Flying Into Chicago

When you arrive in Chicago, you'll likely land at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). There are a limited number of airlines that operate flights to/from Chicago's Midway Airport (MDW), mainly Southwest Airlines, which uses Chicago-Midway as a major hub.

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, you'll find airlines from all over the world. American Airlines and United both have hubs here and Spirit Airlines has brought a large amount of low-cost flights to Chicago.

O'Hare airport is connected to Chicago's Loop by the Blue Line on Chicago's rapid transit network. There are also buses and taxis available to take you to your final destination.

Getting Around Chicago

Being the crossroads of America, Chicago's traffic can be intense. For this reason, you may decide to forgo renting a car in Chicago. The mass transit system, which is nicknamed the “L” train due to its mostly elevated train system, runs efficiently and can get you most places around the center of Chicago.

Nevertheless, the train network is not as vast as other major cities and you may find it useful to rent a car in order to get to further locales outside the city center such as the many beaches along Lake Michigan.

Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago has a lot to do for all kinds of interests. The city is full of museums like the Art Institute of Chicago and beautiful parks such as Millennium Park. The architecture in Chicago is something to marvel. A trip to the Skydeck at the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower is a must-see attraction.

Food is another major part of the Chicago scene. A highly debatable topic is who has the best pizza between Chicago and New York. Decide for yourself by trying some of Chicago's signature deep dish pizza at Giordano's or Pequod's.

Chicagoans are passionate about their sports and if you're a fan of baseball, it's worth a visit to Wrigleyville just to check out the historic Wrigley Field. This neighborhood is also a nightlife hotspot where you can catch live music at the classic Metro venue.

What to Know About Chicago

Chicago is a diverse mix of small-town Midwestern culture and international big city influence. Its location in the center of the country along one of the Great Lakes, make Chicago a relatively short flight away from most places in North America.

If you're looking to see Chicago on a budget, the city offers free summer music festivals, free walking tours, and a very festive St. Patrick's Day parade where the Chicago River gets dyed green.

The best time to visit Chicago is in the summer when the temperature warms up. Winters can get brutally cold due to the wind chill effect of the “windy city”. You'll find moderate temperatures in the spring and fall.