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 Chicago
A weekend in the windy city. By Jessica Smith If you're studying in the United States, Chicago is a destination not to be missed. This city has it all: top-notch museums, vibrant arts and music scenes, diverse neighborhoods, a beautiful lakefront, and hospitable people. This budget and student friendly weekend itinerary can get you started. Come armed with this plan and a little room for spontaneity and you'll be ready to take on the Windy City. Friday You've arrived in Chicago by plane, train or bus. Start by buying a 3-day Visitor's Pass for unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains for only $14. After your journey, you're probably hungry. Lou Malnati's (439 N Wells St, and four other locations) is one of the oldest names in Chicago deep-dish pizza and could be considered the "most authentic." A large pizza that serves 4 is approximately $20. After dinner, head to the John Hancock Building (875 N Michigan Ave), for some incredible views. Tickets to the observatory run $14, or go to the lounge on the 96th floor and get a drink instead. After you've taken in the sparkling city, head north to iO (3541 N Clark St) for the midnight comedy show. iO (formerly Improv Olympic) is an improv comedy club that helped shape Tina Fey, Mike Meyers, Chris Farley, and many other well-known comics. The midnight show is only $3 and well worth every penny. Saturday Catch your morning caffeine buzz at Intelligentsia Coffee (53 E Randolph St), a Chicago coffee company. Walk across the street for a stroll through Millennium Park. You'll immediately notice Frank Gehry's Pitzker Pavilion, an incredible outdoor concert venue and host to world-class performances. The Cloud Gate, or "the Bean," sculpture provides a fun house mirror for the city's skyline. Splash through Crown Fountain, the two 50-foot high glass block towers showcasing a rotation of Chicagoans' faces that spit out a stream of water every 5 minutes, bringing delight to young and old alike. After the park, cross the street to the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St). This free architectural gem features art exhibits, a small café, the world's largest Tiffany glass dome, free lunchtime and evening concerts, and hosts the City's tourist information center. Take advantage of the "Chicago Greeters" service, which pairs visitors with local volunteers for free tours of 25-plus neighborhoods and 40 areas of interest. Register 7 – 10 days before you arrive at www.chicagogreeter.com/. If tours aren't your thing, head to the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave), only a few blocks away. The world-famous art museum is now the 2nd largest in the United States. It houses European, American, Asian, African, and pre-Columbian works, and is free every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. The new modern wing is spectacular. Or take a leisurely stroll north on Michigan Avenue to the famed Magnificent Mile for its array of exclusive shops, fancy hotels, and elegant eateries. If you enjoy shopping but you're on a dime, Chicago has plenty of great thrift stores. The areas near the Red line Belmont stop or the Blue line Division stop both offer plenty of options. Fill your evening with the soulful sounds of blues music, another Chicago "must." If you are over 21, head to Kingston Mines (2548 N Halsted St) for an energetic crowd and two stages of music until 4 a.m. If you're under 21, Smoke Daddy (1804 W Division St) presents a great alternative of excellent BBQ food and free blues or jazz music. Sunday Don't leave Chicago without exploring one if its many diverse neighborhoods. Hyde Park is the home of the University of Chicago and President Barak Obama and features the Museum of Science and Industry and incredible architecture. Pilsen is known for its vibrant Mexican-American community, plentiful taquerías, colorful murals, and the free National Museum of Mexican Art. In Chinatown, shop for souvenirs and eat at one of the many authentic Chinese restaurants. To cap off your trip, take a walk east towards the water and stroll along the lakefront. Now that you've had a taste of Chicago, come back soon to experience even more of this limitless city. Getting to Chicago Greyhound, America's largest bus carrier, can get you to Chicago from virtually anywhere in the States. Megabus buses run express to Chicago from 16 other major Midwestern cities. Amtrak trains will take you to Union Station in Chicago. It costs than the bus, but will you get you there faster and more comfortably. Budget Airlines: Jetblue, Southwest, AirTran, Frontier Major Airlines: American Airlines, United Airlines Accommodations Hostelling International Chicago, 24 E Congress Parkway, rates for a bed start at $26. Travelodge, 65 East Harrison, single rooms between $69-$89. Jessica Smith is Activities and Volunteer Coordinator at Hostelling International Chicago Photo by Rob Hess |
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