Chicago

Chicago – A Truly Unique City

Chicago is my favorite city in the United States.  I know, very bold statement, especially considering I’ve never lived there.  Chicago is a huge city, with towering skyscrapers, amazing views, centrally located, incredible food, and is cheaper than most other cities in the US.  The people in Chicago are nice.  At least nicer than cities on the east coast that I’m accustomed to – it’s like a breath of fresh air.  Speaking of fresh air, Chicago is so clean (hear me out!), especially considering the density and population size, it’s incredible.  The size of the skyscrapers and density of the city reminds me so much of New York.  However, there isn’t an ever-present stench of urine and garbage or questionable liquids dripping on you during your morning walk.  I realize there are parts of the city that combat that statement, but the majority of the city feels clean and refreshing.

Where to Stay

My favorite location that I’ve stayed for a long weekend is River North, it’s a great location – walkable to The Bean, Millenium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and a lot of other must-do tourist attractions, but feels more local and neighborhood-ish.  There are a plethora of restaurant and bar options within walking distance, and it’s close to a few different L lines.  Lincoln Park is another popular neighborhood, a lot of young people live here and there are tons of bars to choose from.  I’ve stayed in Wrigleyville, which is a blast in the summer, but not particularly busy in the colder months.

When to Visit

Chicago is famous for it’s extremely cold and slightly unbearable winters.  Truth be told, I’ve visited in the winter many times and that’s when I fell in love with Chicago! There are still a lot of activities to do in the winter.  You can go to museums, the Willis Tower or Hamilton Tower, still eat and drink a lot, catch a Bears or Blackhawks game, etc.  However, Chicago is one of the most fun and unique places to visit in the summer.  There are beaches in the city – actual beaches.  The good weather brings out a whole new vibe in Chicago – especially wandering around Wrigleyville and/or catching a Cubs game.  Wandering around the streets of the city is always one of my favorite activities when I’m traveling, and there’s plenty to see here.

What to Do

• See live Jazz at Kingston Mines
• Sail around on an Architecture Boat Tour
• Watch The Cubs play
• Tailgate before a Bears game
• Wander around Shedd Aquarium
• Look down at the city on the Skydeck at Willis Tower
• Take in the best views of the Chicago Skyline at Hancock Tower
• Stuff your face with deep dish pizza
• Laugh at The Second City
• Gaze around Adler Planetarium
• Eat a Chicago Hot Dog – No substitutions!

Tips

Chicago has two airports – O’Hare, which is at least a 30 minute drive northwest of the city, and Midway, which is southwest of downtown and closer than O’Hare.  I prefer Midway because it’s smaller, closer, and more accessible via L train.  O’Hare is bigger and generally offers more options for flights.  O’Hare is also on the L train if you’d prefer to travel via public transportation.  The L is short for ‘elevated’ since a large majority of the tracks are elevated above the city streets.  I’m a huge fan of public transportation in general, and the L is no exception.  A lot of the lines are open 24 hours, the trains come frequently, and it’s a much cheaper alternative to ubers/cabs.  A lot of my friends that are from the Chicago area scoff at me when I talk about how much I enjoy the L, but I stand by it!  It’s nice to be above ground and to have the ability to ride the train at any time.