Why Chicago
Striking architecture on the shore of Lake Michigan, with museums and food to match.
Chicago rises straight from the shore of Lake Michigan, and its architecture is one of the main reasons to go. The centre is walkable around the river and the Loop, with a long lakefront of parks and beaches to the north and south.
- Architecture
- River cruises past some of America's most important buildings.
- Millennium Park
- Cloud Gate, gardens and free summer concerts.
- Museums
- Major art, science and natural history collections.
- Food
- Deep-dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs and a strong restaurant scene.
What travellers often plan
Getting to Chicago, staying and getting around.
Ask about one of these or all of them together in a single request.
- FlightsRoutes into Chicago, with dates, cabin and airline preferences.Flight assistance
- HotelsA stay in the part of Chicago that suits your plans.Hotel assistance
- Airport transfersA pickup planned around your arrival time and luggage.Transfer assistance
- Local transportationRides between your hotel, venues and day trips around Chicago.Cab assistance
Planning your trip
The practical bits.
- Best time to visit
- May to September; winters are cold and windy.
- Getting around
- The 'L' trains, buses and a walkable centre.
- Suggested length
- Three to five days.
Where to stay
Choosing an area in Chicago.
- The Loop
- The business and theatre district, close to Millennium Park.
- River North
- Restaurants, galleries and nightlife just north of the river.
- Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
- Shopping, hotels and the lakefront.
- West Loop
- A former warehouse district now known for its restaurants.
A general overview of areas, not a list of available hotels.
Request Hotel Options
Getting around
Arriving in Chicago.
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) is north-west of the city, connected to downtown by the CTA Blue Line. Midway International (MDW), to the south-west, is closer to the centre and linked by the Orange Line.
The 'L' trains, buses and a walkable centre.
When planning matters
Worth sorting out before you go.
- Check entry requirements early
- Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change over time. Please confirm with the official guidance for your route.
- Travel dates make a difference
- School holidays, festivals and peak seasons affect what's available. If your dates are flexible, tell us — it gives us more to work with.
- Plan the arrival, not just the flight
- Late-night and early-morning arrivals are much easier with a transfer arranged in advance.
- Match the stay to the plan
- Choose the area around what you'll actually do each day, not only the hotel itself.
Keep exploring
Other places worth planning for.
Start your Chicago trip.
Tell us your dates and what you need. A specialist will come back to you with options.
Enquiry
Have a question? Ask us.
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