Chicago
From GRA
Contents |
Transit
- Links
Metromix BEST guide to restaurants, bars, theatre, special events and nightlife in the Chicago area.
Regional Transportation Authority
Regional Transportation Asset Management System
- Visitor Passes
The 1-Day ($5) pass offers 24 hours of unlimited CTA and Pace riding from the first use. This pass cannot be shared or recharged. You can also buy 2-Day ($9), 3-Day ($12) and 5-Day ($18) passes.
Passes are sold at Visitor Information Centers, select downtown Currency Exchanges, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, O'Hare and Midway airports, and the Rosemont and Cumberland CTA rail stations.
For more information : http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html To buy online : http://www3.yourcta.com
What to see
- Millenium Park and the Bean
Dont miss the opportunity to see the cities reflection in the bean - it also presents a great oppurtunity to take funny pictures of yourself! For those of you who need a coffee on a morning this area around the park and the loop is a great place to search for caffine!
- Grant Park
Stroll around the park and see the Buckingham fountain. The park is home to a number of festivals which occur in Chicago including the taste of chicago (held in July)
- The Art Institute of Chicago
http://www.artic.edu This is one of the worlds premier art museums. Really excellent collection of surrealist, modern and impressionist paintings, definatley worth spending a few hours here on your visit.
- Sears Tower Skydeck
$11.95, cash or credit card (faster if you pay by cash, 2 counters to pay by cash, only one to pay by credit card)
- John Hancock Tower Skydeck
$9.50 + tax, The view is great because you see north beach (better than Sears tower.
- The Mag Mile
For those who like to shop go visit the Magnificient mile - a mile of Michigan Avenue lined with large branches of almost every store you can imagine.
- Field Musem
$7.00
- Navy Peer
If you want to take a boat trip this a good place to start looking at Chicagos most visited tourist attraction. There is an endless supply of entertainment on the peer and the view of the city is worth the walk to the end. Check out the Feris wheel while you are there.
- Bike rental
Fly along the Lake front bike path using a rented bicycle (from $30 per day - reductions for more days) or take your roller blades if you feel more energetic. A great way to see the cities amazing architecture from many vantage points and visit a number of beaches on your journey for some well deserved r&r. Its also a great way of getting to Navy Peer.
- Giordanos
www.giordanos.com A great place to eat a Chicago deep dish pizza. Alternatively one can order a pizza to be shipped to you wherever you location in the USA. Orders can be placed by phone or online. If you are visiting the resturant - be warned the wait time for a table is long so go in / call in advance.
Chicago Water Works 163 E. Pearson Street at N. Michigan Avenue 7:30am - 7pm daily Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Chicago Cultural Center
77 E. Randolph Street
Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm
Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Sunday, 11am - 5pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
- Office of Tourism's Visitor Information
Guides
Don't forget to look for free guides that can be available in shops, youth hostels,... They can be very helpful, as they often contain up-to-date information, maps, and sometimes coupons. If you are staying more than a day and wish to explore much of the city - buying a two or three day pass on the metro is definately worth it. One can take the metro directly into the city centre from the Airport.
Chicago Official Visitors Guide
Website
Order the guide for free
(Free) What's inside: extraordinary events, the lowdown on lodging, flavors of Chicago, world-class shopping, activities galore, where to go and what to do, detailed maps to get you there
Polish Chicago Qwick Guide (Free) Businesses, services, museums, events, cultural centers...
Chicago Guide Book of Special Values Voucher for your free Chicago Guide Book of Special Values This coupon book published by the Chicago Office of Tourism offers great savings at museums, attractions, restaurants, shopping centers and entertainment venues throughout the city, along with a list of free events and attractions.
Useful Links
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalChannelAction.do?topChannelName=Exploring http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/
Where to eat
- Blackies
164 E Grand ave. (Access by taking the stairs at 535 N michigan Ave, in front of Nordstrom shopping center.) Burgers around $6, I recommend the blue cheese burger with pickle, tomato and coleslaw.
- Big Bowl
Fresh Chinese and Thai Website 6 E. Cedar St. 312-640-8888 Map
60 E. Ohio St. 312-951-1888 Map
- Matsuya Restaurant
$15.00 for 2 soups
- Pizzeria Uno
$32.00 for 2 small pizze An individual pizza is enough for one person. A small is for 2 persons. 619 N Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60611 Map
- Green Tea Japanese Restaurant
2206 N Clark St, Chicago, 60614 773-883-8812
Where to go out
- Joes Bee Bop Cafe
$12.00 for 2 beers
- House of Beers
$40.00 for 4 long islands
