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History
A blue collar town, Chicago is home to many of the world's largest corporations including Sears, Motorola, Boeing, McDonalds, Walgreens, Allstate, Kraft, Caterpillar, United Airlines and Abbott Labs. The Chicago Public Library provides a comprehensive timeline of Chicago history here. Significant events in history include The Great Fire of 1871, The 1893 World's Fair and the gangster era of the 1920's.
I recommend the following films for a good overview what Chicago looks like Ferris Beuhler's Day Off (1986), The Blues Brothers (1980), Adventures in Babysitting (1987) and Chain Reaction (1996). The television show ER films some exterior shots in Chicago although interior shots are filmed on a sound stage in California.
Notable Chicago musicians of the past two decades include The Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Urge Overkill, Ok Go, Material Issue, Cheap Trick and Wilco. A listing of Chicago musicians is available at centerstage.net.
General City Resources
Newspapers:
The following papers are released daily and include general news. Friday's edition usually contains a listing of weekend events and entertainment. They can be bought at news stands, drug stores and in boxes on street corners for approximately $0.50 during the week and $1.50 on Sundays. The Chicago Tribune has local as well as international news. The Chicago Sun Times focuses on Chicago and has an extensive sports section. The Daily Herald focuses on suburban news.
The following papers are free and released weekly. They can be picked up in the entrance to bars, resturaunts and some stores. The Chicago Reader is extensive for a free paper and includes features as well as classifieds, apartment rentals and an extensive entertainment section. It is the best printed source to find out what's going on in the city. New City is much smaller and includes entertainment listings.
Blogs, Personal sites:
Chicago Bloggers is a listing of local people writing about their lives. Chicago Uncommon has a lot of interesting no-touristy photographs of Chicago. Mile by Mile contains photographs of the majority of street intersections in Chicago. Chicagoist is a blog on local issues and news.
Phone:
When dialing within the same area code do not dial the area code (unless you are dialing within 847). When dialing another area code dial 1 + area code + the phone number. Chicago's area codes include 312 (loop), 773 (surrounding city). A map of Illinois area codes can be found here. Local calls from pay phones call between $0.35-0.50.
Mail:
There are a large number of zip codes in Chicago, a map of them can be found here. Post office locations and rates can be found at USPS.com.
Example postal rates:
- Letter within U.S. $0.37
- Postcard to U.S. $0.23 (small); $0.37 (large)
- Letter to UK $0.80
- Postcard to UK $0.70
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Weather
Chicago is a city of extreme weather. Summers are hot (≥ 80°F) and humid and winters are freezing (≤ 10°F) and dry. The best times to visit the city are spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) when the weather is most neutral. Summer nights are nice and air conditioning is widly available so it's fine to visist as long as the humidity doesn't bother you. Spring and Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Tornado season peaks April-June. Although Chicago is at the northern tip of "Tornado Alley" the city does not see many tornados. However there have been substantial storms in the suburbs. Winter is a bit more difficult as snow makes getting around slow and messy. Christmas lights and displays are beautiful in December but there is not a high chance of snow coming until January.
Average monthly temperatures (from Worldweather.com) celcius / ferinheight. Forecasts and weather warnings are available from The National Weather Service.
Cost
It is easy to spend a lot of money in Chicago on 5 star hotels and expensive meals but there are cheaper options as well. Day-to-day costs are lower than New York and San Francisco but remain on the higher average in America.
Gasoline: $1.60-2.40/gallon unleaded (very volatile)
McDonalds hamburger: $1
Metro: $1.75 per trip
Movie: $10
One bedroom Apartment: $650-1500/month
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Crime
Chicago has long been known for it's crime. Many people from other countries voice fears of being shot or attacked in the city, but the average traveler will not face great risk of violence. The 2003 murder rate is down to 599 homicides, 3 times greater than New York which has 3 times Chicago's population. To be fair, although Chicago does have the highest murder rate in the country, it's pretty easy to avoid being killed by using common sense and learning about the area ahead of time. Millions of Chicagoans live their entire lives in the city without encountering violence or robbery. Most drive by shootings and gang activities happen in areas you have to go out of your way to get to, especially as a visitor. Use common sense—watch your belongings, don't walk around after dark alone and be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine. Dial 911 for police to report any crimes.
There are some areas best avoided:
- The area surrounding The United Center (where the Bulls & Blackhawks play) when a game's not on.
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Transportation
Chicago has one of the most comprehensive transportation networks in the United States. Getting around the city is very easy using the EL (metro), buses and taxis. It is possible to travel to the suburbs by train, but there is little or no public transportation outside of the city limits.
Airports:
Chicago has two main airports, O'Hare and Midway. O'Hare is the national hub for United and is located northwest of the city. Midway has many of the discount carriers and is southwest of the city. Both airports can be reached by the El (50 minutes to O'Hare, 35 minutes to Midway). The blue line to O'Hare operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but the orange line to Midway has a more limited schedule. From the loop, a cab will cost approximately $26 to O'Hare and $36 to Midway. Alternate airports include Milwaukee (approximately 2 hours form the city) and Rockford (approximately 1 hour from the city).
Within the city (El/metro, buses):
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs the El (which stands for elevated, as it runs on a raised platform through most of the city), Chicago's metro system as well as its buses. The El has 7 color coded lines running North, West and South from the Loop. Signs inside EL stations do not indicate direction (East, West), they indicate the last stop on the line. So if you want to go North from the Loop on the red line you would take the red line toward Howard (North). The same company that runs the El also runs the local bus system. They take the same fare cards and honor transfers between the two systems.
CTA Maps: All maps, The Loop/downtown
Schedules: Routes vary throughout the week and on holidays. Some lines are open 24-7, while others have very limited service. Check EL schedules here and bus schedules here.
Fares: One trip on a bus or El costs $1.75. There are no fare zones like London's tube system, all distances cost the same amount. Most stations will have an attendant on duty but everyone is expected to use the automated teller machines in the stations to put money onto a reusable card. The station attendants will not provide change. There are monthly discount cards available and visitor passes for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days of travel. Visitor passes are not available everywhere, locations for purchase are listed on the site.
Cabs: Aside from New York City I have not seen a city with so many available cabs. In most areas tourists visit a cab can be flagged down on the street within a few minutes. The hardest days to get a cab are New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's day or after a large event like Taste of Chicago. Cabs can also be called ahead of time. A list of cab company phone numbers is available here. Flash Cab seems to be a favorite for this type of service.
Out of the city:
Commuter Trains: Metra runs rail service to the suburbs of Chicago. Fares vary by destination, monthly and 10-ticket, weekend and student (high school age and under) are available if you ask.
Long Distance Trains: Amtrak operates train service throughout the United States. Keep in mind that distances across America are great and often times a train ticket will cost more than a plane ticket and the trip will take 4 times as long.
Long Distance Buses: Greyhound is the most common long distance bus company traveling to and from Chicago. It does not have the best reputation for cleanliness or safety. It is not a good idea to spend an extended time at a greyhound station. There are private, specialized lines for cities like Champaign, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Madison, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota. These may be located online or in the phone book.
Rental Cars: Renting a car for travel within Chicago is not advisable. Long term parking downtown costs $25 and up a day, traffic is heavy and parking in most areas is difficult. The loop is full of one way streets and Chicago drivers can be aggressive, it's not worth the stress.
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Sightseeing
Chicago is a walkable city. Most sights can be seen on a walking tour or by taking short rides on public transportation. Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau provides information about various popular sights.
Tours:
City Pass:
Chicago City Pass costs $49 and includes entry to The Hancock Observatory, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Museum of Science and Industry. Check individual prices of the sights you plan to visit to determine if the discount is substantial.
Museums:
Art Museums
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the best art museumes in the world, with a particularly good Impressionists collection. It is a must-see for any visitor to Chicago. Tuesdays are free, although also very crowded. The museum is located in the Loop near Grant Park.
The Museum of Contemperary Art (MCA) has a small collection of modern works but usually has a number of interesting traveling exhibitions. Tuesdays are free from 5-8 pm. The museum is located in the Gold Coast near the magnificent mile shopping district.
The Terra Museum of American Art is located in the Loop and focuses on classic American artists like Singer, Cassat, Homer, Wistler, Singer Sargent and O'Keefe.
The Museum of Contemperary Photography is located in the south Loop and is free to the public.
The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is located in Pilsen.
Sights:
The Watertower, located at the end of Michigan Avenue, is one of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks.
Buckingham Fountain, located in Grant Park, is another recognizable landmark.
Grant Park is Chicago's premiere park, sandwiched between the Loop and the lake. The northern section of the park, Millennium Park, has been in development since 1997. The new Millennium Park was officially unveiled in the summer of 2004 and contains a band shell designed by Frank Gehry.
The Sears Tower is the tallest building in the U.S. and held the title of world's tallest building for decades. On a clear day you can see Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Many people prefer the John Hancock for smaller crowds and less structure.
The Hancock Observatory is a good alternative to the Sears Tower. It has a bar & resturaunt on a high floor in addition to the observatory.
This personal site has great information on Chicago gangster history, including locations.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust offers tours of Wright's home & studio and walkig tours of other homes. This is located in a Western suburb, Oak Park, accessable on the EL's blue line.
The Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, is a must see for any contemperary architecture fan. Built in 1951, it only re-opened to the public in 2004 after many threats of demolition. Located 58 miles Soutwest of Chicago, you will need a car to get to Plano, Illinois.
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Entertainment
Aside from the newspapers mentioned above, there are numerous online resources to find out what's going on in the city:
Metromix
The Reader
New City
Digital City
Chowhound (restaurant reviews)
Eat Chicago(restaurant reviews)
Bars & Nightclubs:
Chicago has a full range of bars and clubs, from exclusive places with no name on the door to local dives that sell Old Style in a can. To find out what is happening on any given day search at any of the above sites. Some have search functions by type of bar or club as well. Chicago Bar Project and Libations contain bar reviews.
Music:
All kind of music can be found in Chicago. The best way to find what's playing is to pick up a copy of The Reader or search online at sights like Metromix, Centerstage or Chicago Gigs. Most concert listings in the daily papers appear in the Friday edition. Advance tickets can be obtained through venue box offices or through ticketmaster (for a steep surcharge). In the following listings [] indicates the neighborhood where the venue is located.
Comedy:
Chicago has a long history of improv theater companies. Many famous comedians got their start in the local clubs.
Second City is where many Saturday Night Live alums like John Belushi, Mike Myers and Bill Murray got their start.
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is a fun show where the group puts on 30 plays in 60 minutes.
Theater:
Chicago has a wide range of theater spaces. You can check in the general entertainment links above or at Chicago Plays, which lists current performances and Chicago's tourism site, which lists theaters.
Steppenwolf Theatre was formed in part by Gary Sinise.
The Goodman Theatre is another local theater.
Television tapings:
Chicago is not a large TV production center. Shows do not tape year-round, check for availability beforehand. Tickets, although free, must be requested in advance and can sell out. Jerry Springer tapes at NBC tower in the Gold Coast. I have personally attended a taping—it takes up most of the day. Oprah tapes in the West Loop and caters to a middle aged female audience.
Film shoots:
You can see a list of films currently in production at The Chicago Film Office. Although a lot of filming has moved to Canada, some films are still shot in the city and suburbs. Due to the weather you're more likely to find filming occuring in the spring, summer and fall.
Sports
Chicago is a sports town. We love our teams, even if they tend to lose more often than not. Although most people internationally know about the Bulls, the Bears and Cubs have much more hard-core fans in the city. A popular summer sport played by many people in Chicago is softball. 16 inch softball (played without gloves) is the most common. Most children growing up playing soccer but there is not a large following or audience for the sport professionally. Tickets to professional sports games can be easy or very difficult and expensive to get depending on if the team is winning and who they're playing. Tickets can be purchased from the team's box office directly, from Ticketmaster (with a surcharge) or from scalpers. Buying and selling (scalping) tickets on the street is illegal and you risk being sold a fake ticket but many people take the risk. There are professional ticket brokers who work out of offices and sell tickets at inflated prices to everything from sporting events to the theater. This should be a last resort as it will be the most expensive.
Professional Sports Teams:
Baseball: (March—October)
The Cubs play in Wrigley Field on the north side of Chicago. The stadium is small and games attract a lot of roudy fans. Cubs fans are loyal, sticking by the team even though they haven't won a championship since 1908. Many people believe the team is cursed, and blame the end of the 2003 season on the curse and going as far as to blow up the ball that was not caught in the playoffs. However, the 2003 season went very well and they got far in the playoffs.
The White Sox, the 2005 World Champions, play on the south side of Chicago in U.S. Cellular Field. Their stadium is fairly new, with nearly 46,000 seats. Take the El or bus, as the stadium is a substantial fare from the city.
(American) Football: (September—February)
The Bears play on the south side in Soldier Field, which was recently underwent a controversial renovation. The team last won the championship in 1985, which was a very exciting time in Chicago. The Bears have a longstanding rivalry with the Greenbay Packers (from Wisconsin). If you go to a game watch out for cold weather, as the stadium is open to the elements. A lot of die-hard fans assemble in the parking lot before the game to "tailgate" (drink, eat and celebrate) out of the back of their cars.
Arena Football: (February—May)
The Rush is an arena football team which plays indoors and has different rules and higher scoring than traditional American football. They play at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois—a northern suburb.
Basketball: (October—June)
The Bulls were the team to beat during the 1990's. With Michael Jordan, they won 6 championships between 1991 and 1998. They play at The United Center on the south side of Chicago.
Hockey: (October—June)
Blackhawks play at The United Center (the same stadium as the Bulls) on the south side of Chicago. Hockey has a small, devoted fanbase in the city, but is not nearly as popular or mainstream as other professional sports.
The Wolves are another professional team that plays in a different league than the Hawks. They play at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois—a northern suburb.
Soccer: (April—October)
The Fire play at Soldier Field on the near south side of Chicago. Professional soccer is not very popular sport in America.
Other sports:
With a little searching you should be able to find a group of people to play your favorite sport with. The Chicago Sports and Social Club, which has leagues from volleyball to floor hockey, is a good place to start looking.
Boating: The Lincoln Park Boat Club offers classes, the Chicago Yacht Club has a sailing school and sponsors a popular race to Mackinac Island, Michigan, in July.
Sky Diving: Skydive Chicago. is one of the larger local outfits. Check out any company you're thinking about using carefully.
Scuba Diving: Lessons are available at a number of places, including the YMCA. It is possible to go on shripwreck dives in Lake Michigan.
Ultimate Frisbee: Ultimate Chicago has leagues as well as information on organized pickup games.
Softball: There are a lot of softball teams and leagues playing in the summer. They range from single-sex 12" fast pitch to co-ed 16" beer leagues. Look in the paper or online for an appropriate league.
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Events
Chicago has many festivals, parades and events throughout the year although they are generally concentrated in the summer months. Check listings before you go, as some events occur at odd times. For instance, the large 4th of July (Indenpendence Day) fireworks in Chicago actually occur on July 3rd. Illinois' Tourism Site has a search engine for events for the entire state.
January: Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show, Chinese New Year Parade
February: Around the Coyote Arts Festival
March: St. Patrick's Day Parade, Southside Irish Parade
April: Eberstfest (Champaign, Illinois), Bangladesh Day Parade, Dia De Los Ninos Parade
May: Cinco De Mayo Parade, Polish Constitution Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade
June: Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, 57th Street Art Fair, Chiago Country Music Festival, Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, Grant Park Music Festival, Lakeview Arts & Music Festival, Lincoln Park Fest, Old Town Art Fair, Printers Row Book Fair, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Taste of Chicago, Taste of Randolph Street, Wells Street Art Festival, Wicker Park's Summerfest
July: Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular, Irish American Heritage Festival, Lakeview's Clark Street Fair, Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party, Rock Around the Block, Taste of Chicago, Taste of Lincoln Avenue, Venetian Nights, Colombian Parade
August: Bucktown Arts Fest, Bud Billiken Day Parade & Picnic, Air & Water Show, Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, Nort Halsted Market Days, Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, Pakistan Independence Parade, India Independence Day Parade, 47th Street Mexican Independence Parade
September: Chicago Jazz Festival, Celtic Fest Chicago, Von Steuben Parade, World Music Festival, Around the Coyote Arts Festival, Berghoff Oktobervest
October: Chicago International Film Festival, Halloween Happening (parade), Halloween Outdoor Movie Fest, Trails of Terror, Columbus Day Parade
November: Thanksgiving Parade, Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
December: Christmas Parade
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Off the Beaten Path
There are only a few drive-in theaters left in Illinois. They are all located in the far suburbs or downstate. Driveintheater.com has more information.
The Wild! Chicago TV show has an archive of the wacky places it's featured on the show.
Kitch'n on Roscoe in Roscoe Village (Lakeview) is a small restaurant decorated with kitschy memorabilia from the 70's and 80's, it's a fun place to go for a meal. They serve desserts like twinki tiramisu and drinks like tang martinis.
Wiener Circle is an infamous late night hot dog stand in Lincoln Park but it really varies night-to-night.
American Science & Surplus in Uptown has all kinds of junk that you don't need but must have. Where else can you get robot parts?
Merz Apothecary in Lincoln Square is a German corner store/pharmacy opened in 1875 specializing in herbal remedies and European products. Besides the pretty products there are old fashioned jars and such.
Graveyards of Chicago hold many famous Chicagoans.
Salvage One in River North is a warehouse of architectural salvage. It's expensive, but pretty to look at.
Chicago Comics has lots of different kinds, from arty to classic superhero stuff.
The Savvy Traveler is a large travel shop with tons of books, supplies and maps. Across the street from The Art Institute.
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