Chicago

Travel destination popular things to do or visit in Chicago, and how to find the best hotel in Chicago

Some say the best way to see Chicago is from a boat, others swear by the view from the top of a tower that seems to poke clouds for fun. You might find yourself listening to jazz in a basement bar where the bartender tells stories that last longer than your drink. If you blink, you might miss a parade or a street festival—these pop up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, only with more trombones. Folks love to stand in line for a photo at the Bean, but no one agrees what it’s actually called. The lake is always there, big enough to lose a shoe or your sense of direction.

For the best hotel in Chicago, you’ll find more opinions than pigeons on the sidewalk. Some travelers swear by the ones near the river, so they can watch boats go by and wave at strangers who never wave back. Others pick a spot close to the museums, and claim proximity to dinosaurs is a must. Don’t be surprised if your shower has better water pressure than your home, or if the lobby smells like a bakery at 6am, which is either a blessing or a cruel joke. Oh, and if you see a room with a view of Wrigley Field, double-check your reservation—sometimes, it’s just a very green poster tacked to a wall. That’s travel for you: always expect the unexpected, especially in Chicago, where the only thing more plentiful than skyscrapers is stories.