Chicago Travel Notes

Chicago is an excellent option for those seeking the big city feel, but with a less frenetic pace. The skyline here is famed as a wonder of modern style architecture, and is especially impressive at night. The excellent entertainment includes great sports, art, and culture.

Chicago

By FARESPOTTER STAFF

About Chicago

The Windy City is home to some of the world’s most amazing sites, attractions and historic districts and Chicago continues to be one of the most diverse and metropolitan cities in the Midwest. Chicago attracted a combined 44.2 million people in 2006 from around the nation and abroad. You’ll find a medley of cultures and unique neighborhoods scattered around the downtown area, and a wealth of dining venues, attractions and historic sites in the city center. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or prepared to splurge, here are some fun things to do and see on your visit to Chicago.

Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago's eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States' third-largest convention destination. Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south of Soldier Field. Millennium Park sits on a deck built over a portion of the former Illinois Central rail yard. The park includes the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (known locally as "The Bean"). An outdoor Millennium Park restaurant transforms into an ice rink in the winter. Two tall glass sculptures make up the Crown Fountain. Behind the pavilion's stage is the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, an indoor venue for mid-sized performing arts companies, including the Chicago Opera Theater and Music of the Baroque.

Wrigley Field

Head to the Skydeck at Sears Tower: Take in the aerial views of the city by heading up to the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower to watch the city from the Skydeck. You’ll be able to see almost 50 miles around the city of Chicago on a clear day, which means you can catch a glimpse of Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana just from one trip! The Skydeck is also home to interactive exhibits and a kiosk with a tour of other Chicago landmarks.

The Shedd Aquarium

There are five permanent exhibits at the Shedd: Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, the Oceanarium, Waters of the World, and Wild Reef. The Amazon Rising is a 8,600-square-foot walkthrough flooded forest display of the Amazon and its jungles. This exhibit contains over 200 species. The Caribbean Reef exhibit is the aquarium's very first exhibit. A diver interacts with the animals while talking with tourists at this exhibit!

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