30am-6pm;early Sept-late May daily

3 Adler Planetarium and AstronomyMuseum

DESCRIPTION: The building may be historic (it was the firstplanetarium in the Western Hemisphere), but some of theattractions here will captivate the most jaded video-gameaddict. Your first stop should be the modern Sky Pavilion,where the don't-miss experience is the StarRider Theater.Settle down under the massive dome, and you'll take a half-hour interactive virtual-reality trip through the Milky Way andinto deep space, featuring a computer-generated 3-D-graphicsprojection system and controls in the armrest of each seat. Sixhigh-resolution video projectors form a seamless image above

Photo courtesy of Adler Planetariumand Astronomy Museum

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9:30am-4:30pm; 1st Fri ofevery month until 10pm.StarRider Theater and SkyShows run throughout theday; call main number forcurrent times

your head -- you'll feel as if you're literally floating in space. Ifyou're looking for more entertainment, the Sky Theater showsmovies with an astronomical bent; recent shows have includedSecrets of Saturn and Mars Now! The planetarium's exhibitiongalleries feature a variety of displays and interactive activities.If you're only going to see one exhibit (and have kids in tow),check out Shoot For the Moon, an exhibit on lunar explorationthat's full of interactive stations (it also showcases the personalcollection of astronaut Jim Lovell, captain of the infamousApollo 13 mission, who now lives in the Chicago suburbs).Other exhibits include Bringing the Heavens to Earth, whichtraces the ways different cultures have tried to make sense ofastronomical phenomena, and From the Night Sky to the BigBang, which includes artifacts from the planetarium's extensivecollection of astronomical instruments (although suitable forolder children, these can get a bit boring for little ones unlessthey're real astronomy nuts). The museum's cafe providesviews of the lakefront and skyline. On the first Friday eveningof the month, the museum stays open until 10pm, and visitorscan view dramatic close-ups of the moon, the planets, anddistant galaxies through a closed-circuit monitor connected tothe planetarium's Doane Observatory telescope. Allow 2 hours,more if you want to see more than one show. © Frommer's

contact:tel: 800/468-6674 outside theChicago areafax: +1 773 684 7141www.msichicago.org

location:5700 S Lake Shore DrChicago IL 60637

hours:Memorial Day-Labor DayMon-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun11am-5:30pm; early Sept-lateMay Mon-Sat 9:30am-4pm,Sun 11am-4pm

4 Museum of Science and Industry

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:If traveling without a car, take the #6 bus, or theMetra.

DESCRIPTION: Even if you don't plan on spending the day inHyde Park, you'll likely pass through the neighborhood on yourway to one of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions. Themassive Museum of Science and Industry is the granddaddyof interactive museums, with some 2,000 exhibits. Scheduleat least 3 hours here; a comprehensive visit can take allday, especially if you catch an OMNIMAX movie. While themuseum is constantly adding new displays to cover the latestscientific breakthroughs, you shouldn't miss certain tried-and-true exhibits that have been here for years and epitomize themuseum for Chicagoans. The U-505, a German submarinethat was captured in 1944 and arrived at the museum 10 yearslater, brings home the claustrophobic reality of underwaternaval life. The sub is displayed in a dramatic indoor arena withexhibits and newsreel footage that put the U-boat in historicalcontext (a guided tour of the sub's interior costs $7 extra, butthe exhibit is worth visiting even if you don't go inside). Thefull-scale Coal Mine, which dates back to 1934, incorporatesmodern mining techniques into the exhibit -- but the best partis the simulated trip down into a dark, mysterious mine. Getto these exhibits quickly after the museum opens becausethey attract amusement-park-length lines during the day. Kidswho love planes, trains, and automobiles shouldn't miss AllAboard the Silver Streak, a refurbished Burlington PioneerZephyr train with onboard interactive exhibits; the massivemodel-train exhibit that makes up The Great Train Story; or

Photo courtesy of Museum ofScience and Industry.

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Take Flight, an aviation exhibit featuring a full-size 727 airplanethat revs up its engines and replays the voice recordings froma San Francisco-Chicago flight periodically throughout theday. More low-tech -- but fun for kids -- are The Farm (wherechildren can sit at the wheel of a giant combine) and the ChickHatchery inside the exhibit Genetics: Decoding Life, whereyou can watch as tiny newborn chicks poke their way out ofeggs. ToyMaker 3000 immerses minicapitalists in the goings-on of a virtual company and includes an entire automated toy-making assembly line. If you have really little ones (under age5), head for the Idea Factory, which is filled with hands-on playequipment (admission is limited to a set number of kids, so pickup a free timed ticket in advance). I hate to indulge in genderstereotypes, but girls (myself included) love Colleen Moore'sFairy Castle, a lavishly decorated miniature palace filled withpriceless treasures (yes, those are real diamonds and pearlsin the chandeliers). The castle is hidden on the lower level.Also tucked away in an inconspicuous spot -- along the Bluestairwell between the Main Floor and the Balcony -- are theHuman Body Slices, actual slivers of human cadavers that areguaranteed to impress teenagers in search of something trulygross. A major addition to the museum is the Henry CrownSpace Center, which documents the story of space explorationin copious detail, highlighted by a simulated space-shuttleexperience through sight and sound at the center's five-storyOMNIMAX Theater. The theater offers double features on theweekends; call for show times. When you've worked up anappetite, you can visit the museum's large food court or the old-fashion ice-cream parlor; there's also an excellent gift shop.Although it's quite a distance from the rest of Chicago's touristattractions, the museum is easy enough to reach without a car;your best options are the no. 6 Jeffrey Express bus and theMetra Electric train from downtown (the no. 10 bus runs fromdowntown to the museum's front entrance during the summer).© Frommer's

contact:tel: +1 312 742 1168 / +1 312744 3370 (Event Hotline)http://www.millenniumpark.org/

location:222 North Columbus DriveChicago IL 60601

5 Millennium Park

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:If visiting during the winter, skating on the ice rink isfree for those with their own skates. Otherwise it's$10.

DESCRIPTION: Chicago is full of must-see attractions, butat the top of the Can't Miss list is Millennium Park. It debutedin 2004, several years overdue, but it was worth the wait. Itis a true gem, right downtown between Michigan Avenue andthe lake. One can easily spend an afternoon just sitting on thebenches at the perimeter of the Pritzker Pavilion, stare at theirwarped reflection in Cloud Gate ("The Bean" to locals), andwatch the rotating faces in Crown Fountain spew water everyfive minutes or so. Immediately to the south of Millennium Parklie the Art Institute and Grant Park, which all together wouldmake for a wonderfully relaxing day. If you only have time for

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one of the three, though, do not pass go, do not collect $200-without going to Millennium Park. © NileGuide

contact:tel: 312/443-3600fax: +1 312 443 0849www.artic.edu

location:111 S. Michigan AveChicago IL 60602

hours:Mon-Fri 10:30am-5pm (Thursuntil 8pm, until 9pm Thurs-Fri Memorial Day-Labor Day);Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

6 Art Institute of Chicago

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Admission is FREE 5pm-8pm on Thursdays. It isalso conveniently located off the red line in the loop.

DESCRIPTION: You can't -- and shouldn't -- miss the ArtInstitute. (You really have no excuse, since it's convenientlylocated right on Michigan Ave. in the heart of downtown.) Nomatter what medium or century interests you, the Art Institutehas something in its collection to fit the bill. Japanese ukiyo-eprints, ancient Egyptian bronzes, Greek vases, 19th-centuryBritish photography, masterpieces by most of the greatestnames in 20th-century sculpture, and modern Americantextiles are just some of the works on display, but for a generaloverview of the museum's collection, take the free "Highlightsof the Art Institute" tour, offered at 2pm on Tuesday, Saturday,and Sunday. If time is limited, head straight to the museum'srenowned anthology of Impressionist art, which includesone of the world's largest collections of Monet paintings; thisis one of the most popular areas of the museum, so arrivingearly pays off. Among the treasures, you'll find Seurat'spointillist masterpiece Sunday Afternoon on the Island ofLa Grande Jatte. The galleries of European and Americancontemporary art include paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí,Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. Visitorsare sometimes surprised when they discover many of theicons that hang here (Grant Wood's American Gothic; EdwardHopper's Nighthawks). Often overlooked but worth seeing arethe Arthur Rubloff collection of delicate mid-19th-century glasspaperweights, and the great hall of European arms andarmor dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Composedof more than 1,500 objects, including armor, horse equipment,swords and daggers, polearms, and maces, the collectionis one of the most important assemblages of its kind in thecountry. (If you do head down here, you'll see Marc Chagall'sstunning stained-glass windows at the end of the gallery.)Children younger than 12 get in for free, and the Art Institutegoes the extra mile to entertain them. The Kraft EducationCenter on the lower level features interactive exhibits andhas a list of "gallery games" to make visiting the museummore fun. When I was a kid, I was entranced by the ThorneMiniature Rooms, filled with tiny reproductions of furnishedinteriors from European and American history (heaven fora dollhouse fanatic). The museum has a cafeteria and anelegant full-service restaurant, a picturesque courtyard cafe(open June-Sept), and a large shop. It offers a busy scheduleof lectures, films, and other special presentations, as well asguided tours. The museum also has a research library. Allow3 hours. Touring the Art Institute -- If you want to enjoy yourfavorite masterpieces in something resembling peace andquiet, put some thought into the timing of your visit to the Art

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Institute, a museum so popular that it draws as much traffic asour jammed expressways. Some tips for avoiding the rush hour:Many people don't realize the museum is open on Monday;keep this secret to yourself, and visit when the galleries arerelatively subdued. Also, many visitors aren't aware that themuseum stays open late on Thursdays, so consider stoppingby after an early dinner (another bonus: free admission). ©Frommer's

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Day 3 - ChicagoQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Lincoln Park Zoo and Beach:..The Lincoln Park Zoo is a year-round destination and one of the oldest and most established zoos in the country. Kids love the Farm inthe Zoo, and riding the vintage-looking-but-safe carousel. At Christmas time, the zoo is lit up with thousands of lights and offers a varietyof holiday activities..North Avenue's huge sandy beach is the city's most popular beach in the summertime and can be easily accessed from the Lincoln ParkZoo - just walk across the pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Lakeshore Drive (at the south end of the zoo parking lot). Bring buckets,shovels, towels, and a picnic, or eat lunch at the cafe right on the beach...Architecture River Cruise:..A 90-minute boat tour on the Chicago River, led by a member of the Chicago architecture foundation, is one of the tourist highlights forteenage-or-older children and adults. Book tickets in advance or risk them selling out. Not recommended for young children, as there isnowhere for kids to run around, and passengers have to be somewhat quiet in order to hear the guide’s descriptions..

contact:tel: +1 312 742 2000fax: +1 312 742 7666http://www.lpzoo.org/index_2.html

location:2001 North Clark StreetChicago IL 60614

1 Lincoln Park Zoo

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Admission is free, but pack your own food/water,which is expensive if you purchase at the zoo. Takethe CTA red line to avoid difficult parking, or driveearly so you can find street parking instead of usingthe expensive zoo parking lot.

Photo courtesy of yimhafiz

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DESCRIPTION: As the only zoo in the City of Chicago, theLincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days ayear. Founded in 1868, it is also one of the nation's oldest zoos.The Lincoln Park Zoo does an impressive job with its variousexhibits, most notably the Regenstein Center for African Apes,where you can look a gorilla in the face (from the other sideof the rail or glass, of course). The Lincoln Park Conservatoryis directly to the north of the zoo, where you can take in someflora to complement your fauna fix from the zoo. A nice pre orpost-zoo meal can be had at R.J. Grunt's, directly across thestreet. During the Christmas season the zoo lights up with afree light show every evening.© NileGuide

contact:tel: +1 312 751 1380http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx

location:333 North Michigan AvenueChicago IL 60601

hours:May 1-Jun 13: 1p, 3p M-F,11a, 1p, 3p Sa-Su. June 14-Oct 3: 10a, 11a, noon, 1p, 2p,3p daily; Oct: 1p, 3p Mon-Fri;11a, noon, 1p, 2p, 3p Sat-Sun

2 Architecture River Cruise

DESCRIPTION: An architecture river cruise is a perfect activity for sunnyspring and summer days, and is fun for the whole family. Tour goers aretreated to a 90 minute description and back story of how Chicago literallyrebuilt itself after the Great Fire of 1871. Each tour guide will add his orher take on some of the buildings discussed, as well as the heavyweightarchitects behind them. Remember sunscreen! © NileGuide

Architecture River Cruise

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Local InfoChicago is"The City that Works" and"TheCity of Big Shoulders." It boasts NorthAmerica's tallest building and one of theworld's largest office buildings. With theubiquitous elevated trains creating acontinuous clatter, the city looks, feels and,in fact is, big.

At first glance, Chicago can beoverwhelming. But, like any city, it is thesum of its parts, and its parts are diverse.Also known as"The City of Neighborhoods,"Chicago comprises more than 75 officialneighborhoods. Each features its owndistinct quality and character.

So, when trying to digest Chicago, don't tryto take it all in with one big bite. Break it upinto manageable portions.

The Loop

This area takes its name from the elevatedtrain, the"El," that loops around the city'scentral core. While the downtown areastretches beyond these boundaries, muchof the lifeblood that invigorates the restof the city also pumps through the Loop.The Sears Tower, North America's tallestbuilding, is here, as is the Chicago Boardof Trade, one of the biggest options andfutures trading floors in the world. Citygovernment offices are based here, aswell as the home offices of several majorcorporations.

When it's time for the city that works torelax, the Loop does not disappoint. Thecity's magnificent Harold WashingtonLibrary, the Art Institute of Chicago and theChicago Cultural Center are all here. Whilenot as ritzy as the city's Magnificent Milewhere State Street is a shopping mecca.

Thanks to a burgeoning theater district, theLoop is increasingly becoming a place tovisit when the workday ends. The restoredFord Center for the Performing Arts-Oriental Theatre hosts lavish Broadwayproductions while the Chicago Theatre hasseveral musical concerts. The landmarkAuditorium Theatre, considered by somethe most beautiful theater in America, hostsmusicals, concerts and other performancesin the South Loop area. The renownedGoodman Theatre also offers severalperformances throughout the year. ThisNorth Loop site includes dining and retailoptions.

Many restaurants, such as The OriginalHeaven on Seven, Italian Village andBerghoff, vie to whet every Loop-goer'sappetite. Boutique Hotels such as the HotelAllegro, Hotel Burnham Chicago and HotelMonaco compete for guests with the moretraditional Palmer House and ChicagoHilton Plaza and Towers.

While technically just outside the Loop'sborders, Grant Park should not be missed.Hugging Lake Michigan, this park is oftenreferred to as"Chicago's Front Yard." Themajestic Buckingham Fountain is here, asis a plush rose garden and the ChicagoSymphony Orchestra's outdoor home, thePetrillo Music Shell. The park is immense,with the capacity to hold up to three millionpeople, as is tested annually by the Tasteof Chicago festival. Grant Park also playshost to many music and arts festivals duringthe summer, including Jazz Fest and BluesFest.

Near North Side

Just to the north of the Loop, bordered bythe Chicago River on the south, the Lakeon the east and North Avenue on the north,is Chicago's Near North Side neighborhood.This area is in turn made up of severalother smaller districts.

The city's"Magnificent Mile"(known asthe"Mag Mile" to locals) is one of the NearNorth's most famous offerings. Stretchingalong Michigan Avenue from the ChicagoRiver to Oak Street, this shoppers' paradiseis home to high-scale chains like NeimanMarcus and Bloomingdale's at the 900North Michigan Avenue Shops, as well asthe lavish boutiques of Marilyn Miglin andRoom& Board. The city's early monumentto modernity, the John Hancock Center,is just a few blocks from the city's links toits past, the Water Tower and the ChicagoWater Works, two of the few buildings thatsurvived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.Water Tower Place, an upscale indoorshopping mall, houses numerous otherchain stores. You can enjoy RL Restaurantor Ralph Lauren's, the designer's largestretail store and its hip adjoining restaurant.Nordstrom, Crate& Barrel and Saks FifthAvenue can be found a few blocks south onMichigan Avenue.

If you are wondering where the people whocan afford to shop at the more expensivestores on Michigan Avenue live, head east

to Streeterville, or the adjoining Gold Coastneighborhood. Theoretically, the Gold Coastis named for the African coast of the samename, but the moniker also describes thearea's opulence. The neighborhood is thenation's second wealthiest, surpassed onlyby New York City's Central Park East.

Just north of the Chicago River and a fewblocks west of the Mag Mile is River North,home to an eclectic mix of swanky galleries,trendy cafes and theme restaurants like theHard Rock Café. While many of the city'sresidents pretend they have never been tothese restaurants, they most likely have —so go and enjoy with a clear conscience.

South Loop

In stark contrast to the garish designs of thechain restaurants, the South Loop offersa quaint, Old World charm, neighborhoodbars and smaller restaurants. Once hometo one of the largest publishing centers inthe Midwest, the warehouses left behindhave been renovated and taken over byyoung, affluent professionals who wish towalk to their jobs in the Loop. The area'sfocal point, Dearborn Station, sets thetone for the neighborhood. The formerrail transportation hub's façade has beenlavishly restored.

Beyond Downtown

Lake Shore Drive, one of the city's majornorth-south arteries, runs along thepicturesque lakefront. While the Drive willtake you to many of the city's attractions, donot forget that this boulevard is an attractionin itself. The lake view, the bold skyline andeven the Drive's own tree-lined mediansoffer some of the most breathtaking viewsin the city. However, Chicagoans have littlepatience for"Sunday drivers" gawking atthe sites. So when you get on Lake ShoreDrive, have a destination in mind.

Lincoln Park

Once you pass North Avenue, you willenter Lincoln Park, one of the city's moregentrified areas. Tree-lined FullertonAvenue, with its brownstones convertedinto condos, gives you a feel for theneighborhood residents. Lincoln Parkalso surrounds the DePaul Universityneighborhood. A variety of bars, dancespots and inexpensive restaurants cater tothe college and just-out-of-college crowd.

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Not all of Lincoln Park hustles andbustles. In fact, the park from which theneighborhood takes its name is one of thecity's largest and most pastoral. Designedby Frederick Law Olmstead, who also drewup the blueprints for New York's CentralPark and Lincoln Park encompasses morethan 1,000 acres. It includes a Zoo, theLincoln Park Conservatory, a driving range,dozens of ball fields and several biking andrunning paths connecting it to lakefrontbeaches. You'll find many pickup games ofsoccer and ultimate Frisbee here on warmsummer days.

Lakeview

Heading further north brings you toLakeview, a neighborhood that serves as apopular nightlife center for both the straightand gay communities. These groups tendto party separately, with the standoutexception being Berlin, a late-night danceclub where hipsters of every orientationparty together.

Halsted Street between Belmont Avenueand Irving Park Road serves as theheadquarters for gay nightlife. The area isnot hard to find; just look for the giganticrainbow-colored pylons that line the streets.For dancing, head to Roscoe's Tavern orSpin.

If partying is not your thing, don'tdespair. The area also offers its shareof restaurants, from Angelina Ristoranteand Yoshi's Cafe to the 24-hour MelroseRestaurant.

For the straight set, head a few blocks westto Wrigleyville, a bar area that gets its namefrom the nearby Wrigley Field, home of theChicago Cubs. The numerous taverns heremake for excellent bar-hopping, so stop inthe Cubby Bear or The Metro, a bar thatfeatures live music and up-and-coming rockbands like the Smashing Pumpkins, whoplayed here before they made it big andreturned for their final two shows.

Diners can satisfy a variety of tastes inWrigleyville, including Asian, Cajun, Italianand Mexican. Those who prefer to stick withthe bar scene can eat well at Bar Louie,John Barleycorn Memorial Pub or Sluggers.

Uptown

For more live music, head farther north,where you'll find the Aragon Ballroom, theRiviera and the prohibition-era jazz bar,

Green Mill. When you're strolling throughthis area, a word of caution is in order. Asthe once grand, now deteriorating buildingsthat house the Aragon and the Rivierasuggest, this formerly posh neighborhoodhas changed drastically over the years.Still, some of the best music in the city(be itjazz, rock, or something in between) can befound here.

Wicker Park/Bucktown

A hot spot for artisans and heavy drinkersalike is the Wicker Park/Bucktown area.Hang out at bars like the Blue Note andHoliday Club or restaurants like NorthsideBar& Grill and Beat Kitchen and it won't belong before some hipster starts talking toyou about gentrification.

The South Side

If you are visiting the city, do not make themistake many North Siders do by forgettingthat Lake Shore Drive also runs south ofdowntown.

As you cruise south on Lake Shore Drive,admire the Museum Campus where theShedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium andthe Field Museum converge. If you have thetime, you could easily spend a day in eachmuseum, but it's also well worth a stop justto enjoy the lake views and watch sailboatsgo by.

Just south, you will pass Soldier Field,home of the Chicago Bears. Immediatelyafter gaping at Soldier Field you will need toguard against whiplash as you turn to stareat the sprawling McCormick Place, oneof the largest convention centers in NorthAmerica and home to numerous annualtrade shows, like the Boat& RV Show andAuto Show. The space includes more than2.2 million square feet of exhibition space,Chicago's largest ballroom and the ArieCrown Theater.

Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago WhiteSox, lies on the west side of Lake ShoreDrive. The modern stadium features anexploding scoreboard that sets off fireworksalong with a Sony Jumbo Screen.

Further south, the charming Hyde Parkneighborhood has a quaint, old-worldlook to it. Home to the world-famousUniversity of Chicago, the area boastsinteresting restaurants like the DixieKitchen and Medici, great used book storeslike O'Gara& Wilson's(the oldest usedbookstore in the country), and the quaint

57th Street Art Fair. Hyde Park is alsohome to the gigantic 350,000 square-footMuseum of Science and Industry. Thismonument to 20th century technologyhouses a replica coal mine, a German U-Boat and a Zephyr train all under one roof.

After visiting the museum, push awaythoughts of industriousness long enough totake a leisurely stroll through Jackson Park.Like its sister to the north, Lincoln Park,Jackson Park was designed by FrederickLaw Olmstead. It features a Japanesegarden, a bird sanctuary, a reflecting pondand a golf course.

All in all, do not be overwhelmed byChicago's size or grit. Just find a cornerof this city that suits you and celebrate itsdiversity.©

HistorySitting on the bank of a swampy lake,with not a hill in sight, and an unforgivingweather pattern, Jean Baptiste Pointedu Sable became the first non-nativesettler of the Chicago River in the 1770's.French explorers had been attracted tothe land, perfectly situated at the base ofthe Chicago and Des Plaines rivers, forits transportation potential. Jean Baptistebecame the first to establish a trading poston the Chicago river, marking the beginningof the next great American city. On August13, 1803 with a population of about 300,the Town of Chicago(the name derivingfrom the Miami-Illinois word for"stinkyonion") became incorporated, and was thengranted a city charter in 1837.

The French explorers were correct in theirvision of the land becoming a transportationMecca. In 1848 the Illinois and MichiganCanal opened to allow shipping from theGreat Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico by wayof the Mississippi River. In the same yearthe Galena and Chicago Union railroadswere built, surpassing water transportation.Today, much of the countries freighttransportation passes through Chicago.Also, at the same time, marking economicdevelopment, the Chicago Board of Tradewas born with 82 businessmen, and stillgoes strong today in downtown Chicago.

Chicago's transportation success caused arapid population growth, with a populationof 4,000 in 1833 to 90,000 in 1857. By1870 it was the second largest city in the

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country. The intense population growthcaused severe problems for the early city'senvironment, which was emphasized bysevere weather conditions. Intense floodingand mud made transportation by foot orhorse difficult. Furthermore, the city wasnot capable of dealing with mass sewage.Streets became filthy, the city smelled, andthe unsanitary conditions caused illness. Atthis time, sewage was being dumped intothe waters of Lake Michigan. To remedy theincreasing health issues and stench, thecity proposed to raise the city by 5 feet toinstall a mass underground sewage system.The five story Briggs Hotel was raised whilestill open and operating, proving a true featto the world. Also, through the use of a locksystem, the flow of the Chicago River wasreversed to stop open dumping in the lake.

After twenty years of success, the powerof Chicago was challenged with thehorrendous damage of the Great ChicagoRiver of 1870. Most of the city wasconstructed using wood, causing the fireto spread rampantly, destroying 18,000buildings and killing 300 people. TheChicago Water Tower, which is located onChicago and Michigan Avenues is one ofthe only remaining buildings. To recover,the city completely restructured the city'slayout to be further away from the swampylakefront and be built using steel. This alsoled to the revolutionary invention of theskyscraper(the Home Insurance Building) toutilize the vertical space.

As a mark of recovery, Chicago hostedthe World's Colombian Exposition of1893, which celebrated the anniversaryof Columbus's arrival to the New World.Over 27 million people attended the fair,making the fair and Chicago and symbolof American development and power. TheMuseum of Science and Industry remainsas an original building of the World's Fair.

The industrial success of the city drewimmigrants of Europe and people fromrural areas surrounding the city to workin factories. However, this created animbalance of power, with wealthy moneymongers ruling the city, creating dire workenvironments for a rapidly growing poorworking class. Tension began to build, andthe Prohibition era and Great Depressiononly brought more tension and violence.African American also flocked to the city atthis time from the Great Migration. Differentracial groups settled near each other, oftencompeting for similar jobs. Friction over

territory, work, and overcrowding causedsevere racial tension that eventually brokeout into the 1919 Chicago Race Riots thatlasted for six days. Arson and looting wererampant during this time, and close to 100people were murdered.

The bloody and corrupt environment ofChicago continued with the Prohibition erathat led to the power of Al Capone andthe rise of intense violent gang activity.Al Capone dominated the liquor supplyto the city, giving him extreme power.Even from jail after he was found guiltyfor the organization of a bloody killing offive members of the North Side Gang,known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre,he continued to have a tight hold on thegoverning of the city.

The city continued to see severe ups anddowns even after a small recovery afterWWII and the end of the Great Depression.Dissatisfaction and unrest still sweptthe city through the 1970's. Finally, theeconomic improvement of the 1980'sbrought growth in population, particularlyto neighborhoods that were previouslyworn down and violent, as well as buildingdevelopment in the Loop. This includedthe Willis Tower(formerly the Sears Tower),which today is the countries tallest building.Today, the city continues to be a dominatingmetropolis of the U.S., continuing to expandand grow.© NileGuide

Hotel InsightsChicago may have more neighborhoodsthan any other city in North America. Whilemany of them have begun to look similar,each maintains distinct features. Whetherlooking for the exotic or a bit of the citymade famous by novelist Nelson Algren,you can find what you need in Chicago.

Four of Chicago's neighborhoods offer mostof its best hotels: the Loop, North MichiganAvenue, the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park.Each neighborhood has its pros and cons,but you can be assured that you won't haveto worry about stray bullets coming throughyour window or the elevated train clatteringby, à laThe Blues Brothers.

The Loop

When people think of Chicago, the Loopis often what first comes to mind. Thisdistrict encompasses towering skyscrapers

including the Sears Tower, the ChicagoBoard of Trade and the Art Institute ofChicago, along with numerous theaters,restaurants and universities. The Loop isthe historic heart of Chicago and offers awealth of buildings rich with architecturaland historic significance. However, whileit teems with life during the business weekand on weekends, outside of the theaters,little nightlife can be found.

If you want to stay in the heart of the citywith easy access to every neighborhoodand attraction, consider booking a roomat the Palmer House Hilton or the WChicago City Center(formerly the MidlandHotel). Each of these hotels has historicalsignificance, but the Palmer House reallytakes the cake. This is actually the hotel'sthird incarnation. The first building wasdestroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of1871, and the second was torn down tomake way for the present building. Checkout the Hotel Burnham or Hotel Allegro forposh alternatives adjacent to the theaterdistrict.

North Michigan Avenue

As two of the few surviving buildings fromthe fire of 1871, the Water Tower and theChicago Water Works look out proudlyover the growth that has occurred aroundtheir home on North Michigan Avenue.A post-World War II boom turned thisstrip into the Magnificent Mile, Chicago'spreeminent shopping and tourist district.The Mile begins at the Chicago River nearthe Wrigley Building and continues northto ritzy Oak Street. Along the way, you willfind not only upscale stores and theaters,but entertainment ventures like the ESPNZone. Just off Michigan Avenue there arelots of themed restaurants for familiesincluding old favorites like the Hard RockCafé.

Most tourists opt to stay in this districtbecause of its location and proximity toattractions. Staying in this area will costyou, but you can find weekend rates andmore moderate prices at hotels such asthe Lenox Suites. Business travelers andfamilies alike find reasonable rates andwelcome amenities at the centrally locatedHilton Garden Inn Chicago DowntownNorth and the Chicago Marriott DowntownMagnificent Mile. For those wanting to flextheir credit cards, the Four Seasons Hotelconsistently ranks as one of the best in thecountry, and it has the prices to prove it.

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The Drake Hotel, the stately and luxurioushome of the famed Cape Cod restaurant,has offered a four-star experience since1920.

Some people might want to stay on NorthMichigan for the convenience it offers,but at the same time avoid the touristsand weekend shoppers who congest thearea. The Tremont Hotel offers the perfecthideaway, located just a block off MichiganAvenue.

The Gold Coast

People thought Potter Palmer was crazywhen he uprooted his family from theirPrairie Avenue home and moved themto the wilderness of the North Side. Foryears Prairie Avenue was synonymouswith wealth, but Palmer's move markedthe beginning of the end for this oncefabulously wealthy street. Not long after hisdeparture, the poverty of nearby immigrantneighborhoods began to encroach upon thehomes of Chicago's wealthy. So they joinedPotter Palmer in the part of town now calledthe Gold Coast.

To this day, it remains an elite place tolive, the mark of wealth and sophistication.Walk along Astor and North State Streetto admire the gorgeous brown and redstone buildings. Perhaps you will evendecide to stay at a first-class place likethe Omni Ambassador East Hotel. It ishome to the Pump Room, where celebritiessuch as Frank Sinatra drank and talkedthe night away. Some of its 1940s glamorstill survives. You may need to rely moreon taxis or buses if you're staying in theGold Coast, but for seclusion, elegance anda piece of the high life, this area can't bebeat.

Lincoln Park

It is hard to believe that Lincoln Park wasonce a cemetery. Nothing is left of thosedays except the Getty Tomb. Instead,Lincoln Park is a thriving community thatborders the park of the same name onthe east, Ashland Avenue on the west,and North and Diversey Avenues on thesouth and north. If you want to stay in areal Chicago neighborhood that has all theconvenience of the Loop, look no further.Bus and train routes cut across LincolnPark at several points, making it easy to getjust about anywhere in the city or suburbs.

A number of moderately priced hotels areavailable, and for a rock bottom rate you

can't beat the Days Inn Lincoln Park onDiversey. Check out the Willows Hotelor the Majestic Hotel if you want to stayon a quiet residential street. For a moreinvigorating, Art Deco atmosphere, checkinto the City Suites Hotel, located onBelmont Avenue. A frequent haunt ofgangsters and mobsters during Prohibition,the hotel now caters to both tourists andbusiness travelers.

From the lake to the park to museums,restaurants and transportation options,Lincoln Park is probably the best placeto stay in Chicago if you don't mind beingaway from the throngs of North MichiganAvenue or the history of the Loop. Get upearly to jog along Lake Michigan, or sit onBelmont Rocks to watch the sun set overthe city. Lincoln Park is truly a great place toexperience city life at its best.©

Restaurants InsightsChicago is a marvelous mix of awe-inspiring architecture and stunning lakeviews, blues houses and jazz clubs,celebrity(Michael Jordan) and infamy(AlCapone). It is home to the Sears Tower,architectural gems by the likes of FrankLloyd Wright, and"da Bears." With this kindof diversity, it's not surprising that the city'sculinary offerings are world class.

There is something to suit everyone'sappetite, from the classic Chicago-stylepizza at Pizzeria Uno to mouthwateringhot dogs to pound-heavy T-bones. Finedining establishments are top-of-the-lineand plentiful. Many excellent ethnic eateriesalso flourish here, whether you're in themood for generous Italian, hands-onlyEthiopian, Indian curries or spicy Thai.

Get to know the many charming(and tasty)areas of Chicago:

The Loop

This is the heart of downtown, with itselevated commuter tracks, State Streetshopping and architectural landmarks.For a taste of classic German food in aclassic Chicago setting, you can't go wrongwith the Berghoff. The exquisite Everestis a perfect place for big(and big bucks)occasions. And Cajun/Creole-lovers cantry The Original Heaven on Seven for theChicago version of heaven.

While many night-crawlers will want toventure outside the Loop to truly paint thetown red, Kitty O'Shea's, a hotel bar in theChicago Hilton Plaza and Towers, providesa good setting for an after-dinner drink.Another favorite is the legendary Miller'sPub.

Magnificent Mile

After shopping for hours in MichiganAvenue's chic shops, you're sure to feelthose taste buds kick in. If you're dressedin the designer duds you just bought, dineat the luxurious Spiaggia(its sister Café isjust as popular and a bit less expensive.)The seafood and chowder at the CapeCod Room in the Drake Hotel really hitsthe spot after a day of window shopping,especially on a blustery Chicago winter day.The Signature Room on the 95th Floor inthe John Hancock Tower offers a meal witha breathtaking view.

Stepping just off the strip will lead youto a range of memorable dining options.Allen's Cafe features seasonal menus in anelegant setting. Popular specialty foods justoff the Magnificent Mile include Pane Caldofor Italian fare and Big Bowl for Pan-Asianfood.

But what the Magnificent Mile has inhigh-class shopping and fashionablerestaurants, it lacks in nightlife. For a truebar-hopping experience, head to the nearbyRush Street bars in the Gold Coast. OneMag Mile bar to try is the Chicago classic,the Billy Goat Tavern. This subterraneaninstitution features a full bar that will lift yourspirits even if you are not in the mood forits signature"cheezeborgers." River North/Gold Coast

The areas surrounding the Magnificent Mileare home to many innovative restaurants.The River North area, a few blocks west ofMichigan Avenue, features several trendyand popular restaurants. An eclectic menutempts diners at mk, and Frontera Grillputs a new twist on Mexican fare. CocoPazzo offers Tuscan delights, and Tsunamishowcases sushi in a sleek setting. Thearea is also home to many of the city'stheme restaurants like The Original Rock'n'Roll McDonald's and Harry Caray's.

The more affluent residents of the GoldCoast, a posh area north of MichiganAvenue, would probably frown at the themerestaurants. They prefer high class, asevidenced by their eateries. Steak lovers

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should visit Chicago Chop House or thecelebrity-favorite, Gibson's. The PumpRoom at the Omni Ambassador EastHotel offers a taste of glamor and Chicagotradition. Le Colonial on Rush Streetfeatures Vietnamese food with a Frenchinfluence.

You will also find a popular area for nightlifein the Gold Coast. Head toward Rush andDivision Streets and pop into Jilly's PianoBar for a classy, swingin' Sinatra-esqueatmosphere. Young guns on the prowl cango to meat/meet market bars like ButchMcGuire's, Mother's or Bar Chicago.

Lincoln Park, Lakeview/Wrigleyville

This is a fun, vibrant community, famous forits boutiques, restaurants and bars. With somany great options, it is impossible to listthem all. For starters, you might try sushiat Sai Café, a taste of Spain at Emilio'sTapas or anything on the menu at CharlieTrotter's. Theatre-goers frequently starttheir evenings with the Italian fare at Vinci.

North of Diversey Avenue, you will findyourself in the Lakeview neighborhoodwith its plentiful restaurants. Enjoy fork-free Ethiopian eats at Mama Desta's RedSea Restaurant or cozy sushi dining atShiroi Hana. On Belmont Avenue, theSwedish Ann Sather's is a popular weekendbrunch destination. Near Wrigley Field,The Outpost offers global cuisine, and theoriginal Mia Francesca draws crowds withtheir classic Italian fare.

If you are in the mood to see live musicafter dinner, see who's playing at the ElboRoom, which features a mix of jazz, rockand spoken word concerts. Another areainstitution is The Metro, where several localbands like the Smashing Pumpkins startedtheir careers before making it big.

Bars line the streets in these areas. Populardestinations include the Cubby Bear andMurphy's Bleachers in Wrigleyville. InLincoln Park, Kincade's, Durkin's andGlascott's are among the many favorites.Many in the gay and lesbian communityhead to places like Roscoe's Tavern fortheir nights on the town.

Hyde Park

This community is known for its diversity,the University of Chicago campus andthe renowned Museum of Science andIndustry. The culinary offerings are limited,but it offers some gems. Mellow Yellow

is a charming local spot with award-winning chili and rotisserie-chicken. TheCalypso Cafe offers Caribbean cuisineunder a corrugated tin ceiling. And, asone of Chicago's most popular Southernroadhouse-style joints, the Dixie Kitchen isa can't-miss with catfish, corn fritters andcountry-fried steak.

Chinatown

It may not be one of the largest Chinatownsyou'll visit, but its restaurants hold theirown with many authentic offerings. Oneperennial favorite is Evergreen. Forweekend dim sum, Phoenix is your bestbet. If you want more than just Chinese,Penang's extensive menu boasts an arrayof Southeast Asian treats.

Wicker Park/Bucktown

Café Absinthe serves up creative Frenchbistro fare, as do the intimate Le Bouchonand Cafe Matou. Located just outside theWicker Park area, Mirai, serves sushi in atrendy metal-and-glass club setting. TheMeritage Cafe and Wine Bar combinesPacific Northwest and Asian influenceswith an emphasis on seafood. The funkyViolet Hour serves up high-end versions ofAmerican classics. For a supper club feeland killer martinis, try Club Lucky.

It will not take you long to realize thatWicker Park is no slouch in the nightlifedepartment. Holiday Club and The Note arejust a few of the neighborhood favorites.©

Nightlife InsightsGreat food isn't the only thing this city hasto offer. From its world-class theaters andmuseums to its ever-growing music andarts scene, Chicago has staked its claim asthe Midwest's entertainment capital.

Architecture

You cannot talk about art in Chicagowithout mentioning its architecture, fromthe modern behemoth that is the SearsTower to the old Water Tower. Severalbuildings showcase the Modernist geniusof Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, including theIBM building, the Ralph Metcalf FederalBuilding, numerous structures on theIllinois Institute of Technology campus,and twin"glass house" apartment buildingson Lake Shore Drive. World-renownedarchitect Frank Lloyd Wright designed many

of the beautiful buildings that make the cityand surrounding suburbs unique; learnmore about him with a visit to his Home andStudio in Oak Park. While in the suburb,be sure to see Unity Temple, the UnitarianChurch Wright designed.

To gain a thorough understanding ofthe buildings that surround you, visit theChicago Architecture Foundation, whichoffers an array of tours by foot, bus andeven water. The River Cruise is highlyrecommended. Another great place to visitis the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum ofArchitecture and Design, which offers tours,unique exhibits and a wonderful book andgift store.

Film

The Chicago International Film Festival isone of the country's oldest competitive filmfestivals—a must-see if you happen to behere in the fall. The Navy Pier Imax Theatreis a nice alternative to the standard moviehouse fare, offering an exciting, panoramic3-D viewing experience. The Gene SiskelFilm Center at the Art Institute of Chicagopresents world cinema in a non-commercialcontext, and hosts a monthly film series.For classic movies in a classic theater, visitthe distinctive Music Box Theatre, whichshows old films at weekend matinées andforeign and artsy films in the evening.

Music

Chicago is a blues town, with many greatblues houses to choose from. BuddyGuy's Legends, owned by the legendarybluesman himself, is sure to please.Kingston Mines is one of the oldest venuesin the city, but still holds its own with lowadmission prices. For great jazz, try theGreen Mill, a former Al Capone-ownedspeakeasy where the best and hotteststill play. Another good bet is the JazzShowcase, which brings big name actsinto town. Grant Park offers Blues andJazz festivals each year. The summer-longjazz series at the Ravinia Festival bringsstandard greats like Tony Bennett to theChicago suburbs and is a great way tospend a summer evening.

Alternatives to the blues and jazz areprovided by the Cubby Bear, which featuresrock-n-roll acts. For more live rock, don'tmiss the Double Door, the Metro, theRiviera or the Aragon Ballroom. If you'veever wanted to be the performer on stage,then head to the Old Town School of Folk

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Music, which holds classes as well aspublic performances.

For the more classical side of Chicago,the Chicago Symphony Orchestra andthe Lyric Opera are world renowned. Inthe summer, the Chicago Symphony joinsclassical legends and young guns alike tomake music under the stars at the RaviniaFestival.

Museums and Galleries

Chicago has a diverse offering of museums.Depending on your length of stay, you willwant to take in several of these gems. TheArt Institute of Chicago features FrenchImpressionists, an Oriental Collectionand great special exhibits. The AdlerPlanetarium offers a wide array of hands-onexhibits and information about the universe.The Field Museum of Natural Historyfeatures Sue, the world's most completeremains of a T-Rex. The Shedd Aquarium,the world's largest indoor aquarium andoceanarium, showcases beluga whales.The mammoth Museum of Science andIndustry includes a coal mine, a German U-Boat and a Zephyr, and an old-style steamtrain, all under one roof.

Art lovers will find plenty of options in thiscity. An obvious choice is the world-classArt Institute of Chicago, which houses arenowned Impressionist collection. TheMuseum of Contemporary Art and the TerraMuseum of American Art are other goodbets.

For a more hands-on arts experience, youwill not want to miss the summer's 57thStreet Art Fair in Hyde Park on the SouthSide. It is a delightful way to view andpurchase original works by local artists.In Wicker Park, the Around the CoyoteFestival is another popular annual artsevent. Finally, don't miss dipping in andout of Chicago's myriad galleries. RiverNorth is a good place to start. You'll findCarl Hammer Gallery, Fassbender Gallery,and the Illinois Institute of Art all within afew short blocks of each other.

Theater

Increasingly, the Loop has become theplace to be for large-scale theater. TheCadillac Palace Theatre joins the ranks ofthe Ford Center for the Performing Arts-Oriental Theatre, the Auditorium Theatreand the Chicago Theatre for Broadway-style shows. The Goodman Theatre hasrelocated from the Art Institute to a North

Loop site. Some good off-Loop theateroptions include the Steppenwolf Theater,the Victory Gardens Theater and the RoyalGeorge Theatre Center.

Comedy

Second City has launched many acomedian's career, especially thoseofSaturday Night Live fame. Seating iscabaret-style, the drinks are good, andthe improv ensemble shows are top-notchhilarious. Zanies is a Chicago standoutfor standup comedy, with occasionalappearances by established stars. Forunique, off-the-wall productions, try theNeo-Futurarium.©

Things to Do InsightsChicago is a city filled with culturalattractions; everything from the stunningarchitecture beginning at the top ofMichigan Avenue, also known asthe"magnificent mile" to the landscapedenvirons of Grant Park which hosts a foodlovers paradise known as Taste of Chicago.Chicago is a city of contrasts, and despiteit's appearance as an concrete meccaof art and architecture, the city has morethan 7300 acres of parkland and over 550different parks dispersed around town.

Magnificent Mile

Starting at the top of the avenue at OakStreet, the visitor can use the famous DrakeHotel as a point of reference. Going downthe"magnificent mile" is an architecturalparadise, after all, it was here in Chicagothat the first skyscraper was built. The firstimposing building at Chestnut Street is theJohn Hancock Center, here you can voyage94 stories up to the observation deck andobtain the most amazing views of Chicagoand on clear days you can even seeIndiana. There is also a open-air skywalkwhere the visitor can understand moredirectly why Chicago is called the"WindyCity". Further along, you will pass the OldWater Tower, one of the only buildings thatsurvived the fires of 1871, it is made oflimestone and has an interesting castledesign. Across the street is the new WaterTower Place, a multi-level shopping centerwith more than 100 stores. At ChicagoAvenue, if you feel like seeing a bit ofcontemporary art, hang a left and visitthe Museum of Contemporary Art whichspecializes in works created after 1945.

Before you reach the river, two of the mostarchitecturally exquisite building are based,the Wrigley Building is a masterpiece. Builtin 1920 by the chewing gum magnate,William Wrigley, it is actually two buildingsand the interior is as beautiful as theexterior. On the other side there is theTribune Tower, built in 1922, it is a gothicwonder with a little known outer wall, thathas bricks and pieces from other buildingsand structures around the world. Somestones come from the Great Wall in China,the Taj Mahal, Notre Dame and even theAlamo.

Lower Michigan Avenue

When passing over the river,(whichis engineered to flow backwards, anengineering marvel) you will see the twoflanks that create an impressive backdropto the lower end of Michigan Avenue. Onthe left is the 333 North Michigan Building,completed in 1928, this art-deco inspiredbuilding is one of the most ignored buildingsin Chicago. Across the street on the otherflank there is the London GuaranteeBuilding, another architectural masterpiecebuilt during the 1920's. As you reach thecorner of Randolph and Michigan, don'tforget to stop by the Chicago CulturalCenter, this building used to house thecity's library and was the place of receptionfor diplomats. The interior's wide spacesmake the visitor feel extremely small andthe attention to detail is quite impressive.On the corner also is the Smurfit-Stonebuilding, it is an unforgettable part of theChicago skyline, it is the building that lookslike the top is shaped as a diamond. Lookout below during the winter as the sidewalkis blocked off when icicles 2 feet long comedown!

Millenium Park

Across the street, Millennium Park as itis today is a park with many sculptures,walkways and a wonder of landscapedesign. It had not always been this way,it was a former rail yard and remained ablight for the downtown area until 1977,when the city's denizens lobbied for itstransformation. Now there is more than23 acres that hold outdoor concerts, artexhibitions and is a wonderful place to juststroll through, grab your skates during thewinter and hop on the rink or admire theinternationally renowned sculptures.

Art Institute

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Some of the world's most famous paintingsreside at the Art Institute. See Picasso,Chagall, Dali, armor, ceramics, sculpture,amongst art from around the world. Andif you go, don't forget to visit the ThorneMiniature Rooms, this exhibit providesa glimpse in miniature of rooms andchambres throughout history. The attentionto detail and exactitude is impeccable. Alsoas an adjunct to the more famous artists,a visit to the School of the Art InstituteGallery 2 is well worth the visit. Thesegalleries display works from the studentsthat attend the school. Further south go tothe Clarence Buckingham Fountain for apicnic and enjoy magnificent skyline.

Museum Plaisance

Just south of the Loop, you will find theAdler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquariumand the Field Museum, connected by a vastmuseum campus. Also included in this areais Soldier Field, where the city's belovedChicago Bears play football. This 57-acregreen space is a perfect place to relax,eat a picnic lunch and enjoy the brilliantlake views. A stroll around the ChicagoRiverwalk, with its many restaurants, likeChicago Firehouse Restaurant, makes fora lovely afternoon. The Adler Planetariumprovides a journey through space for theentire family. The planetarium has aninteresting simulation for visitors that givesthem a first-hand look at a voyage throughour own Milky Way galaxy.

Down the way is the Shedd Aquarium,an aquatic paradise where you can seemore than 650 species of fish, amongstother marine life. Similar to Sea World,you can watch marine mammals likedolphins interact with their trainers andsometimes with the public. The aquariumalso has some great places to enjoylunch while looking out over majesticLake Michigan. On the other side of thepark is the Field Museum, as you enteryou will see the most complete fossilizedskeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex everfound, named"Sue" she menacingly greetsvisitors as they enter. Built in 1893, this wasthe Palace of Fine Arts during the World'sColumbian Exposition and is dedicated toexpanding knowledge of civilizations frompre-history up until the present. One day issimply not enough here, most visitors findthat it is almost impossible to accomplish inthis amount of time.

Hyde Park

This neighboorhood on the near southside of Chicago is filled with interestingarchitecture and other delights that aresometimes hardly visited, even by thecity's inhabitants. Home to the University ofChicago and the home of Barack Obama,the university is one of the best in the world,it has the accolade of creating the mostNobel laureates alongside with the notorietyof being the birthplace of the atomic bomb.The campus was created in 1881 and thereare many intriguing sculptures throughout.Don't forget to stop by the RenaissanceSociety, an art gallery dedicated to theavant-garde and post modern movements.The Museum of Science and Industrycertainly is that, with more than 350,000square feet holding more than 800 exhibits.You can also catch a movie at the Omnimaxtheater, After a day of touring the museum,visit the neighboring Jackson Park. Whenyou become hungry, a local favorite isthe Calypso Cafe. One other must see isthe Robie House, by renowned architectFrank Lloyd Wright. It has been called amasterpiece in modern home architectureand well worth the visit just for the windowsalone. Another museum located in the HydePark area is the Oriental Institute Museum.This museum houses art from the near eastand has an amazing collection of worksfrom ancient Persia. The Hyde Park ArtCenter is another gallery to put on the"to dolist" while in Hyde Park, since 1939 it hasprovided a space for artists throughout thecity to express their creativity in the visualarts.

River North

In this neighborhood of Chicago, RiverNorth has the second largest amountof galleries in the country, outside ofManhattan. This area was a formerwarehouse district that became an artdistrict which features galleries like the CarlHammer Gallery and the David LeonardisGallery, nearby grab a steak at Gene&Georgetti, this steakhouse is considereda Chicago landmark and a place to hob-nob with powerbrokers from City Hall. Avisit to River North is not complete until youvisit the The Merchandise Mart, once thelargest building in the U.S. in terms of floorspace(the Pentagon now holds this title),the"Merch" as it is affectionately knownprovides both retail and wholesale productsto an international clientele. If it's comedythat your looking for, a little further outsideof this neighborhood on Halstead Street,

go and visit the world famous Second City,where an innumerable amount of actorsand artists have honed their craft.

North Side

Visiting the north side of Chicago can takeyears to really see it all, since the amountof restaurants, galleries, shops, monumentsand general points of interest are abundant.One favorite Chicago pastime is juststrolling through Lincoln Park. There is alsoa free Zoo, a nature conservatory, rowingcanals, bike paths and many other outletsfrom the concrete surroundings. Grab somelunch at Bacino's Pizza, then stop in thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museum. No tourof the north side is complete without visitingWrigley Field, home to those lovable losers,the Chicago Cubs. This field is a veritabletrip back in time, catching a ballgameduring the summer is one of the rites ofpassage for any North sider. For the die-hard Cubs fan or even the general baseballone, the park provides a guided tour withWrigley Field Tours, a 90 minute tour about100 years and counting of losing baseball.The neighborhood of"Wrigleyville" is alsoa good place to grab a beer and enjoy oneof the many restaurants in this nostalgicresidential area. A little further north onClark Street is Graceland Cemetery andCrematorium, this cemetery is Chicago'sversion of Père Lachaise in Paris, all ofChicago famous are buried here and thearchitecture is amazing. For a more upbeattime, head over to the Vic Theatre andcatch the"brew and view" where you canwatch a film and drink cheap beers.

Loop

This part of town is known as the loopbecause of the"El" train that loops aroundthe area. One fixture of this area is theSears Tower where the views are stunning.Around the corner on canal street, visitUnion Station which is a must for any loverof architecture. Two other architecturalmarvels in this area are the MonadnockBuilding and the Rookery Building,the former is still regarded as the firstskyscraper in Chicago. Afterwards, gotowards State Street and catch a show atthe Chicago Theatre or grab some lunch atMossant Bistro. The Chicago Athenaeum:Museum of Architecture& Design and theChicago Shakespeare Theatre are alsonearby. At Daley Plaza, you can't miss thePicasso Statue, which resembles a baboon,

Chicago Snapshot continued

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it is a gift from the famous artist standing atover 50 feet tall.

There are many different ways toexperience all that Chicago has to offer,from exploring on foot to signing up fortours with knowledgeable guides that willteach you about the diverse history ofthis incredible city. It has over seventyneighborhoods, so get started!

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Travel TipsGetting to Chicago by Air

O'Hare International Airport(ORD):(773)686-3700, www.ohare.com/

Located on the Northwest side of the city,O'Hare is the second largest airport in theUSA. O'Hare offers carriers from all overthe world, with easy transportation to andfrom the airport throughout the city.

Midway International Airport(MDW):www.chicago-mdw.com/

Midway is the smaller of the two airports,located on the southwest side of thecity, but is rapidly growing. It has threeconcourses, offering service from mostmajor carriers. There is also easy publictransportation from the city.

Transportation To and From the Airport

Car Rentals

O'HareRenting a car at ORD is very simple, withmost major agencies represented. Youcan find the agencies customer servicebooths at the lower level of baggage claimin Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Terminal 5 offers aphone service to connect with the agenciesin the main terminals. Shuttles will takecustomers to the designated parking lots.

MidwayRenting a car at MID is very simple,with most major agencies represented.Customer service desks are located by thebaggage claim, and cars can be picked upin the Parking Garage on Level 2.

Alamo(800)327-9633 Avis(800)331-1212Budget(800)527-0700 Dollar(800)800-4000

Enterprise(800)867-4595Hertz(800)654-3131 National(800)227-7368

TaxiTaking a cab to your destination from theairport is easy. Taxi stands are locatedat both airports just outside of baggageclaim. All cabs begin at$2.25, every 1/9of a mile after is an additional$0.20. Thefirst adult passenger is$1.00, and$0.50for every adult after that. All taxis leavingfrom the airports or arriving at the airportsare an additional$1.00. The cost fromMidway to downtown is generally$30 and$40 from O'Hare. Flat rates can sometimesbe negotiated, but do not count on it. Bylaw, Chicago cab drivers cannot deny theuse of a credit card for payment, but beprepared for drivers to be disgruntled if youcannot pay in cash.

ShuttleContinental Airport Express is the bestairport shuttle service in the city, servingboth airports. It offers door-to-doorservice daily from most city and suburbanlocations. Hours of operation are from6:00am to 11:30pm. The cost from eitherairport to a central downtown locationis about$30. Tel: 1-888-284-3926 web:www.airportexpress.com/

Bus(Kiss n' Fly)The Chicago PACE bus system offers a busroute from O'Hare to designated locationsthroughout the city. The PACE bus can befound at the Kiss n' Fly location in Lot E.The routes serve Downtown Evanston,the Des Plaines Metra Station, La Grange,Bellwood, and Mannheim Metra stations.Other stops are made along the way for allthese routes.

For further information: 312-836-7000 RTATTY: 312-836-4949 General Information:847-364-PACE(7223) www.pacebus.com/

The"El" SystemThe El is a simple, fast, and cheap way totravel to and from the airports, especiallyto avoid highway traffic. The Blue lineserves O'Hare and the Orange Lineserves Midway from downtown. Thetravel time from downtown to O'Hare isabout 40 minutes and about 30 minutesto Midway. A one-way fare is$2.25. Farecards can be purchased at all train stops.www.transitchicago.com/

Getting Around Chicago PublicTransportation

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In general, Chicago is easy to navigateeven though its' sheer size can beoverwhelming. Most streets run on asensible grid system, however there arethe occasional diagonal streets to mixthings up. Chicago has an extensive publictransportation system that can take youanywhere in the city and to the surroundingsuburbs. The elevated train system(the El)is a color-coded set of trains that run in alldirections from the Loop. Be sure to checktrain schedules online or at the stations, asmany services do not run 24 hours a day.Buses are also found on most major streetsand avenues, with stops marked by blueand white signs. Due to recent budget cuts,many services have been cut back, so besure to check bus schedules.

Fare cards can be purchased at vendingmachines at'L' stations or online athttp://faremedia.chicago-card.com/. A one-wayfare for the train is$2.25 and$2.00 for aone-way bus fare. It is$0.25 to transfer. Busdrivers do not give change, be preparedwith the exact amount.

Taxi/Foot/BikeChicago is definitely a walking city,especially the downtown area. Even inharsh weather conditions, Chicagoans areprepared to walk to their destination, orat least to the nearest method of publictransportation. This can be a great way tosee the city, but may be hard for those newto the city. The key is to have a grasp ofthe CTA system and always keep orientedwith the Lake, which is to the East. Chicagois deceivingly large, so be aware of thedistance between destinations in order tomake the best transportation choice.

Like any city, cabs are plenty, but tryto avoid them in high traffic areas orduring rush hours, as they can beexpensive. You can easily hail one atany major thoroughfare, and are highlyrecommended at late night hours whenpublic transportation is not as safe.

Biking in Chicago is a great option,especially along the waterfront in thesummer time. There are many bikeroutes that will take you along Chicagomust-sees, which can be found atwww.cityofchicago.org/. You can also findbike rental locations and bike shops atthe City of Chicago website. Bikes canbe taken on trains and buses easily. Finddetailed information about how to do so atwww.transitchicago.com/.

DrivingUsing a personal or rental car in Chicagocan be helpful if traveling far distances.However, congestion on Chicago highwaysfrom rush hour and construction can beintense. Avoid the downtown areas duringrush hour times, if possible. When parkingin the neighborhoods check the permitregulations. Most neighborhood streets arepermit parking only between 6pm and 6am,so you will want to find metered parking ora parking garage for overnight stays. In thelast year, all Chicago meters have becomeprivatized, raising the cost of meteredparking significantly. Be prepared for highrates when parking on the street in theLoop.© NileGuide

Fun FactsChicago State: Illinois Country: UnitedStates

Chicago By The Numbers

Population: 2,897,000(city);9,785,000(metropolitan) Elevation: 578 ft/176 m Average Annual Rainfall: 36 in/ 91cm Average Annual Snowfall: 38 in/ 97 cmAverage January Temperature: 21°F/-6°CAverage July Temperature: 73°F/ 23°C

Quick Facts

Major Industries: Communications,Information Technology, Finance,Transportation Electricity: 110 volts,60Hz, standard two pin plugs Time Zone:GMT-6( GMT-5 daylight saving time);Central Standard Time( CST) CountryDialing Code: 1 Area Code: 312& 773

Did You Know?

Chicago's Windy City nickname has nothingto do with weather. It was coined in 1893by Charles Dana, the editor of theNewYork Sun newspaper, in commenting onChicago's politicians.

The claim that Catherine O'Leary's cowknocked over a lantern in the family barncaused the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is amyth.Chicago Republican reporter MichaelAhern admitting to fabricating that tale in1893. Mrs O'Leary, who passed in 1895,spent the rest of her life thinking the firewas her fault.

©

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Weather

Statistics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temperature C

Average High 0 3 9 15 21 27 29 28 25 18 10 3

Average Mean -4 -1 5 10 16 22 24 23 20 13 6 -1

Average Low -8 -4 0 5 11 16 19 18 14 8 2 -5

Temperature F

Average High 32 37 47 59 70 80 84 83 76 64 49 37

Average Mean 25 31 40 49 61 70 75 74 65 55 42 31

Average Low 18 24 32 42 51 61 66 65 57 46 35 24

Rainy Days 11 9 13 13 11 10 10 9 10 9 11 11

Rain Fall (cm) 2.2 1.8 3.0 3.6 3.7 4.3 3.7 3.9 3.2 2.7 3.3 2.6

Rain Fall (in) 5.5 4.5 7.6 9.3 9.4 10.9 9.4 9.8 8.2 6.9 8.4 6.7

© NileGuide