frommer''s portable chicago

[...]... 119 B E S T H OT E L B E T S 5 The Best Chicago Websites • www.metromix.com is the Chicago Tribune’s entertainment-oriented site • www.ci.chi.il.us/landmarks is a city website that includes definitions of Chicago architectural styles, tour information, and maps • www.chireader.com is the site of the Chicago Reader, the city’s alternative weekly paper • www .chicago. citysearch.com offers reviews of... to Chicago A fter choosing a destination, most prospective travelers have two fundamental questions: “What will it cost?” and “How will I get there?” This chapter answers both of these questions and resolves other important issues—such as when to go and where to obtain more information about Chicago before you leave home and once you get there 1 Visitor Information The Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago. .. a sunny morning to a chilly, drizzly evening As close to your departure as possible, check the local weather forecast at the websites of the Chicago Office of Tourism (www.ci.chi.il.us/tourism/weather) or the Chicago Tribune newspaper (www.chicagotribune.com) Chicago s Average Temperatures & Precipitation Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec High °F 20 34 44 59 70 79 85 82 76 64 48 35... 2.59 3.66 3.15 4.08 3.63 3.53 3.35 2.28 2.06 2.10 Rainfall (in.) CHICAGO CALENDAR OF EVENTS The best way to stay on top of the city’s current crop of special events is to ask the Chicago Office of Tourism (& 312/744-2400; www.ci.chi.il.us/tourism) or the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (& 800/2CONNECT; www.enjoyillinois com) to mail you a copy of Chicago Calendar of Events, an excellent quarterly publication... concurrent with the first weekend of the Taste of Chicago (see below) Taste of Chicago, Grant Park (& 312/744-3315) The city claims that this is the largest free outdoor food fest in the nation Three-and-a-half million rib and pizza lovers feeding at this colossal alfresco trough say they’re right Over 10 days of feasting in the streets, scores of Chicago restaurants cart their fare to food stands... marching units have to be seen to be believed at this colorful culmination of a month of activities by Chicago s gay and lesbian community Last Sunday in June July Independence Day Celebration (& 312/744-3315) The holiday is celebrated in Chicago on the third of July, concurrent with the Taste of Chicago Concerts and fireworks are the highlights of the festivities in Grant Park Expect huge crowds July... Windy City Times (www.windycitymediagroup.com/ index.html), which publishes a useful calendar of events, and Gay Chicago (www.gaychicagomag.com), a weekly entertainment magazine A helpful website, with lists of community and social groups, nightlife options, and an events calendar, is www.outchicago.org Horizon Community Services (& 773/929-HELP), a gay socialservice agency with counseling services, support... FAMILY TRAVEL Chicago is full of sightseeing opportunities and special activities geared toward children See “Kid Stuff,” in chapter 6, for information and ideas for families Chapter 4 includes a list of the best hotel deals for families, and chapter 5 lists kid-friendly restaurants For information on finding a babysitter, see “Fast Facts: Chicago, ” in chapter 3 The guidebook Frommer’s Chicago with... most first-class hotels in Chicago The cost is $20 one-way ($36 round-trip) to or from O’Hare and $15 one-way ($28 round-trip) to or from Midway The shuttles operate from 6am to 11:30pm BY CAR Interstate highways from all major points on the compass service Chicago BY TRAIN For tickets, consult your travel agent or call Amtrak (& 800/USARAIL; www.amtrak.com) When you arrive in Chicago, the train will... rare in Chicago, so plan accordingly When arriving in Chicago, you can exchange international currency in Terminal 5 (the international terminal) at O’Hare Airport In the city, there are American Express offices at 55 W Monroe St (& 312/541-5440) and 605 N Michigan Ave (& 312/9437840) Most banks will not exchange foreign currency If you find yourself in need of a foreign-exchange service while in Chicago, . information about Chicago before you leave home and once you get there. 1 Visitor Information The Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 ( & 312/744-2400. local weather forecast at the websites of the Chicago Office of Tourism (www.ci.chi.il.us/tourism/weather) or the Chicago Tribune newspa- per (www.chicagotribune.com). Chicago s Average Temperatures &. around Chicago these days, and you’ll feel an undeniable energy, a sense that the town is on a roll. This isn’t the first time Chicago has reinvented itself. From the ashes of the Great Chicago