I’m a travel writer based in Chicago – here are the questions visitors ask me the most

22.08.2024 - 16:58 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 22, 2024 • 0 min read

I’ve lived in Chicago for 35 years and I’m still wonderstruck by the big-city buzz, sky-high architecture and the expansive, blue-green lake spilling over the horizon. There’s always tons to do here, new things to explore: an Afrobeat band at Millennium Park, a play about a renegade platypus at a storefront theater, a meaty sandwich made famous by The Bear.

What do you need to know to experience Chicago yourself? Here are answers to the questions I get asked most often. 

No, especially when compared to other big cities and those on the coasts. Food and lodging are reasonable, and many top sights and activities in Chicago are 100% free. You won’t pay a dime to hear summer concerts at Millennium Park, view terrific art exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, wave to the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo, tour the city with Chicago Greeter, gawp at the light show at Art on the Mart, and much more.

That depends on your priorities. Downtown (aka the Loop) has loads of cool architectural hotels near the sights, but limited eating and drinking options after dark. Not ideal if you're looking to party, but a good option if you’re focused on quick and easy museum-hopping.

Next door the Near North has hotels and evening action, but it’s pricey and a bit generic, with more chain lodgings. The West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lake View and Wicker Park all have abundant nightlife to keep you entertained into the wee hours. They’re farther from the main sights but are easy enough to access via the L.

If keeping the price down is a concern, look beyond the Loop, Near North, Gold Coast and West Loop, especially if you have a vehicle, as parking costs in the city’s core are exorbitant.

Public transit is the way to go, especially the L trains, which help you bypass dreadful traffic. “L” stands for “elevated,” as the system runs on raised tracks in addition to subway tracks. The L’s eight color-coded lines get you to most sights and neighborhoods. Bonus: an unlimited-ride day pass costs just $5. Buy it at any L station or via the Ventra app.

The L is particularly useful when going to or from the airports, where traffic can snarl beyond your wildest dreams. The Blue Line from O’Hare and Orange Line from Midway take 30 to 40 minutes and cost $3 to $5. Not only are travel times often quicker on the L, but it’s about 10 times cheaper than a taxi or ride-share.

That said, ride-shares are handy to pick up the slack when the L isn’t convenient.

Start with a 90-minute Chicago Architecture Center river cruise. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also marvelous, with guides providing classic Chicago history and lore. I also love the Art Institute of Chicago with its rock-star impressionists and Picassos, and Millennium Park’s