Chicago, Illinois Travel Guide - What To See & Do

NOOK version of our illustrated travel guide will take you to Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. Butcher of hogs and believer in progress, it is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size.

As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.

With a wealth of iconic sights and neighborhoods to explore, there's enough to fill a visit of days, weeks, or even months without ever seeing the end. Dress warm in the winter, and prepare to cover a lot of ground: the meaning of Chicago is only found in movement, through subways and archaic elevated tracks, in the pride of tired feet and eyes raised once more to the sky.

Finding Internet access when out and about can be problematic so carry your mobile guidebook in the palm of your hand. We include a fully linked Table of Contents and internally to access context-specific information quickly and easily when offline. Many web links are included as well for additional information.

Contents:

Welcome To Chicago
Key Districts
Overview
Climate
Literature
Movies
Smoking
Tourist Information
Arrivals
By plane
O'Hare
Midway
Others
By bus
By train
By car
Local Transportation
By public transit
CTA
Metra and South Shore
Pace
By car
By taxi
By bicycle
By water taxi
Sightseeing Highlights
Itineraries
Museums
Architecture
African-American history
Ethnic neighborhoods
Fun Activities
Beaches
Parks
Events & Festivals
Sports
Theater
Bicycles
Studying
Working
Shopping Highlights
Dining Guide
Chicago pizza
The Chicago hot dog
Italian Beef
Bars, Clubs & Drinking
Jazz and Blues
Concerts
Accommodation Guide
Safety & Security
Communications
Internet
Telephones
Local Help
Publications
Religious services
Foreign consulates
Local & Day Trips
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Wisconsin