What to Do when You Visit Chicago: Dos and Don'ts

I recently visited Chicago and I had a great time. In Chicago, I learned a lot. Here is my list of what you should and should not do on your vacation to this city.

First, everybody in the group should get an unlimited train card pass that will enable your group to get off the trains and on the buses as long as you are in Chicago. It's a good idea to get one of the free subway maps from the transit clerk and then rip out the smaller map of the subway system that you will see on the bottom of this big folded map. This big subway map is too cumbersome to look at for quick direction access. Having a small map, that fits in your pocket, is better. Also, if one of you misses your train destination you should all get off the next stop of the train and wait to meet up again at the following stop. Their subway lines go by color and you see the color on the stairs outside of the subway station. This system is not twenty four hours so be aware of this if you are out partying on the weekends. As a nice gesture when you done with your unlimited ride and still have some days left on your pass, I suggest that you give it to a tourist to finish it off. Also, realize the airport is way out on the blue line so give yourself some extra time to get to the airport in case of train delays. You only need a half hour to be at the airport, ahead of time, if you are not checking in luggage.

Chicago has some great food options. Just like the train most places are not twenty-four hour operations. White Palace, in Chicago South section, is a dinner option if you need to eat late. There are many great southern restaurants in Chicago so be sure to get yourself some great biscuits and gravy while you are visiting. Also, get yourself a Chicago hot dog with the works on a poppy-seed bun.

Remember on your visit, to go hear some of the great Blues clubs or go check out the free blues concert at Grant Park that happens every June. With concerts today being so expensive, it's nice to hear good quality music during this popular three day music festival. Another great free option is Chicago dance festival, with free dance lessons offered and a live band playing, that takes place near-by on the same evening of the Blues festival. If you need a little break from all that great blues that are playing up until 11 pm at night and then go off and learn a new dance step or two. There are information booths at this Blues festival that can give all this information on what's going for alternative activities options. The Chicago Arts museum is next door to Grant Park so check out the museum on its free Friday and Saturday nights extended summer hours of 5pm to 8 pm

On Tuesday the Museum of Contemporary Art is free. There is a farmer market directly outside the museum on Tuesdays and free Jazz music in the museum courtyard every Tuesday evening.

Also, another activity option, for the reader in the group, is the Penn Landing outdoor book festival. There are many tents that highlight many book genres. For example, there are cooking forums, traveling forums, science fiction and more. There are tents for everybody taste in this huge book event.

There are two major baseball teams in Chicago. If you want to see an old school stadium with very old and loyal fans then go visit Wrigley field. The Cub fans are so crazy about their team that there was a recent movie documentary made about their loyalty to this baseball underdog. You will notice the difference in layout if you compare it to the White Sox stadium. You can't even see inside the White Sox Stadium as well as you can when you visit Wrigley field. The White Sox do offer some cheap tickets night on Monday nights if you do want to check out a game and compare stadiums.

If you need money in a hurry late at night then there are a lot of 711 stores locations in Chicago. If you have Citi-bank as your bank then you are in luck since all 711 stores have CIti-bank cash machines.

If you want a cheap day trip while you are visiting the Windy City (windy because the wind that generate off Lake Michigan) then consider taking a Mega-Bus trip .The Mega Bus has fares for a dollar in NYC and Chicago as long as you book your trip far enough in advances. The Mega bus location is at the Union Station Amtrak station. The cities that it goes are: Memphis, Wisconsin, St Louis, Cleveland and Detroit.

Also, you don't need to use a car in Chicago to get around. This city is a walking friendly city. Eat that good Southern breakfast mentioned above and you will to walk to burn off the calories anyway.

Chicago has so many festivals to see, food to eat and fun to be had. If you follow my advice you will have an even better time in this great city.