Sports Mad Chicago
Chicago is sports crazy! Offering a pro team for every season, visitors will not miss out on the amazing sporting atmosphere in this amazing city! Head over to Wrigley Field to watch the famous Chicago Cub’s (Baseball) or partake in a tour around the ground (available from April to September) – built in 1914, it is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues. You can also visit the historic Soldier Field to watch the mighty Bears (American Football) take on a rival. If basketball is your sport, visit United Center arena, home to the world-famous Chicago Bulls.
City Views
Enjoy the best views of Chicago during a visit to Willis Tower or 360° Chicago. Willis Tower is Chicago’s tallest building and the 103rd-floor Skydeck places you high above the city. The 70-second lift takes you to the top, where you will step onto one of the glass-floored ledges, providing astonishing, knee-buckling views of the streets below. 360° Chicago also offers stunning views from the 94th floor, where visitors can stand on a floor-to-ceiling window that leans out over the ground below, or visit the 96th floor at the Signature Lounge, where the view is free and you can enjoy a well-deserved drink.
Fascinating Museums
Chicago boasts an array of extraordinary museums that offer mind-blowing artefacts and exhibitions. The Field Museum of Natural History, for example, holds almost 30-million artefacts, along with the main highlight, Sue, the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex yet discovered. For art-lovers, the Art Institute of Chicago (the second-largest art museum in the country) has an Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection rivalling museums in France, while the Museum of Science & Industry will allow your inner geek to come out as you search for a WWII German U-boat or spectate a mock tornado or tsunami.
Awesome Parks
Amidst the glistening skyscrapers, Chicago is home to many beautiful open green spaces, perfect for long, lazy afternoons in the glorious sunshine. Visit the superb Millennium Park, with its magnificent Pritzker Pavilion, hosting free summer concerts where you can you sit and enjoy your picnic and a bottle of wine. Chicago’s largest park, Lincoln Park, stretches 1,200 acres for six miles, taking advantage of the paths and playing fields, along with a zoo. Northerly Island, meanwhile, is a popular destination for bike-riding, bird-watching, fishing and outdoor concerts.
Starting Point for Route 66
For Route 66 fanatics, Chicago is the starting point for one of the greatest adventures you could possibly do. Search for the original ‘Historic 66 Begin’ sign that marks the starting point on Adams Street’s southern side, as you travel west towards Wabash Avenue. From here, you will leave Chicago and navigate 2,400 miles to Los Angeles, past motels, neon lights and popular diners. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Chicago River
Take a sightseeing boat ride along the Chicago River and marvel at the scale of the state-of-the-art, high-rise design that the city encapsulates, as well as the outstanding architecture that the city is known for, with points of interest including Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Marina City, Trump Tower and Willis Tower. Alternatively, you could head up to The Peninsula Chicago's Spa which boasts views of Lake Michigan and the Gold Coast.
Sightseeing Tours
A great way to acquaint yourself with the city and take in the sights without doing too much walking is to hop on and off one of the city's classic Green or Red Trolleys or double-decker buses.
Jazz/Blues Festivals
If you love jazz and/or the blues, time your visit to coincide with one of the hundreds of festivals and parades that take place each year - feel free to ask your Travel Consultant for the most up-to-date details.
Flight Information
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines direct from London Heathrow. American Airlines direct from London Heathrow and Manchester.
Flight Time
From London Heathrow to O'Hare International, Chicago: 8 hours, 35 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Travel Advice Update
The FCO travel advice for the USA has been updated with an amendment to the Entry requirements section - on 18 December 2015, the US Congress passed a Bill updating the requirements for the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP); under the new rules, with effect from 1 April 2016 all travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip.
The web-based Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) requires all passengers (including infants) travelling via or to the USA to apply for authority to travel a minimum of 72 hours prior to travel. You may be denied boarding or refused entry to the US if you have not registered and obtained authorisation. To apply visit the official website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ A charge of UD$14 per person (subject to change) will apply and must be paid by either credit or debit card.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry gets pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen and a frequent visitor to the USA you can now register to get a UK background check on www.gov.uk/apply-faster-entry-usa. If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.