Chicago

Chicago: history

Chicago began as a trading post set up in the 1780s by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. It became a city in 1837 and grew quickly as the railways met here.

The Great Fire of 1871 destroyed the centre. The rebuilding gave the world its first skyscrapers and made Chicago a city of architecture. The World's Fair of 1893 showed it off, and Route 66 has started here since 1926.

Chicago: tourist attractions

• Architecture river cruiseThe best way to see the skyline, with a guide.
• Millennium Park & Cloud GateThe mirrored sculpture known as 'The Bean'.
• Skydeck at Willis TowerGlass boxes that stick out from the 103rd floor.
• Navy PierThe Centennial Wheel, boats and summer fireworks.
• Art Institute of ChicagoOne of the finest art museums in America.
• Magnificent MileShopping along Michigan Avenue.
• Museum CampusThe Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the planetarium by the lake.
• 360 ChicagoThe view over Lake Michigan from the former Hancock tower.

Chicago: excursions nearby

• Devon Avenue about 10 milesChicago's Little India, with vegetarian restaurants and sari shops.
• Oak Park about 10 milesThe home and studio of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir about 35 milesA carved stone mandir at Bartlett.
• Indiana Dunes National Park about 50 milesSand dunes and beaches on Lake Michigan.
• Milwaukee about 90 milesA lakefront city with a famous art museum.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.