Ten Things to Avoid Doing While Visiting Chicago

You've packed your bags and you're ready to explore the City of Big Shoulders on a Windy City day, but do you know what you're in for? Chi-Town is a beautiful city for those who want to be physically active as well as those who want to relax, but getting to know the ways of locals will make your trip far more peaceful.

Don't: Plan your sightseeing on foot during rush hour. Chicagoans, especially in the Loop and around the Magnificent Mile, will almost knock you down if you block them while they're trying to get to work. No matter how great you think the Willis Tower looks or how excited you are to check out the newscasters from the Tribune Tower or ABC windows, Chicagoans just don't care. We will walk in front of you while you're trying to take a photograph, especially if it's early in the day and crowded. Take a stroll between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and avoid evening hours until after 7:30 p.m.

Don't: Unless you enjoy cold, windy weather, don't even bother coming to Chicago without a coat. Comedian Katt Williams joked about Chicago "disrespecting the sh*t" out of his coat and why people should buy their coats for Chicago from Chicago stores. It's not only cold in Chicago. The windy breeze from Lake Michigan can make it a whole lot more uncomfortable for folks who aren't used to snow, strong winds and below zero temperatures. Come with gloves, boots, hats and a winter coat that preferably has an extra layer. Leave the windbreakers at home.

Don't: Buy frozen pizza at nearby grocery stores. You're already in the land of Giordano's and Gino's Pizza. Why in the world would you want to buy pizza from a grocery store or some random local shop when you could get the finest pizza you can find? Visit the "G" spots and learn how deep dish pizza is supposed to taste. Chicago is also a great spot for Hershey Chicago, Ghirardelli's chocolate and Garrett's Popcorn.

Don't: Assuming that an el train is going in your direction is a quick way to get lost. Chicago has eight color-coded subway trains, the Red Line, Blue Line, Orange Line, Green Line, Purple Line, Pink Line, Yellow Line and the Brown Line. Get familiar with all eight and consult TransitChicago.com on your mobile device regularly or ask a CTA rep for directions. Don't just jump on a train that looks like it's going your way because some trains don't even go to certain stops at certain times of the day.

Don't: Be careful with strolling around with your iPod or mp3 player in your hand. Unfortunately the situation with people like Juan Hernandez aren't rare. People have had their iPods and other mobile devices lifted out of bags, snatched out of their hands or had them snatched from counters. If you just have to listen to music, keep the device in a safe spot inside your coat or safely attached in an inside pocket.

Don't: Midway and O'Hare Airports are not the only places for souvenirs. If you want a souvenir to prove you were in Chicago, the airports aren't the only place to go. Most Walgreen's and CVS convenience stores have a souvenir section that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for. Browse their aisles, too, or check out the Tribune Tower's shop.

Don't: Pay attention to the expressway signs while traveling on I-94, Dan Ryan Expressway. If you get too comfortable on I-94, especially around the express lanes, you may end up in Indiana. Play it safe on the expressways. If you're unsure of what lane to be in, stay on the far right-hand side in the local lanes instead of crisscrossing through express lanes. You may try to get onto a local lane and end up losing a couple bucks at the Indiana toll. Yes, you can turn around, but you will pay.

Don't: Try not to bring large bills and no change. The jingling in your pocket or purse is a daily necessity in Chicago. If you don't have an I-PASS and end up stuck at a toll booth while traveling on, to or from I-57, I-90, I-94 or I-290, you'll need change. CTA bus drivers and train conductors will not give you change if you take public transportation, although Metra train conductors will. Even some grocery stores and gas stations won't take bills over $20. Do yourself a favor. Keep your money in the bank and when you get to Chicago, take small bills out then. Make sure to get a couple dollars in quarters while you're at the bank or ask for change at grocery stores. Beware of grocery stores like Dominick's that charge $0.25 if you ask for more than $2 in change. Currency exchanges charge too much for money orders, postage stamps, Western Union transfers and other monetary concerns, but they're all over Chicago. If you really get desperate, look for the nearest one. They usually have those Las Vegas style blinking yellow signs.

Don't: Calm down and don't freak out every time you see someone who is homeless or playing instruments at subway stations or outside. The Bucket Boys may bang on buckets when you walk by. There will probably be somebody playing R&B or blues tunes on a guitar or saxophone. You may hear the opening of "The Flintstones" while you're walking on Wabash. There will probably be homeless people asking for change or sitting outside. There may be a couple homeless people with cats or dogs, too. While Chicago is a large metropolitan area and there is quite a bit of traffic in and out that helps to pay for the city's expenses, the unemployment rate, homeless population and those who would rather make money on Red Line stops are not as rare as we'd like them to be.

Don't: Open your mind to the diversity of the city and don't expect each side to be the same. The east side is basically the lake, Cottage Grove and confusing driving paths on South Shore. The north side has a reputation for being more diverse racially, culturally and sexually. It's also a flocking spot for people from other countries to reside in. The south side is a mixed bag as well, but it's far less likely to find gay communities. It's also more segregated around the Day Ryan Expressway area versus neighborhoods in Beverly and near Evergreen Park. The west side has a community of businesses, but like the south side it also has a higher violent crime rate. Don't be too alarmed. All sides take pride in their locations, and there are peaceful communities in each area. The Chicago Loop (also called "The Loop" or "downtown") is the central spot for all sides and usually a meeting ground for jobs. Chicago is likely to have an African Festival of the Arts, the Blues Fest, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, a St. Patrick's Day parade and a Polish festival on Labor Day.