How to Find Hotels in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, is located on Lake Michigan midway between the East and West coasts of the U.S. The city was named by the Illinois Indians who lived in the area. Originally a cattle town, Chicago has developed into a bustling city with a vibrant culture all its own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Bundle up or strip down. Chicago can get extremely cold in the winter and hot in the summer; weather is rarely moderate here.

2. Look at the buildings. Chicago is rich in history, and has a wealth of buildings from the 19th century to admire.

3. Check out the world-class restaurants and the jazz and blues clubs while you're there. Chicago is famous for both.

Travel to Chicago, Illinois

4. Get to Chicago by air. Chicago's O'Hare airport accepts both international and domestic flights and is one of the busiest in the country.

5. Get to Chicago by road. Chicago is easily accessible by road in any direction. Consult with an automobile club for detailed directions from your area.

6. Get to Chicago by train or bus. Chicago's Union Station serves both bus and rail traffic.

Book Accommodations

7. To book accommodations, contact Official Chicago Tourism Guide at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

8. Do something different. Chicago offers budget accommodations for those willing to go the hostel route. Groups can get hostel rates as low as $27 per night.

9. Go for broke. As a cosmopolitan city, Chicago has its share of 4-star accommodations that are perfect for everyone from rock stars to honeymooners.

Explore the City

10. Fill up on culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art. In addition to a theater and sculpture garden, this impressively large museum is also home to Puck's at the MCA, a signature Wolfgang Puck restaurant.

11. Stop and smell the roses at the Chicago Botanic Garden, home to more than 2 million plants. A tram tour and a walking tour are both available to visitors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'll be attending business meetings or conferences, get accommodations recommendations from the organizers. They will often be able to give you the names of nearby hotels.
• Almost all major chains have hotels in Chicago, so you'll probably be able to find a vacancy at your favorite hotel line.
• Get around Chicago by taking public transportation. Trains, buses and taxis are more convenient than driving for visitors. Free trolleys also operate in certain areas.
• Winter weather conditions can cause flight delays; call ahead to confirm departure times.