Chicago Travel Guide, News and Information

Important Things To Know

Currency

As with the rest of the United States, the official currency in Chicago, Illinois is the United States Dollar (USD).

National Languages

English is the official language in the United States and is the native tongue of nearly 80% of the state of Illinois’ population. Where it is not the native tongue, it is spoken fluently as a second language.

Time Zone

Chicago and the rest of Illinois are in the United States Central Time Zone (UTC-6).

Daylight Savings Time is used in Chicago. CDT (Central Daylight Time), which is UTC -5, applies from March to November.

Climate And Weather

Chicago enjoys a Continental climate. The summers are very hot (sometimes humid), and the winters are usually very cold. It can also be windy at times, with many people famously referring to Chicago as the ‘Windy City’.

Thanks to the waters of Lake Michigan, Chicago can often be quite cool and misty - more so than other cities in Illinois. This is especially true in Spring and early Summer.

When To Visit Chicago

The Bean in Chicago's Millennium Park, chicago bean, chicago illinois, cloud gate chicago

The Bean in Chicago's Millennium Park. (photo by Patrick Clarke)

The best time to visit Chicago is in Spring, specifically in April. But any time during April/May or September/October is ideal, as these are the shoulder seasons. Chicago can get crowded during the peak tourism season (June to August), so we recommend aiming for these off-peak months.

In the Spring, you’ll find the weather warm and pleasant, but not too hot. It does rain quite a bit in the Spring though, so pack an umbrella.

Best Attractions In Chicago

Exterior of the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. (photo via Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park) (Photo Credit: (photo via Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park))

Magnificent Mile. This stretch of Michigan Avenue deserves its name. We found numerous high-end boutiques, top restaurants, and even a few historical landmarks here. One of these is the old Chicago Water Tower. A survivor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that burned surrounding structures to the ground, this tower now houses a small art gallery known as the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower.

Chicago Cultural Center. Another Chicago landmark that is free to visit is the Chicago Cultural Center. The center hosts a variety of visual arts exhibitions, live performances, and cultural events throughout the year. Since it opened its doors in 1897, these halls have welcomed numerous famous faces. It's a valuable piece of Chicago’s history, with the promise of the talent of the future.