A Budget Travelers’ Guide to Chicago
The spiritual home of blues and jazz, Chicago is at the heart of America's Midwest and known for its picturesque skyline, which trails along Lake Michigan. A vibrant urban travel destination, Chicago is an immediate favorite for budget travelers.
Accommodation
There aren’t many youth hostels in Chicago, but the ones there are, fortunately, are excellent. Of these, the HI Chicago stands out for its prices and great central location, while Day Inn Lincoln Park North and Arlington International House are both nicely located near Lincoln Park.
Sights
Chicago has a veritable smorgasbord of iconic sights and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Huge parks and public art abounds here, as do noted museums of science and art, modern architecture and even sandy beaches.
Tourists are usually drawn to the attractions which are mainly located downtown, but locals will unanimously agree that travelers haven't truly experienced the essence of "Chi town" until you venture into the city's many neighborhoods.
Local residents make sense of the city by breaking it down it "sides" to the north, west and south of the central business district known as the Loop. Downtown is the centre for work and play and offers opportunities for shopping.
Events
Plenty of events are on offer for travelers to Chicago. Many neighborhoods offer many festivals during spring, summer and fall. In the summer, the Grand Park in the Loop hosts four major music festivals - Blues Fest and Gospel Fest in June, Lollapalooza (aka "Indie Rock Fest") in August, and Jazz Fest over Labor Day Weekend.
A popular attraction is the tour of the Chicago Theatre, which encompasses an architectural and historical tour of the building including the grand lobby areas, majestic auditorium and backstage space (when possible) where performers take to the stage throughout the year.
Food
Due to Chicago's history of German and Polish immigration, it is the king of hotdogs. A Chicago hot dog is always beef, typically served on a poppy-seed bun, and topped with mustard, diced tomatoes, pickle and chili.
About the Author: Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for HostelBookers. Paul Scottyn did a backpacking tour of U.S.A, he checked out a variety of the country's budget accommodation, including a number of most Chicago hostels.
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Print Article | Download PDF | 23 views | Jun 03 2008
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