Chicago
United States and Canada · United States
See also
Overview
Chicago is the home of the blues and jazz, the heart of comedy, and the idea of the skyscraper. It is one of the world's great cities, with world-class museums, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks, and the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Languages: English
Why go?
Chicago is the home of the blues and jazz, the heart of comedy, and the idea of the skyscraper. It is one of the world's great cities, with world-class museums, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks, and the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world. The city is surprisingly affordable for its size, especially compared to New York or San Francisco.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Chicago is a major transportation hub. O'Hare and Midway airports serve domestic and international flights. Union Station is the main rail hub, with Amtrak services across the US. Greyhound, Flixbus, Megabus, and other bus companies connect to many cities. Coach USA offers services from O'Hare to Milwaukee ($28) and other destinations.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
Navigating Chicago is easy with a consistent block system. The CTA 'L' rapid transit system connects the entire city. Water taxis run on the Chicago River ($6 single ride, $10 day pass). Taxis are also available. The city is walkable downtown.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Weather is not an attraction. Winters (Dec-Mar) are very cold with wind chill, but city services function. Summers (Jul-Aug) can be hot and humid, with daytime highs near 100°F. May and September are pleasant and mild. Lakefront beaches offer relief in summer.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Most hotels are downtown (Loop, Near North) or near O'Hare. Budget options include hostels in the Loop, near Wrigley Field, in Greektown, and near universities. Consider staying away from the center for cheaper options, with easy access via the L train.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Chicago is famous for deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs. Harold's Chicken Shack offers affordable fried chicken meals from $4. The city has numerous ethnic neighborhoods like Greektown, Chinatown, and Devon Avenue for diverse cuisines. Bars are plentiful, especially in Wicker Park and Logan Square.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Top attractions include Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Magnificent Mile, and architectural boat tours. Sports fans can watch the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the White Sox, or college teams like Northwestern Wildcats. The city also offers world-class museums and public art.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Dial 911 for emergencies, 311 for non-emergencies. Violent crime rates vary by neighborhood; check the city's crime map. Use common sense in less populated areas at night. The city is generally safe in tourist areas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
Chicago is surprisingly affordable for its size. A half chicken meal at Harold's costs $4. Water taxi rides are $6 single. Hostel dorms can be found. However, exact daily budgets are not specified. Expect mid-range prices for accommodation and dining.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Chicago, onward destinations include Milwaukee (by bus or train), Madison, and other Midwestern cities. Amtrak connects to the rest of the US. Day trips to nearby suburbs and Indiana Dunes are possible.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Harold's Chicken Shack
Iconic fried chicken chain on the South Side, known for Chicago-style fried chicken with sauce.
Recorded price: Half chicken meal from $4
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Chicago State Cougars
Representing Chicago State University in seven men's and eight women's sports. The Cougars left the Western Athletic Conference, in which CSU had been a major geographic outlier, in 2022 and didn't find a new conference home (except in tennis and men's soccer) for a couple of years. While the Cougars have now found a conference home for 2024–25 and beyond, it's another geographically challenging conference (though less so than the WAC), namely the Northeast Conference. Most of the athletic facilities are on or near the school's Chicago/Far Southeast Side
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Chicago Water Taxi
Water taxi service on the Chicago River connecting Union Station to Michigan Ave, Chinatown, and more.
Recorded price: $6 single, $10 day pass
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
DePaul Blue Demons
Representing DePaul University in seven men's and eight women's sports in the Big East Conference. While most of the athletic facilities are on or near the school's Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Loyola Ramblers
Representing Loyola University Chicago in seven men's and eight women's sports, mostly as the newest member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (which it joined in 2022). Most sports venues are on or near the Chicago/Rogers Park
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Northwestern Wildcats
Representing Northwestern University in seven men's and 10 women's sports in the Big Ten Conference. Notably, it's the only Division I school in the immediate Chicago area that plays football for the time being, and even after Chicago State adds football in the near future (see below), will remain the only area program in Division I FBS (the top level of college football). The football team shows occasional signs of life, making bowl games about as often as not. Virtually all sports facilities are at the school's main campus in Evanston, which is immediately to the north of the city limits along the lake. However, the football stadium, Ryan Field, has been torn down and is being replaced by a new venue of the same name that's expected to open in 2026. During construction, NU is playing most of its home football games at a temporary on-campus lakefront stadium, with select games played at other area venues.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
UIC Flames
Representing the University of Illinois Chicago in nine men's and eleven women's sports, the Flames took Loyola's place in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2022. Most sports venues are on or near the Chicago/Near West Side
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is common in cafes, libraries, and some public spaces. SIM cards from major carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) are easy to get.
Culture
Chicagoans are friendly and proud of their city. Tipping is customary (15-20% in restaurants). The city has a strong sports culture.
Emergency
Dial 911 for emergency help. Dial 311 for non-emergency situations.
Health
No special vaccinations required. Tap water is safe to drink. In summer, stay hydrated and use sunscreen; in winter, dress warmly.
Language
English is main language; Spanish, Polish, Mandarin, and others are common.
Local transport
CTA 'L' trains and buses are the main public transport. A Ventra card can be used for both. Day passes offer unlimited rides.
Money
Chicago is surprisingly affordable for a US city of its size; accommodation and food can be found on a budget. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small vendors.
Safety
Standard big-city precautions apply: be aware of surroundings, especially at night. The city is generally safe for tourists, but avoid unfamiliar areas after dark.
Transport
CTA 'L' trains and buses cover the city. Water taxis on the Chicago River. Block system makes navigation easy.
Visa context
Visa rules depend on passport; check current entry rules before booking.
Weather
Winters are very cold; summers can be hot and humid. Lake effect snow and heat waves possible.