Until last September, I only knew a few things about Chicago: the river is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day (it’s not a prank, but an official Chicago activity!), a good friend just moved there, and it’s freezing cold in the winter (why did my friend move there?). Oh, and I’d seen one episode of Chicago Fire.
I was told that September is a great time to go – apparently not too hot and not too cold. Taking the advice, I hopped on an Alaska Air flight to visit the city.
I don’t know what I was expecting from Chicago, but I love this city! Almost as soon as I landed, I was on a river cruise (like I am in most waterfront cities). This time, it was the Chicago River Architecture River Tour. It’s fabulous. The 90-minute tour takes you down the Chicago River while the tour guide tells you everything about the Chicago skyline and the city’s 130-year history. My favourite sight: the Champagne Building (obviously!)
There’s so much to explore in Chicago: Millennium Park, little places playing jazz, and going to the top of the Willis Tower for the bird’s eye view of Chicago. I dare you to stand on the ledge up there 😊.
Another great boat cruise is on Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. This massive fresh-water lake is where Chicago gets its water.
There are too many great eating spots to choose from! You won’t be disappointed. My only tip: get reservations at your preferred spot if they take them – especially for the restaurants down the Chicago River.
Chicago is an easy, tourist-friendly city, but here are a few local tips:
- Chicago hot dogs adhere to a strict no-ketchup policy – some might say it is a criminal offense if you do! For the record, the appropriate toppings for a Chicago-style dog are yellow mustard, chopped white onions, a dill pickle spear, tomato wedges, pickled sport peppers, a dot of celery salt and a dollop of neon-green sweet pickle relish
- Be ready to eat! Foodies will rejoice with all the amazing restaurants.
- The Downtown Central Business District is called “the Loop” with the river bordering the north and west.
- Get a 3-day CTA pass to get unlimited bus and train rides – a cheap way to get around. It can be purchased from the Ventra vending kiosks at either airport or at any ‘L’ station. Download the Transit App to help get around.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go – traffic can be a nightmare.
- Tipping: as usual in the United States, tipping is expected for service in restaurants and is higher than what you will find in other American cities. 20% is the expected tip.
- Some of the cheaper dining/drinking establishments only accept cash.
- Know the local terms. If someone advises you to take the ‘L’ that means the train. (‘L’ is short for “elevated,” which some parts of the track are.)
- Chicago’s nickname of the “Windy City” is well-deserved! The breeze comes off the lake and the skyscrapers funnel and suck the wind between them making the streets of the Loop very gusty.
- Prepare for traffic. In a 2015 study, Chicago had five of the 20 most congested stretches of road in the U.S.
Site-Seeing Musts:
- Cloud Gate Sculpture (a.k.a. “the Bean”)
- Chicago Riverwalk
- Art on theMART during the Summer
- Chicago River Architecture River Tour
- Millennium Park Campus, including the Lurie Gardens
- Chicago Jazz Festival – in August/September
- Willis Tower and the Ledge
- Navy Pier
- Lake & River Architecture Tour
Useful Links:
Visit Chicago Instagram Page
Visit Chicago Web Page
Culture Trip
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