Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third most populous in the United States. As the city was rebuilt after the great fire of 1871, the world's first steel framed skyscrapers went up here, so the history of architecture is the city itself, and the architecture boat tours on the Chicago River tell that story. A strip of parks and beaches more than 30 kilometres long runs along the Lake Michigan shore. The Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park is the most photographed spot in the city, and blues and jazz are its second inheritance.
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See flights to Chicago →When to visit Chicago
From May to October the city is lived outdoors, and the lakefront, the festivals and the boat tours belong to those months. June to August reaches 28C with noticeable humidity. December to February is very cold, the wind off the lake holds temperatures below freezing and it snows, so plans move to museums and indoor places. September and October are cool, clear and the least crowded.
Things to do in Chicago
Cloud Gate
Anish Kapoor's stainless steel sculpture in Millennium Park was completed in 2006, and the city skyline curves across its seamless mirrored surface. It is known locally as The Bean, and visitors can walk into the arch beneath it.
Willis Tower Skydeck
The observation deck on the 103rd floor of the tower, completed in 1973 and the tallest building in the world for 25 years, is 412 metres up. Glass boxes projecting from the edge let visitors stand out over the drop, and on clear days four states are visible.
Art Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1879, the museum holds one of the most complete impressionist collections outside France. Grant Wood's American Gothic, Georges Seurat's La Grande Jatte and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks are shown here.
Navy Pier
Opened in 1916, the pier reaches a kilometre into the lake and is the most visited place in the city. The 60 metre Ferris wheel on it shows the skyline, lake cruise boats leave from the pier, and fireworks are set off on summer evenings.
Chicago Riverwalk
The walkway along the south bank of the river passes under the bridges of the centre and shows the skyscrapers from water level. The architecture boat tours leave from its docks, and cafes and seating terraces line the route.
Wrigley Field
Opened in 1914, the baseball park is the second oldest major league ground in the country and is known for the ivy covering its outfield walls. It is home to the Chicago Cubs, and on non match days tours take visitors through the stands and onto the field.
Flights from Turkey to Chicago
A direct flight from Istanbul to Chicago takes about 10 hours 30 minutes and the route is operated by Turkish Airlines, running almost daily with up to 14 flights a week. Flights land at O'Hare Airport, and there is no scheduled direct service to Midway, the city's second airport.
Chicago FAQ
How many days do you need in Chicago?
Four days cover the centre, the architecture tour, the museums and the lakefront. Adding a baseball game, the blues clubs and the outer neighbourhoods makes six days a comfortable programme.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
O'Hare International Airport is about 27 kilometres north west of the centre. The Blue Line of the metro reaches the centre from the airport in around 45 minutes and runs through the night.
What do you need to enter the United States?
A visa is required for a Turkish passport; tourist travel uses the B1 and B2 visa and the application involves an in person interview at the consulate. Appointment waiting times can be long, so the application should be started well before the trip.
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