Chicago

Chicago, the windy city

Chicago is better known as the windy city, yet travelling through the streets; it is restaurants, theatres and arts that captivate you, not the weather.

This area is considered the most populated Midwestern state and is the hub for telecommunications.

Chicago has a very interesting history dated back to the 18th century when it was inhabited by a Native American tribe known as the Potwatomi Tribe, who were forcibly removed from their land in 1833 by the Treaty of Chicago.  In 1803 Fort Dearborn was built, only to be destroyed in the 1812 Battle of Fort Dearborn.  A third of the city along with the whole of the business area was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, which resulted in the first skyscraper being built in 1885.  Chicago was home to over 1000 gangs in the 1920’s including the notorious Al Capone.

Getting around Chicago is easy with shuttles available to take you to your hotel, once situated you can take advantage of the reliable rail network that’s on offer.  The rail network is the largest hub, with trains available to various destinations, so it’s simple to get around the areas and go visit everywhere you want to see without the need for a rental car or private taxi.

Chicago has some of the top restaurants on offer, but also has little areas of ethnic delight, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican and Vietnamese, there is food for everyone.

If it is arts and culture you are after, you must visit the Gateway Theatre and the Civic Opera House and be sure to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra who play regularly around the area.

Travelling with the family?  Why not take a day to enjoy the Lincoln Park Zoo or the Museum of Science and Industry?  Take time out at Navy Pier, lined with houses, restaurants, stores, museums and a large Ferris wheel, which is a large tourist attraction in Chicago.

Experience the Chicago culture at the St Adalberts Church or the National Museum of Mexican Art.  There is so much to do during your holiday, how will you be able to fit everything in?  Plan ahead and decide what you want to see before you arrive, because Chicago has so much to offer.

Holiday accommodation is available everywhere and some of the best deals come in small packages.  The Congress Plaza Hotel is located in the center of Chicago, close to the Auditorium Building and Theater, Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.  This hotel offers a fitness facility and an arcades/games room, to keep the children entertained when you want to take a break from exploring.

Chicago O’Hare Garden Hotel is located near the airport and the Donald E Stephens Convention Center.  It is also close to the Rosemont Theatre.  This hotel is unique in that it allows pets, so no need to leave your furry friend at home this holiday and they offer a fitness facility.

Wyndham Chicago is a four star hotel located near Tribune Tower, Chicago Water Tower, Wrigley Building and Millennium Park.  It offers a restaurant, indoor pool, spa tub, business center and valet parking.

The advantage with holidaying in Chicago is whichever hotel you choose, they are all within easy access to all the sights and attractions with the reliable public transport this city has to offer.

Chicago may be fondly named the windy city, but it’s obvious that this city is an arts and culture enthusiasts dream, there are so many theatres and museums to choose from that your holiday can be filled with music, art and good food.

Hotels.bz lets you book value hotels in Chicago including: Swissotel Chicago and The Whitehall Hotel

Some other major museums and galleries of the Chicago area include:
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
One of the premier art museums in the United States. Famous pieces include American Gothic by Grant Wood, and A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat. The Museum is partnered with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Built in 1897 as Chicago's first public library, the building now houses the city's Visitor Information Center, galleries, and exhibit halls. The ceiling of Preston Bradley Hall includes a 38-foot Tiffany glass dome.

Chicago History Museum
DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 East 56th Place. Displays many artifacts of many well known African-Americans and rich history.

Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago's natural history museum. Highlights include Sue, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world as well as a great, kids-friendly Egyptian exhibit.

Freedom Museum
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 1852 West 19th St., a museum dedicated to Mexican, Latino and Chicano art and culture.

Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Art of all types from around the world made since 1945.

Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. Highlights include the U-505 submarine and working coal mine.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. Museum dedicated to ecology. It is noted for it's butterfly exibit.

Oriental Institute, part of the University of Chicago, one of the best collections of ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern archeology in the world.

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr. Located on the Museum Campus, the Shedd Aquarium is home to a large collection of marine life from throughout the world.

The Pacific Northwest–themed Oceanarium features dolphins, whales, and other animals from the region, as well as a panoramic view of Lake Michigan.
This aquarium was the largest indoor aquarium in the world until the Georgia Aquarium opened in November 2005.