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Chicago is a major metropolis located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois. It’s the third-largest city and metropolitan area in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles.

Progress and modernization rule in Chicago. The old Chicago with its smoke-spewing factories and quarreling politicians—not to mention machine gun-wielding gangsters—is mostly gone, having given way to a new Chicago. From the sternly classical to the space age, from the Gothic to the coolly modern, Chicago is a place with an embarrassment of architectural riches. Modern architecture was born here. Frank Lloyd Wright fans will swoon to see his earliest buildings here, where he began his professional career.

Chicago’s museums and cultural institutions are among the best in the world. Three of them are located within a short walk of each other in the Near South, on what is known as the museum campus, in a beautiful spot along the lake: the Adler Planetarium, with cool hands-on space exhibits and astronomy shows; the Field Museum; and the Shedd Aquarium, with the best collection of marine life east of California. A short distance away, on the South Chicago Shore, is the most fun of them all, the Museum of Science and Industry—or, as generations of Chicago-area grade school students know it, the best field trip ever.

In the Loop, the Art Institute of Chicago has a handful of iconic household names among an unrivaled collection of Impressionism, modern and classical art, and tons of historical artifacts. And in Lincoln Park, a short trip from the Loop, the cheerful (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes visitors every day of the week.

Trips to Chicago - See what others have planned

Chicago 2010

8 days in Chicago, Brookfield, Evanston, Oak Park, Greensburg, East Chicago, Milwaukee

Created by Michael

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Itinerary for Chicago – Windy City Getaway

3 days in Chicago

Created by TravelMuse Midwest

Chicago is “Sweet Home” to the likes of Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, the Willis and John Hancock Tower(s), Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Oprah, the Loop, and previous home (before the White House) to the Obama family! The Second City offers awe-inspiring architecture (sample: Frank Lloyd Wright), is a sports haven (da Bears, da Bulls, da Cubs…), and is a food lover's dream—tempting taste buds with everything from deep-dish pizza and chop steak to Vienna hot dogs. "My Kind of Town" is a must-do.

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Chicago Family Retreat

7 days in Chicago, Oak Park

Created by TravelMuse Midwest

A trip with the kids to Chicago to see the sites.

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Facts About Chicago

Regional Population: 2,841,952
Time Zone: America/Chicago
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Local Currency: USD

Nearby Airports: Chicago Ohare International (ORD)

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Chicago, All Airports (CHI)

Null (GYY)

Themes and Activities

Culinary

Find the best Chicago, IL restaurants, eateries, bakeries, delis, cafés, diners and bistros on TravelMuse.
Museums

Pick from a host of museums to visit in Chicago, IL on your next trip, from the well-known museums to the smaller, quirkier museums.
Shopping

Learn the best places to go shopping in Chicago, IL on TravelMuse including the most popular vintage shops, boutiques, thrift stores, designer shops and more.
Sightseeing

Use TravelMuse to find out the hottest spots for sightseeing in Chicago, IL, from the must-see monuments to amazing vistas.
Urban Endeavors

Discover must-see urban hot spots on your next trip to Chicago, IL, from busy centers of art and commerce to unique ethnic neighborhoods with delicious food finds.
Art and Museums

Discover the best modern art galleries, history museums, classic art attractions, science museums and other museums to explore on your Chicago, IL vacation.
Arts and Entertainment

Find the best entertainment on your next trip to Chicago, IL, including performance art theaters, film studios, operas, music venues, sporting arenas, movie theaters and ballets.
Baseball

TravelMuse has the best information on baseball parks, baseball museums and just about anything related to baseball in Chicago, IL.
Cycling

Learn everything there is to know about cycling in Chicago, IL, including the best places to ride bicycles and tandems and where to rent them.
Pubs and Bars

Find the best bars, pubs, clubs and discotheques to visit on your next Chicago, IL vacation using TravelMuse.