Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Chicago, IL

Visitors to the Windy City have a lot of options as far as what to do during their trip. Many people have a certain focus in mind, but we’d recommend branching out and trying to experience as much of the city as possible. Since Chicago is a big city, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to visitors who want to see and do it all. For the overachievers among us, we’d recommend relying on as many tours as possible to see the city with a knowledgeable guide. From food to architecture and more, there really is a tour for everything, so take advantage of the Chicagoans’ knowledge and expertise while you can!

Since we can’t cover everything in this article, we’re going to cover the basics starting with the iconic food you’ll want to try while you’re in town:

Chicago Cuisine

There’s nothing quite like a deep-dish pizza to remind you of good old, Chicago. And better yet: why not try a pie when you’re in town? Some say you never even went to Chicago unless you’ve had a slice of deep-dish pizza. There are a handful of places that claim to offer the best, but we’re not getting into that debate. Instead, here are a few places for you to try to settle the debate for yourself:

• Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria: the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati’s is considered to have the best deep-dish pizza. With 61 locations in Illinois alone, it’ll be easy for you to try it for yourself during your trip.
• Giordano’s: another contender for the top deep-dish trophy, Giordano’s name will get thrown around in heated debates between Chicagoans. This authentic deep-dish pizza was founded in Chicago in 1974, and the chain is now found in nine different states across the country.
• Pequod’s Pizza: last but not least on our recommendation list, Pequod’s was voted the best pizza in the state of Illinois as well as the best in the United States by Yelp. Oh yeah, and they also stand firm on making the best deep-dish pizza.

Another delicious bite to consider fitting into your trip’s must-try menu is the Chicago-style hot dog, a staple in Chicago that started in the late 1800s that Chicagoans are as fiercely proud of as they are their pizza. What makes it Chicago-style? It starts with the sausage itself, steamed or boiled—not grilled. It lays on a poppy seed bun and sports mustard, relish, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and a pickle. Hungry yet?

Architecture:

Chicago is often celebrated for its incredible architecture, and whether you appreciate building design or not, there are some buildings that’ll definitely stand out. But for starters, the absolute best way to see all of the city’s iconic structures is by going on an architecture boat tour. What sounds like a pretty peculiar thing to do, is one of the best ways to see the city itself. There are many tour companies that offer this type of boat tour, but if you’d rather stick to land, there are also many walking and bus tours available as well.

Did you know that the first-ever skyscraper was built in Chicago? Completed in 1885, the Home Insurance Building was an architectural inspiration to many, but sadly, visitors won’t find the building amidst Chicago’s skyline any longer, as it was demolished in 1931. That doesn’t mean the city’s architectural spirit was dampened, with visitors marveling at some of the city’s famous buildings today.

If you’re interested in architecture, make sure to take a look at these iconic structures:

• Willis Tower: formerly known as the “Sears Tower,” this building was once considered the tallest in the world. Impressive in regards to its engineering, the Willis Tower is popular with visitors for its Skydeck and The Ledge, a glass-floored balcony on the 103^rd floor.
• The Rookery Building: an engineering marvel, most visitors can’t get past its beauty. The most impressive features are its glass ceiling with iron framework over the Light Court that allows for natural light to stream in, as well as the Oriel Staircase that’s spiraling in nature with intricate ironwork.
• Chicago Board of Trade Building: 45 stories tall, its Art Deco design stands out with its geometric exterior details at the end of LaSalle Street, allowing its admirers a great angle for the perfect picture.
• Chicago Water Tower: a piece of the city’s history that doesn’t exactly look like what it was originally meant for, the Gothic Revival tower became a symbol of determination after it survived the Great Fire of 1871.
• Chicago Tribune Tower: at an impressive 463 feet, this neo-Gothic skyscraper was the outcome of an international design competition meant to construct the most beautiful building in the world held by the Chicago Tribune.

Museums:

History buffs flock to Chicago not only because the city itself has a rich past, but because it offers so many incredible museums that include a wide array of topics. If you only had enough time to visit one of those museums, we’d highly recommend the Art Institute of Chicago. Not only is it one of the best in Chicago, this museum was rated one of the best in the world by TripAdvisor, and is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States. This art museum houses thousands of pieces that include many famous and recognizable paintings from artists like Andy Warhol and Claude Monet.

Switching directions, another popular museum is the Field Museum of Natural History or Field Museum. Another one of the largest museums in the world, the Field Museum houses exhibits from ancient civilizations to the latest scientific discoveries and includes almost 40 million artifacts and pieces in the museum’s collection. And amazingly enough, about only 1% of the collection is actually on public display.

Another highly recommended stop on your list is the Adler Planetarium. The country’s first planetarium, this museum focusing on astronomy and astrophysics has wowed visitors and locals since its founding in 1930. The planetarium overlooks the water and is actually located within Chicago’s Museum Campus which includes the Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium, and is in close proximity to Soldier Field and the Huntington Bank Pavilion.

Here are just a few more recommendations for museums to visit during your time in Chicago:

Parks, Trails & Waterfronts:

The Windy City is also known to have some pretty spectacular outdoor spaces—where else would you go for a stroll on a warm, summer day? In this category, we’ve combined a lot of parks and landmarks that you may or may not have heard of already. Let’s get started!

• Millennium Park: Found in The Loop (Chicago’s downtown), this public park is a short walk from the lakefront and the 18-mile scenic path called the Lakefront Trail, and is probably the most iconic outdoor space in Chicago for a few reasons. For starters, it’s home to Cloud Gate (often called The Bean). The space also offers an outdoor theater, welcome center, public art, and the beautiful Lurie Garden.
• Grant Park: Technically, Millennium Park is located within Grant Park, as well as other popular attractions we’ve already mentioned like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum Campus, and more. We’ve made it a separate item because of its iconic Buckingham Fountain, one of the world’s largest fountains. It’s quite the showstopper, but Grant Park is also where you’d go for events like Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and more.
• Lincoln Park: To clarify, Lincoln Park is the name of the neighborhood that houses Chicago’s largest park, also called Lincoln Park. If you hear the name brought up in conversation, they’re probably referencing the neighborhood itself. In the actual park, you’ll find the famous (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo, as well as a nature museum and conservatory, beaches, playgrounds, and more. Within the neighborhood, there are plenty of restaurants, shopping, and other attractions that’ll keep you busy for a full day or more!
• North Avenue Beach: That’s right, we said beach! Actually, Lincoln Park’s beach. Chicago actually has a bunch of beaches for locals and visitors to enjoy the beautiful, Lake Michigan. This beach in particular is one of the most popular ones since there are plenty of outdoor activities like beach volleyball, outdoor yoga, water sports, and more. Want a more laid-back beach? Try Humboldt or Fargo Beach Park.
• Chicago Riverwalk: Another popular place for people to gather and take in the sights is the Chicago Riverwalk. Stroll along the 1.25-mile pedestrian pathway that shadows the Chicago River, and enjoy some of the best city views, grab a bite or a drink from the many restaurants and bars, or explore the public art and historical plaques along the way. In addition to getting out on the river for an architecture boat tour, visitors can also paddle their way through downtown on their own kayak.
• Navy Pier: A must-stop on your trip’s itinerary—especially if you have kids—is the Navy Pier. One of the city’s iconic landmarks, the pier features delicious restaurants, boat cruises, and tours, plenty of family-friendly attractions like the Centennial Wheel, and more! This is also where you’ll want to be to watch fireworks during summer or even in winter during Light Up the Lake.

Sports

And last but not least, sports fans will need to get in on Chicago sports. There’s nothing like watching a ball game at Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs play. While Wrigley Field is a legacy in Chicago baseball, we can’t forget the city’s other Major League team, the Chicago White Sox, who play at Rate Field. But that’s not all! Grab tickets for a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field, or a Chicago Bulls game at the indoor, United Center. This arena is the largest in the United States and also is home to the city’s hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

There’s mostly a consensus about the best time to visit Chicago is, and it happens to be the shoulder seasons surrounding summer, Chicago’s peak travel time. Late spring and early fall allow guests of the city to enjoy beautiful weather as well as attend many of Chicago’s popular festivals and events. These small windows don’t necessarily offer the best discounts on accommodations, and we can’t promise low crowds due to festivals and events, but you’ll have some of the best weather the city offers.

Spring definitely starts off cold, but as the city starts waking up from its winter slumber, visitors are treated with beautiful blooms in Chicago’s many parks and everyone seems to be out and about again. Two events in spring that everyone gets excited about are both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Mayfest.

Fall starts off with warmer and pretty comfortable weather, but does cool as November arrives. There are still many opportunities to get outside and enjoy what’s left of the temperate weather, and sports fans are in their element as football season starts and baseball playoffs begin. There are also many incredible festivals and events you’ll want to look out for, like the Chicago Jazz Festival, Oktoberfest, and various Halloween events in October.

If crowds are not an issue for you, summer will be the best time to visit Chicago. As mentioned before, this is the city’s peak travel season, bringing some of the best festivals and warm and sunny weather with it. The city is alive with beachgoers, outdoor performances, and a full lineup of festivals like the Chicago Blues Festival, the Pride Parade, Lollapalooza, and more. When planning a trip in summer, don’t expect to find the best deals on hotels, but do expect to have a ton of fun while you’re in town!

Lastly, you can completely skip this season if you’re against the cold. Chicago’s winter can be brutal, especially with the lake effect. And yet, if you’re someone who isn’t fazed by freezing temperatures, Chicago does become a winter wonderland full of festive holiday lights, markets, and holiday celebrations.

Like other big cities, Chicago is made up of neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are more popular with tourists than others, like The Loop or the Magnificent Mile, putting them closer to all of the big-ticket landmarks and activities they’ll want to experience during their trip. That also means, that their accommodations will probably be more expensive than if they stayed in surrounding neighborhoods that put more distance between them and where they’ll be during the day. Sometimes travelers like to save money and take the time to either drive themselves or find transportation to the popular tourist spots, but others would rather make the most of their time than save money. We can’t tell you what traveler you should be, but we can give you tools to find the best accommodations for your upcoming trip!

Palmera Vacation Club members have access to two tools that allow them to plan their dream trips around the globe: the RCI Exchange and Quest Travel Club. Book your accommodations through RCI using your membership points, or find great deals on hotels, resorts, and rentals with your automatic membership with Quest Travel Club. In this case, there is a significant difference in how many hotel options there are between the two tools, but the RCI Exchange does offer a few to choose from with a very wide range of how many points each stay will cost.

Here are some examples of resorts listed on the RCI Exchange:

**The above selections were randomly made during the time this article was published. Points and sales are subject to change.

Here are some examples of hotels and resorts listed on Quest Travel Club:

**The above selections were randomly made during the time this article was published. Prices and sales are subject to change.