My Favourite! (Chicago)

Member Name: AidanLawes

Product:	Chicago
Date:	25/05/02 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Lake, Price, Atmosphere

Disadvantages: No good for small children, Are rough parts, that's all!

Chicago, situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, is not somewhere people to tend to go for a holiday in my experience. However, it has a few obvious advantages. Firstly, there are many airlines running the route, and as a result ticket prices can be really very good (The cheapest I have been quoted was £18 one way!). It also has water, in the form of Lake Michigan, which I believe makes us island dwellers feel more at home.

Chicago really has it all: Not only a beautifully clean city with glorious architecture and summer sunshine, but also a sandy beach and a cultural scene to rival anywhere. The Chicago gallery is simply wonderful; wear a soft pair of shoes, and make sure you allow plenty of time. A boat cruise out onto the Lake I believe is a must, and it is a cheap, relaxing way to see the Sears tower as well as the rest of the skyline.

Chicago has two aiports, O'Hare and the main one. O'Hare is best reached by train, there is a stop on the Loop (coming later)to get you there. There are plenty of hotels to choose from, no matter what budget you are on. Most suffer from the age old problem of city hotels, that of having small rooms. Chicago is not a place to go if you have small children. Not only will they not fully appreciate it, but you will feel very tied down.

Chicago is based around Michigan Ave. which runs for the length of the centre of the city to the shores of the Lake. Here is where you will find your Bloomingdales, Saks and the like. On the parallel roads you will get wonderful record shops, and more reasonably priced clothes shops. Chicago has the Loop, a sort of monorail, which can be used to negotioate the city. It is fun too, and gives some great views. If you want shopping however, I would recommend that you go to one of the three out of town shopping centres, which have loads of factory outlet stores so there are bargains galore.

I would stronly recommend hiring a car, as Illinois is qu
ite pretty. It is mostly agricultural and you do get the sense of this being the true America where the locals work. There isn;t a great deal to do, apart from the occassional out of town store, but I enjoyed seeing the other side away from the noise of the city.

Chicago is a great destination for teenagers on family breaks and couples alike. It is also a very handy place to start or finish from if you are doing a tour. One of the two airports has connections to virtually everywhere in the states, and as a result makes Chicago a very convenient junction to go onto places like Charlotte, NY, Washinton etc.

I adored Chicago. It was very clean and modern, yet you could feel it has an artistic heritage. Gospel Breakfast on a Sunday in the House of Blues is something that has to be experienced. It has a multitude of restaurants and live music centres, all set against the back drop of either the river which runs to the lake, or the lake itself. There is masses to explore, and I felt safe there wandering. I strongly urge you to give Chicago a go!

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