Guide to Chicago
A virtual tour of Chicago
At the mention of this American metropolis, the Mafia and bloody showdowns immediately come to mind (let's thank Hollywood cinematography). In fact, Chicago is a very diverse city. Tourists are attracted here by Lake Michigan, numerous music clubs, where in the evenings play jazz and blues, skyscrapers with panoramic observation decks and interesting museums.
Worth a visit is the Museum of Natural History, which has the world's largest Tyrannosaurus skeleton in its collection. The collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Science and Industry are also interesting.
Little Chicago visitors are recommended to get acquainted with the inhabitants of the sea depths at the Shedd Aquarium or build a huge tower with their parents at Legoland.
There are plenty of well-maintained parks in Chicago where you can have a great time with the family. The largest of them is Lincoln Park, which stretches for 11 kilometers along Lake Michigan. There is a free zoo, beaches, sports fields. Millennium Park is younger, but is also popular among locals. It is interesting with creative sculptural works, the most famous of which is the glass "cloud gate".
Photos of Chicago
Tours to Chicago
Chicago is a major American metropolis that was once associated with criminal organizations and clans. Nevertheless, more and more travelers from different countries and social strata are looking for inexpensive vacations here.
Despite its former glory, the city's best spots boast breathtaking panoramas, architectural sites, skyscrapers and museums. Fall or Vesta is considered the ideal time for a hot tour. The temperatures remain very comfortable during this season.
If you want to choose the time for a romantic trip to Chicago, come here in April. Parks, of which there are about five hundred on the territory of the city, at this time are filled with amazing colors, as their vegetation enters the blooming season.
Planning a hot tour, do not forget to visit at least one of the famous skyscrapers. The tallest is considered to be the Sears Tower. It has 108 floors.
The city is considered a major tourist center, so finding cheap accommodation here will not be difficult. When looking for a tour, pay attention to the fact that it includes the main excursions.
The only thing that bites a bit is the price. With the beginning of the high season the cost of a trip starts from 1200 USD for a week. At the same time, you will have to pay no more than 400 USD for accommodation.
Interesting places in Chicago
When you're short on time and want to see Chicago's top attractions, take a guided sightseeing tour (bus or walking tour). If you prefer to walk on your own, search the internet for interesting routes in advance. For shopping in Chicago there are many shopping centers, boutiques, outlet stores and souvenir shops. And in the evenings, locals relax in clubs and bars, enjoying jazz or blues songs.
Flight ticket prices
Direct flights to Chicago are available from London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Madrid. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) receives flights from airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia, KLM, and United Airlines. From other European cities, flights typically have layovers in New York, Washington, or Toronto.
Ticket prices from London start at 450 euros, from Paris at 500 euros, and from Warsaw and Barcelona at 550 euros. During peak seasons, especially in summer and before Christmas, prices can exceed 800 euros. To save money, it’s best to book tickets in advance and consider flights with layovers.
The best hotels in Chicago
For 30 USD a night, you can find a shared room in a hostel or a room for two in a local's apartment. You can also stay for free by contacting Chicago's couchsurfers (Chicagoans who are willing to host guests) through special websites. If such options are not to your liking, choose one of the Chicago hotels. A double room in a 3* hotel will cost you from 150 USD, 4* - from 250 USD, 5* - from 450 USD per day. Of course, we are talking about hotels in the center, in the suburbs you can find accommodation much cheaper.
Travel budget
Chicago is not a cheap city. Statistically, a tourist spends at least $100 USD a day on food, transportation, and sightseeing. But any budget can be allocated enough for a trip. The most you'll spend on airfare and lodging, these are the items you should cut down on first. To do this, plan your vacation well in advance and sign up for newsletters from airlines of interest so you don't miss out on discounts. Hotels also often reduce prices when booking early.
| The budget for a trip to Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | from 160 USD | Flight | from 620 USD |
| Accommodation | from 30 USD per day | Average check in a restaurant | 30 USD |
| Transportation fare | from 2 USD | Excursion | from 20 USD |
| Total: about 1200 USD for four days | |||
Chicago: tips for tourists
Visa to Chicago
You need a visa to enter the U.S., and the procedure for obtaining one is described at the link.
The consular fee is $160 USD. Having a visa does not guarantee entry into the country, the final decision is made by the Department of Homeland Security at the border crossing.
Chicago Airport
There are two airports in Chicago: O'Hare International Airport, located 30 km from the city center, and Chicago Midway International Airport, which is 13 km from the center.
Transfer from airport
There is a metro station in Terminal 2, from here you can take the blue line into the city. A ticket costs 5 USD. You can also leave by Metra commuter train or Pace bus. An official cab to the center of Chicago will cost an average of 30-40 USD.
Transportation
There are 8 subway lines and about 140 bus routes in the city. A single subway ticket costs 2.25 USD and a bus ticket costs 2 USD. If you plan to actively use transportation, you should buy a pass. A one-day ticket costs 10 USD.
Car rental
At both airports you can rent a car around the clock. The cost of renting a car starts from 35 USD. The driver must be over 25 years old (in some cases the minimum age is 21) and have at least one year of experience. A credit card is required.
Safety
Tourists are not recommended to visit the southern parts of the city, where there is a high crime rate. While in the center, it is enough not to leave your bags unattended and be careful not to take out large sums of money in the presence of strangers.