Chicago, also known as the windy city, is one of the most important cities in the United States.
It is here that the famous Route 66 begins, which runs through as many as eight states! Also here you can admire the most famous Bean in the world. Don’t forget also the amazing skyscrapers which are some of the oldest in all of America.
Add to that the delicious food and laid-back atmosphere and you have a recipe for one of the coolest cities in the States.
Chicago has surprised us in a very positive way, and despite the large number of tourists, we feel that this city is still underestimated.
In addition to a big number of tall buildings, both old and incredibly modern full of glass and metal, Chicago also offers parks and the very pleasant Navy Pier and River Walk.
On one hand, this large city is lively and metropolitan, on the other hand it can be very calm and laid back. We were completely charmed by it and hope to return there someday.
There is probably nothing more authentic than to start your visit with Chicago Original Gangster Tour and learn the amazing history of the Chicago gangsters. The tour starts in the morning and the bus will take you through numerous streets of Chicago.
The tour guides, also dressed as part of the gangster era, will tell you very interesting stories about Italian, Polish and Irish gangsters while you drive past places where the gangsters have done their mischief.
An unforgettable time and lots of laughs included. The tour takes about 1.5h and costs $45.
Built in 1874, the Holy Name Cathedral is one of the largest Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States. The cathedral is impressive from the outside, but its true beauty will be revealed when you look inside.
With its Gothic style, the cathedral is full of amazing, colorful stained glass windows. The ceiling is lined with decorative wood panels, and the huge pipe organs add to the cathedral’s charm.
In front of the cathedral there were also gangster raids, traces of which can still be seen on the building.
The Chicago Water Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Built of yellow limestone, the structure is also a symbol of the “I will” spirit that mobilized Chicagoans to rebuild the city after the Great Fire.
Designed as a Chicago Landmark and built in 1920, the bascule, double-deck DuSable Bridge used to connects the south and north side of the city.
The bridge gets its name from Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Chicago’s first permanent resident. Regarded as the first permanent non-Indigenous settler of what would later become Chicago, Illinois, and is recognized as the “Founder of Chicago.”
Chicago River Walk is another must-see spot and an amazing place for an afternoon stroll. In addition to walking and admiring the huge buildings around, you can opt for a cruise on the Chicago River, or get a drink at one of the many restaurants on the River Walk.
Whatever you decide on, this place will surely remain in your memory as one of the most beautiful places in the windy city.
If you’re craving a little fun, cotton candy, or a boat cruise – head to Navy Pier. Where, in addition to numerous cruises, you can also take a ride on the huge Ferris Wheel, or eat at one of the restaurants.
The amazing views of the skyscrapers are completely free here.
This amazing sculpture is definitely a symbol of Chicago.
Commonly called “The Bean”, is the work of Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. Cloud Gate is made of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams.
Thanks to this, you can admire the amazing city skyline reflected in it.
The Bean weighs 110 tons, which is equal to the weight of 15 elephants. If this anyhow helps you for better imagination. 😉
Visited by 25 million people every year, it is undeniably the most famous and most visited park in the city.
Incredibly green, with numerous places to walk and relax, and such gems as the 50m high Crown Fountain with panels displaying the faces of Chicago residents. There you will also find the Jay Pritzker Pavilion where numerous events and concerts are held.
This place is definitely ideal for an afternoon picnic among the greenery.
It is in Chicago that the world-famous Route 66 begins, which leads from Chicago, Illinois, all the way to Santa Monica in California. So don’t forget to take a souvenir photo here!
For art-hungry travelers, the Art Institute of Chicago , is sure to be a unique and worthwhile place to visit.
Founded in 1879, it is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world, and a home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe.
In its collection, the Art Institute boasts works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Paul Cezanne.
There is definitely something to see, so reserve at least a few hours for this place.
The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America and was the prototype for all others. It was built in 1921, and the final construction cost was $4 million. The Chicago Theatre marquee is an unofficial emblem of the city.
If you want to visit this place from inside, make sure to book your tickets for the Chicago Theatre well in advance.
Welcome to Chicago’s largest park. This amazingly green space is an ideal place for an afternoon stroll or picnic. Perfectly trimmed, green grass, flowers and tall trees are home to neighborhood birds and squirrels, who eagerly come close to people hoping for a snack.
But in addition to squirrels in Lincoln Park you can also meet other animals, thanks to the Lincoln Zoo, where zebras, giraffes and chimpanzees have found their home.
Entrance to the zoo is completely free, being one of the few zoos in the United States, and the zoo itself is also one of the oldest in North America.
The easiest and fastest way to get to Chicago is by plane. The international airport is about 45 minutes away from the city center. Flights from Europe unfortunately involve a connecting flight, or two. While flights from the States are direct and short.
If you are already in the States, and you don’t care about time, but want to save a little on your trip, you can easily get to Chicago by AMTRAK train.
The trains, are very comfortable, spacious and have a toilet. You can choose from Coach, which is a cheaper option and has very comfortable, large reclining seats with a footrest, or Bedroom, with a comfortable bed that will surely let you sleep through the journey.
Getting around Chicago is incredibly easy, as you have a choice of both – bus and subway. During our stay, we always used the app Citymapper to find the best and cheapest connections.
If you want to get somewhere more comfortable, you can easily use the Uber or Lyft app.
Accommodation options in the windy city are really big, so you need to answer the question of whether you prefer to be in the inner city and pay more for accommodation, or whether you are able to commute downtown and pay a little less for accommodation.
We chose the second option and rented a private room in Chicago Getaway Hostel in Lincoln Park area, which is about a 30-minute bus ride from city center. We lived in an incredibly quiet part of town, where we felt very safe, and the environment was just beautiful.
Within walking distance was the famous Lincoln Park and Lincoln Zoo. The buildings on our street were very nice and well-maintained, and nearby was the neighborhood center full of restaurants and cafes.
We also had a modest breakfast included in the price of our accommodation.
The best time to visit Chicago is between either April and June when spring arrives and everything awakens to life, or September and early November when the leaves begin to fall from the trees and autumn begins.
Personally, we also think that summer is a very good time to visit. Although it is hot at times, we have never been too hot and have never regretted our decision to visit the city during summer.
Most passport holders will need to apply for the ESTA form. This will give you the permission to stay up to 90 days in USA.
The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.
Accommodation: $72 / night
Restaurant: $10 – $12 / meal
Pleasure: $3 – $5 / event
Bus: $2.50 – $3 / ride
Activity: $45 / event
