Chicago Overview

Chicagoans take pride in their city’s mix of cosmopolitan sophistication and Midwestern accessibility. Known in the 20s as a center for railroads, gangsters and blue-collar labor, Chicago had cleaned up municipal corruption and lost more than half of its blue collar jobs by 1980. Contrasting neighborhoods converge on one another with Swedish delis next to Turkish bakeries and public housing projects near upscale apartments. Now an intellectual and financial hub, Chicago still fancies itself a haven for the working man and woman.

Orientation

Chicago dominates the entire northeastern corner of Illinois, running along 29 mi. of the southwest Lake Michigan shorefront. Almost all roads lead to Chicago; the city sits at the center of a web of ...more

Practical Information

Visitor Info: Chicago Cultural Center , 77 E. Randolph St. (☎ 744 6630; www.chicagoculturalcenter.org), at Michigan Ave. Houses a Visitor Information Center with maps and brochures. Take a peek at ...more

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.