Silver - Frommers easyguide to Chicago: 2015

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ISBN 978-1-62887-122-7 (paper), 978-1-62887-123-4 (ebk)

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Editor: Elizabeth Heath

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CONTENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kate Silver s ties to Chicago go back generations, to her great grandfather, followed by her grandparents, who lived here when she was young. She remembers the urban adventures Chicago offered her as a childtaking the train, visiting the Chicago Board of Trade, looking up at skyscrapersand moved to the city in 2009 to be a part of the action. As a 5-plus-year resident, Silver, who is a journalist and freelance travel writer, brings to this book the perspective of a newer resident coupled with the context of Midwestern roots. Silver has contributed to a number of guidebooks in the past, all of which centered on Las Vegas, her previous home. Her work regularly appears in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other publications.

The author would like to thank her boyfriend, Neil, for his patience during the writing of this book and his continued willingness to eat a double dinner in the name of research.

ABOUT THE FROMMERs TRAVEL GUIDES

For most of the past 50 years, Frommers has been the leading series of travel guides in North America, accounting for as many as 24% of all guidebooks sold. I think I know why.

Though we hope our books are entertaining, we nevertheless deal with travel in a serious fashion. Our guidebooks have never looked on such journeys as a mere recreation, but as a far more important human function, a time of learning and introspection, an essential part of a civilized life. We stress the culture, lifestyle, history, and beliefs of the destinations we cover, and urge our readers to seek out people and new ideas as the chief rewards of travel.

We have never shied from controversy. We have, from the beginning, encouraged our authors to be intensely judgmental, criticalboth pro and conin their comments, and wholly independent. Our only clients are our readers, and we have triggered the ire of countless prominent sorts, from a tourist newspaper we called practically worthless (it unsuccessfully sued us) to the many rip-offs we've condemned.

And because we believe that travel should be available to everyone regardless of their incomes, we have always been cost-conscious at every level of expenditure. Though we have broadened our recommendations beyond the budget category, we insist that every lodging we include be sensibly priced. We use every form of media to assist our readers, and are particularly proud of our feisty daily website, the award-winning Frommers.com.

I have high hopes for the future of Frommer's. May these guidebooks, in all the years ahead, continue to reflect the joy of travel and the freedom that travel represents. May they always pursue a cost-conscious path, so that people of all incomes can enjoy the rewards of travel. And may they create, for both the traveler and the persons among whom we travel, a community of friends, where all human beings live in harmony and peace.

Arthur Frommer

The Best of Chicago

C hicago is, indeed, my kind of town, and after your visit to the countrys third largest city, I hope it will be yours, too. Chicago has it all: world-class culture, incredible food, vibrant green park spaces, a great lake, and miles and miles of sandy beaches. Plus, its all wrapped up in a bundle of Midwestern friendliness and served without a whiff of pretension.

The name Chicago actually comes from a Native American word referring to a stinky onion that flourished in the wild here, more than 200 years ago. Today, I like to think of that stinky onion more figuratively: when you pull the first layer of Chicago back, you begin to realize just how many layers still remain. The Windy City, nicknamed not for its gusty breezes, but for its hot-air-filled politicians, has a fascinating history, much of which is kept alive through its museums, architecture, and locals who love to spin a good yarn, often with a pint in hand. From Grant Park, the skyline is awe-inspiring, while the attractions of the nearby Museum Campus draw visitors and locals alike. Serious shoppers head for the high-fashion boutiques and multilevel malls along the Magnificent Mile, but the tree-lined streets of the Gold Coast and walking trails along the Lake Michigan shoreline offer a respite from the crowds. A rattling El ride through the heart of the Loop brings the citys booming business district up close and personal, allowing for in-depth exploration of the area, car free.

Although its impossible to cover everything notable in Chicago in just one bookmuch less one best of chapterIve attempted to scratch the surface and help jumpstart a path of exploration. Because Chicago has so many noteworthy restaurants, hotels, bars and overall experiences, Ive included my best of list below, but I have no doubt that if we were to poll 300 Chicagoans, wed get 300 entirely different lists. One of the best parts of exploring Chicago is that you get to make it your own. I challenge you to use this list as a guide, but dont be afraid to stray from it and find your own favorites, as well.

Chicagos best Authentic Experiences

Ride the rails: Find out why the Loop is so named by hopping a Brown Line elevated train (or the El, for short). Watch the city unfold as the train crosses the Chicago River and screeches past downtown high-rises. Half the fun is peeping into the windows of offices and homes as you speed by. Dont worry, even us locals cant resist. See Getting Around, p..

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Pedal with the people: See those powder blue bikes around town? Those are Divvy bikes, and theyve been a huge hit with locals and visitors alike since Chicago unveiled its Divvy bike share program in 2013, dispersing 4,000 bikes to 400 stations throughout the city. With Chicagos infamous traffic, it generally takes the same amount of time to bike from A to B as it does to drive or take public transportation. Plus, with Divvy, its easier to justify that extra piece of Chicago-style pizza. See the biking section in .

Chill out on the lakefront: It really is cooler by the lake (both literally and figuratively), and we Chicagoans treat the Lake Michigan waterfront as our personal playground. Miles of parkland hug the shoreline; walk to Monroe Harbor for picture-perfect views of the city or join active Lincoln Park singles for biking or jogging farther north. For an even better look at the city, get out on the water. At Navy Pier, you can board a vessel thats just your speed, from a water taxi to a tall-mast schooner. See Exploring Chicago chapter, p..