Downtown Chicago
Downtown Chicago Hotels: The Basics
One of the most popular, well-known tourist destinations in the United States - and the world for that matter - is Chicago. As a matter of fact, the Navy Pier (a boardwalk-type entertainment plaza on the shores of Lake Michigan), is the tenth most visited vacation destination in the USA. This makes it more visited than both Waikiki Beach and the Grand Canyon! Overall, well over 45 million visitors visit the Windy city annually.
Even though the rides, entertainment, exhibits and fun of the Navy Pier really are a top enticement, it’s just one of the several fun and exctining things to do while you’re in downtown Chicago.
Rising over fourteen hundred feet up above the city below, the Willis Tower is probably Chicago’s “signature” sight and a popular tourist attraction in its own right. Previously known as the Sears Tower, it rises 110 stories tall – making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Travelers to the Willis Tower can purchase tickets to take the fastest elevator ride you’ve probably ever ridden all the way up to the 103rd floor sky deck. The famous skyscraper is positioned close to the Chicago river in the heart of the “Loop” area and is within walking distance to many of the numerous Chicago Hotels downtown.
For those of you into art, the Art Institute of Chicago stands apart as another of Chicago’s most well-known destinations. Located in beautiful Grant Park, it’s home to many world famous paintings, including works by artists such as Andy Warhol. It’s also world-renowned for its variety of impressionist works.
Needless to say, a trip to the Windy City wouldn’t be complete without diving into one of area’s famous Chicago culinary dishes. From elegant, five star gourmet restaurants offering the catch of the day, to a slice of the World-famous Chicago-style pizza, to a good old fashioned Chicago hot dog, you won’t have any trouble experiencing an authentic taste of the second city.
Don’t spend all your money on food though. You’ll need it for the myriad of shopping options available to you at the Magnificent Mile. Officially called Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile is a long stretch of higher-end shops, classy nightclubs, and fine dining establishments. There are also museums and a lot of skyscrapers along the Magnificent Mile, including the John Hancock Center in addition to the Wrigley Building.
Chicago’s sports history is famous, with popular venues such as Wrigley Field, the United Center, and Soldier Field, which is basically on the coast of Lake Michigan. Next to Solider Field is the Field Museum, one of the most prestigious museums in the United States.
Whether you want to be close to shopping, Grant Park, or the Navy Pier, you certainly won’t have any difficulty discovering comfortable, affordable lodging in downtown Chicago. With over 100,000 hotel rooms in the city’s stockpile, there are a number of places to stay in close proximity to these sites.
In fact, there is an incredible diversity of downtown Chicago hotels, which can include adorable, smaller boutique hotels, to humongous modern-day national chain properties, to luxurious, and wonderful five star resorts. Several of these offer jaw-dropping views of either the city’s skyline, Lake Michigan, or more often than not both! The majority of these hotels are located in the central downtown Chicago area, and are close to the variety of attractions in the area.
So for sightseeing, staying, playing and chowing down, a vacation to Chicago can’t be beat.
