A Weekend in Chicago

Are you planning a weekend visit to Chicago? There is so much to see and do in The Windy City, that it can be an overwhelming trip to plan.

When planning a trip to Chicago, a great place to start is <a href=http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do> The City of Chicago’s official website.  You can find a direct link to many of Chicago’s festivals, events, activities, and attractions.

Any time of year there is typically a festival or event happening in the city.  At The City’s website you will find a great resource and calendar of events and festivals.

If you are looking for a hotel or place to stay while in Chicago, there are many possibilities. You may want to check a site like Hotels.com or Travelocity to find accommodations within your price range. The city has many hotels for many budgets, and public transportation can make any area of the city accessible to another.

Another idea is to visit www.hichicago.org and check for reservations at Hostelling International’s Chicago location.  HI-Chicago is located right in the heart of the loop and offers decent accommodations at only $31 a night.  HI-Chicago also is a great resource for things to do and current happenings during your stay in Chicago.

Chicago has two major airports, Midway and O’Hare.  Both have easy access to the city either by the city’s public transportation system, the El or by taxi.  Often it is cheaper to fly into Midway than it is to fly into O’Hare, but check both airports when booking your flight arrangements.

Arriving early on Friday evening in Chicago will give you a chance to do a bit of exploration of the city.  First things first, when arriving at your hotel I would recommend checking to see if they have a map or city guide that outlines the city’s public transportation system.  The CTA is Chicago’s public transportation system, which offers rail, bus, and other transportation options.  Prior to leaving you may want to visit www.transitchicago.com to familiarize yourself with your options.  The site also offers a trip planner, which can give you exact routes to take when going between various places. 

If you arrive early enough on Friday evening I recommend going to check out Navy Pier.  Navy Pier features many attractions, shops, and restaurants and is one of Chicago’s popular tourist attractions.  Some of the attractions and shops can be a bit overpriced, so watch out.  Some people really refer to the Pier as Chicago’s main tourist “trap”, but I still think it is something that you should see at least once, and just an evening visit is a nice way to get to know a bit of the city and a great place to grab a bite to eat.  There is a huge Ferris Wheel at the pier and the evening is a wonderful time to take a ride and see the view of the city and it’s lights.

The Billy Goat Tavern at the pier is a great place to grab a cheeseburger.  There are many other options for places to eat around the pier, Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company is also there, but I have never really had a good experience there.  It is a bit too themed to me and it is obvious that they are selling you a concept and not a quality dining experience.

Along the lines of concept dining, I highly recommend checking out Dick’s Last Resort.  Dick’s is extremely casual and a great place to get a burger or wings.  They have a decent beer selection and I have heard great things about their bloody marys.  Dick’s is also a great place for brunch, I have been told.  This is not really a family establishment, and can sometimes get a bit roudy.  They also tend to play up the theme found within their mascot and the restaurants namesake, Dick.  Definitely a place for a few laughs and many dirty jokes.


Since you will have a full day to explore the city on Saturday, there are so many options.  If the weather is nice, a boat tour of Chicago’s architecture is a great way to see the city and the skyline.  You can find out more information at www.wendellaboats.com/chicago.htm about Wendella boats architecture tour.  There are many more companies and tours available so you may want to ask at your hotel if they have any discounts or suggestions, they may help you to find a better deal.  There are many other walking tours of the city as well, an architecture tour, a theater tour, and many neighborhood tours.  A great resource to Chicago’s sightseeing tours is www.chicagotraveler.com 

No trip to Chicago would be complete without a visit to the many shops all along The Magnificent Mile.  The Mag Mile is a name given to the stretch of Michigan Ave from the Chicago River to Oak Street.  The Mag Mile is home to many top department stores, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor are just a few.  There are also top designer stores like Armani, Coach, Burberry, and Tiffany & Co.  There are many options for lunch along Michigan Ave. as well, and to suit any budget.  While you are there you should also check out the The Old Water Tower.  Since surviving the great fire, the Water Tower has become a famous landmark of Chicago with its rich history and castle-like design, it is an interesting sight to see.

Saturday night, during your visit, would be a great time to check out one of Chicago’s many theater offerings.  Currently Wicked is still the talk of the town, but can be sold out quickly so you may want to book ahead.  If comedy is your pleasure you may want to go and see something offered by The Second City.  The Second City gave a start to many of the SNL comedy greats and is a great place to catch an evening of improvisational theater.  You can find out more about Second City at www.secondcity.com.

Sunday is a great day to explore many of the museums and cultural centers of Chicago.  The museum campus is a great cultural hub in the city and is home to The Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and The Adler Planetarium.  You may also want to visit The Art Institute of Chicago, a great collection of all types of art that typically features amazing exhibitions and collections. 

There is so much to see and to do in Chicago, that this little article is not even the tip of the iceberg.  There is something to do for anyone of any age, no matter what their interests are.  The most comprehensive resource that I have found about all that Chicago has to offer is The Chicago Traveler at www. chicagotraveler.com.

Don't forget to try a Chicago style hot dog or a Chicago style pizza while in town.  You only live once!!! 

For more information about Chicago check out these valuable links

Chicago Traveler
www.chicagotraveler.com

Metromix
www.metromix.com

City of Chicago
www.cityofchicago.org

Time Out Chicago
www.timeout.com

Go Chicago
www.gochicagocard.com

Lonely Planet Guide to Chicago
www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/north-america/usa/chicago