Travelers Guide to Chicago

This handy guide will help you on your next vacation to #Chicago. Whether you want to see shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation, museums, or architecture options this guide will help you in planning the perfect holiday in Chicago!
About AAA

The American Automobile Association (the "AAA" or "Triple-A") was founded on March 4, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois when, in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles, Nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members banded together to form the Triple-A. Those individual motor clubs included the Chicago Automobile Club, Automobile Club of America, Automobile Club of New Jersey, and others.
Visit at aaa.com
Chicago TrAveL information Neighbourhood city gochicago Illinois state visit gochicago
About AAA

Visit at aaa.com
Chicago TrAveL information Neighbourhood city gochicago Illinois state visit gochicago
TrAveL guiDe
inTroDuCTion 
1 
Illinois Map 
back flap 
Chicago Map 
front flap 
Neighbourhood Map 
back inside flap 
Chicago Neighbourhoods  
inside flap 
TrAveL TiPs 
2
CATegories 
shopping 
4 
Dining 
10 
entertainment 
22 
Leisure/recreation 
32 
Museums/history 
37 
Architecture 
44
The Chicago and Illinois Tourist Office welcomes you with this  
special Travel guide designed to help the international traveller  
plan the perfect holiday. 
To help you identify where to start, weâ€™ve 
separated the state into five regions, each 
delivering its own experience.
Comprehensive listings, which include 
descriptions, addresses and phone  
numbers, point out a variety of things  
to see and do. Shopping, for example,  
organises stores and boutiques by  
neighbourhood and state regions.  
Dining is categorised by cuisine, while  
Entertainment covers everything from  
blues bars and dance clubs to opera and 
theatre. gardens, zoos, state parks and re-
sorts are all listed under Leisure/Recreation.  
Museums/History lists important cultural 
institutions and historic sites. Architecture 
reveals notable landmarks throughout  
the state. 
remember, you can always visit  
gochicago.com for updated travel  
information on illinois and Chicago. 
hoW To use This guiDe
TABLe oF ConTenTs
 
 
 
since its rise from the ashes of the great Chicago Fire, the 
city of Chicago has picked itself up and never looked 
back. Today, this world-class city is internationally known 
for its unrivaled architecture, five-star cuisine, chic shop-
ping and leading cultural institutions. Chicago also has 
a reputation as one of the friendliest and most walkable 
cities in the u.s., with a breathtaking lakefront thatâ€™s close 
to all the action.
ChiCAgo
 
 
 
Chicago is also known as a city of neighbourhoods, 
each with their own unique flavour. Shop  
designer boutiques and upscale retail centres  
on the stretch of north Michigan Avenue known  
as the Magnificent MileÂ®. The Loop is home to many 
of the cityâ€™s leading museums and theatres, along 
with great shopping on state street. explore unique 
stores, restaurants and nightlife that ranges from 
comedy to blues clubs in the near north side  
neighbourhoods of streeterville, old Town, the  
gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. 
hip stores and art galleries, edgy restaurants and 
trendy clubs populate river north, Bucktown and 
Wicker Park. Authentic ethnic shops and restaurants 
can be found in greektown, Little italy, Chinatown, 
the german enclave in Lincoln square and the 
swedish community of Andersonville. south of 
downtown, the hyde Park neighbourhood is home 
to the Museum of science and industry and the 
Dusable Museum of African-American history,  
as well as a number of African-American shops, 
restaurants and nightspots.
neighBourhooDs
ChiCAgo neighBourhooD MAP
explore Chicago 
neighbourhoods
Discover the traditions, 
stories and people of 
Chicago with one of 
17 different Chicago 
neighbourhood Tours.  
you can book by phone, 
312.742.1190, in person 
at the shop at the 
Cultural Center, 77 E. 
Randolph St. or online  
by visiting the â€œTravel  
Tipsâ€ section on  
gochicago.com.
iLLinois MAP
CHICAGO
CHICAGOLAND
NORTHERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
180
55
72
72
74
74
74
70
57
55
39
39
80
80
88
88
90
55
55
57
94
94
290
36
36
45
45
45
52
52
66
66
66
66
66
67
24
51
24
54
34
67
6
6
24
150
150
136
136
136
150
51
155
52
52
52
20
14
34
30
70
57
57
24
64
64
45
50
51
45
45
50
13
1
4
16
16
32
29
97
9
29
10
10
1
1
1
9
54
47
47
47
17
71
64
72
75
17
18
23
89
29
26
92
40
54
49
96
94
94
17
17
78
78
84
48
13
33
49
3
146
127
108
125
100
116
134
116
251
115
104
130
161
185
128
130
159
Oakland
Atwood
Shipman
Petersburg
Mt. Pulaski
Williamsville
Monticello
Atlanta
LeRoy
Oakwood
Fairbury
Cherry Valley
CaledoniaCapron
Woodstock
Mackinaw
267
Effingham
Vandalia
Kewanee
Freeport
Macomb
Jacksonville
Griggsville
Barry
Beardstown
Chandlerville
Rushville
Murphysboro
DuQuoin
Mattoon
Charleston
Mt. Vernon
Okawville
Centralia
Fairfield
Flora
Mt. Carmel
Lawrenceville
Robinson
Olney
Ottawa
Waukegan
Skokie
Evanston
St. Charles
Aurora
Kankakee
Bradley
Rochelle
Galesburg
Brimfield
Joliet
Naperville
East St. Louis
Marion
Benton
Herrin
Harrisburg
Carmi
McLeansboro
Eldorado
Ullin
Metropolis
Cairo
Golconda
Sterling
Pontiac
Litchfield
Carlinville
Lincoln
Clinton
Metamora
Monmouth
Roseville
Oquawka
Gladstone
Raritan
Canton
Forest City
Edwards
Wyanet
Sheffield
Princeton
Dixon
Lena
Stockton
Woodbine
Elizabeth
Hanover
Galena
Poplar Grove
Belvidere
Fulton
Thomson
Savanna
Mendota
Mt.
Carroll Mt.
Morris
Amboy
Oregon
Morrison
Carthage
Nauvoo
Wood River
Alton
Edwardsville
Grafton
Collinsville
Fairview Heights
Modoc
Kaskaskia
Prairie du Rocher
Belleville
Cahokia
Waterloo
Chester
Alto Pass
Pana
Greenup
Paris
Marshall
Shelbyville
Sullivan
Arthur
Arcola
Tuscola
Lerna
Utica
Morris
LaSalle
Hennepin
Elgin
Oak Park
Gurnee
Newton
Altamont
Hutsonville
Strasburg
Findlay
Carlyle
Greenville
Louisville
Kinmundy
Albion
Nashville
Pinckneyville
Pomona
Makanda
Grand Tower
Cobden
Anna
Jonesboro
Olmsted
Belknap
Vienna
Dixon Springs
Rosiclare
Cave-in-Rock
Elizabethtown
Equality
West Frankfort
Whittington
Sesser
Goreville
Ellis Grove
Lebanon
Granite City
Madison
Hartford
East Peoria
Pekin
Havana
Brookfield
Oak Brook
Schaumburg
Rosemont
Arlington Heights
Prospect Heights
Long Grove
Glencoe
Fort Sheridan
Albany
Apple River
Orangeville
Cedarville
Byron
Rockton
Loves Park
Sycamore
Fox Lake
Spring Grove
Huntley
Union
Sandwich
Yorkville
Bourbonnais
Marseilles
Seneca
Streator
Channahon
Genoa
Lansing
East Dubuque
Franklin Grove
Polo
Elkhart
Mount Zion
Shawneetown
Oswego
Riverside
Decatur
Peoria
Champaign Urbana
Rantoul
Rockford
Rock Island
Moline
DeKalb
Springfield
Normal
Bloomington
Carbondale
Chicago
Quincy
Danville
Rossville
Shirley
1|48
Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, thanks to  
Abraham Lincoln who worked his way from humble 
legislator to President of the United States. Today,  
Illinois is a study in diverse cultures and landscapes, 
from the cosmopolitan city of Chicago to the rolling 
green hills of Southern Illinois.
ILLINOIS 
2|48
Travel Guide
This page offers helpful facts about transportation, weather 
and visitor information. For more details about visas, consulate 
offices and currency information, go to gochicago.com.
ChiCago Water Works  
Visitor information Centre
163 E. Pearson Ave.
Mon. - Thur.:  
8am - 7pm
Friday:  
8am - 6pm
Saturday:  
9am - 6pm
Sunday:  
10am - 6pm
Holidays:  
10am - 4pm
Closed Thanksgiving,  
Christmas Day and  
New Yearâ€™s Day 
ChiCago Cultural Centre  
Visitor information Centre
77 E. Randolph St.
Mon. - Thur.:  
8am - 7pm
Friday:  
8am - 6pm
Saturday:  
9am - 6pm
Sunday:  
10am - 6pm
Holidays:  
10am - 4pm
Closed Thanksgiving,  
Christmas Day and  
New Yearâ€™s Day 
AVERAGE FLIGHT 
TIMES TO CHICAGO
FROM
TIME 
(HOURS)
Brussels
8
Dublin
8
Frankfurt
8
Hong Kong
14
London
8
Milan
9
Mexico City
4
Paris
8
Toronto
2
Zurich
8.5
Airports 
oâ€™hare international 
airport
773.686.2200
midWay international 
airport
773.838.0600
tr
a
V
el
 t
ip
s
gochicago.com
What you need to know
Central standard time: 
 6 hours earlier than GMT 
1 hour earlier than East Coast 
2 hours later than West Coast
legal car rental age: 
25 years old
legal driving age: 
16 years old
legal drinking and gaming age:  21 years old  
(photo ID or passport required)
emergency services: 
Dial 911
Guides
Additional guides packed with helpful information are  
downloadable at www.gochicago.com. 
You can find helpful information at Tourist Information  
Centres throughout the state. Visit gochicago.com for 
locations and listings.
Visitor Centres
3|48
free trolleys
You donâ€™t need a ticket to get from place  
to place in Chicago. Just look for the â€œFree  
Trolleyâ€ sign at popular Chicago destinations  
like Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Lincoln  
Park Zoo, Michigan Avenue and State Street.  
Visit gochicago.com for additional information.  
Summer service from late May to early  
September and during the winter  
holiday season.
free ChiCago greeter tours
Given in over 18 different languages, see  
Chicago through the eyes of local volunteers. 
Select from more than 25 neighbourhoods and 
40 popular interest areas including Fashion, Film, 
Ethnic Chicago and Public Art. Advanced  
registration is requested and information can  
be found in the â€œTravel Tipsâ€ section  
on gochicago.com.
Insider Tips
 
CTA Trains
The elevated train service, nicknamed the 
El, connects both airports with the city. Blue 
Line=Oâ€™Hare & Orange Line=Midway. For 
more information and a CTA map, please 
refer to the back inside flap.
888.968.7282
Metra Commuter Rail 
Metra system makes travelling to and from 
downtown Chicago and its surrounding 
areas easy. The 10-Ride Ticket saves 15% 
over one-way fares and can be shared. The 
Weekend Pass is good for unlimited rides on 
all Metra lines on both Saturday and Sunday.  
Weekdays:  312.322.6774 
Evenings & Weekends:  312.836.4949 
WEATHER
MONTH
AVG. TEMP 
(ÂºF/ÂºC)
RAINFALL 
(AVG. INCHES)
SNOWFALL 
(AVG. INCHES)
Jan.
21.0/-6.1
1.5
10.7
Feb.
25.4/-3.6
1.4
8.4
March
37.2/2.8
2.7
6.5
April
48.6/9.2
3.6
1.8
May
58.9/14.9
3.3
.1
June
68.6/20.3
3.8
â€“
July
73.2/22.8
3.7
â€“
Aug.
71.7/22.0
4.2
â€“
Sept.
64.4/18.0
3.8
â€“
Oct.
52.8/11.5
2.4
.5
Nov.
40.0/4.4
2.9
1.9
Dec.
26.6/-3
2.5
8.8
Amtrak
Amtrak offers train service to many Illinois destinations and attractions, making it a cost-effective 
alternative to travelling by car, bus or plane. 
800.872.7245
Accommodations
Looking for the perfect hotel for your trip to Illinois? Visit the â€œPackagesâ€ section on  
gochicago.com for hotel listings throughout the state, complete with images and  
available amenities.
4|48
Travel Guide
Take advantage of the favourable exchange rate at  
some of the stateâ€™s best boutiques, department stores  
and vertical malls.
BUCKTOWN
Apartment Number 9
This chic menâ€™s clothing 
store carries both casual 
and dressy styles by  
designers that include  
Paul Smith and Jack Spade.
1804 N. Damen Ave. â€“ 
773.395.2999
futurgarb boutique
This urban loft store carries 
the latest underground 
fashions for men and 
women, including lines  
by Billabong, Salvage  
and Affliction.
1359 N. Milwaukee Ave. â€“ 
773.276.1450
Habit
More than 75 independent 
emerging Chicago  
designers show their wares 
here, including many 
limited-edition pieces.
1951 W. Division Ave. â€“ 
773.342.0093
Helen Yi
Offerings include a blend  
of couture designers and 
small label contemporary 
collections, including piec-
es by Chicago designers.
1645 N. Damen Ave. â€“ 
773.252.3838
Michelle Tan
This Chicago designer 
creates sleek yet seductive 
clothing for women,  
using silk, satin and other 
natural fabrics.
1872 N. Damen Ave. â€“ 
773.252.1888
Robin Richman
Find some of the funkiest 
shoes in Chicago, along 
with beaded jewellery  
and fun vintage travel 
knickknacks.
2108 N. Damen Ave. â€“ 
773.278.6150
Scoop NYC
Urban chic is the signature 
of this New York favourite 
that features everything 
from denim by Citizens of 
Humanity to Vera Wang 
gowns, along with an  
on-site cafÃ©.
1702 N. Milwaukee Ave. â€“ 
773.227.9930
T-Shirt Deli*
Dream up your own mes-
sage or choose an iron-on 
design from the menu of 
T-shirts, which are printed 
whilst you wait and come 
wrapped in butcher paper 
along with a bag of crisps.
1739 N. Damen Ave. â€“ 
773.276.6266
GOLD COAST
Barneys New York
A style icon since 1923,  
Barneys is the place  
that celebrities and  
fashionistas go to find  
sophisticated menâ€™s  
and womenâ€™s clothing.
25 E. Oak St. â€“ 312.587.1700
* Visit gochicago.com for additional locations
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CHICAGO