Chicago
United States · Country profile
Chicago is the American city that built the skyscraper along the shore of Lake Michigan, a broad, bold metropolis of architecture, blues, weather and food. The Loop’s historic towers, the river that runs through downtown and the lakefront parks frame the classic picture, while the Magnificent Mile, the Navy Pier and the museums of the waterfront hold the rest. It is a city of big institutions — the Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium — and of big neighbourhoods, from the Italian beef of Little Italy to the jazz and blues clubs of the South Side. Deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and the rattle of the elevated train lines define the everyday. Warm, friendly and unbowed by its brutal winters, Chicago is gritty, beautiful and one of America’s great walkable downtowns.
About Chicago
Chicago is a city in United States. The city's documented population is around 2,664,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the US Dollar (USD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +1. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Skyscrapers, Lakefront and the Wind That Names the City
Chicago is a big, bold city set on a lake, and its personality is built on architecture, food, music and honest Midwest weather. The river, the Loop and the lakefront hold the classic picture, and the elevated train lines, the "L", thread it all together. It is a walking city in its centre, with the riverwalk, the lakefront park and the famous museum mile connecting the high points. The food is serious — deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef and a growing fine-dining scene — and the music runs from blues clubs to the symphony. Summer is the golden season; the winter is brutal but the city glitters. Chicago rewards those who come ready to eat, walk and listen.
Deep-Dish Deals, Museum Passes and the Winter Lake
The summers are pleasantly warm, the winters are bitingly cold and the "Windy City" name is about the weather as much as the talk — pack for the season and bring a layer even in May. Book the most famous views — the skydeck of Willis Tower and the glass floor of the 360 Chicago — ahead, and buy a museum pass if the big galleries matter to you. The "L" train is the city’s transport heartbeat, and a transit card makes it easy; the downtown core is also walkable. Deep-dish dinner queues run long, so book ahead for the famous names. Tipping at 18-20% is expected, and the city is safe if you keep the usual big-city wits.
The El, the Lakefront Trail and the Navy Pier Lights
The "L" train is the icon of Chicago’s transport — the Loop, the tall green columns of the elevated lines and the rumbling of the historic network are part of the experience. The riverwalk and the lakefront trail are the city’s open-air living rooms, best taken by foot or bike in the summer. Navy Pier is the classic family stop, and a ride on the Centennial Wheel gives a bay-and-skyline view. The Art Institute and the Museum Campus carry the culture; the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium fill a full day. The deep-dish, the hot dog and the Italian beef are the sacred foods — discuss them lightly, the loyalties run deep. Watch the elevated trains for a while from a riverside terrace: it’s the city in motion.
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- Country
- United States
- Population
- 2,664,000
- Coordinates
- 41.9742, -87.9073
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- US
Entry requirements for United States
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting United States for tourism.
Getting to Chicago
Airports we list for Chicago:
Other airports in the area:
- Detroit Metropolitan AirportDTW≈ 376 km from Chicago
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International AirportMSP≈ 537 km from Chicago
- Washington Dulles International AirportIAD≈ 945 km from Chicago
- Charlotte Douglas International AirportCLT≈ 964 km from Chicago
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International AirportATL≈ 976 km from Chicago
Cities in United States
Other cities we cover in United States:
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago the capital of United States?
No — the capital of United States is Washington, D.C..
What currency do I need in Chicago?
The local currency is the US Dollar (USD). Languages spoken in United States include English.
What is the dialling code for United States?
The international dialling code for United States is +1.
Which airport should I fly into for Chicago?
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the airport we list for Chicago.
How far is Chicago from the nearest airport?
Chicago is about 376 km from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit United States?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Argentina (visa required), Japan (e-visa), Morocco (visa required), Singapore (e-visa) and South Korea (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Chicago? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.