Chicago, the “City of the Winds,” is renowned for its architectural diversity, dramatic seasonal climate changes, world-class food, nightlife, many activities, outgoing people and an uplifting atmosphere.
This pulsating and diverse city speaks to you in the language of art and culture, full of top-rated restaurants and outdoor activities. Professional sports, the famous deep platter pizza, the naval pier, and Chicago-style hot dogs are also attracting tourists and expats alike.
Climate Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois, located in the American Midwest, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The climate is continental, with cold winters (temperatures drop below zero) and hot summers. Although the city is located in the middle latitudes, it is cold here in winter. Given the remoteness from the sea and the effect of various air masses, temperature changes occur frequently.
Winter in Chicago lasts from late November to early March, with temperatures similar to those in Northern Europe. Snowfalls are frequent, sometimes there are real blizzards. Cold periods, when the minimum temperatures drop to -20 ° C, happen almost every year, and sometimes they drop to -30 ° C, freezing rain occurs.
Spring is from mid-March to May. This is an unstable season, characterized by temperature fluctuations: March is cold, with frequent snowfalls and frosts, it can snow in early April, and maybe the first warm days with temperatures up to 30 ° C. In good weather, a cool (or even cold) breeze blows from the lake during the day, which is especially felt in the eastern parts of the city. In May, it can still be cold at night, especially at the beginning of the month, and the first thunderstorms can occur in the evening.
Summer, June to August, is hot, humid and sunny, with small thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening. Pleasant days with highs around 25-27 ° C, cool nights, on warm days, temperatures rise to 35-40 ° C. Autumn from September to November is the quietest period of the year: this is the best time to visit Chicago. Another favorable period for visiting the city is from mid-April to the end of May.
Top 5 things to do in Chicago
- Millennium Park is a huge park located in the city center, a great place to relax, have a picnic or go jogging. You will find people playing chess here and there are many free concerts in the summer. The famous sculpture "Chicago Beans" is also located here.
- Visit the famous Chicago Institute of the Arts This museum houses permanent collections of photography, architecture, textiles, which include works by Eva Hesse, David Hockney and Ellsworth Kelly. The museum is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm with extended hours on Thursday.
- With a large Irish-American population , St. Patrick's Day , the holiday of the patron saint of Ireland who drove all the snakes out of Ireland, is becoming a truly urban holiday. The townspeople dress up in green, the streets are full of people, a festive parade is held.
- The Naval Pier has several attractions including the Ferris wheel, many restaurants, and the Shakespeare Theater. There are boat tours, bars and even a mini golf course.
- The studio home in Oak Park , a suburb just west of the Chicago border, is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, completed in 1909, and is a prime example of his Prairie School design. Wright helped make Chicago's architecture famous, and this home is one of his most celebrated creations.
What else to see in Chicago
- The Oriental Institute Museum offers a huge archaeological collection of artefacts from Ancient Egypt, including a giant statue of Tutankhamun weighing over 6 tons.
- Chicago Cultural Center is a beautiful building, formerly the Public Library of Chicago, famous for the exquisite Tiffany mosaics in Preston Bradley Hall. The architecture was inspired by the Athenian Acropolis, Venetian Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo in Florence. Art exhibitions (free) are held here.
- The City History Museum provides a good overview of the history of Chicago, especially the Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed much of the city. Those who like this will be able to see the deathbed of President Lincoln.
- The Magnificent Mile is a stretch along Michigan Avenue known for its high-end designer boutiques. Even if you do not want to spend all your budget on branded things, you will still be interested in walking along the avenue and admiring the sights, people and look at the Chicago River.
- The National Museum of Vietnam Veterans Art is an excellent but rarely visited museum. It features artwork created by Vietnam War veterans and Iraqi veterans. This is a striking refutation of the overly romanticized view of war.
- The Peggy Notebert Museum of Nature is a beautiful institution with roof gardens, information on the ecosystems surrounding Chicago. The most interesting thing here is the Butterfly Shelter : an enclosed space with hundreds of butterflies, a waterfall and garden paths.
- The city hosts a program of free walking tours of various areas from knowledgeable locals. This is a great opportunity to see the city through the eyes of residents!
- Chicago is the birthplace of comedy improvisation, a visit to the city would be incomplete without attending a show like this. Some of the most popular companies are Second City , Improv Olympic and ComedySportz .
- Visit Lake Michigan - sandy beach, waves and water in the heart of the city.
- The Willis Tower has been considered the tallest building in the world for 25 years. Standing at 110 floors, visitors can climb the SkyDeck for panoramic views of Chicago.
- Shedd Aquarium is one of the most impressive aquariums in the country, renowned for its architecture and cutting-edge approach to animal welfare and marine life. It is home to 32,600 different species of marine life: you can feed sharks, meet penguins and even pretend to be a trainer for a day.
- The Field Museum of Natural History was built for the 1893 World Columbia Exposition and houses an impressive biological, anthropological collection of 24 million items.
- Chicago Waterfront - Spend time on the south bank of the Chicago River, walk from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street , grab a glass of wine at the City Winery Chicago Riverwalk .
- The Adler Planetarium is the first planetarium in the United States to host immersive theater programs, exhibitions, and lectures. You will virtually feel the depths of powerful black holes and the height of Voyager 1, the most distant artificial satellite of the Earth. Special events are held - Adler After Dark .
- The Bike Tour is an interactive tour with experienced local guides.
What to eat in Chicago
The city has been a foodie's paradise since its inception, and its culinary scene has been praised by publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, Bon Appetit and USA Today. More than 8000 restaurants, hundreds of food festivals, food vans - it will be difficult to choose one!
The city is known for its iconic dishes that no visitor of the city can pass by.
- Take a Food Tour - Explore the city through its culinary scene, from deep-fried pizzas to microbreweries and the best restaurants in Chinatown. Chicago Food Tours offers a huge variety of tours. They usually include some kind of educational element (for example, brunch with history of architecture). Cost - from $ 50.
- Eat the famous Deep Shaped Pizza and the Stuffed Crust Pizza . Pizza in deep form was invented by Uno Pizzeria , which became a national restaurant chain. But for something authentic, Chicagoans are drawn to Lou Malnati.
- The most Chicago of all Chicago sandwiches, Al's Italian Beef's signature dish is an aroma bomb: slices of fried tenderloin cooked in seasoned broth are placed in an Italian-style bun thick enough to soak up the meat juice.
- Harold's Chicken Shack is so popular in Chicago that it is referenced in hip-hop hits by legendary rappers such as Lupe Fiasco, Common and Kanye West. Head to Harold's for a standard fried chicken dinner, which features cooked-to-order chicken garnished with fries, kale, and two slices of white bread to collect every drop of hot sauce.
- As the donut craze swept across the city, Do-Rite Donut's Buttermilk Old Fashioned Donut became the main supplier. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and covered in vanilla glaze, this donut is perfect when dipped in coffee.
- A sample of Chicago's signature dish: Beef sausages tucked into a steamed poppy seed bun, sprinkled with seasoning, salt, celery, chopped onions and tomatoes, pepper and marinade.
- Famous Kuma : 10 ounces of premium ground beef served with apple-smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and red onion. This imposing dish is crowned with a fried egg, cementing its epic status.
- The Mexican population of Chicago is one of the largest in the country, and the local cuisine has been influenced by Mexican for more than a hundred years. Tacos are not limited here - a typical sandwich consists of avocado, chipotle sauce, Oaxacan cheese and meat in a homemade sesame bun.
Transportation in Chicago
The streets of Chicago are organized on a grid, with Madison Street dividing the city into the north and south, and State Street into the east and west. The intersection of State Street and Madison Street in downtown Chicago is the starting point of the local coordinate system. Addresses are referenced to this point, eight blocks per mile. So 3600 N. Clark Street means it's 36 blocks north of Madison Street.
The second largest public transportation system in the country, the Chicago Transportation System operates eight train lines and 129 bus routes.
Railway lines
Not all rail lines in the system are elevated: they connect the city with surface, street and metro trains, and serve 145 train stations throughout the city. Two lines work around the clock and seven days a week:
- blue line that connects O'Hare International Airport and the city center
- a red line connecting the North and South sides through the city center.
Bus routes CTA
Convenient CTA bus routes run throughout the city, with stops every few blocks. Several lines offer Night Owl services and operate until 2 am or later.
Pay for your bus ride with cash or purchase a rechargeable Ventra Transit Card, an unlimited train or bus pass.
High speed commuter train
The Metra high-speed commuter train connects the outlying suburbs with downtown Chicago, providing a quick and easy way to get to downtown.
Water taxis
Chicago Water Taxi from Wendella Boats, Shoreline Sightseeing offers fast, affordable and fun connections between major tourist destinations, making it the perfect combination of sightseeing and transportation. Travel Destinations: Chinatown, Museum Campus, Willis Tower, Michigan Avenue, Union Station, Naval Pier.
Bicycles
Chicago is a city made for cycling. There are over 200 miles of protected, buffer, regular, dotted / advisory bike paths, marked common lanes, and commuter bike trails throughout the city.
Divvy, a bike rental program based in Chicago, offers over 580 stations and 5,800 bicycles throughout the city that can be rented 24/7. Users simply grab the bike from the self-service dock and return it to a station near their destination.
Communication in Chicago
Coverage in Chicago is generally excellent on all four major carriers, with the city receiving a 98 out of 100 stellar points for phone operator performance.
A competitive market with a large selection of 4G LTE is widely available. Population density can sometimes affect network availability, with slightly poorer coverage outside of the city south of Interstate 80. AT&T and Sprint networks cover most of Chicago, with T-Mobile and Verizon being only a few points behind.
