Lodging in a Nutshell |
by Kathleen Pratt, Chicago Correspondent |
 Whether you're traveling to Chicago to soak up sun in the bleachers at Wrigley Field or to network with business contacts at McCormick Place, you're likely to discover some unexpected pleasures.
The city is a collection of different neighborhoods, each marked by its own unique character and history. But it's as vast as it is vibrant, so before you arrive, you'll want to know just what stops to place on your itinerary.
Despite its sprawling size, Chicago is surprisingly simple to navigate. In fact, it's possible to take on the entire city armed with little more than a sense of adventure and a map of the Chicago Transit Authority's extensive system of trains and buses. Although you could explore Chicago by car, chances are you'll spend half of your visit searching for a parking space.
Many downtown hotels offer parking, but fees are steep. The availability of street parking varies from one neighborhood to the next, but it's nearly impossible to find a space in the downtown area or on the Near North Side.
Summer is peak tourist season in Chicago -- and with good reason. There's at least one neighborhood celebration or city-wide music festival every weekend from May through September. The Lake Michigan beaches and jogging paths that line the entire east side of town also add to the city's seasonal allure. During the muggy days of August, the lakefront is one of the most popular places in town. The rest of the year, however, the refreshing lake breeze becomes a damp, bone-chilling gale that forces even hearty Midwesterners to retreat into their parkas.
The Windy City's blustery reputation may keep a few visitors away during the winter months, but Chicago sees a steady flow of tourists throughout the year -- particularly around the holiday shopping season. The City of Chicago spares no expense decorating for the holidays, nor do the stores along Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.
There's much more to Chicago than the glitzy storefronts on Michigan Avenue and the downtown skyscrapers, however. From quaint Swedish bakeries and tasty Indian cuisine on the Far North Side to the new Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park to the bustling streets of Chinatown, an eclectic city awaits any visitor willing to explore its many charms.
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