Hotels in Chicago

Chicago: Great Lakes Metropolis on Lake Michigan

Chicago stands on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, 300 miles northeast of St. Louis. The city rebuilt itself after the 1871 fire and became the birthplace of the modern skyscraper — the 1885 Home Insurance Building launched an architectural era still visible along the Loop. Today, 2.7 million residents make Chicago the third-largest U.S. city, drawing visitors for architecture, jazz and blues heritage, and the restaurant culture of neighborhoods like Pilsen, Wicker Park, and Andersonville.

Where to Stay in Chicago

Hotels cluster around three main zones. The Loop and Millennium Park suit business travelers and those attending events at Grant Park. River North offers mid-range and 4-star hotels within walking distance of the Chicago Riverwalk and the gallery district on Superior Street. Lincoln Park and Lakeview provide quieter options 3–5 miles north, with easy access via the Red Line CTA train.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The CTA L train connects O'Hare Airport to downtown in roughly 45 minutes for $5.
• Weather: Lake winds drop temperatures sharply from October through March — pack layers even in shoulder season.
• Neighborhoods: Allow a full day for the Museum Campus, which groups the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium within half a mile of each other.