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Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has it all. History. Style. Culture. A thriving nightlife, world-class museums, fascinating...
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, O'Hare South
Free Shuttle to O Hare & Trains to DT Chicago. DT 15 miles.
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Chicago O'Hare Northwest
Within 6 miles of the Ohare Intl Airport
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Matteson
Near First Midwest Amphitheater-23 mls to Downtown Chicago!
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Schaumburg
Near Medieval Times & Woodfield-Indoor Pool-Free Hi Spd Net
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Elk Grove Village @ I-290, IL
3 miles from Woodfield Mall and Metra Train to Chicago
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Roselle, IL
Welcome to Roselle's newest hotel.
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Romeoville
30 miles SW of Chicago Loop right off I-55
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Naperville, IL
30 Minutes from Downtown Chicago and 100% Smoke-Free Hotel
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Tinley Park, IL
Conveniently located in the heart of Chicago's south suburbs
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson St. Charles
2 mls to downtown St Charles 1/2 ml to Pheasant Run Conv Ctr
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Portage, IN
Newest hotel in Portage just off I-94
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Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Merrillville, IN
Newest Country Inn & Suites- High Speed Internet-Breakfast
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Elgin
ELGIN'S NEWEST HOTEL, MINUTES FROM THE GRAND VICTORIA CASINO
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Gurnee
CLOSEST HOTEL TO SIX FLAGS - WALKING DISTANCE TO GATE 10 MIN
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Crystal Lake
Complimentary Wireless High Speed Internet and Breakfast
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Manteno
5 miles from downtown Bradley-Complimentary Breakfast
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Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Zion, IL
Charming Hotel-Perfect for Business or Leisure
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About Chicago
Chicago has it all. History. Style. Culture. A thriving nightlife, world-class museums, fascinating shops, and five-star restaurants. It's the birthplace of skyscrapers, and its towering skyline boasts the 110-story Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). Its downtown "Loop" serves as the headquarters for major US companies and commodity markets. In short, Chicago has elevated rails and underground clubs; it's got zoos and blues. Even the sports are legendary.
Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
After experiencing a few decades of moderate decline, Chicago's 2000 population grew to over 2.8 million. The Chicagoland area boasts close to ten million people.
Holidays & Business Hours
Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed:
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| Third Monday in January |
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday |
| Third Monday in February |
Presidents Day |
| Date varies |
Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday |
| Last Monday in May |
Memorial Day |
| July 4 |
Independence Day |
| First Monday in September |
Labor Day |
| Second Monday in October |
Columbus Day |
| November 11 |
Veterans Day |
| Tuesday after the First Monday in November |
Election Day |
| Fourth Thursday in November |
Thanksgiving Day |
| December 25 |
Christmas |
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Coming & Going
O'Hare is one of the world's busiest airports. Some 17 miles northwest of the Loop, it features six terminals, is self-sustaining, and employs more than 50,000 people. Midway, southwest of downtown, is one of the country's premier point-to-point airports. CTA train lines connect both airports to the Loop, and cab rides from either cost between $35 and $50.
Making Your Way
Chicago is definitely a public transport kind of town. The signature way to get from A to B is the rail service operated by the CTA. Dubbed the El, the system is both inexpensive ($2 single rides) and reliable. Its seven lines are color-coded on all CTA maps. The CTA also offers bus service (fares begin at $2).
Taxis are another alternative, and most offer 24-hour service and accept credit cards.
Ace Cab
773-381-8000
American United Cab
3155 N Clybourn Ave
773-248-7600
Checker Taxi
845 W Washington Blvd
312-243-2537
City Service Cabs
2601 W Peterson Ave
773-907-0909
Flash Cab
4717 N Clark St
773-561-1444
Metro Jet Cab
4554 N Broadway St
773-784-5669
Sun Taxi
4001 W Devon Ave
773-736-3399
Yellow Cab Company
1730 S Indiana Ave
312-829-4222
News & Views
The main print sources for local, national, and international news are the Chicago Tribune and Chicago sun Times. The weekly Chicago Reader highlights arts and culture.
Quirks & Curiosities
Chicago's streets are laid out in a clear grid, and the Chicago River divides the city into the North Side, West Side, and South Side. State Street is the dividing point for east-west addresses, and Madison Street is the divider for north-south addresses. Other main thoroughfares include North Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, and Lakeshore Drive.
Getting Your Bearings
If this is your first trip, Chicago's wealth of diversions can be overwhelming. Check with the Convention and Tourism Bureau (www.chicago.il.org), 312-201-8847 or 877-244-2246, to get advice and literature. The city offers two visitor information centers and one information kiosk:
Chicago Cultural Center
77 E Randolph
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Chicago Water Works
163 E Pearson
Daily 7:30am-7pm
Sears Mall Store
Information Kiosk
2 N State
Necessities - Post Offices
Postal drop-boxes are easy to find, but if you need further help from the USPS, visit these convenient branches:
Cardiss Collins Postal Store
Main Branch
433 W Harrison
312-983-8182
Daily 24 hours
Midwest Station
2419 W Monroe St
312-243-2560
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-1pm
Wacker Drive Postal Store
233 S Wacker
312-876-1024
Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm
Federal Center Plaza/Loop Station
211 S Clark
312-427-0016
Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
James R. Thompson Center
100 W Randolph
312-263-2686
Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm
Haymarket Postal Store
168 N Clinton
312-906-8557
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Pilsen
1859 S Ashland
312-733-4750
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-1pm
Ontario Street Postal Store
227 E Ontario St
312-642-3576
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Uptown Station
4850 N Broadway
773-561-4451
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-3pm
Common Courtesies
In Chicago, a 15% tip is standard for a waiter or waitress; groups are sometimes charged an automatic 18% gratuity. Bartenders usually get $1 per cocktail. Coat-check clerks should be tipped about $1 per garment.
Bellhops and porters should get about $1 per piece of luggage, and maids in more sophisticated hotels rate $1 or more per day of service. Depending on the type and quality of assistance, concierges generally receive between $5 and $15 dollars.
Weather
Opinions vary, but Chicago experiences four distinct seasons. Winters are relatively mild (the low teens to mid-40s). Summers are great for baseball, as temperatures range from the 50s to the low 90s. Spring and autumn (between the 30s and mid-50s) are the best times to visit.
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