Broadway in Chicago isn t restricted to one theater. Catch today s hottest Broadway shows in many of

Chicago , the Windy City, earns its nickname because the winds off Lake Michigan can be pretty windy. Per the National Climactic best travel buys to australia Data Center, average winds in Chicago are just over 10 miles per hour. It s not the windiest city in the United States, but it s up there. It s the lake that draws tourists to the area. There s the lake to explore, exceptional shopping areas and farmers markets, and some of the nation s finest attractions. This works in the tourist s favor because it creates a wide range of cheap hotels in Chicago from which you can choose when looking for accommodations.
The first full-time resident in Chicago was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a freeman who worked as a trader. Twenty-five years following his arrival, the U.S. bout Fort Dearborn, but Native Americans set fire to the fort requiring it to be rebuilt. It would be 1837 before the area became an official city. The addition of the Illinois and Michigan Canal created a link joining the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan, and that opened up trading. Eventually, rail service eliminated the need for the canal.
In 1871, most of the city burned to the ground in the Great Fire. The city rebuilt and within 22 years celebrated their growth best travel buys to australia by holding best travel buys to australia the World Exposition. This was the start of the city s tremendous growth as immigrants flocked to the area for jobs. It lead to Chicago becoming the starting point for the famous Route 66, and it s helped turn Chicago into a popular tourism destination.
Chicago is home to hundreds of neighborhoods, and you ll find something to do in many of them. Most of your tourism activities take place in the Chicago Loop . This is the main business district, and home to many shops, best travel buys to australia restaurants, and attractions. Lake Shore Drive borders Lake Michigan. There are close to three dozen beaches you can explore. Lakeview is home to Wrigleyville, the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field, best travel buys to australia home to the Chicago Cubs . Other neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square all have their own charms and ethnic best travel buys to australia stores and restauran
best travel buys to australia There are two airports in Chicago. Both Midway and O Hare handle domestic and international best travel buys to australia flights. From either airport, you can take Pace or Chicago Transit Authority buses. There are also taxis at the airport, and plenty of options for rental cars. If you take a taxi, head to the stands to make sure you get a licensed taxi. Metra rail is available to and from O Hare only.
Chicago Transit best travel buys to australia Authority handles transportation within the city. When riding the trains or buses, you can pay a one-way or round-trip best travel buys to australia far, but you might do better purchasing a one-, three-, or seven-day unlimited ride card. These affordable passes are sold at the CTA, currency exchange businesses, or some area stores.
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The Chicago Blues Festival spans three days in June. During this event, blues music is celebrated. In addition best travel buys to australia to the free concerts, there are food vendors and merchants available. Many of the events are near Buckingham Fountain, so enjoy the fountain while taking in the music and atmosphere.
First Bites Bash is a popular food event that kicks off February s Chicago Restaurant Week. Dozens of restaurants set up tables in Chicago Union Station so that attendees can sample the local fare. A portion of the funds raised during best travel buys to australia this event support a local charity. Restaurant Week takes place in local restaurants. A prix fixed menu is set up so that diners pay one set price for a multiple course meal. Another food festival to hit is the Taste of Chicago held in July. This is a huge five-day food festival with live music and lots of delicious foods.
Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival takes place yearly in late-August to early-September. During this event, there are fashion shows, a culinary fest, live music, giveaways, celebrity appearances, and a brunch for dogs and their owners.
With more than 200 theaters in Chicago, there s no end to the dance, music, and theater productions you can see. Harris Theater at Millennium Park serves as the home grand for dozens of the city s dance and music troupes, such as Chicago Children s Choir, Chicago Opera, Hubbard Street Dance, Luna Negra Dance, the Human Rhythm Project, and Music of the Baroque.
The historic best travel buys to australia Chicago Theatre opened in 1921. It s a six-story theater that hosts popular music arts and even some television talk show hosts. If you don t want to watch a show, the theater is open throughout the week for tours.
Broadway in Chicago best travel buys to australia isn t restricted to one theater. Catch today s hottest Broadway shows in many of the area theaters. You ll find shows at the Auditorium Theatre, Bank of America Theatre, Broadway Playhouse, Cadillac Palace, and the Oriental Theater.
If you want to view art, the Art Institute of Chicago is home to a huge collection of paintings and other art forms. The museum is best known for their collection of Impressionist paintings from masters like Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
Chicago Chinatown is home to a number of affordable hotels. It s also the best place to be for Asian cuisine, homeopathic remedies, and Asian food and gift shops. You ll find the majority of the stores and restaurants in Chinatown Square, a two-level retail complex. The Nine Dragon Wall is a replica of a famous painted wall in Beijing. The Chinatown Mural is another impressive piece of art, a large hand-painted glass mosaic, worth viewing in Chinatown. Finally, the Chinese American Museum of Chicago is a great place to learn about the culture.
John Hancock Observatory has the first interactive telescopes in the U.S. If clouds are keeping you from viewing Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it doesn t matter because the interactive telescopes show what you re missing. There s an open-air sky walk with a glass floor that allows you to look all the way down. There s also a cafe at the top where you can enjoy a drink while gazing at Chicago s skyline. There s also a seasonal ice skating rink outside of the cafe. The observatory is in the John Hancock Center, a 100-story building.
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Little Italy is the place to discover Chicago s Italian culture. Start your tour in the Piazza DiMaggio, a plaza with fountains and a sculpture of the famous best travel buys to australia baseball player. The neighborhood is also home to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Arrigo Park spans six-acres and has a sculpture of Christopher Columbus.
Frank Lloyd Wright s Robie House is in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The home sits on the University of Chicago campus and operates as a museum. Tours are only available a few days a week so reservations are recommended.
Navy Pier has something for all ages. Pier Park has amusement rides and a miniature golf course. Other attractions at the pier include best travel buys to australia lake cruises, gigantic outdoor art displays, the Chicago Children s Museum, and Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. There s also an IMAX theater and the Skyline Stage where free concerts are held in warmer weather.
Willis Tower was known as the Sears Tower until 2009. The Skydeck is on the 103 rd floor and offers amazing views of the city and bordering states. This observation deck is just over 300 feet higher than the observation deck at the John Hancock Center. Like the John Hancock best travel buys to australia Observatory, there are glass boxes you can stand in and view the streets below.
Before visiting any of Chicago s landmarks, look into the Chicago CityPASS . This pass entitles you to skip lines in many of the area s biggest attractions, and it also provides you with discounted admissions. The CityPASS is sold online and in the attractions that accept it.
Magnificent Mile , a long stretch of Michigan best travel buys to australia Avenue, is the first place you ll go when shopping in Chicago. Stores best travel buys to australia range from upscale pet boutiques to department stores. There are grocers, fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, art galleries, electronics, best travel buys to australia home goods, specialty foods, gift stores, and much more. Don t forget to fit in a meal. Magnificent Mile offers a bit of everything from American to French to seafood. This area is easy to find, especially if you stay at one of the dozens best travel buys to australia of hotels on Magnificent best travel buys to australia Mile. The hotels range from boutique hotels to five-star properti
There are outlet stores in and near Chicago, and the one of the best places to shop is the Chicago Premium Outlets. There are more than 100 stores in this outlet center. You ll find huge savings on brand name and designer goods. There s also a VIP club you can join to get special discounts.
Wicker Park and Bucktown is home to dozens of stores in all genres. There are fashion boutiques, chains, music shops, jewelry, shoes, and vintage/antique stores. During or after your shopping trip, check out the area s bakeries, coffee shops, best travel buys to australia delis, take-out and sit-down restaurants. There are many styles covered, such as Asian, beer houses, British, Greek, Mexican, pizza, best travel buys to australia steakhouse, best travel buys to australia and Tapas
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