Unlocking the Windy City: Your Ultimate Chicago Travel Planner

The Windy City is an incredible place to plan a city vacation. From museums to international cuisine to architecture tours, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy in Chicago.

Eat all the food you can as you explore the city. Go on an architecture tour and learn about some of Chicago's interesting history. Stroll through quieter neighborhoods and enjoy the bustle of downtown.

If you have never been to Chicago you have to add it to your US travel list! Alpacka My Bags is here to show you how to best plan a trip to Chicago so you can truly make the most of your time in this wonderful city.

Traveling doesn't have to be expensive, even if your destination isn't the cheapest. Learn more about how much a trip to Chicago costs on average so you can start planning.

Figure out your budget so you can fit everything you want to do into your trip. There is so much to see and do in Chicago, but the best news? You can do a lot of things for free and still have the true Chicago experience!

There is something great about every season in Chicago, so the best time to visit depends on the type of weather you prefer to travel in. Read on to find out when you should visit Chicago!

Spring

Cool temps, a little rainy, and gorgeous flowers blooming everywhere. Spring is the perfect time to visit Chicago and enjoy the most of this city's nature scapes.

Summer

With warm temps, sunny days, and bustling streets, summer is the time to enjoy festivals, exploring outside, and eating all the ice cream you can in Chicago.

Fall

For cool temps, incredible fall fashion, and beautiful fall foliage, visit the great city of Chicago in fall. The weather is perfect.

Winter

With a beautiful winter wonderland scene, Chicago goes all out for the holidays making it a great Christmas or holiday travel destination.

There are tons of hotels and Airbnbs available to rent in Chicago, but we've put together a list of our favorite and the best places to stay in Chicago.

Finding the best accommodation really makes a trip come together. If you have a nice, comfortable place to call home and come back to relax in while traveling, it makes any trip more fun.

Chicago hosts a wide variety of hotels, Airbnbs, and more. Depending on your budget and travel style, browse the best places to stay and book today!

After living in the city for three years and returning as often as we can, we've found the best places to stay in Chicago. Take a look!

Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling, especially since it's impossible to know exactly what the weather will be like when you're there. But thankfully Chicago has some pretty predictable seasons.

What to wear in Chicago highly depends on the time of year you are visiting as summers get quite warm, and winters get very cold.

My biggest tip is always to bring a waterproof jacket or small umbrella to Chicago any time of year. It's not the rainiest city, but getting caught in the rain with no jacket or umbrella will make for a drenched explorer.

Another rule I always follow when packing is to add the destination to my weather app so I can watch the trends; is it getting colder? Warmer? Will it possibly be rainy?

Also think about layers when packing for Chicago in winter. It's better to have multiple layers to put on if it's cold and be able to take one or two off when it gets warmer, rather than only having a super thick sweater on and roasting all day in it.

We have a detailed packing guide on what to wear in Chicago. Check it out below!

Chicago has one of the best dining scenes I have ever enjoyed. They know how to do delicious food right in Chicago, and the best part is you can get cuisine from all around the world here.

A total of 1.7 million immigrants call Chicago home, and many of them run their own authentic restaurants. You'll find Colombian, Polish, Nigerian, Vietnamese cuisines, and more in Chicago.

Another staple you won't miss in Chicago is coffee! Here you will find some of the best coffee shops with cozy decor and delicious fresh drinks. Find the best coffee spots in Chicago here.

You definitely won't go hungry in Chicago. So go out of your comfort zone and try something new while exploring the great city of Chicago!

There is a plethora of things to do in Chicago. From museums to architecture tours, baseball games to Broadway shows. This is what makes Chicago a must-visit US travel destination!

There truly is something for everyone here. Even if you enjoy nature, I've never been to a city that makes such an effort to add so much greenery to the busy streets. There are numerous parks, botanical gardens, "beaches," and more to enjoy in Chicago.

Visiting in the winter? Check out the best holiday activities in Chicago!

Take a look at the best things to do in Chicago and have fun exploring this amazing city!

Good news! You don't need a car to get around Chicago. Walking is a great option if you don't have to travel too far. But the best and cheapest way to get around quickly is by train and bus in Chicago.

Learn all about getting around Chicago like a local and make the most of your time here

With the ultimate Chicago travel planner, you can now plan an epic trip to the Windy City! When are you planning on going?

Remember to book tours and tickets in advance as they can sell out quickly during busy seasons. Make reservations for restaurants you really want to go to. Pack accordingly for the weather.

And if you have any questions about your Chicago trip, please reach out to us! We love this city so we want to make sure everyone else gets the chance to enjoy it!

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