CHICAGO
Area: Cities
Country: United States of America


Location:
In the heartland of the United States, about 700 mls W of New York and 1,700 mls E of Los Angeles. The city centre is 18 mls from O'Hare International Airport.

Telephone code from UK:
1 312

Website:
http://www.chicago.il.org

Position:
On the shore of Lake Michigan, the 5th-largest freshwater lake in the world. The city is bisected by the reverse-flowing Chicago River. The surrounding area is almost entirely flat, only 300 ft above sea level.

Description:
Chicago is a city where giants of architecture have flourished: Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies Van Der Rohe and many others. In many cases, their works still stand alongside those of later generations of innovators, creating a skyline with both historic ambience and a cutting-edge intensity. The city's respect for beauty and culture is evident everywhere, from its love for public sculpture to its music. All forms _ classical to jazz _ flourish here, and every summer its musicians gather on the lakeshore for a series of festivals. Most of tourist interest lies in an area measuring about 2 mls by 4 and encompassing the city centre. It's here that you'll find most of the architectural landmarks, monuments and museums. Even with these attractions, Chicago is not primarily a resort destination. Its "Loop" is the hub of many financial markets and the headquarters of numerous multinational corporations. Many people who visit Chicago do so the first time on business; the city they discover after-hours brings many of them back again and again.

Suitability:
Travellers of all ages and income levels. The weather can be a problem for some, as it is quite humid in the summer and often very cold in winter; the "Windy City" often lives up to its name.

Accommodation:
Predominantly a mixture of luxury and mid-range hotels, available at affordable rates without sacrificing either location or safety. The variety is vast, with style and taste going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Majority of hotels lie close to the Magnificent Mile shopping district.

Shopping:
The premier shopping area is upper Michigan Avenue from Erie Street to Oak Street, along what is known locally as "The Magnificent Mile". Boutiques, speciality shops and multilevel shopping malls line this street. But there are unique shopping alternatives elsewhere, such as River North between Ohio and Chicago avenues, just W of Michigan Avenue. S State Street within the Loop is also quite lively during the day.

Beach:
Three major beaches near the downtown area: Oak Street, Ohio Street and North Avenue. Sand must be brought to these sites each spring because of erosion; water temperatures remain cold throughout the year. Lifeguards are on duty but there are no other facilities. The remainder of the lakefront is a breakwater and pleasure boat harbour.

Entertainments:
Daytime: double-decker bus tours; 54 museums; Art Institute; Lincoln Park Zoo; galleries (especially in River North); antiques; Sears Tower sky deck (one of the world's tallest buildings); John Hancock Tower sky deck; Navy Pier with its ferris wheel, IMAX theatre, shops and restaurants. Cubs and Sox baseball; Bears American football; Chicago Bulls basketball; golf; jogging and biking on the lakefront; sidewalk cafes. Nightlife: dining, dancing and music in clubs for all tastes. Theatre on one of the city's many stages. Professional basketball or hockey. Chicago Symphony or Lyric Opera. Romantic lake cruises. Festivals.

Eating:
If you can't find it in Chicago, you didn't really want to eat it. Hundreds of restaurants. Best bets are anything ethnic, especially Mexican, ribs, Greek, Midwestern and nouvelle cuisine.

Public-transport:
No car needed in Chicago (it's too expensive to park anyway). Public transport is readily accessible, but can be a bit dirty; an efficient Metro system is complemented by frequent buses. Cabs are a reasonably priced alternative. Those who prefer to walk will find most attractions within reach and with no hills to climb. Walking is, in fact, the best way to see the city.

Local-excursions:
Horse-drawn carriage rides along the Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast. Chicago Architecture Foundation; river, lake and walking tours. Other lake excursions starting from various bridges. Bus tours of city (including gangster and ghost tours) and all-day trips for riverboat gambling.