Chicago For Dummies

Years ago, when Frank Sinatra sang the praises of "my kind of town," he was saluting Chicago. Chicago is still a truly vibrant and eclectic city that constantly reinvents itself. Cosmopolitan yet not elitist, sophisticated in some ways yet refreshingly brash in others, Chicago is wonderfully entertaining and welcoming. There’s plenty to do and this guide clues you in with the latest info on:

• Four options for exploring the city
• Five day trips to nearby attractions
• Accommodations, ranging from three of the world’s best luxury hotels to wonderful historic getaways with modern amenities
• A shopping guide that covers power shopping along the Magnificent Mile and bargain hunting in unique shops
• The action and attractions, ranging from Soldier Field or Wrigley Field to the Hancock Observatory to Navy Pier
• Restaurants, including everything from elegant to family-style, and from Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza to all kinds of ethnic cuisine
• Intriguing architecture and incredible museums, including the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Art Institute of Chicago
• Fantastic outdoor attractions, including Millenium Park, Grant Park, North Avenue Beach, two great zoos, and more
• What to do when the sun goes down, whether you like the blues, ska, or hip-hop… the hot night spots or great theater
• Culture, ranging from Lyric Opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to The Second City and Improv Olympics
• Sports—baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and more—in a city of notoriously passionate fans

Like every For Dummies travel guide, Chicago For Dummies, 4^th Edition, includes: 

• Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
• What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip
• The best hotels and restaurants for every budget
• Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages

With this friendly guide to help you choose from the best sites and attractions, Chicago will surely be your kind of town.

Laura Tiebert is a freelance writer whose travels have taken her from the frozen tundra of Dawson City in Yukon Territory to the wide beaches of Muscat, Oman. A native Midwesterner, she lived in New York City for years before returning to Chicago. Today, she stays a bit closer to home in Evanston, Illinois, where she lives with her husband and two young sons.