Being a tourist in Chicago is fun, easy and entertaining. The city is laid out in an easy-to-follow grid of north/south and east/west streets with Lake Michigan to the east. Whether you are walking through town or catching one of the ubiquitous taxis or taking a Segway tour it is easy to get yourself from one location to another.
In the summer months strolling along Lake Michigan and watching the boats, feeding the ducks and splashing in a fountain are all enjoyable and low-cost ways to spend a lovely day. If you prefer to stroll indoors rather than outdoors it is simple enough to head north to Navy Pier for rides and food and live entertainment or to head south to the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium or Shedd Aquarium. It is possible to experience much of what Navy Pier has to offer in a few hours. Visiting the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium or Shedd Aquarium can take days depending on how much you want to see and how long you have to spend. Further south is the Museum of Science and Industry and a lovely beach just opposite the Museum and along the shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago’s museums are well worth your time and are always changing their exhibits so they are worth a repeat visit.
Although Chicago summers are lovely there are a multitude of museums, fine and eclectic restaurants, excellent shops (especially along famed Michigan Avenue), a variety of theaters and plenty of sports events to keep a person busy and entertained all year long. Chicago is a great place for young single adults, families and mature adults. There is something for everyone. There is also an awful lot of traffic. Parking at your hotel and using a taxi or walking makes it much easier, and less stressful, to get around. There are tourist maps at almost every hotel and there are numerous hotels in the heart of downtown Chicago (at a variety of different prices) that make it easy to walk to many of Chicago’s main attractions. As you are sightseeing in Chicago, don’t forget to try some of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza. It is worth the wait and a crucial Chicago experience.
Sightseeing in Chicago is always a great time and there are more than enough places to see in the Windy City but sometimes people like to get outside the city and experience what the surrounding areas have to offer. During the Winter, there is no shortage of snowfall in Illinois and its neighboring states so traveling to the nearby mountain ranges provide hours of fun in the snow. Just an hour away from downtown Chicago, Wilmot Mountain, a Wisconsin resort, has three rope towns, chairlifts, terrain parks, over 25 runs and accommodations that will provide a fun filled day for the whole family. Even if you didn’t pack your snowboards, ski helmets, goggles, or other gear, Wilmot Mountain has a full range of rental options. You can even buy gear there in the ski shop. Wilmot Mountain is only one of the great outside adventure locations that one can experience will visiting Chicago.