Travel to Chicago

Travel to Chicago

One of Americas most important cities and a top tourist destination, Chicago is located next to the beautiful Lake Michigan. The city offers many interesting attractions, historic landmarks, entertainment, sports, beaches and a number of vast parks and gardens.

Transportation to Chicago

Chicagos OHare International Airport is one of the busiest in the world and has Americas major carriers and many international ones flying in and departing. Alternatively, Midway Airport also serves the city with domestic and regional flights, including Mexico. By rail, Chicago is Amtraks Midwest rail hub, linking it to New York, Boston, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Chicago is the heart of the interstate highway system in Illinois. I-90 runs west from Chicago, passing through Madison (Wisconsin) and going on to Seattle in the west. Going east, I-90 will lead you all the way to Boston. Alternatively, I-94 links Chicago with Milwaukee and Minneapolis, heading west, and Detroit going east, while I-55 goes south from Chicago to New Orleans.

What to see

The huge metropolis of Chicago offers plenty of entertainment while being somewhat less crowded than New York City. Here, youll find the Sears Tower, Americas tallest building. Night owls will find some of the nations best clubs, while shoppers want to head to Michigan Avenue, dubbed the Magnificent Mile. The Art Institute of Chicago and the nearby Chicago Cultural Center are both significant attractions. Other attractions include architectural walking tours, Lake Michigan boat cruises and plenty of attractive parks.

Day trips

Historical attractions, beautifully landscaped gardens and parks are all within easy travel of Chicago. Located in Chicagos Kenwood area, the Bob-O-Link Meadow is a quiet wildlife sanctuary in Jackson Park. Among the attractions at the park are nature tours, wild plants and flowers and many large trees. Brookfield Zoo is located in Chicagos suburbs. Sited on over 200 acres, this impressive zoo was in fact one of the first zoos in the world to exhibit animals in their natural environs, rather than in artificial cages.

Activities and leisure

Those who enjoy the outdoors will find plenty of options, even within downtown Chicago. In summer, locals and visitors alike flock to the beaches lining Lake Michigan. If you dont fancy just lazing about in the sun, there are plenty of paths for cyclists and roller skaters. In winter, several public ice rinks open up to enjoy skating and hockey.

Safety issues

Tourists to large cities such as Chicago should be on their guard against pickpockets, muggers and thieves, and those who drive are well advised to be alert to carjackers. Its a wise course of action to keep all your car doors locked and plan a route through safe neighbourhoods and along major highways. Taking out travel insurance before going to Chicago is highly recommended.