Chicago (الولايات المتحدة) - information for visitors and tourists

Chicago, Illinois, United States of America: Travel and transportation information

Airport and Local Travel Information

The city of Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northeast of the state of Illinois. Chicago is two hours away from major North American cities, approximately eight hours away from European and South American capital cities, and around thirteen hours away from major Asian.

Airports in Chicago

Chicago O’Hare Airport: Chicago O’Hare Airport (IATA: ORD) is an international airport located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, 14 miles (23 km) northwest of the Loop business district. Today, it is the world's sixth-busiest airport, serving 83 million passengers. O'Hare had 919,704 aircraft operations, averaging 2,520 per day, the most of any airport in the world in part because of a large number of regional flights. O'Hare serves as a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines, It is also a focus city for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Chicago O'Hare Airport has non-stop flights to 228 destinations in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Chicago O’hare Airport is nicknamed “busiest square mile in the world”.

Midway International Airport Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW), is a major commercial airport on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, located eight miles (13 km) from the Loop. Today, Midway is the second-largest airport in Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois, serving 20,844,860 passengers. Midway is a base for Southwest Airlines. The current terminal complex was completed in 2001. The terminal bridges Cicero Avenue and contains 43 gates with facilities for international passengers. Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and the CTA Orange Line provide freeway and rapid transit access to The Loop.

Public Transportation

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): The US second largest public transportation system, the CTA operates Chicago’s eight ‘L’ train lines and 129 bus routes. Two lines operate 24/7: the Blue Line, which connects Chicago O’Hare International Airport and downtown, and the Red Line, with service between the North and South Sides via downtown. Convenient CTA bus routes travel throughout the city, with stops every few blocks. Several lines offer Night Owl service, running until 2 a.m. or later. Pay cash for single-trip bus rides or purchase a reloadable Ventra Transit Card or Unlimited Ride Pass for both travel by ‘L’ train and bus.

Metra Rail: The high-speed Metra commuter rail train connects outlying suburbs to downtown Chicago and is a fast and easy way to travel to the heart of the city.

Taxis: In addition to hailing taxis throughout the city, you can e-hail and e-pay with CHICABS-approved apps ARRO and CURB. Credit cards are accepted in all taxis.

Ridesharing: Download your free Lyft and/or Uber app for on-demand ridesharing throughout the city. Simply enter your current location and destination, review fare options, and request your ride.

Driving in Chicago

Driving in downtown Chicago? Here are some useful resources and apps:
• Interactive map of public parking facilities in downtown Chicago.
• iParkit: Allows you to reserve a guaranteed parking spot.
• Millennium Garages: Visit the site for pre-purchase and drive-up rates.
• ABM Parking: Find convenient parking lots all around Chicago.
• ParkChicago: Allows you to create an account linked to your car’s license plate; then you can enter the zone number on any Chicago street meter car parking sign to pay.
• SpotHero: Parking spots across the city accessible from your phone.
• ParkWhiz: Find parking, compare prices, and reserve a space from your phone. Check out road rules here. And find traffic and road conditions from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Things-to-do in Chicago, Illinois

Millennium Park: Millennium Park vast 24.5-acre section of Chicago’s front yard is one of the most popular places to spend time outdoors in the city, hosting well-known pieces of public art and a long list of special events. The visitors will have memorable moments next to the Bean and Crown Fountain as an interactive work of public art.

Navy Pier: Navy Pier encompasses over 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions, and exhibition facilities and is one of the top destinations in the Midwest, drawing nearly two million visitors annually.

Chicago Riverside Walk and Lake-front Trail : Hugging the banks of the main branch of the Chicago River, the Riverwalk provides a pedestrian path along the city’s most popular waterway, lined with restaurants, bars, and gathering spaces. Moreover, an 18-mile-long trail stretches from Hollywood Avenue to 71st Street where the visitors will find walkers, runners, and cyclists soaking in the Michigan Lake views. To gain the most of this experience, the visitors could rent a bicycle and cycle along the city’s skyline.

The Willis Tower and The John Hancock Center (360Chicago): The Willis Tower, or as the locals usually call it The Sears Tower is a 108-story, 1,450-foot skyscraper in Chicago, which is the third-tallest building in the States. Each year, more than one million people visit its observation deck, the highest in the United States, making it one of Chicago's most popular tourist destinations. John Hancock Center, a 100-story, 1.129-foot-tall skyscraper is one of the main destinations for visitors. The observatory (360 Chicago) has a 360° view of the city, up to four states, and over 80 miles. 360 Chicago is home to TILT, a moving platform that leans visitors over the edge to a 30-degree angle.

Museums and Exhibitions: Chicago has some of the most spectacular museums and exhibitions, which no visitor should miss! Art Institute of Chicago, one of the city’s most well-known cultural institutions that houses more than 300,000 artworks is one of the places to visit, but the list of cultural must-visit places goes on in the City by the Lake! The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago History Museum, and Chicago’s Museum of Illusions must be placed on the list of any Chicago visitor.

Tours : Chicago River Architecture Tours provide an exceptional opportunity to discover the architectural gems of the Windy City. Also, the visitors could enjoy a dinner in a cruise on the Michigan Lake. Other tours that should not be missed during the stay in Chicago are Broadway theaters, Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off, Chicago Crime and Mob Bus, and Chicago Food, History, and Architecture Combo tours.

Shopping Centers : Chicago does not forget the shopping lovers! While visiting the city, the shops at North Bridge, Block Thirty-Seven, Water Tower Place, and Magnificent Mile & Streetville would be the heaven of shopping lovers.

Food Culture : While in the town, do not forget to try Chicago-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, authentic tacos, Italian beef, cinnamon rolls, jibarito, etc. International restaurants of Chicago cover all kinds of most favorite foods across the globe, from Italian steak and pasta to sushi, from Middle Eastern kebab to veggie meals.

Chicago's weather

Chicago experiences a diverse range of weather throughout the year, showcasing the distinct characteristics of each season. During the winter months, which typically span from December to February, temperatures often range from -6°C to 3°C (21°F to 37°F). The city is blanketed in snow, creating a picturesque winter landscape. Spring, from March to May, brings a gradual thaw, with temperatures rising from 5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F). It's a time when the city comes alive with blossoming flowers and vibrant greenery. Chicago's summer, extending from June to August, is marked by warm temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F), making it an ideal season for outdoor activities and festivals. Finally, the fall season, from September to November, sees temperatures cooling down again, ranging from 6°C to 19°C (43°F to 66°F), and the city's foliage transforms into a spectacular display of autumn colors. في هذه اللحظات ، لا تتوفر معلومات.

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