10

Planning Your Trip to Chicago

No trip to Chicago is complete without a ride on the El.

As with any trip, a little advance preparation will pay off once you arrive in Chicago. This chapter provides a variety of planning tools, including information on how to get here, local visitor resources, and tips on getting around. As a major American city, Chicago has a variety of public transportation options, from trains and buses to taxis and bike rentals, so finding your way between the sights is relatively easy once you’ve got your bearings.

Getting There

By Plane

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (& 773/686-2200; www.flychicago.com; online airport code ORD) has long battled Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport for the title of the world’s busiest airport. O’Hare is about 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Depending on traffic, the drive to or from the city center can take anywhere from 30 minutes to more than an hour during the busy morning and afternoon rush hours.

O’Hare has information booths in all five terminals; most are on the baggage level. The multilingual employees, who wear red jackets, can assist travelers with everything from arranging ground transportation to getting information about local hotels. The booths, labeled “Airport Information,” are open daily from 9am to 8pm.

Every major U.S. airline and most large international airlines fly in to O’Hare. You’ll find the widest range of choices on United Airlines (which is headquartered in Chicago) and American Airlines (which has a hub at O’Hare). To find out which other airlines travel to Chicago, please see “Airline Websites.”

At the opposite end of the city, on the southwest side, is Chicago’s other major airport, Midway International Airport (& 773/838-0600; www.flychicago.com; online airport code MDW). Although it’s smaller than O’Hare and handles fewer airlines, Midway is closer to the Loop and attracts more discount airlines, so you may be able to get a cheaper fare flying into here. (Always check fares to both airports if you want to find the best deal.) A cab ride from Midway to the Loop usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. You can find the latest information on both airports at the city’s Department of Aviation website: www.flychicago.com.

Getting into Town from O’Hare & Midway

Taxis are plentiful at both O’Hare and Midway, but you can get downtown relatively easily by public transportation as well. A cab ride into the city will cost about $35 from O’Hare and $25 from Midway. One warning: Rush-hour traffic can be horrendous, especially around O’Hare, and the longer you sit in the traffic, the higher the fare will be.

If you’re not carting a lot of luggage and want to save money, I highly recommend taking public transportation, which is convenient from both airports. For $2.25, you can take the El (elevated train) straight into downtown.

O’Hare is on the Blue Line; a trip to downtown takes about 40 minutes. (If you’re staying on or near Michigan Ave., you’ll want to switch to the Red Line, which will add another 10 or 15 min. to your trip.) Trains leave every 6 to 10 minutes during the day and early evening, and every half-hour at night.

O’Hare, Oh My

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport competes with Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the busiest airport in the world. Approximately 970,000 planes take off and land at O’Hare each year, generating about 500,000 jobs for the region. O’Hare is completely self-supporting, requiring no local taxpayer dollars to keep it going.

Getting downtown from Midway is much faster; the ride on the Orange Line takes 20 to 30 minutes. (The Orange Line stops operating each night at about 11:30pm and resumes service by 5am.) Trains leave the station every 6 to 15 minutes. The train station is a fair walk from the terminal—without the benefit of O’Hare’s moving sidewalks—so be prepared if you have heavy bags.

Though you can see all the major sights in the city without a car, both airports have outposts for every major car-rental company.

GO Airport Express (& 888/2-THEVAN [284-3826]; www.airportexpress.com) serves most first-class hotels in Chicago with its green-and-white vans; ticket counters are at both airports near baggage claim (outside Customs at the international terminal at O’Hare). For transportation to the airport, reserve a spot through one of the hotels (check with the bell captain). The cost is $28 one-way ($50 round-trip) to or from O’Hare, and $22 one-way ($37 round-trip) to or from Midway. Group rates for two or more people traveling together are less expensive than sharing a cab, and children ages 6 to 12 ride for $15 each. The shuttles operate from 4am to 11:30pm.

For limo service from O’Hare or Midway, call Carey Limousine of Chicago (& 773/763-0009; www.carey.com) or Chicago Limousine Services (& 312/726-1035). Depending on the number of passengers and whether you opt for a sedan or a stretch limo, the service will cost about $100 to $150 from Midway and $150 to $200 from O’Hare, excluding gratuity and tax.

Insider Tours—Free!

Want a personalized view of the city—aside from your trusted Frommer’s guidebook? A program called Chicago Greeter matches tourists with local Chicagoans who serve as volunteer guides. Visitors can request a specific neighborhood or theme (everything from Polish heritage sites to Chicago movie locations), and a greeter gives them a free 2- to 4-hour tour. (Greeters won’t escort groups of more than six people.) Specific requests should be made at least a week in advance, but “InstaGreeters” are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., from Friday through Sunday. For details, call 312/744-8000 or visit www.chicagogreeter.com, where you can browse a list of specific tour topics.

By Car

Interstate highways from all major points on the compass serve Chicago. I-80 and I-90 approach from the east, crossing the northern sector of Illinois, with I-90 splitting off and emptying into Chicago on the Skyway and the Dan Ryan Expressway. From here, I-90 runs through Wisconsin, following a northern route to Seattle. I-55 snakes up the Mississippi Valley from the vicinity of New Orleans and enters Chicago from the west along the Stevenson Expressway; in the opposite direction, it provides an outlet to the Southwest. I-57 originates in southern Illinois and forms part of the interstate linkage to Florida and the South, connecting within Chicago on the west leg of the Dan Ryan. I-94 links Detroit with Chicago, arriving on the Calumet Expressway and leaving the city on the Kennedy Expressway en route to the Northwest.

Here are approximate driving distances in miles to Chicago: From Milwaukee, 92; from St. Louis, 297; from Detroit, 286; from Denver, 1,011; from Atlanta, 716; from Washington, D.C., 715; from New York City, 821; and from Los Angeles, 2,034.

For information on car rentals and gasoline (petrol) in Chicago, see “Getting Around by Car,” later in this section.

By Train

Chicago’s central train station is Union Station, 210 S. Canal St., between Adams and Jackson streets (& 312/655-2385). A hub for both national train routes operated by Amtrak and local commuter lines that run to the Chicago suburbs, it’s located just across the river from the Loop. Although Union Station is relatively convenient to downtown, you’ll most likely want to take a taxi or bus to your hotel if you have luggage. Bus nos. 1, 60, 125, 151, and 156 all stop at the station on their routes through downtown. The nearest El stop is at Adams and Wells streets (Brown Line), a 4-block walk.

For train tickets to Chicago from other cities in the U.S., consult your travel agent or call Amtrak (& 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245] in the U.S. or Canada; & 001/215-856-7953 outside the U.S.; www.amtrak.com). Ask the reservations agent to send you Amtrak’s travel planner, with useful information on train accommodations and package tours.

International visitors can buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15, 30, or 45 days of unlimited travel. The pass is available online or through many overseas travel agents. See Amtrak’s website for the cost of travel within the western, eastern, or northwestern United States. Reservations are generally required and should be made as early as possible. Regional rail passes are also available.

By Bus

Bus travel is often the most economical form of public transit for short hops between U.S. cities. Greyhound (& 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) is the sole nationwide bus line. International visitors can obtain information about the Greyhound North American Discovery Pass from foreign travel agents or through www.discoverypass.com. The ticket allows for unlimited travel and stopovers in the U.S. and Canada. Chicago’s Greyhound station is at 630 W. Harrison St. (& 312/408-5821), just southwest of downtown.

If you’re planning on traveling elsewhere in the Midwest, Megabus (& 877/GO2-MEGA [462-6342]; www.megabus.com) offers low-cost trips to cities such as Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. The well-kept double-decker buses—which come equipped with free Wi-Fi—are a popular option for students. Buses leave from the city’s main train station, Union Station.

Getting Around

By Train (the El)

The Chicago Transit Authority, better known as the CTA (& 836-7000 or TTY 836-4949 from any area code in the city and suburbs; www.transitchicago.com), operates an extensive system of trains throughout the city of Chicago; both the below-ground subway lines and aboveground elevated trains are know collectively as the El. The system is generally safe and reliable, although I’d avoid long rides through unfamiliar neighborhoods late at night.

Fares are $2.25 per ride, regardless of how far you go. For an additional 25¢, you can transfer to the bus or take a different El ride within 2 hours. Children 6 and under ride free, and those between the ages of 7 and 11 pay $1. Seniors can also receive the reduced fare if they have the appropriate reduced-fare permit (call & 312/836-7000 for details on how to obtain one, although this is probably not a realistic option for a short-term visitor).

The CTA uses credit card–size fare cards that automatically deduct the exact fare each time you take a ride. The reusable cards can be purchased with a preset value already stored, or riders can obtain cards at vending machines located at all CTA train stations and charge them with whatever amount they choose (a minimum of $2.25 and up to $100). If within 2 hours of your first ride you transfer to a bus or the El, the turnstiles at the El stations and the fare boxes on buses will automatically deduct from your card just the cost of a transfer (25¢). If you make a second transfer within 2 hours, it’s free. The same card can be recharged continuously.

Ticket to Ride

Visitors who plan on taking a lot of train or bus trips should consider buying a Visitor Pass, which works like a fare card and allows individual users unlimited rides on the El and CTA buses over a 24-hour period. The cards cost $5.75 and are sold at airports, hotels, museums, transportation hubs, and Chicago Office of Tourism visitor information centers (you can also buy them in advance online at www.transitchicago.com or by calling 888/YOUR-CTA [968-7282]). You can also buy 3- and 7-day passes. While the passes save you the trouble of feeding the fare machines yourself, they’re economical only if you plan to make at least three distinct trips at least 2 or more hours apart (remember that you get two additional transfers within 2 hr. for an additional 25¢ on a regular fare).

The CTA operates seven major train lines, identified by color: The Red Line, which runs north-south, is most likely the only one you’ll need, since it runs parallel to the lakefront and past many tourist attractions. The Green Line runs west–south; the Blue Line runs through Wicker Park/Bucktown west–northwest to O’Hare Airport; the Pink Line branches off from the Blue Line and serves the southwest side of the city; the Brown Line runs in a northern zigzag route; and the Orange Line runs southwest, serving Midway airport. The Purple Line, which runs on the same Loop elevated tracks as the Orange and Green lines, serves north-suburban Evanston and runs only during rush hour.

I highly recommend taking at least one El ride while you’re here—you’ll get a whole different perspective on the city (not to mention fascinating views inside downtown office buildings and North Side homes as you zip past their windows). While the Red Line is the most efficient for traveling between the Magnificent Mile and points south, your only views along this underground stretch will be of dingy stations. For sightseers, I recommend taking the aboveground Brown Line, which runs around the downtown Loop and then north through residential neighborhoods. You can ride all the way to the end of the line at Kimball (about a 45-min. ride from downtown), or hop off at Belmont to wander the Lakeview neighborhood. Avoid this scenic ride during rush hour (before about 9am and 3:30–6:30pm), when your only view will be of tired commuters.

Study your CTA map carefully (there’s one printed on the inside back cover of this guide) before boarding any train. Most trains run every 5 to 20 minutes, decreasing in frequency in the off-peak and overnight hours. The Orange Line train does not operate from about 11:30pm to 5am, the Brown Line operates only north of Belmont after about 9:30pm, the Blue Line’s Cermak branch doesn’t run overnight and on weekends, and the Purple Line operates only during the morning and afternoon rush hours on weekdays. (The Red Line runs 24 hr.)

By Bus

The best way to get around neighborhoods along the lakefront—where the trains don’t run—is by public bus. Look for the blue-and-white signs to locate bus stops, which are spaced about 2 blocks apart. Each bus route is identified by a number and the name of the main street it runs along; the bus that follows Grand Avenue, for example, is the no. 65 Grand.

Buses accept the same fare cards used for the El, but you can’t buy a card onboard. That means you have to stop by a train station to buy a card in advance, or pay $2.25 cash when you board. The bus drivers cannot make change, so make sure that you’ve got the right amount in coins and dollar bills before hopping on.

A few buses that are particularly handy for visitors are the no. 146 Marine/Michigan, an express bus from Belmont Avenue on the North Side that cruises down North Lake Shore Drive (and through Lincoln Park during nonpeak times) to North Michigan Avenue, State Street, and the Grant Park museum campus; the no. 151 Sheridan, which passes through Lincoln Park en route to inner Lake Shore Drive and then travels along Michigan Avenue as far south as Adams Street, where it turns west into the Loop (and stops at Union Station); and the no. 156 LaSalle, which goes through Lincoln Park and then into the Loop’s financial district on LaSalle Street.

PACE buses (& 836-7000 from any Chicago area code or 847/364-7223; Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; www.pacebus.com) cover the suburban zones that surround Chicago. They run every 20 to 30 minutes during rush hour, operating until midevening Monday through Friday and early evening on weekends. Suburban bus routes are marked with nos. 208 and above, and vehicles may be flagged down at intersections where stops aren’t marked.

By Commuter Train

The Metra commuter railroad (& 312/322-6777 or TTY 312/322-6774; Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; at other times, call the Transit Information Center at & 312/836-7000 or TTY 312/836-4949; www.metrarail.com) serves the six-county suburban area around Chicago with 12 train lines. Several terminals are located downtown, including Union Station at Adams and Canal streets, LaSalle Street Station at LaSalle and Van Buren streets, the Ogilvie Transportation Center at Madison and Canal streets, and Randolph Street Station at Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.

To view the leafy streets of Chicago’s northern suburbs, take the Union Pacific North Line, which departs from the Ogilvie Transportation Center, and get off at one of the following scenic towns: Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, or Lake Forest.

The Metra Electric (once known as the Illinois Central–Gulf Railroad, or the IC), running close to Lake Michigan on a track that occupies some of the most valuable real estate in Chicago, will take you to Hyde Park. (See “Exploring Hyde Park” in chapter 6.) You can catch the Metra Electric in the Loop at the Randolph Street Station and at the Van Buren Street Station at Van Buren Street and Michigan Avenue. (Both of these stations are underground, so they’re not immediately obvious to visitors.)

Commuter trains have graduated fare schedules based on the distance you ride. On weekends, on holidays, and during the summer, Metra offers a family discount that allows up to three children 11 and under to ride free when accompanying a paid adult. The commuter railroad also offers a $5 weekend pass for unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday.

By Taxi

Taxis are a convenient way to get around the Loop and to reach restaurants and theaters beyond downtown, in residential neighborhoods such as Old Town, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park.

Taxis are easy to hail in the Loop, on the Magnificent Mile and the Gold Coast, in River North, and in Lincoln Park, but if you go far beyond these key areas, you might need to call. Cab companies include Flash Cab (& 773/561-4444), Yellow Cab (& 312/TAXI-CAB [829-4222]), and Checker Cab (& 312/CHECKER [243-2537]).

The meter in Chicago cabs currently starts at $2.25 for the first mile and costs $1.80 for each additional mile, with a $1 surcharge for the first additional rider and 50¢ for each person after that. You will also have to pay an additional $1 fuel surcharge whenever gas prices are above $3 per gallon.

Sky Train: chicago’s el

Watch any Hollywood film or TV series set in Chicago, and chances are, they’ll feature at least one scene set against our screeching elevated train system, more commonly known as the “El” (witness The Fugitive, ER, and others). The trains symbolize Chicago’s gritty, “city-that-works” attitude, but they actually began as cutting-edge technology.

After the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago made a remarkable recovery; within 20 years, the downtown district was swarming with people, streetcars, and horses (but no stoplights). To help relieve congestion, the city took to the sky, building a system of elevated trains 15 feet above all the madness. The first El trains were steam powered, but by the end of the century, all the lines—run by separate companies—used electricity. In 1895, the three El companies collaborated to build a set of tracks into and around the central business district that all the lines would then share. By 1897, the “Loop” was up and running.

Chicago’s El wasn’t the nation’s first. That honor belongs to New York City, which started running its elevated trains in 1867, 25 years before Chicago. But the New York El has almost disappeared, moving underground and turning into a subway early last century. With 289 miles of track, Chicago has the biggest El and the second-largest public transportation system in the country.

By Car

One of the great things about visiting Chicago is that you don’t need to rent a car to get around: Most of the main tourist attractions are within walking distance of downtown hotels or public transportation. If you do drive here, Chicago is laid out so logically that it’s relatively easy for visitors to find their way around. Although rush-hour traffic jams are just as frustrating as they are in other large cities, traffic runs fairly smoothly at most times of the day. Chicagoans have learned to be prepared for unexpected delays; it seems that at least one major highway and several downtown streets are under repair throughout the spring and summer months. (Some say we have two seasons: winter and construction.)

Great diagonal corridors—such as Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, and Milwaukee Avenue—slice through the grid pattern at key points in the city and shorten many a trip that would otherwise be tedious on the checkerboard surface of the Chicago streets. On scenic Lake Shore Drive (also known as Outer Dr.), you can travel the length of the city (and beyond), never far from the great lake that is Chicago’s most awesome natural feature. If you’re driving here, make sure you take one spin along what we call LSD; the stretch between the Museum Campus and North Avenue is especially stunning.

Driving Rules Unless otherwise posted, a right turn on red is allowed after stopping and signaling. As in any big city with its share of frustrating rush-hour traffic, be prepared for aggressive drivers and the occasional taxi to cut in front of you or make sudden, unexpected turns without signaling. Chicago drivers almost universally speed up at the sight of a yellow light; you’ll most likely hear some honking if you don’t make that mad dash before the light turns red.

Gasoline (Petrol) Over the past few years, the price of gas in Chicago has fluctuated between $3 and $4 per gallon. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons. In general, you pay more within the Chicago city limits than you will in the suburbs (the city adds an extra tax into the price), so if you’re planning a day trip, it pays to fill up once you’re out of town.

Parking As in most large cities, parking is at a premium in Chicago, so be prepared to pay up. Throughout downtown, street parking is limited to 2 hours (if you can find a spot); you must purchase a receipt from a designated pay box and display it on your dashboard.

Read signs carefully, because parking regulations are vigorously enforced throughout the city. Many streets around Michigan Avenue forbid parking during rush hour—and I know from bitter firsthand experience that your car will be towed immediately. If you’re visiting in the winter, make note of curbside warnings regarding snow plowing. Many neighborhoods also have adopted resident-only parking that prohibits others from parking on their streets after 6pm each day (even all day in a few areas, such as Old Town). The neighborhood around Wrigley Field is off-limits during Cubs night games, so look for yellow sidewalk signs alerting drivers about the dozen-and-a-half times the Cubs play under lights. You can park in permit zones if you’re visiting a friend who can provide you with a pass to stick on your windshield.

A safe bet is valet parking, which most restaurants provide for $8 to $12. Downtown you might also opt for a public garage, but you’ll have to pay premium prices. Several garages connected with malls or other major attractions offer discounted parking with a validated ticket.

If you’ll be spending an entire day downtown, the best parking deal in the Loop is the city-run Millennium Park garage (& 312/742-7644), which charges $19 for up to 3 hours and $21 for up to 8 hours (enter on Columbus Dr., 1 block east of Michigan Ave., between Monroe and Randolph sts.). A little farther south are two municipal lots underneath Grant Park, with one entrance at Michigan Avenue and Van Buren Street and the other at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street (& 312/616-0600). Parking costs $14 for the first hour and $27 for 2 to 8 hours. Other downtown lots (where prices are comparable or even higher) include Midcontinental Plaza Garage, 55 E. Monroe St. (& 312/986-6821), and Navy Pier Parking, 600 E. Grand Ave. (& 312/595-7437). There’s also a large lot next to the McCormick Place Convention Center, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. (& 312/791-7000).

Car Rental All the major car-rental companies have offices at O’Hare and Midway, as well as locations downtown.

If you’re visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in the United States, keep in mind that foreign driver’s licenses are usually recognized in the U.S., but you may want to consider obtaining an international driver’s license. International visitors also should note that insurance and taxes are almost never included in quoted rental car rates in the U.S. Be sure to ask your rental agency about additional fees for these. They can add a significant cost to your car rental.

By Bicycle

The city of Chicago has earned kudos for its efforts to improve conditions for bicycling (designated bike lanes have been installed on stretches of Wells St., Roosevelt Rd., Elston Ave., and Halsted St.), but it can still be a tough prospect to compete with cars and their drivers, who aren’t always so willing to share the road.

The Active Transportation Alliance (& 312/427-3325; www.activetrans.org), a nonprofit advocacy group, has been at the forefront of efforts to make the city more bike-friendly. Their website lists upcoming bike-focused events, including the annual “Bike the Drive,” when Lake Shore Drive is closed to cars.

Bike Chicago rents all sorts of bikes, including tandems and four-seater “quadcycles,” as well as in-line skates, from three locations: North Avenue Beach, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier (& 888/BIKE-WAY [245-3929]; www.bikechicago.com). Bike rentals start at $10 an hour or $30 a day. Helmets, pads, and locks are provided free of charge. The shops are open daily from 9am to 7pm, weather permitting.

Chicago

Area Codes The 312 area code applies to the central downtown business district and the surrounding neighborhoods, including River North, North Michigan Avenue, and the Gold Coast. The code for the rest of the city is 773. Suburban area codes are 847 (north), 708 (west and southwest), and 630 (far west). You must dial 1 plus the area code for all telephone numbers, even if you are making a call within the same area code.

Business Hours Shops generally keep regular American business hours, 10am to 6pm Monday through Saturday. Many stores in downtown Chicago stay open later at least 1 evening a week. Certain businesses, such as bookstores, are almost always open during the evening hours all week. Most shops are also open on Sundays, usually from 11am to 6pm. Malls are generally open until 7pm and on Sunday as well. Banking hours in Chicago are normally from 9am (8am in some cases) to 5pm Monday through Friday, with select banks remaining open later on specified afternoons and evenings.

Car Rental See “Getting There by Car,” earlier in this chapter.

Cellphones See “Mobile Phones,” later in this section.

Crime See “Safety,” later in this section.

Doctors Most hotels in Chicago keep a list of local doctors who are available to tend to guests; in case of health problems, your best bet is to contact your hotel’s concierge or manager. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 E. Huron St., a well-regarded downtown hospital, also has a physician referral service (& 877/926-4664), if you need to find a specialist. Also see “Hospitals,” later in this section.

Drinking Laws The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it’s always a good idea to bring ID when you go out. Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn’t zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. Don’t even think about driving while intoxicated.

In Chicago, beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are sold at liquor stores and supermarkets. Bars may sell alcohol until 2am, although some nightclubs have special licenses that allow alcohol sales until 4am.

Driving Rules See “Getting Around,” earlier in this chapter.

Electricity Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220 to 240 volts to 110 to 120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates All embassies are in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn’t listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (& 202/555-1212) or check www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (& 202/797-3000; www.usa.embassy.gov.au). Consulates are in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (& 202/682-1740; www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (& 202/462-3939; www.embassyofireland.org). Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. See website for complete listing.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (& 202/328-4800; www.nzembassy.com). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (& 202/588-6500; http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies For fire or police emergencies, call & 911. This is a free call. If it is a medical emergency, a city ambulance will take the patient to the nearest hospital emergency room. The nonemergency phone number for the Chicago Police Department is & 311.

Family Travel Chicago is full of sightseeing opportunities and special activities geared toward children. To locate those accommodations, restaurants, and attractions that are particularly kid-friendly, refer to the “Kids” icon throughout this guide. Chapter 4 includes a list of the best hotel deals for families, and chapter 5 lists kid-friendly restaurants. Also see “Kid Stuff” in chapter 6 for information on family-oriented attractions. The guidebook Frommer’s Chicago with Kids (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) highlights the many family-friendly activities available in the city.

Gasoline Please see “Getting Around by Car,” earlier in this chapter.

Hospitals The best hospital emergency room in downtown Chicago is at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 E. Huron St. (& 312/926-2000; www.nmh.org), a state-of-the-art medical center right off North Michigan Avenue. The emergency department (& 312/926-5188 or 312/944-2358 for TDD access) is located at 251 E. Erie St., near Fairbanks Court. For an ambulance, dial & 911, which is a free call.

Insurance For information on traveler’s insurance, trip cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Internet & Wi-Fi If you are traveling without your own computer, almost every hotel in Chicago has a business center with Internet access for guests (although you may have to pay extra to use it). The Harold Washington Public Library has computers available to the public for free. You can also pay per hour to use computers at FedEx Offices; centrally located stores include one at Illinois Center, 111 W. Wacker Dr., near Michigan Avenue and Chicago River (& 312/938-0650), and inside the John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave. (& 312/664-5966).

In Lincoln Park, you’ll find Screenz, 2717 N. Clark St., 1 block south of Diversey Ave. (& 773/912-1565; www.screenz.com), a computing center where you can check e-mail, burn CDs, and print out your digital photos. The only downside is that it’s not within walking distance of downtown hotels. To find other cybercafes in the city, try www.cybercafe.com. Both O’Hare and Midway airports have Internet kiosks that provide basic Web access for a per-minute fee.

If you plan to bring your own computer, both airports, most hotels, and many cafes and restaurants throughout the Chicago area have gone Wi-Fi, becoming “hotspots” that offer free high-speed access or charge a small fee for usage. In the Loop, Millennium Park; Daley Plaza (along Washington St. btw. Dearborn and Clark sts.); the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; and the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., all have free wireless access. Elsewhere in downtown Chicago, Starbucks, the sandwich chain Cosí, and McDonald’s have numerous locations that offer Wi-Fi access for customers. Wireless hotspots in Lincoln Park include Panera Bread, 616 W. Diversey Pkwy. (& 773/528-4556), and Argo Tea, 958 W. Armitage Ave. (& 773/388-1880).

To find more public Wi-Fi hotspots in Chicago, go to www.jiwire.com; its Hotspot Finder holds the world’s largest directory of public wireless hotspots.

Legal Aid While driving, if you are pulled over for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. In the U.S., the burden is on the state to prove a person’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. The international visitor should call his or her embassy or consulate.

LGBT Travelers While it’s not quite San Francisco, Chicago is a very gay-friendly city. The neighborhood commonly referred to as “Boys Town” (roughly from Belmont Ave. north to Irving Park Ave., and from Halsted St. east to the lakefront) is the center of gay nightlife—and plenty of daytime action, too. Gay and Lesbian Pride Week (& 773/348-8243; www.chicagopridecalendar.org), highlighted by a raucous parade on the North Side, is a major event each June. To browse listings of gay-friendly events when you’re in town, visit the Chicago Pride website (http://chicago.gopride.com) before your visit.

The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. (& 773/472-6469; www.centeronhalsted.org), is a gay social service agency and community center that’s become an informal gathering place for Boys Town residents. Inside you’ll find an organic grocery store, cafe, and plenty of couches for hanging out and taking advantage of the center’s free Wi-Fi. You might also want to stop by Unabridged Books, 3251 N. Broadway (& 773/883-9119), an excellent independent bookseller with a large lesbian and gay selection. Here, and elsewhere in the Lakeview neighborhood, you can pick up several gay publications, including the weekly Windy City Times (www.windycitytimes.com), which covers local news and entertainment.

Mail At press time, domestic postage rates were 28¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (75¢ to Canada and 79¢ to Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information go to www.usps.com.

If you aren’t sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call & 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, etc.). Most post offices will hold mail for up to 1 month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Medical Requirements Unless you’re arriving from an area known to be suffering from an epidemic (particularly cholera or yellow fever), inoculations or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States.

Mobile Phones As with all large American cities, Chicago is covered by the major national cellphone networks, including AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, and T-Mobile. If you’re traveling from elsewhere in the U.S., your phone should work here—although you may be hit with roaming charges that make your per-minute costs higher than usual.

Although you can rent a cellphone through companies such as InTouch USA (& 800/872-7626; www.intouchglobal.com) or most rental car locations, it’s simpler and relatively affordable to buy a prepaid cellphone. Companies such as Virgin Mobile and Cricket sell basic, bare-bones phones for as little as $15, and you can pay as you go for calls, without signing up for a monthly plan. You can find prepaid phones at many of the large downtown drugstores, including Walgreens, 757 N. Michigan Ave. (& 312/664-8686), and CVS, 137 S. State St. (& 312/609-1215).

If you’re not from the U.S., you’ll be appalled at the poor reach of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) wireless network, which is used by much of the rest of the world. Your phone should work in Chicago, but it definitely won’t in many rural areas. To see where GSM phones work in the U.S., check out www.t-mobile.com/coverage. And you may or may not be able to send SMS (text messaging) home.

Money & Costs Frommer’s lists exact prices in the local currency. The currency conversions quoted above were correct at press time. However, rates fluctuate, so before departing consult a currency exchange website such as www.oanda.com/currency/converter to check up-to-the-minute rates.

While not as expensive as New York or London, Chicago’s hotel and restaurant prices are near the high end compared to other American cities. It’s hard to find a hotel room for less than $200 a night in the summer (prime tourist season), and entrees at the city’s best restaurants can set you back around $30.

Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere, aside from a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants. You should have no trouble using traveler’s checks at most hotels and downtown restaurants (places that are used to accommodating international visitors), but they may not be accepted at smaller businesses in the city’s residential neighborhoods.

ATMs are easy to find throughout the city, especially downtown and near tourist attractions. (Most Chicagoans refer to them as “cash stations”.) Most ATMs belong to one of two networks: Cirrus (& 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) or PLUS (& 800/843-7587; www.visa.com). Go to your bank card’s website to find convenient ATM locations before you leave, and be sure you know your daily withdrawal limit before you depart.

Beware of hidden credit-card fees while traveling. Check with your credit or debit card issuer to see what fees, if any, will be charged for overseas transactions. Recent reform legislation in the U.S., for example, has curbed some exploitative lending practices. But many banks have responded by increasing fees in other areas, including fees for customers who use credit and debit cards while out of the country—even if those charges were made in U.S. dollars. Fees can amount to 3% or more of the purchase price. Check with your bank before departing to avoid any surprise charges on your statement.

For help with currency conversions, tip calculations, and more, download Frommer’s convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Multicultural Travelers Chicago is a cosmopolitan city with a population that’s about 36% African American, 30% white, and 26% Latino. (Chicago has the second-largest Mexican population in the U.S., after Los Angeles.) Visitors of all racial and ethnic groups shouldn’t expect to encounter any discrimination; Chicagoans are used to welcoming tourists and businesspeople from around the world.

Still, Chicago is extremely divided residentially along racial lines. The South Side is overwhelmingly African American, the North Side is mostly white, and Latino residents tend to settle in neighborhoods such as Pilsen, just southwest of downtown.

African-American travelers can explore the city’s rich black heritage with a specialized tour (see “Neighborhood Tours”). Visitors with an interest in Latin-American art might want to stop by the vibrant National Museum of Mexican Art and explore the surrounding neighborhood of Pilsen.

Newspapers & Magazines The Chicago Tribune (& 312/222-3232; www.chicagotribune.com) and the Chicago Sun-Times (& 312/321-3000; www.suntimes.com) are the city’s two major daily newspapers. The Tribune focuses on sober, just-the-facts reporting; the Sun-Times is a scrappier, attitude-filled tabloid. Both have cultural listings, including movies, theaters, and live music, not to mention reviews of the latest restaurants that have opened since this guidebook went to press. The Friday edition of both papers contains a special pullout section with more detailed, up-to-date information on special events happening over the weekend.

The weekly magazine Time Out Chicago (& 312/924-9555; www.timeoutchicago.com) lists just about everything going on around town during the week, from art openings to theater performances; if you want to squeeze in as much culture as you can while you’re here, I highly recommend picking up a copy. The Chicago Reader (& 312/828-0350; www.chicagoreader.com) is a free weekly that appears each Thursday, with all the current entertainment and cultural listings. Chicago magazine (www.chicagomag.com) is a monthly with an especially good restaurant review section.

The Chicago Defender (www.chicagodefender.com) covers local and national news of interest to the African-American community. The Spanish-language La Raza (www.laraza.com) reports on stories from a Latino point of view. The Windy City Times (www.windycitytimes.com) publish both news and feature articles about gay and lesbian issues.

Packing In general, you should be prepared for rapid weather shifts while you’re in town, especially in the spring and fall. Unless you’ll be here in July or August, bring at least one jacket and warm sweater in case of a sudden cold front. The winds off the lake, in particular, can be frosty well into the spring. Your best bet is to bring a selection of long- and short-sleeved shirts that can be layered to adapt to changing temperatures (it’s not unusual to start out the morning shivering only to be sweating by afternoon). If you’re brave enough to venture to Chicago in the winter, make room for hats, gloves, scarves, and boots: You’ll need them.

Chicago is a casual town, so standard tourist-wear is acceptable at all the city’s museums and most of the restaurants and theaters. A few traditional fine-dining restaurants have a jacket requirement for men, but otherwise male travelers probably won’t need to pack a suit. (Dress codes are noted where appropriate in the restaurant listings in chapter 5.)

For more helpful information on packing for your trip, download our convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Passports Virtually every air traveler entering the U.S. is required to show a passport. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport. Note: U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U. S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the western hemisphere must now also present a passport or other documents compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI; see www.getyouhome.gov for details). Children 15 and under may continue entering with only a U.S. birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship.

Passport Offices Australia Australian Passport Information Service (& 131-232, or visit www.passports.gov.au).

Canada Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (& 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

Ireland Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (& 01/671-1633; www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie).

New Zealand Passports Office, Department of Internal Affairs, 47 Boulcott St., Wellington, 6011 (& 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100; www.passports.govt.nz).

United Kingdom Visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), 89 Eccleston Sq., London, SW1V 1PN (& 0300/222-0000; www.ips.gov.uk).

United States To find your regional passport office, check the U.S. State Department website (http://travel.state.gov/passport) or call the National Passport Information Center (& 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Petrol Please see “Getting Around by Car,” earlier in this chapter.

Police For emergencies, call & 911. This is a free call (no coins required). For nonemergencies, call & 311.

Safety Although Chicago has one of the highest murder rates in the United States, the vast majority of those crimes are tied to drug dealing or gang activity and take place in areas visitors are unlikely to be walking around. In all my years of living here, I’ve yet to hear of a violent crime specifically targeted at a tourist.

That said, Chicago has the same problems with theft and muggings as any other major American city, so use your common sense and stay cautious and alert. After dark, stick to well-lit streets along the Magnificent Mile, River North, Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park, which are all high-traffic areas late into the night.

Late at night, avoid wandering dark residential streets on the fringes of Hyde Park and Pilsen, which border areas where gangs are active. You can also ask your hotel concierge or an agent at the tourist visitor center about the safety of a particular area.

The El is generally quite safe, even at night, although some of the downtown stations can feel eerily deserted late in the evening. Buses are a safe option, too, especially nos. 146 and 151, which pick up along North Michigan Avenue and State Street and connect to the North Side via Lincoln Park.

Blue-and-white police cars are a common sight, and officers also patrol by bicycle downtown and along the lakefront and by horseback at special events and parades. There are police stations in busy nightlife areas, such as the 18th District station at Chicago Avenue and LaSalle Street in River North, and the 24th District station (known as Town Hall) at Addison and Halsted streets.

Senior Travel Traveling as a senior can definitely save you money in Chicago; people 60 and older qualify for reduced admission to most major cultural attractions and lower-priced theater tickets. At major museums such as the Art Institute and Field Museum of Natural History, the senior rate is about 30% less than the general admission price.

Smoking Smoking is banned in all public buildings in Chicago, including offices, restaurants, and bars. Hotels are still allowed to have smoking rooms available, though, so request one if you plan on lighting up.

Student Travel The best resource for students in Chicago is STA Travel (www.statravel.com), one of the biggest student-travel agencies in the world, which can set you up with an ID card and get you discounts on plane tickets and rail travel. There is an STA office in the suburb of Evanston, near Northwestern University, at 900 Church St. (& 847/475-5070).

Chicago also has several hostels offering students and other travelers inexpensive, no-frills lodging. The best is Hosteling International Chicago, 24 E. Congress Pkwy., in the Loop (& 312/360-0300; fax 312/360-0313; www.hichicago.org). It features many amenities (including a free buffet breakfast) and can help set up activities throughout the city. Another hostel open year-round is the more basic Chicago Getaway Hostel, 616 W. Arlington Place, Chicago, IL 60614 (& 773/929-5380; fax 773/665-5485; www.getawayhostel.com), in Lincoln Park.

Taxes The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city may levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks and airline tickets. These taxes will not appear on price tags.

When visiting Chicago, be prepared to pay up: The city’s 9.75% sales tax is among the highest in the country, and the hotel room tax is a steep 14.9%.

Telephones Many convenience groceries and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to $50. Many public pay phones at airports now accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Local calls made from most pay phones cost either 25¢ or 35¢. Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. To make calls within the United States and to Canada, dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling.

Calls to area codes 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free. However, calls to area codes 700 and 900 (chat lines, bulletin boards, “dating” services, and so on) can be expensive—charges of 95¢ to $3 or more per minute. Some numbers have minimum charges that can run $15 or more.

For reversed-charge or collect calls, and for person-to-person calls, dial the number 0 then the area code and number; an operator will come on the line, and you should specify whether you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For directory assistance (“Information”), dial 411 for local numbers and national numbers in the U.S. and Canada. For dedicated long-distance information, dial 1, then the appropriate area code plus 555-1212.

Time The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST); Chicago is in the Central time zone. Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. For example, when it’s 9am in Los Angeles (PST), it’s 7am in Honolulu (HST),10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York City (EST), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time (summer time) is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

For help with time translations, and more, download our convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Tipping In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you’ve left a big mess for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

For help with tip calculations, currency conversions, and more, download our convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Toilets You won’t find public toilets or “restrooms” on the streets in most U.S. cities but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Travelers with Disabilities Almost all public establishments in Chicago, including restaurants, hotels, and museums, provide accessible entrances and other facilities for those with disabilities. All city buses are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, but not all El stations are accessible (some can be reached only via stairs). Contact the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) at & 312/836-7000 for a list of accessible stations. For more information on facilities for people with disabilities, contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1104, Chicago, IL 60602 (& 312/744-7050 for voice, or 312/744-4964 for TTY; www.cityofchicago.org/disabilities). The office is staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Horizons for the Blind, 2 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (& 815/444-8800), is a social service agency that provides information about local hotels equipped with Braille signage and cultural attractions that offer Braille signage and special tours. The Illinois Relay Center enables hearing- and speech-impaired TTY callers to call individuals or businesses without TTYs 24 hours a day. Calls are confidential and billed at regular phone rates. Call TTY at & 800/526-0844 or voice 800/526-0857. The city of Chicago operates a 24-hour information service for hearing-impaired callers with TTY equipment; call & 312/744-8599.

Visas The U.S. State Department has a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allowing citizens of the following countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. (Note: This list was accurate at press time; for the most up-to-date list of countries in the VWP, consult http://travel.state.gov/visa.)

Even though a visa isn’t necessary, in an effort to help U.S. officials check travelers against terror watch lists before they arrive at U.S. borders, visitors from VWP countries must register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or a boat to the U.S. Travelers must complete an electronic application providing basic personal and travel eligibility information. The Department of Homeland Security recommends filling out the form at least 3 days before traveling. Authorizations will be valid for up to 2 years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Currently, there is a US$14 fee for the online application. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration dates. Note: Any passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be an e-Passport for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these nations also need to present a round-trip air or cruise ticket upon arrival. E-Passports contain computer chips capable of storing biometric information, such as the required digital photograph of the holder. If your passport doesn’t have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if the valid passport was issued before October 26, 2005, and includes a machine-readable zone; or if the valid passport was issued between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes a digital photograph. For more information, go to http://travel.state.gov/visa. Canadian citizens may enter the United States without visas, but will need to show passports and proof of residence.

Citizens of all other countries must have (1) a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and (2) a tourist visa.

For information about U.S. visas go to http://travel.state.gov and click on “Visas.” Or go to one of the following websites:

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (& 02/6214-5600) or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission’s website at http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (& 09042-450-100 from within the U.K. at €1.20 per minute; or & 866/382-3589 from within the U.S. at a flat rate of $16, payable by credit card only) or by visiting the “Visas to the U.S.” section of the American Embassy London’s website at http://london.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the U.S. Embassy Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (& 1580-47-VISA [8472] from within the Republic of Ireland at €2.40 per minute; http://dublin.usembassy.gov).

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (& 644/462-6000; http://newzealand.usembassy.gov).

Visitor Information Before your trip, check in with the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (& 877/CHICAGO [244-2246]; www.choosechicago.com) to find out about upcoming events and travel packages. (They’ll also mail you a packet of materials, if you want.) Click the “Maps” link on the right side of the home page for links to maps of Chicago neighborhoods. The Illinois Bureau of Tourism (& 800/2CONNECT [226-6632], or 800/406-6418 TTY; www.enjoyillinois.com) will also send you information about Chicago and other Illinois destinations.

Once you’re here, you may want to stop by one of the city’s two official visitors’ centers. The Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. (at Michigan Ave.), once the city’s public library, is a beautiful landmark building that’s worth a look as you’re passing through the Loop. Its visitors’ center is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm; it’s closed on holidays.

The Chicago Water Works Visitor Center is in the old pumping station at Michigan and Chicago avenues in the heart of the city’s shopping district. The entrance is on the Pearson Street side of the building, across from the Water Tower Place mall. It’s open daily from 7:30am to 7pm. This location has the added draw of housing a location of Hot Tix, which offers both half-price day-of-performance and full-price tickets to many theater productions around the city, as well as a gift shop.

For more travel planning information, see chapter 1 for a list of the best Chicago websites.

Wi-Fi See “Internet & Wi-Fi,” earlier in this section.