More Things To Do In Chicago
If you have more time or not a fan of museums or tall buildings, here are some more fun things to do in Chicago:
Find Street Art
Chicago is full of street art and there are always new murals popping up. One of the most famous Chicago murals is Moose Bubblegum Bubble by Jacob Watts which located at 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive . It is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor which is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other well known tourist attractions. You can find more detailed mural walks in the Loop here.
Another famous mural is The Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, in Chicagos Logan Square neighborhood. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
Other neighborhoods that have a high concentration of street art include Pilsen as well as West Town.
Watch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field
Chicago is known for their love of their sports teams, so if you are visiting during the season you might want to attend a sporting event. To those unfamiliar, historic Wrigley Field is home to one of the citys baseball teams the Cubs. Whether a fan of the Cubs, baseball in general or just a fun atmosphere, a day at the 100 year old ballpark is a must for locals and tourists alike. You dont need to enjoy baseball to enjoy a Cubs game it is fun to just soak in the atmosphere while drinking and eating. .
Enjoy One of Chicagos Many Festivals
Walk The 606
Bonus : Best Hotels Near The Two Chicago Airports
In case you have a very early or very late flight, a great idea for you could be to book a hotel thats as close to the airport as possible! Chicago has not one, but two international airports OHare International Airport and Midway International Airport.
Below Ill be talking about both of them and Ill give you some hotel options for each of them:
River North Best Chicago Neighborhood For Nightlife
River North is the entertainment district of Chicago and in my opinion, is the best place to stay in Chicago for first-time visitors. As the name implies, this is the area north of the river, and also East of the West Branch of the Chicago River. River North has the highest concentration of Chicago hotels and thats because theres so much to do in River North. It includes Michigan Avenue, with world-class shopping, plus some of the best nightclubs and restaurants in Chicago. Its fairly compact and walkable, so you can choose your hotel based on price more than location. River North is very safe. However, with so many nightclubs, there are often after hours issues usually involving drunk bar patrons. During the day, theres not much to worry about in regards to safety in River North.
Theres a little bit of everything in River North, and the location between the Loop and the Gold Coast means everything is accessible from River North. Shopping and dining are the highlights. If you havent been to Eataly, its definitely a highlight. Besides shopping along Michigan Avenue and the Water Tower Shopping Center, there are galleries and boutiques tucked into side streets. The best way to see River North is from a Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Find the best place for afternoon tea in Chicago!
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Best For: Foodie Families
Families who like to eat will love being in West Loop, where tons of Chicagos newest and trendiest restaurants are located. While the restaurants here wouldnt exactly be characterized at family-friendly, even an early dinner at The Publican is quite doable . If youre hard-pressed to get a reservation at Girl & the Goat, a breakfast at sister-restaurant Little Goat will certainly please both the kids and adults.
To Do In/Near West Loop | Randolph Street Market Festival, Mary Bartelme Park, Chicago French Market, Union Station
Family Hotels in West Loop
Budget Hotels In Printers Row
If you are looking for an accommodation that is budget-friendly and is one of the safe areas in Chicago, here are a few recommendations:
Address: 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
The Congress Plaza Hotel offers elegance, sophistication, and history right across the street from Millennium Park. The Buckingham Fountain, River North, and Lake Michigan are all within walking distance of the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago. The Magnificent Miles shops, restaurants, and nightlife are all within a 10-minute walk. Only 3.2 kilometers separate you from Navy Pier.
Address: 500 South Dearborn Street, Chicago Loop, Chicago, IL 60605
This historic boutique hotel in Chicagos Printers Row area is less than a kilometer from Grant Park and boasts an on-site restaurant and a cutting-edge 24-hour business center. You can stroll to the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago in ten minutes. The motel is four blocks from Columbia College Chicago. This hotel is also near River North.
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You Could Spend A Week On Museums Alone
Remember we said youd be doing a lot of walking? A good chunk of that could take place inside Chicagos must-see museums. The Art Institute alone is the second-largest museum in the United Statesat over a million square feet and with 300,000 pieces in its collection, dont expect to knock it off your list in an afternoon. Youll have to pay admission to most of the big institutions free days are generally offered only to Illinois residents, but a Chicago CityPASS is a good way to get discounted admission to several. And plenty of smaller free museums and galleries never charge admission and are definitely worth your while.
Wrigleyville Best Chicago Neighborhood For Sports Fans
As you might guess, Wrigleyville is the neighborhood immediately surrounding Wrigley Field. This is also part of Lakeview, which is a huge Chicago neighborhood that also encompasses Boys Town. This is the first place I lived in Chicago, and back in the 90s, there were no hotels in the area. Out-of-town guests had to crash on my couch or stay quite a ways away from my apartment. Today, Wrigleyville has been totally renovated, including Wrigley Field itself. Last fall, I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Zachary, the brand new Marriott Bonvoy property right across the street from Wrigley Field. Its an awesome hotel and its so fun to stay in this part of town. If you can snag a room here during Cubs season, do it! Elsewhere in the neighborhood, youll find tons of sports bars, casual restaurants, and a few fun shops. If you are not a sports fan, check the Cubs calendar before you decide to stay in Wrigleyville the crowds can be annoying if you arent part of them.
Personal Pick for Wrigleyville Chicago hotel: Hotel Zachary Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is an amazing place to stay for Cubs fans.
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Is Chicago Safe For A Weekend Trip
Chicago is largely a safe city, and tourists shouldnt have too much to be worried about when walking around downtown or when visiting well-known landmarks. However, it is always a good idea to do some research or ask locals before venturing out to the peripheral neighborhoods of the city.Chicago does experience violence and crime, but this is predominantly confined to specific hotspots, such as the far West Side of Chicago and the South Side of Chicago. While these areas are clearly dodgy, and gang violence and crime does occur, they are well away from Downtown Chicago. Be aware of your possessions when in crowds or around busy areas as pickpockets do frequent popular sights in the city. At night, it is best to keep to well-lit streets and populated areas as muggings do occur in dark side streets after dark.Be sure to check the weather forecast for potential natural hazards, which can occur during the particularly harsh Chicago Winter.
And have you thought about getting Travel Insurance for your trip? Weve put together a roundup of Travel Insurance for backpackers check it out here, or if youre low on time, get a quote from World Nomads, our favorite travel insurance provider.
Rentals In Downtown Chicago
Downton Chicago is a great place to live. It has a lot of things to do and see, but if you are looking for a more quiet and peaceful neighborhood, then you have come to the right place. There are many people who are looking for where to stay in Chicago, especially rental places in Downtown Chicago neighborhoods.
Amazing Loop by Blueground is this beautiful apartment with high ceilings and large windows overlooking the city skyline. The living room comes with a fireplace, while the dining room offers plenty of natural light thanks to its large windows.
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Best Locations To Stay Safely While Minimizing Traffic
I am considering visiting the Chicago area for a long weekend as a mother-teen son trip before he heads off to college. We would be traveling via I-80 from the west. I am not at all comfortable navigating heavy traffic, so I would like stay at a hotel in the suburbs and utilize public transportation, though I know it will take extra time. We will visit FermiLabs and the Science & Industry Museum . Suggestions on locations to minimize the time spent to use public transport and also feel safe being just the two of us. Since we would likely just spend one day downtown, the stress of the traffic is not worth the time savings and extra expense of staying further into the city.
19 replies to this topic
How long is your visit? MSI is seven miles south of downtown. Fermi is in Batavia, a far west suburb. Driving is your best option.
You know Fermilab is in the west suburb of Batavia and MSI is on the south side of the city, about 40 miles apart. The west suburban expressways gets very crowded and busy too.
There is literally no way to visit the MSI from the west suburbs that”minimizes the time spent to use public transport.”
Naperville is a large town with good commuter rail service to downtown. You could maybe take that downtown then get to the Millennium Station at Michigan and Randolph St and take the Metra Electric line to 56th Street. Google Maps can give you step by step directions using public transit by selecting the “train” icon.
Luxury Hotels In Edison Park
Make the most of your vacation by spending a couple of nights in these luxurious spots on where to stay in any of these Chicago accommodations:
Address: 10000 W OHare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, United States
OHare International Airport is just a short walk away from this hotel, which features an interior walkway to domestic terminals and a Blue Line train station, making it convenient to get to downtown Chicago. The place is 12 minutes away from Edison Park. The hotel has three restaurants, as well as free WiFi in the lobby for guests to use.
Address: 5500 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, United States
Its just a few minutes from Edison Park, the OHare International Airport, and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and offers free 24-hour airport shuttles, free made-to-order breakfast, and a free evening reception with complimentary refreshments at this Rosemont all-suites hotel.
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More Chicago Travel Tips
Bring a face mask. Chicago has a face mask mandate for all indoor public settings for everyone over age 2. Masks can be removed at restaurants and bars when actively eating and drinking. You can read more about Chicagos face mask mandate here.
Effective January 3, 2022, any individual age 5 and older will be required to show proof of vaccination to dine indoors or at entertainment venues where food or drink are being served . You can read more about Chicagos Chicagos vaccine requirement here.
These are my top choices for the best things to do if you have 3 days in Chicago.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out more of my Chicago guides and itineraries:
Best Airbnb In Lincoln Park: 3
Travelling with your family can be really stressfu, especiallyl when it comes to finding a place to stay. Lucky you, no need to look further this Airbnb is the perfect home for a big goup of people. Accommodating up to 7 people at a time, therell be plenty of space to socialize and have individual privacy. The super modern apartment is located in a family friendly area and close to Chicagos public transport system. As a guest, you also get access to the buildings amenities such as the gym and a pool. We wont lie, its not the cheapest place, but it comes with an incredible value and a homely vibe that will turn your trip into something truly special.
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The Best Areas To Stay In Chicago
One of the great American cities, Chicago is known for jazz music, Prohibition-era gangsters, their signature deep-dish pizza, and pioneering architecture seriously, if you do nothing else here, take the Chicago River Architecture Cruise. The city is crammed with fabulous places to stay, from the most luxurious five-stars to hip hostels. Most options lie in the city center, but more choices are springing up in Chicagos dynamic outer neighborhoods.
Most of the Windy Citys biggest attractions are in or close to The Loop, the downtown area roughly bounded by the central loop of the L Train and the shore of Lake Michigan. Today, much of Downtowns commercial activity and some of the best restaurants and bars in the city have spread beyond the Loop to adjacent districts: South Loop, West Loop, and the famous shopping strip of Magnificent Mile, which separates the River North and Streeterville districts. This barely scratches the surface, however Chicago sprawls for well over 25 miles in all directions from here, a patchwork of neighborhoods and suburban communities dubbed Chicagoland. .
While its relatively easy to explore the city center on foot, Chicagos outer neighborhoods cover a vast area that is best approached by Chicago Transit Authoritys 24-hour L Train network, Metra trains, or taxis and Uber/Lyft. If driving yourself, be prepared for overnight parking rates of up to $50 at top hotels in the city center.
Other Awesome Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend
So, youre still looking for more fun stuff for your trip to Chicago? Need more Chicago weekend events and attractions? Not to worry, weve got you covered!
Here are 10 more activities, attractions and events in Chicago this weekend!
#1 Get Up Close to the Aquatic Wildlife of Shedd Aquarium
Smart Destinations
Located in the Museum Campus of Chicago along with the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium was once the largest indoor aquarium in the world. This attraction has an incredible diversity of aquatic wildlife from across the planet!
There are freshwater displays with Amazonian animals, oceanic reefs with sharks, tropical fish and corals, touch zones, marine mammals and a plethora of other sea creatures! The aquarium is interactive and educational, its definitely a must-do Chicago weekend activity with kids!
#2 Stop in at the Field Museum
The Field Museum is Chicagos premier natural history museum and one of the largest of its kind in the world!
Founded with an endowment from Marshall Field, it has since gone on to house one of the finest collections of artefacts in the United States. Everything from precious gems to a Tyrannosaurus-Rex skeleton are found here.
Permanent exhibits range from animal dioramas to interactive displays that engage all ages. There are also cultural displays, walk-throughs detailing the planets evolutionary processes, and exhibits delving into cellular-level research and technology!
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Budget Hotels In Downtown Chicago
If you are looking to where to stay in Chicago near the Magnificent Mile, here are a few budget-friendly recommendations:
Address: 166 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
There are 216 total rooms and suites in the Magnificent Mile Collection of the Chicago Hotel Collection. This hotel is located just a few blocks from Chicagos famous Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Park. It is one of the best hotels to stay in Chicago to be close to its most known attractions.
Address: 323 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Swissotel Chicago is within a 10-minute walk away from the waters edge, located in the heart of downtown, just steps from the Magnificent Miles finest boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife this glass-and-steel triangle hotel offers a unique perspective of the city.
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Chicago Loop Best Chicago Neighborhood For Business Travelers
Its called The Loop because the CTA, or Chicagos public transportation system, makes a loop around the downtown area. I consider it to be anything south of the River and north of Roosevelt, from the West Branch of the River to the Lake. This is largely the Central Business District of Chicago and as such, can be a bit quieter in the evenings and weekends. However, the eastern part of the Loop is also Chicagos theater district, so there is a bit of nightlife and a few hotels near Chicago Theater that are worth exploring. Hotel prices in the Chicago Loop can vary greatly based on conventions and events. Its possible to snag some great weekend deals, as most hotels cater to business travelers.
Some of the main attractions in the Chicago Loop include Willis Tower Buckingham Fountain, Daley Plaza, Christkindl Market, Millennium Park, Grant Park, State Street shopping, and the Art Institute of Chicago, along with some of the best architecture in Chicago. If you are arriving in Chicago by train, Union Station and Ogilvy Station are both in the loop, and Ogilvy has the French Market with some of the best donuts in Chicago. During the week, some of the best Chicago food trucks can be found near Willis Tower. This is definitely one of the best places to stay in Chicago!
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