Lonely Planet Chicago

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781787013476
• eBook ISBN: 9781788686747

Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher* Lonely Planet's Chicago is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Admire the city's architecture on a river tour, visit the magnificent Art Institute of Chicago, and see a show at one of the city's 200 theaters - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Chicago and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Chicago: NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transportation info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Covers The Loop, Near North, Gold Coast, Old Town, Boystown, Wrigleyville, Andersonville, Uptown, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, West Loop, Pilsen, South Side, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Chicago is our most comprehensive guide to Chicago, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's USA for an in-depth guide to the country. Just want the highlights? Pocket Chicago is a smaller guide featuring the top sights and experiences for a shorter trip or weekend visit. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) *Source: Nielsen BookScan: Australia, UK, USA, 5/2016-4/2017eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps a

4Sleeping

Chicago’s lodgings rise high in the sky, many in architectural landmarks. Snooze in the building that gave birth to the skyscraper, in one of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s boxy structures, or in a century-old art deco masterpiece. Huge business hotels, trendy boutique hotels and snazzy hostels blanket the cityscape too. But nothing comes cheap…

Seasons & Prices

The high-season apex is June to August, when festivals and tourism peak. But Chicago hosts loads of business conventions, so demand – and prices – can skyrocket during odd times the rest of the year too. Book well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. Prices are lowest December to February.

Hotels

Hotels seem to be on every corner in the Loop, Near North and the Gold Coast. All big-box chains have outposts (usually several) here. Most are geared to conventioneers. Groovy boutique hotels abound, as do uber-luxury hotels catering to rock stars and business tycoons.

SAVING STRATEGIES

In peak season it’s hard to find a room for less than $275 per night. Here are a few ways to cut costs:

Ditch the car Most downtown properties charge $60 to $72 per night for parking. Lodgings in outlying neighborhoods, such as Lake View and Wicker Park, often have free or lower-cost parking lots (closer to $25 per night).

Bidding sites Try Priceline (www.priceline.com) or Hotwire (www.hotwire.com). ‘River North’ and ‘Mag Mile’ yield the most listings. Certain properties turn up often at well-reduced rates.

Free wi-fi While free wi-fi is commo...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Chicago
• Chicago’s Top 10
• What’s New
• Need to Know
• Top Itineraries
• If You Like...
• Month By Month
• With Kids
• Eating
• Drinking & Nightlife
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Sports & Activities
• LGBTI+ Chicago
• Neighborhoods at a Glance
• The Loop
• Near North & Navy Pier
• Gold Coast
• Lincoln Park & Old Town
• Lake View & Wrigleyville
• Andersonville & Uptown
• Lincoln Square & Ravenswood
• Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
• Logan Square & Humboldt Park
• West Loop & Near West Side
• Pilsen & Near South Side
• Hyde Park & South Side
• Day Trips from Chicago
• Sleeping
• Understand Chicago
• Chicago Today
• History
• Architecture
• Sports
• Chicago Dining
• Music & The Arts
• Transportation
• Directory A–Z
• Behind the Scenes
• Chicago Maps
• Our Writers