3 Tips For Traveling To Chicago For The First Time

If you’ve always dreamed about traveling to the Windy City but haven’t yet made it there, there’s no better time than the present to start planning this trip. Chicago has many claims to fame, and it’s only natural for visitors to want to see and experience them all. But while traveling to a new city can be exciting, it can also be a little scary and intimidating. So to help you make the most of the time you’ll spend in Second City and feel comfortable and confident when touring around this area, here are three tips for traveling to Chicago for the first time.

Plan To Use The Trains

In a big city like Chicago, traveling around the streets can be a little dangerous. Not only is there always traffic clogging things up, but if you’re not familiar with driving in a city situation, you could find yourself getting into tough spots that might lead to a car accident. So to avoid all of the above-mentioned issues, Joe Chgo, a contributor to TripAdvisor, recommends that you take advantage of the great public transportation systems they have in place and use the train as much as you can. Not only will this be a more effective and efficient way to travel in more circumstances, but it’s relatively inexpensive and can easily get you to almost anywhere you’re wanting to go. To make things even easier, purchase a Ventra card to pay for your transit at any train station.

Get On The Water

For those who are looking to see the city from a different perspective, ChooseChicago.com recommends that you take in the sights from the water. Chicago has water access for both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, both of which have boat tours. While this might feel a little touristy to some people, you can get a great view of the city and learn so much about the layout, architecture, and atmosphere of the city. But if taking a boat tour isn’t your cup of tea, you can always just cruise along the Riverwalk, too.

Consider Getting A City Pass

With so much to see and do in Chicago, you might find yourself spending a pretty penny on your entrance fees to all the various museums and attractions. So to help you save a little money without having to sacrifice seeing some of the sights, Cate Huguelet, a contributor to Lonely Planet, recommends looking into getting the Chicago CityPass, which will give you admission into seven major attractions and will make your entry into these attractions much quicker.

If you’re getting ready to plan a trip to Chicago, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you make the most of your time there.