Is Chicago worth visiting? Is Chicago safe? And everything else you have wanted to know

Are you planning a trip to the US and wondering is Chicago worth visiting? In this article we answer all the important questions like, is Chicago expensive, is Chicago safe, and what is there to do in Chicago, to help you decide if you should go.

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Some Background

Before we answer the question is Chicago worth visiting, here is some background. Chicago is located in the US state of Illinois. It’s the third largest city is the Us in terms of population, with around 2.7 million people calling it home.

Chicago has earned itself the nickname ‘The Windy City’. Some say this is due to the weather conditions in the city due to it’s proximity to Lake Michigan. Although there are other theories like Chicago’s residents and politicians being referred to as being ‘full of hot air’ in a New York Sun article back in 1890.

Is Chicago expensive?

One question we know gets asked a lot tends to be is Chicago expensive? We found Chicago is be moderately expensive. It’s a big city so costs are a lot higher here than other parts of Illinois. On the plus side, compared to New York, Chicago is slightly cheaper.

We found accommodation costs in Chicago to be incredibly pricey. An average night in a hotel will set you back somewhere between $150 – $300. This will largely depend on location and amenities. But in our experience if you want to stay in the downtown area accommodation costs will be on the higher end of the scale.

Food isn’t too bad. You can expect to pay about $35 for a very standard meal per person. Although again this depends on what you want to eat. And to be European and Aussie friends – make sure you tip!

We budgeted about $250 per person when we visited (not including accommodation). In fairness we did pay to see a lot of attractions, and this did add up quickly.

You can do things way cheaper, as long as you plan accordingly.

Do I need cash in Chicago?

You don’t need a lot of cash in Chicago, as most places allow you to pay by card. That being said it is advisable to have some cash on you for things like tips. You may also find smaller stores ask for cash payments, or have a minimum amount for you to be able to pay on card.

What language do they speak in Chicago?

English is the official language spoken in Chicago, and you will need to know your basics to get around.

Is Chicago easy to get to?

Chicago is a pretty well connected city. Most people will arrive here via Chicago O’Hare International Airport. But there is also Midway Airport, which is where a lot of Southwest flights arrive into. This is a lot closer to the city centre.

If you are at Chicago O’Hare, the cheapest and quickest way to get to the downtown area is via the L Train. You can hop on the blue line and this will have you in the downtown areas in around 45 minutes.

Of course, because jetlag is real, and not everyone wants to navigate the subway with giant suitcases, you also have other options. We recommend booking an airport shuttle bus. They are cheaper than a taxi, and take you to the front door of your hotel.

The only downside with a taxi or shuttle bus, is that you can get stuck in some pretty crazy peak hour traffic.

Or if you want to be super fancy you can always book a private airport transfer here.

How long should I spend in Chicago?

Chicago is a pretty big place, so you probably want to spend about 5 days here exploring. This will give you ample time to see the main attractions, explore some neighbourhoods, and eat and drink to your hearts content.

If you don’t have the luxury of spending that long in the city, we ended up doing 2 days in Chicago. While we felt rushed it’s still doable and you can see the main attractions, and explore the downtown area. Just make sure you plan your itinerary in advance, buy tickets online where you can, and book any restaurants a day or two before you go.

Is Chicago safe?

Years ago, I remember heading off on a solo trip around the US. When I mentioned visiting Chicago, I heard so many horror stories about it being the murder capital of the US. And so like me you might be wondering, is Chicago safe?

Yes there is a lot of hype about crime rates in the city, but you have to remember Chicago is a very big place. As someone who has visited as a solo female traveller, and as part of a couple, I have never felt unsafe in Chicago. Now I have only really stuck to the touristy areas around the downtown core, so that is important to keep in mind.

There are neighbourhoods you do need to avoid, so do your research before you go. Overall the downtown area is generally safe, particularly around tourist spots. Take your usual precautions, and keep an eye on your belongings but overall you should be ok. There is a large police presence in the downtown area, and there are lots of people and tourists about.

Is Chicago worth visiting compared to other US cities?

Personally we think Chicago is very much worth visiting compared to other US cities. For starters it has it’s own feel. Yes it is a big city, like many others, but it’s got so much history, and the architecture alone makes it worth visiting compared to other US city breaks.

Can I use public transport in Chicago?

Public transport in Chicago is relatively easy to use, so we recommend using this during your trip. You can purchase a pass that covers you for 1,3,7, or 30 days. For info the 3 day pass is around $20. Checkout the Chicago Transit Authority website for more detailed information and up to date costs.

Passes will allow you to travel on the buses, and trains.

The trains known as the L, are speedy and especially if you are travelling around the downtown loop you will get some amazing views of Chicago as the tracks are often elevated.

You can purchase tickets at train stations. You will need to get a Ventra Card in order to load your pre-paid passes. This costs $5 but this amount is refundable when you return the card.

What is there to do in Chicago

Wondering is Chicago worth visiting for attractions alone? Well here are some of the best things to do in the city.

Do the Riverwalk

One of the most beautiful things to do in Chicago is the Riverwalk. It is a 1.25 mile long promenade filled with outdoor bars and cafes, and as you’d expect it goes right along the river.

You can book a self guided Riverwalk tour here.

Take an Architecture Cruise

The architecture in Chicago is very impressive, and one of recommendations for the best things to do in the city is take an architecture cruise. The tour lasts around 1.5 hours, and you get an in depth guide into the buildings that make Chicago what it is today.

Do a Mob Tour

When you think of Chicago one of the first things you might think about is Al Capone or gangsters. The city certainly has a very colourful past, with the likes of John Dillinger and Al Capone, running things back in the day. So a Mob/Crime tour is a must in Chicago.

You get to ride around the city and see some of the most famous mob spots with a professional and knowledgeable guide.

Explore Navy Pier

 One of Chicago’s most popular attractions has to be Navy Pier. If you follow the signs across the Riverwalk you will start to lose sight of the looming skyscrapers and reach Lake Michigan.

The real appeal of Navy Pier is that there is a little something for everyone. From rides, to restaurants, to the Shakespeare Theatre, there is an eclectic mix of activities for the whole family. There are also outdoor bars with some unreal views of the city.

One of the top attractions at Navy Pier is the Centennial Wheel. From here you get a 360 degree view of Chicago’s iconic skyline, and if you order tickets online in advance you can also skip the queue.

Do a street art tour

If you are looking for something a bit different why not do a street art tour and visit some of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods.

Do a ghost tour

Another fun thing to do is a city ghost tour. You can visit the most haunted spots in Chicago and learn all about the history of these places.

Visit The John Hancock Centre

There are two main observation towers in Chicago that you can visit. John Hancock is one of them. The observation deck is actually called 360 Chicago, mostly for the 360 degree views you get of the city (we assume). It is also home to TILT which is a thrill ride that tilt’s you slightly as you look down at the city from a height.

The Willis Tower

This is another must for visiting Chicago. Here the main attraction is the clear observation boxes that you can stand on to get some pretty impressive photos.

We recommend getting there early before the crowds arrive.

If you are tossing up between visiting the John Hancock Centre or the Willis Tower here is a helpful guide.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a fun place to visit in the city. It includes the iconic Bean where you can take selfies, with the rest of the cool people! Designed by Anish Kapoor this 110 ton silver sculpture perfectly reflects the Chicago skyline, and seems to be a real favourite amongst visitors to the city.

Don’t forget about the rest of the park though. It is like a small garden oasis in the middle of the bustling city. The park fountains are also worth a visit. There are two 50 ft towers  with video footage of different faces. Apparently these are all faces of native Chicagoans, and they pucker up and spit water every so often.

Visit the Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Whether you stop by to take a photo, or do a tour of the inside, you have to add this to your list of things to do in Chicago. If you have time a guided tour of the theatre is recommended as the inside is just beautiful.

Visit The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the country and houses collections from around the world. The highlight for me was seeing artwork by Andy Warhol, but you will also see works by Picasso and van Gogh.

If you are wanting to skip the line and do a guided tour you are best of buying tickets online in advance.

 Wrigley Field

If you like baseball or not Wrigley Field is still worth a visit. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs and has been since 1914 when it was known as Weeghman Park. In 1927 Wrigley’s chewing gum bought the rights to the stadium and hence why it is know as Wrigley Field to this day. You can do stadium tours or if you arrive during baseball season you can even catch a game.

Is Chicago worth visiting for solo travellers?

I have visited Chicago as both a solo female traveler and with Dave. I was genuinely sceptical visiting Chicago by myself because I had heard so much about crime rates, but honestly I really enjoyed it. So much so that I dragged Dave back years later.

If you are travelling by yourself you definitely need to take precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings, stick to busy areas, and don’t walk home alone at night. Apart from that, it’s a great place to visit. There is a lot to see, and you can do a number of interesting group tours to learn more about the city, and spend time with fellow tourists.

Is Chicago worth visiting for couples?

Chicago is a great place to visit as a couple. There are a lot of really fun activities you can do together, like visiting Navy Pier, taking a cruise, or enjoying the sights from one of the observation towers in the city.

On top of that there are also some great bars and restaurants you can visit which are perfect for date night. And if you love cocktails you can do a prohibition era cocktail tour.

Is Chicago worth visiting for families?

Chicago is a popular destination for those visiting with families. There are lots of fun activities you can get involved in from visiting one of the city’s parks, to snapping a selfie at the Bean.

You also have the incredibly kid friendly Navy Pier with several rides, and a children’s museum to explore. On top of this there are a number of fascinating museums in the city, as well as outdoor activities like Ice Skating (in the winter) or visiting Wrigley Field.

Is Chicago worth visiting for foodies?

I was actually surprised at how much of a foodie city Chicago is. Of course I knew they did deep dish pizza, and they do it well, but I wasn’t sure what else to expect.

Chicago is a very multicultural city and this is very much reflected in the food you will find here. The best news is that despite there being a number of impressive 5 star restaurants in the city, a lot of the food is really affordable. One of my favourites is Pierogi Heaven which you definitely have to try for some of the best dumplings this side of the world.

Is Chicago worth visiting for the nightlife?

Considering Chicago is such a big city it is probably no surprise that it has an incredibly vibrant nightlife scene. From nightclubs, to dive bars, or fancy speakeasy style cocktail lounges, you will find something to suit your tastes in Chicago.

Is Chicago worth visiting for history buffs?

Chicago is a great place to visit if you are into your history. For starters did you know that it was Chicago and not New York that built the very first skyscraper? You can learn a lot about the history of the city by taking an architecture cruise, which we highly recommend.

Chicago also has a history filled with prohibition and gangsters, which you can learn all about on a tour. Or you can visit one of the many museums to learn about the Great Fire of Chicago and other historical events.

Is Chicago worth visiting for culture lovers?

If you are wondering is Chicago worth visiting for culture, then the answer is yes. The city is incredibly multicultural which you can see in the food, drink, arts, and music in Chicago.

Music is a massive part of the culture of the city. There are several impressive live music venues, and of course a thriving jazz and blues scene.

Sports and theatre also make up a large part of the culture in the city. There are several world famous sporting stadiums to explore like Wrigley Field. And you also have the legendary Chicago theatre.

Basically if you are into culture, Chicago is the place to be.

Is Chicago worth visiting in the summer

Summer is peak travel time for Chicago. Temperatures are often hot and humid ranging from 20-30 degrees Celsius. Overall the summer months are dry, although there is a slight chance of rain.

Because of the good weather it’s the best time of year to enjoy some of the outdoor activities in the city like exploring the parks or visiting Navy Pier. Just make sure you book accommodation and tours well in advance in the summer months. This is crucial particularly around school holidays.

Is Chicago worth visiting in the winter

Winters in Chicago are cold with a fair bit of snow and ice. It’s perfect for things like Ice skating, or visiting museums, but not great for anything outdoorsy.

Temperatures average between 3 and minus 8 degrees Celsius. So pack some warm clothes if you are visiting at this time of year. On the plus side, it’s easy to get around the city, as the streets are de-iced, and most things are still operation at this time of year.

Winter is obviously the off season for visiting Chicago, so accommodation costs are a lot cheaper.

What to pack when visiting Chicago?

Packing for a trip to Chicago will be massively dependant on the time of year you are visiting. For instance summer months as mentioned above can be hot and humid, whereas winters are often freezing.

Here are some ideas for your Chicago packing list based on the Seasons.

Summer

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Cool clothes
• Cardigans – it can get cooler sometimes at night
• Good walking shoes

Winter

• Thermals
• A really good coat
• Snow boots/ winter boots
• A good scarf and pair of gloves
• Thick socks

What should I know before visiting Chicago?

Here are some final tips for visiting Chicago.

• Book accommodation well in advance
• Avoid popular holidays like St Patrick’s Day or sporting events like the Chicago Marathon as accommodation gets very expensive (unless you are planning to partake in those events of course!)
• Use public transport – it’s safe and reliable
• Have your wits about you, particularly at night
• Book any must visit restaurant reservations in advance

So Is Chicago worth visiting?

While Chicago might have a reputation of being dangerous, and expensive, we think it really is a great place to visit. It’s a very beautiful city, with some incredible architecture, and fascinating history. And if you are sticking to the tourist areas, generally it’s pretty safe.

Hopefully this article has been useful for you, and it inspires you to visit Chicago. And if you have found it helpful you can pin it fro later below.

Happy Travels!