Chicago

Illinois

Chicago Travel Guide

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Chicago, IL - September 28, 2021: Friends hang out along Riverwalk, along the Chicago River, downtown in the Loop.
1405281535
riverwalk

Chicago, IL - September 28, 2021: Friends hang out along Riverwalk, along the Chicago River, downtown in the Loop. 1405281535 riverwalk

Overview

With steely skyscrapers, top chefs, renowned museums and rocking festivals, the Windy City will blow you away with its multifaceted splendors.

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From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

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  1. 1Scouring for offshore whales at one of the world’s tallest lighthouses
  2. 2Hiking Monterey Bay’s sprawling coastal trails for dramatic waterfront views
  3. 3Touring an organic farm with a local farmer specializing in sustainable, small-scale agriculture
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Planning Tools

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Best Things to Do

Chicago is a city that will keep you busy from dawn till long after dark. Here are 13 of our favorite things to do in the Windy City.


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Things to Know

Day trips in the Midwest have everything from national parks and museums to amusement parks and breweries.


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Transportation

Chicago's efficient public transportation makes this busy city easy to navigate. Here's how to use the L, Metra and buses for your best experience.


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Free Things to Do

Chicago is jam-packed with fun activities and not all of them are designed to blow your budget. Here are 20 free (and nearly free) things to do there.


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Best Neighborhoods

The Chicago city council voted 46-4 to ban horse-drawn carriages by the end of the year.


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Day Trips

The Windy City offer endless delights, but that doesn't mean you can't explore the wider area. These are 11 of the best day trips from Chicago.


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Best Road Trips

Day trips in the Midwest have everything from national parks and museums to amusement parks and breweries.


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Money and Costs

Day trips in the Midwest have everything from national parks and museums to amusement parks and breweries.


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Traveling with Kids

Within the confines of a museum’s walls, children can explore our planet’s rich history, dive deep to the bottom of the ocean, and discover what other…


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5 Shops

Take revolutionary architecture, award-winning cuisine, an outsized musical legacy and top-flight museums, and wrap them all up in an easy-to-navigate…


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