1. Comparison Shop

When you comparison shop, you get the best deal possible. Retail stores and gas stations often brag that they will match prices or specials of their competitors, and while it is less likely for Chicago apartments to advertise this, it doesn’t mean they

won’t do it. Even if you know you don’t want to live in a building 10 blocks down the road, it doesn’t mean you can’t use their “Free First Month’s Rent” to your advantage.

2. Determine the True Value of Amenities

It is not unusual for Chicago apartments to try and entice potential renters with photos and videos outlining all the little extras they have to offer. Maybe there’s a pool, a workout facility, or dry cleaning services. Some Chicago apartments include all utilities; others require that you pay your own heat, water bills or electricity, which can lead some renters to be surprised by their monthly rental costs.

Making a spreadsheet of the different amenities Chicago apartments have to offer, along with your likelihood of using them, can help you determine what will best suit your lifestyle. Double check what hours these services are available, and determine if they will eliminate other costs you are currently facing. This way you can determine what amenities are important, and what you might forgo in exchange for lower rent.

3. Stick to the Middle

A standard three story apartment building, many people rush for dibs on the top floor thinking it may lower utility cost. But when it comes to things like heat, stick to the middle – after all heat rises. This is not necessarily the case in every situation. Insulation will be better on the second floor, and you will also have a lower risk of robbery than a first floor tenant. Many times 3rd floor apartments have vaulted ceilings, which means more square footage added to your heating bill.

4. Choose Your Location Wisely

While the price tags of downtown Chicago apartments may be higher than comparable Chicago apartments on the outskirts, a little convenience can go a long way. Living within walking distance of the grocery store, your work, or any other place you go on a regular basis can save you considerably in gas costs, not to mention you’ll be doing the environment a favor as well. One of the perks of living in a large city, such as Chicago, is that it is relatively easy to get by without a car at all — which could save you hundreds of dollars every month.

Of course, some neighborhoods are better than others, so you’ll want to look into crime rates no matter what apartment you choose and investigate what security is offered. You can also talk to small business owners and get a feel for what to expect in any given neighborhood.

5. Make the Right Connections

Like many things in life, sometimes saving money is about what you know, but surrounding yourself with the right people; it is about who you know. That’s why getting to know people like the city inspector or fire marshal could be a first step. If your apartment manager knows the authorities will listen to you when you speak up about a repair that needs attention they will often get it fixed faster. It always helps to be on your landlord’s good side. Making a positive first impression can help you get ahead. Walking off Michigan Avenue with Gucci and Coach bags and being snooty to your fellow apartment residents is probably not the route you want to go after first moving in.

6. Investigate Utility Costs

Once you determine what utility bills are going to fall in your lap do some calling around to determine prices per Kilowatt Hour. Sometimes larger buildings and complexes will get a bulk rate on some of these costs. If you know people in the

building or complex you can also ask what a typical utility bill will cost. Don’t forget to factor these expenses into your budget.

7. Schedule a Move Out Check

Apartment living has its share of quirks that will likely make the experience of living in Chicago apartments at least a bit tiresome after you have been there a while. By the time renters are ready to move out, many are anxious to get the process over with as quickly as possible and forgo having a move out check with their apartment manager. This is a mistake.

By doing a walkthrough with your apartment manager you will be able to discuss any potential charges on the spot, and even get the manager to sign off on exactly how much of your deposit will be returned to you, leaving you better prepared as you move on to your next home.

This post was provided by guest post and freelance writer Martha Keagan who is a huge fan of the windy city. Keagan’s best girlfriend used to have an amazing view of down town Chicago from her apartment. Rather than buying a house in this real estate market, she has moved into new Chicago apartments on the north side of the city.

• How will you be getting around? Checking prices for the different modes of transportation is one of the first things you should do. Will you be renting a car to get around? Driving your own vehicle? Walking? There are many options, but some will obviously be less costly than others. Decide on what you can afford over the course of your visit to the city.
• What do you want to see while in the city? Many of Chicago’s attractions offer discounts during the week, including free admission days. The best way to find out about these is to acquire a visitor’s guide to the city. These can be found online as well.
• Where will you be staying? Finding a place to stay that is in the vicinity of where you’ll be spending most of your time is the best idea. This way, you’ll save money on transportation. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to walk from your hotel to the places you want to see. If you happen to belong to a travel club of some kind, find out if you can get a discount anywhere in the city.
• Do you know where everything is in the city? When on vacation, you want to see as much as possible, right? Take a look at a city map or two. Knowing where things are and how to get to them will cut back on time spent driving around aimlessly. Nobody likes to spend vacation being lost.
• What about the weather? This is a simple one. Check forecasts and pack accordingly.

Image via Wikipedia. Chicago skyline.

In 1979, a Chicago man by the name of Arthur Gerald Jones disappeared without a trace. Because of the debts he owed, and his potential ties to the mafia, he was declared dead seven years later in 1986, so it was surprising when the man turned up recently in Las Vegas under the name of Joseph Richard Sandelli working for a sports book there.

He was arrested for using a social security number fraudulently, but has been charged with additional crimes since. These include some burglaries across the country: In Boca Raton, Florida, he was arrested on larceny charges in 1979 and then in Naples and Palm Beach in 1980 under the name of Robert Lage. He moved to California and changed his name again; this time to Richard Sanders. He was arrested in Santa Barbara, Las Angeles, and Westminster. He was connected to these arrests because of his fingerprints.

It was after this time that he moved to Nevada and changed his name to Joseph Richard Sandelli. Because of his most recent arrests, his previous identities were discovered. Jones has been charged with possession of personal identifying information to establish false status or identity and fraud, obtaining and using personal information of another person, and burglary.

As they always say, you can’t escape the past. Jones was able to escape his for 32 years, but eventually, at the age of 72, it finally caught up with Jones. Looks like he’ll get life in prison (because he likely won’t live to carry out his sentence).

M. Henry would be listed among the most popular restaurants for the delicious Bliss cake that makes them famous in Chicago.  This modern establishment draws in crowds from all over and brunch is the busiest time, though the wait time during the weekdays will be minimal.

Girl and the Goat is an excellent place for dining with great food. You should plan on waiting approximately an hour and a half for two people and another hour for more than four in the party on the weekends. Saturdays are especially busy and Tuesdays look to be the best time to visit this very trendy spot in Chicago.

Kuma’s Corner has the most adored burgers available in Avondale. The unique pretzel bun gives that extraordinary taste that you shouldn’t miss while visiting. With an hour or two wait times, the weekends tend to be the busiest, whereas the weeknights would be the best time to visit just before the kitchen closes. In the warmer months, the patio is open for almost double the amount of customers that will be out enjoying the nice weather in the Windy City.

Besides the restaurants, be sure to check out the theatres, concerts, comedy clubs and various family events that are featured in the Chicago area.

Image via Wikipedia

Chicago is a great place to visit for either an interstate trip for a short city break or as part of an international trip.  There are so many things to do in this great city that really has its own unique vibe and culture, offering something for everyone day or night, rain or shine.  With so many things to do where do you start?  Well below are the top 5 things you really must see on your visit to Chicago!

1. The museum of science and industry is a wonderful way to spend a day.  With great exhibits from space suits to submarines and great interactive displays to keep even the most distracted minds engaged.  Currently the controversial and macabre Body Worlds Exhibit is on display.
2. The John G Shedd Aquarium holds a vast 90,000 gallon coral reef display and the always popular dolphins and whales. A magnificent display of marine life well worth a look.
3. Wrigley Field is the home to the legendary Chicago Cubs and a must see for any sports fan.  Full of history and sporting memories of great athletes.  True Americana.
4. Supernatural Chicago is a one man historical tour with a twist.  Be guided around Chicago learning about weird and wonderful occult happenings in Chicago’s deep history with entertainment and a splash of magic to keep you interested, engaged and on the edge of your seat for the entire evening
5. The Oriental Institute is not what it seems.  This is not a museum housing oriental artifacts but a grand display of rare, unique, ancient artifacts from Egypt, Persia and surrounding countries.  Great for history buffs and so much to see you may want to go back and visit!

Take a look into the rich history and culture of Chicago, you won’t be disappointed!

Image by lambo via Flickr

The Internet is one of the best places to find the latest news. On the Internet, you can get news within seconds of it being reported. Search engines are the best way to find the latest news all over the world. Most search engines will even have the top stories on their homepage.

To start, go to your internet browser and input the address of the website or search engine you wish to get your news from. All of the latest news will be displayed at the top of the page, making it easier to find the latest news. Click on the link provided (the headline), and it will show you the entire update.

You can find any kind of news on the Internet. For example, you can find celebrity gossip, new fashion trends, or even something small like a quote for moving. You don not even have to look at the recent news. You can search for older news, if you wish.

You can find a lot of news in video form as well written form, so make sure your computer has the ability to view videos. Also, if you want to read the news, but the text is too small, you can zoom in the make the text bigger. The Internet does not only have news in the United States, it has news from all over the world. Say you want to travel to Europe and you want to see what the weather is like. You can simply look in a search engine and find your answer in seconds.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest art museum in the United States, second only to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and houses one of the most impressive and wide-ranging collections in the world. Since its founding in 1879, the museum has undergone a number of expansions, both in the size of the museum itself, as well as in the size of the collections it houses.

Perhaps one of the most iconic items at the institute is the pair of large, bronze lions that sit outside the entrance on Michigan Avenue. Crafted by Edward Kemeys, these statues have become a favorite attraction of tourists, as well as Chicagoans. These statues are decorated for holidays, as wel as notable sporting events, such as when in spring/summer 2010 when the Chicago Blackhawks made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve also sported large football helmets when the Chicago Bears make the playoffs.

Notable artworks include “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette” by Georges Seurat, “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper, and “Bedroom in Arles” by Vincent Van Gogh, as well as more modern works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, among others.

The museum first opened in 1893 under the title of the Columbian Museum of Chicago. The name was changed to its’ present one, The Field Museum of Natural History, in 1905 after Marshall Field donated a large sum of money, enabling the museum to expand and then relocate to the current site on Lake Shore Drive.

The Field Museum houses many different types of exhibits, including a fully reconstructed skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue, which is part of one of the most popular nature exhibits. Other exhibits include Asian and African areas, which showcase fossils, various examples of taxidermy, as well as stories of both history and culture. The Underground Adventure is a favorite of this area of the museum, as it allows you to “shrink” and see what it would be like to live underground as in insect.

The museum also displays a number of special exhibits throughout the year. Past exhibits have included a large display of Chinese rubbings, a display on mastodons and mammoths, as well as an exhibit showcasing a large number of mummies from Egypt and other areas around the world.

To find out what the Field museum is currently showcasing, and to learn more about the discount and special days regarding admission, take a look at their website or call for more information.

In Elk Grove Village, a short drive west from the city, you’ll find Eleventh Hour Haunted House. This location offers up four different haunted attractions, the most popular being the manor house. You’ll find stage-quality props and theatrical actors throughout Eleventh Hour.

Statesville Haunted Prison in Crest Hill has been frightening people since it opened in 1996. A replica of the old prison, this locations offers up prison cells full of insane inmates, along with gore and special effects from over 40 actors makes this one a fan favorite around Halloween.

One of Chicago’s newest and immensely popular haunts is Asylum Xperiment in Villa Park. Dave Link who is an expert when it comes to special effects created this site.  He’s combined animatronics with separately themed rooms that depict a myriad of horror scenes. Admission is a bit high, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re a horror fan. You even get a little extra—Blackout, a darkened maze filled with surprises.

Dream Reapers, another fan favorite, is located in Melrose Park a short distance from the city. The 22 rooms at this location combine with over 40 theatrical actors and over 40 different animatronics to offer a truly terrifying experience. Along with a simulated experience of being buried alive, this locations matches unique sounds to every experience it offers.

The Shamrock Shuffle is held every March in downtown Chicago. The race is 8k—just under five miles—making it the perfect length for the veteran running enthusiast and the beginner alike. Winding along nearly the same route as the Chicago Marathon, the Shamrock Shuffle begins in Grant Park and finishes there as well, but not before taking participants along some of the best-known streets in downtown Chicago. The path is mainly a flat one, making the race easy for everyone, beginner or not, and the race is held in March (weather cooperating, of course) so participants can enjoy the race without the need for layers of extra clothing for warmth.

If you think the Shamrock Shuffle might be something fun to get into, then make sure you get registered early. Thousands of people take part in the race every year, so registering early is the best way to guarantee that you’ll be able to participate on race day. In the two days before the race, you’ll need to pick up a race packet which includes your race bib and tracking tag, among other items.

On race day, grab your bib and tracking tag and get to Grant Park early. Where you start will be determined on how fast you can run. The Shamrock Shuffle employees corrals containing blocks of participants, so be sure to arrive early enough to be able to find your starting point. Regarding your tracking tag and race bib, be sure the bib is displayed on your clothing in an easily readable manner. Attach the tracking tag tightly to one of your shoes.

Fore more information on Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle, stop by the official website at http://www.shamrockshuffle.com.

Image by Michael Kappel via Flickr

The city of Chicago offers a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities for vacationers, but what if you’re looking for something outside of the ordinary places like the museums, zoos, and the aquarium? If you’re willing to drive a short distance north of the city, the Botanic Garden is sure to be a pleasant and stress-free activity you’ll love.

Chicago’s Botanic Garden is situation over 385 acres on a number of small islands surrounded by lakes in the Northern Chicago suburbs. Founded in 1963 by the Chicago Horticultural Society, the garden opened to the public in 1972 and consists of wooded areas, several waterways, natural growth areas, and 23 other gorgeous display areas. Some of the gardens open for display include an Aquatic Garden, the Sensory Garden, a Bonsai Garden, the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden, the Malott Japanese Garden, the Waterfall Garden, and English Walled Garden, among many others.

The ever-changing landscape is one of the most popular in the entire United States, but because the Chicago Botanic Garden is so large, it’s nearly impossible to admire the entire thing in one day. If you’re unable to spend more than one day among the gardens, the best advice to print a map and plan a route among the areas you’d like to see most. Otherwise, there’s always the option of planning for visits to the gardens in the future.

Getting into the Chicago Botanic Garden is absolutely free, but you will need to pay a $20 parking fee. If you’re a member of the garden, parking is free as well.

• The Art Institute of Chicago showcases numerous galleries full of classical works of art, including the paintings “American Gothic” and “Nighthawks.” Every Thursday night from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., you can get into the museum for free.
• The Field Museum in Chicago holds one of the most popular exhibits in any museum in the city—the fully reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, named Sue (a huge hit with kids). The museum offers 52 free-admission days a year.
• The Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago offers many interactive exhibits for children, including a dolphin show and an exhibit where children can act like penguins. The aquarium holds sleepovers for children and also has several discounted days and weeks each year.
• For the space-lover in the family, the Adler Planetarium is a great learning experience. From learning about constellations to the Milky Way to the solar system in general, you’re sure to enjoy a stop here. The planetarium offers numerous discount days as well.
• The Lincoln Park Zoo is a favorite among Chicago vacationers, especially those with children. Admission is free every day and the zoo holds many events, such as the upcoming Zoo Babies event, where children can learn about the baby animals throughout the zoo.

If you’re looking to save some money while still taking a trip to Chicago, the best advice is to plan ahead. After you know when you’ll be in Chicago, check the websites for the places you plan to visit and see if there will be any discount days or special offers.

There are plenty of things to do and see when you visit fair Chicago. For example, you should definitely go and see the Sears tower, the historic museums, the world-famous restaurants and steakhouses, and you should absolutely experience a true Chicago hot dog as well. Chicago is a fast moving and bustling city that will give you what feels like an infinite number of things to do and experience. If you are looking for a way to really enjoy your tax refund check, consider visiting a city such as this one so that you can keep yourself busy and enjoy a unique city away from home.

The best way to get the most out of your tax refund check is to rely on the free taxes online option. More money in your pocket means more money to spend on your vacation, which is where your money should be going after all. Doing something nice for yourself with the money from your tax refund check is a good idea because you deserve a break after working so hard all year long. A vacation is all about enjoying the fruits of your labor, so why not spend your hard earned tax refund check on enjoying the world around you?

Christkindlmarkt’s first big event is the lighting of the big Christmas tree in Daley Plaza, which usually occurs either on the first day of the market or during the first week in December. This is one of the most popular and best-loved Christmas traditions in Chicago and usually draws large crowds.

The market provides bystanders with good food and hot cider as they wait. Both international and local German merchants and restaurant owners provide numerous German delicacies to try, such as sausages and potato pancakes, complete with Gluhwein, a tasty sauce made from red wine. The shopping experience at Christkindlmarkt is like no other, offering attendees a large selection of traditional German gifts, such as wood carvings and textile and blown glass items, among other things. If you’re in the mood, there’s even a building where you can purchase beer.

If you have children, take them to see Santa in Daley Plaza. He appears there daily throughout the length of the market and can be found in a cottage by the Christmas tree in the center of the plaza. Nearby is a large model train exhibit, so if you have a budding engineer in your family, be sure to stop by and check it out.

Admission to the market is free every day. Since it is Chicago, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. All of downtown in festive during the holiday season, so if you’ve got some extra time, wander around and see some more of the holiday sights.

Image via Wikipedia

Are you traveling to Chicago for business or vacation? This wonderful metropolis is home to the Sears Tower, the Chicago Bears, Wrigley Field as well as some Chicago food favorites — deep-dish pizza and the Chicago dog.

There are so many venues and attractions in Chicago you might have a hard time trying to decide on what to do and even where to stay during your time in Chicago. You may also want to make the most effective use of your time traveling to everything you want to see and do.

How do you go about finding information about all that is Chicago? It’s relatively painless procedure. Just try to plan in advance so you’ll have plenty of time for planning before traveling.

There are numerous websites out there that provide information about places to stay and visit in the city. Many of these websites will also mail you brochures and literature for additional information.

There are also national travel sites that can provide you with local information, as well as travel accommodations. These travel agencies will often be able to provide a full itinerary for you. They can plan a central lodging option that can get you to your chosen events or attractions for timely arrival at your business function or to make sure you can take in all the attractions on your vacation.

Area chambers of commerce are also a wealth of information for visitors or even people who are considering a move to Chicago. You can find out all kinds of information from socio-economic statistics including the average weather during a particular time of year. This kind of informatin will help you pack the appropriate clothing for the time of year you’ll be visiting.

It’s not hard to plan a trip to this wonderful city. Just spend a bit of time and planning and you’ll be sure to have a great time.

You get the full extent of ultra-modern with clean, crisp white colors and pristine finishes of the highest quality in luxury at The Elysian Chicago. Following a sort of Greek/Roman mythological feel, the hotel features 188 guest rooms, Elysian Spa and Health Club, a mosaic-tiled lap pool, and a private fleet of luxury Lexus automobiles. It’s royalty in pure white, like beautiful dove goddesses waiting to be loved.

The Talbott Hotel is a completely different look altogether, but one equally luxurious in quaintness and comfort. Sitting at the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, this luxury hotel of Chicago sports 149 guest rooms with private Pilates and Yoga studios for those wanting comfort and peace in their workouts. Personal service is the key at the Talbott. Nothing overstated, nothing shining out at you. Just true blue service to a tee.

This third hotel screams luxury! And why wouldn’t it? It’s the Trump International Hotel and Tower. Founded by Donald Trump himself, luxury hits the skies high with some of the most luxurious guest suites you’ll ever see with just about any amenity you’d expect from a hotel. The cream of the crop.

So enjoy the splendor that is Chicago, Illinois, with these luxury hotels. They each offer an authentic view of the city–from the inside of your heart to the outside of your eye.

• The Chicago Blues Festival: Spanning three days each June, this is the largest blues festival in the world. It showcases local blue artists, as well as nationally known musicians and is held on six separate stages in Grant Park. Past talent has included Buddy Guy and Ray Charles, among others.
• The Taste of Chicago Food Festival: This is a must for any food lover. You’ll need to purchase food tickets, but can sample over 200 items from over 60 local restaurants. In addition to the massive amounts of food, there are free music concerts featuring local and nationally known artists. Carnival rides are available for children as well.
• The Chicago Air & Water Show: Held over one weekend every August, this is the longest ongoing event of its kind in the United States. Much of the show can be seen from anywhere on Chicago’s lakefront, including the yearly headlining acts, the U.S. Army Black Knights Parachute Team and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
• The Grant Park Music Festival: Running each Wednesday night throughout the summer, this is the largest classical music festival in the United States. The weekly performances are held at the northern end of Grant Park, inside the Jay Pritzker Pavillion which is part of Millennium Park. Performances typically include the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus on a regular basis, but other acts, some nationally known, make appearances throughout the summer as well. This festival is a must for any classical music lover.

2011 Festival Dates/Times: 6/25 – 7/4; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on 7/3 when the festival closes at 7 p.m. and on 7/4 when it closes at 6 p.m.

Location: In Grant Park, between Balboa Drive, Monroe Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, and Michigan Avenue.

Getting In: The festival is free to get into, but you do need to buy tickets to be able to eat and drink. Twelve tickets will cost you $8. How many tickets you pay for food or drink will be dependent on the size of the food portion. To be fair, most vendors offer a sample-type plate for minimum tickets.

Public Transportation in Chicago: You can get to the festival in Grant Park a few different ways. The red and blue line subway stops are a few blocks away, and the 145 and 151 buses stop near Grant Park as well.

Parking: As far as parking goes, you can make use of the numerous parking garages around Grant Park. There is no parking right at the festival site. You also have the option of parking farther away and taking one of the public transit options to get to Grant Park.

• Taste of Chicago: For ten days every June, this huge food festival takes place in the beautiful Grant Park. Starting in 1980, the festival was meant to be a one-day thing, but was immensely popular, attracting far more people than was anticipated. Today, nearly six million people attend each year. Over 70 local restaurants participate, so you’re sure to find something for everyone in the family.
• 57^th Street Art Fair: Held in Chicago’s Hyde Park area, this three-day fair is held every June. This event has been showcasing the work of local artists for over 60 years and was first held in 1948. The area is even family friendly, with a playground located right in Hyde Park.
• Christkindlmarket Chicago: If you’ll be in Chicago between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is almost a must. Held in Daley Plaza, this is a four-week-long market showcasing nearly everything German—cuckoo clocks and handcrafted Hummel figurines and other ornaments. You can listen to (and sing along with) German music and songs and learn German.
• Garfield Park Conservatory County Fair: Held on the west side of Chicago in mid-September, there is a petting zoo and farmer’s market among other things. If you want to showcase something special, you can. This event is only held for one day, though, making a little hard to plan for.

It doesn’t matter if you plan to visit or you are looking for Chicago apartments so that you can live there, Chicago is a city full of history, culture and everything to see and do. From fine dining to arts and history, you can find it all in the fine city of Chicago.

Many people know that Chicago is a star in the culinary world. You can enjoy a food lover’s paradise and it doesn’t matter what type of food you like, you can find it all in Chicago. Any food found around the world can be enjoyed in Chicago and you don’t have to travel halfway across the globe to get the same fine cuisine you’d find there. Food such as Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, Indian and many more can be savored and if you are looking for some of the world’s best pizza, you’ve come to the right city.

After you’ve had your fill of delicious cuisine you can enjoy many other things to do in Chicago such as visiting the Shedd Aquarium, which is world famous. There is also the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry to explore. If shopping is your thing then you’ll love the Magnificent Mile where you can shop at 460 stores available. Don’t forget the night life where you can enjoy the Chicago Symphony Orchestra one night and laugh at a comedy club the next. For theater there is Broadway in Chicago with hit plays and dance productions right out of Broadway or enjoy Cirque du Soleil at the Chicago Theater. There is literally something for everyone to experience and enjoy.

Everything you’d ever want in a city can be found in Chicago and whether you want to visit or live there you can do it all in one of the world’s most famous cities.

• The Shedd Aquarium: This is a popular place with kids. Why? Because of the dolphin show and the amazing Beluga whales exhibit (they’re even white). There is also the “polar zone” where your kids can pretend to be penguins. If that isn’t enough, learn how to be a trainer, and if you’re okay with it, your children can even spend a night at the aquarium and learn more about the animals that are housed there.
• The Adler Planetarium: The sky theatre here will allow you to see the stars during the day. You and your children can learn about constellations, the Milky Way, and the solar system in general. Eating at Galileo’s Café offers a beautiful view of Chicago’s skyline, too!
• The Field Museum: This is another youngster favorite because of the completely reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex, named Sue. The museum offers numerous exhibits and specific learning opportunities, such as discovering how bugs can live underground. Children can also participate in numerous activities in the museum’s playlab.
• Navy Pier: Depending on what time of the year you’ll be visiting Chicago, you may be able to see one of the spectacular fireworks shows at Navy Pier. There are also boat rides, and the pier houses the Chicago Children’s Museum as well.

The Philip Stein Company has made a profound statement in the world of luxury watches in a short time. These watches, however, aren’t just another time-telling device. Philip Stein watches incorporate principles of both luxury watches and natural well-being.

Rina Stein, a watch designer with over 28 years of experience and her husband Will, a marketing expert, combined knowledge to create a brand of watches that would become truly iconic. Not just any watch, Philip Stein watches incorporate natural frequency technology to promote one’s overall health and well-being. With interchangeable straps and a distinctive dual time zone face, these watches quickly became sought after.

The first Philip Stein watches hit the market in 2002, and was the first to incorporate frequency based technology with a luxury watch. In 2003 the Philip Stein Teslar Watch was on Opera’s Favorite Things list and as a result the brand was projected into overnight success. Again in 2005 Oprah featured the Philip Stein Teslar Diamond Watch on her list of favorites and for the third time on her final list of Favorite Things, the Limited Edition 25^th Anniversary Oprah Watch by Philip Stein was featured in December, 2010.

The natural frequency technology embedded in each Philip Stein watch provides information to the wearer’s biofield enabling them to become more resilient to stress and stressful situations. Testimonials of better sleep, improved concentration and less tension poured in further elevating the demand for these watches.

Today, one can find Philip Stein watches in more than 25 countries around the world, but here at home one can find them in Chicago at Geneva Seal as well as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus locations around the country.

Unique, beautiful and adding to the feeling of well-being; Philip Stein watches are as beneficial to the body as they are attractive to the eye. You won’t have been wearing one for long before they become one of your favorite things as well as Oprah’s.

The Navy Pier in Chicago East Downtown has been a popular landmark for close to a century now. The Pier was opened as a combination of shipping and recreational facilities. Hence, the idea of spending a relaxed day is as old as the Pier itself.

It was a popular venue for concerts, exhibitions and other events. The Pier lost its utility and was not used very often by the end of the 80′s. That is when the State decided to come up with a joint venture with the city administration to redevelop the Pier. The ownership of the Pier was transferred and a detailed plan was set up to restore it to its old glory.

This time, the Pier was redesigned to make it a completely recreational facility. As on date, it is a popular venue for events, concerts, shows and other public meets. There is no shipping done on this Pier any more. This means that the entire space of the Pier is used for recreational facilities alone. The waterfront happens to be the most popular spot and is surrounded by restaurants, shops, recreational facilities and other venues for holding exhibitions. As the venue became very popular, it attracted more and more crowd and is a must see in the travel plans of each and every tourist.

The combination of the waterfront with numerous eating outlets, shopping outlets, gardens and promenades makes it a great place to spend your time. People love relaxing here on sunny days and is a great, romantic spot where young couples can spend time with each other in a romantic setting of lights, sounds, waves and water. There are numerous boat rides that can be used to get a lake side view of the city of Chicago. There are numerous facilities set up for families who visit the Pier as a picnic spot.

Chicago is the place to be if you want to enjoy outdoor concerts of the more sophisticated kind. You can visit Millennium Park which is a center for art music, landscape design and architecture even if you are not attending a concert. The city of Chicago decided that it required an outdoor meeting place that would be fit the status of and the popularity of the city. It entered into a partnership with the philanthropic community and the resulting park was the Millennium Park spread over twenty four acres. The park has seen numerous designers, planners, architecture experts and artists contribute in their own ubiquitous styles.

The resulting park is a sight to behold. The huge open space in the middle of a fast paced city provides good contrast. Further, the sophisticated designs like the Crown Fountain and the highly popular Cloud Gate sculpture gives you a good reason to spend the entire day in the Millennium Park looking over the structures

The park is located in down ton region of Chicago and is very close to the highly popular Michigan Avenue. Michigan Avenue is a very popular shopping avenue with stores of top reputed designers situated on the stretch. This makes the park a perfect place to relax after you have shopped to your heart’s content. Of course, it also makes sense to treat millennium Park as a separate stop in your travel plans. Michigan Avenue deserves an entire day for shopping.

The park has a welcome center which employs individuals specifically trained to act as a guide for the various attractions of the park. Make sure you land up at the welcome center before thinking of exploring the park. Admission is free and you can enrich your cultural knowledge and set your eyes without spending a single cent.

Those who follow architecture would have heard about the world famous Sky Deck and The Ledge. Those who enjoy a good day on the waterfront would have heard about the Navy Pier. It is the biggest city in Midwest and is one of the most popular tourist attraction cities in the country.

If you want to travel to some place new and explore life better, then you should certainly travel to Chicago. Chicago is very big city with numerous attractions. You can travel to the city to improve your understanding about culture and art. You can visit the conservatories and the parks to stay in the lap of nature even in the middle of the urban jungle that is Chicago.

If you just want to travel and roam around, the city is huge enough to keep you occupied for a week at a stretch. Irrespective of whether you are traveling on a huge budget or whether you are hitchhiking your way across to the destination, Chicago welcomes you with open arms.

From accommodation in the best five star hotels in the country to affordable accommodation for students by sharing dormitories – you have numerous options as long as you have the desire to explore and wonder.

There is no shortage of food in the city of Chicago. You can dine at the finest restaurants and enjoy not just food but a gourmet experience. Or, you can enjoy a street food and enjoy dishes that you will not get anywhere else in the country. On the whole, it is impossible to visit Chicago and not fall in love with the city.

When the Sky Deck was setup, there was a small part on the 103rd floor extended out of the building. This served as a gallery where individuals could take a look at the view from a height. It was noticed that the windows of the Sky Deck was perpetually smeared with marks of the head being pressed against the glass to take up better look of the world.

That is when the city realized that perhaps people were not satisfied with just the view outside and wanted a 360 degree view of how world looks from such a height. This is the reason why the Ledge was created. The Ledge is nothing but a box made of glass that give the individual a feeling that he or she is standing on the 103rd floor of the Willis tower without any ground beneath his or her feet.

Since the box is covered by glass on three sides, the individual gets a view of floating in plain air. The view, needless to say is simply fantastic. The first reaction that people have when they visit the ledge is that the structure is going to break off and is going to collapse.

However, the glass used and the additional metal structure provided is so strong that it can easily withstand the most powerful storms and the weight of numerous individuals standing on the ledge at the same time.

At first, you may find it odd that so many people visit the Willis towers to visit the Sky Deck and the Ledge just to see how the world looks from such a height. You can have a view of fifty miles and four different states from the Sky Deck. However, for a person who has flied by plane many times, this should not be a big deal, right?

Well, the Willis tower and Sky Deck is not just about the view. It is also about knowing more about the city of Chicago. Once you reach the observatory, you will be flooded with information about the city. If you are visiting the city for tourism purposes, then it is the best way to start your trip.

Each and every person will get information related to their favorite area of interest. If you like sampling different types of food, then you will be guided towards various ethnic restaurants in the city. If you love roaming around, you will be given an overview of the transportation system and how you can make use of the same to get around in the city. From the most popular tourist destinations to events and other attractions in the city – you can get all the information you want for free.

Of course, it goes without saying that there will be entertainment and relaxation options on the observatory itself. There are many things that you can do on the observatory like souvenir purchases. You can even get yourself photographed near a huge replica of the Willis tower.

You can also interact with touch screens that will give you a view of the city of Chicago in detail. From use of technology to enjoying plain old human skills – there are many reasons why the Willis tower should be your first destination once you have wished the city of Chicago.

Even closer to the city center, the Horseshoe Hammond offers up a premier gambling destination where the dice aren’t the only things flying – so are the good times! Coupled with a metropolitan location, legendary shows, and exquisite dining experiences, the Horseshoe could become your new favorite destination in Illinois. If heading to downtown isn’t on your agenda for one reason or another, perhaps you’d prefer the Majestic Star Casino. Located in close proximity to the Gary/Chicago International Airport just off the easily accessible Cline Ave, the Majestic’s lakefront location can definitely substitute for Atlantic City any day of the week.

If you tire of the scene at the Majestic, then head on over to Ameristar Casinos, just around the corner. With state-of-the-art gaming and a deluxe feel, this place will help you to feel right at home placing bets. The future never looked so good as when highly polished met urban contemporary, and that’s just what you’ll get at Ameristar. It’s an atmosphere that feeds a vibe that just won’t quit until you do. After all, these opulent gambling houses are meant to be more entertainment oriented than your usual online casino games, where it’s all about the gambling.

You probably have given numerous lectures about the importance of fire safety. You have probably shown your child how a fire engine looks from a far. In this exhibit, the child will be in charge of the fire engine and will have a real peek into the life of a fireman.

With a fully-designed fire engine with valves and other assorted equipment to operate its firefighting capabilities, your child is going to get a crash course in how firemen combat fire. Your child will step into the boots of the fireman literally because each and every child visiting the exhibit wears fireman’s boots to learn out more about fire safety. There is a drop pole, a get low and go bedroom and various other objects that are useful in promoting fire safety.

The museum also offers guides and experts who can showcase the entire exhibit to the kids and help them understand more about fire safety. The museum also provides resources for those educational tours that do not require formal guide but would require some assistance in extracting maximum benefit out of the museum. Hence, you can plan an educational trip to Chicago and take all your children to the museum so that they can get introduced to culture, fire safety and the world around them.

If you are visiting Chicago between January and March, then you should make it a point to check out the Hancock Center and visit the skating rink on the 94th floor of the building. When the Hancock building was first inaugurated, developers created an ice skating rink just in front of the building.

However, skaters were always at risk from the debris that would fly from all nearby constructions. Despite being very popular, the rink had to be closed down. The citizens of Chicago decided to use the height of the Hancock center to overcome the complication.

The skating rink was taken to the 94th floor and it is possible to skate right in the sky. This is the reason why the rink is very popular amongst tourists and citizens alike. The best part is that you just have to walk in between January and March between 9 in the morning and 11 at night and start skating immediately.

The John Hancock center has a separate observatory from where you can take a look at Chicago and its beautiful skyline. You just have to pay a few dollars extra and you will get a half an hour session in the rink.

If you have left your skates at home and don’t think it will be worthwhile to go back and bring it, you can just rent the skates at a dollar each. Of course, you are also free to bring your own skates if you are comfortable in your equipment alone.

Skating under the open air with nothing but the sky and the wind surrounding you will be a grand and new experience. Make sure you take time out of your holiday schedule for this even if you don’t know how to skate very well. You can always give the place a visit and cheer other skaters and enjoy their fun.

The Pepsi Skyline Stage hosts the wonderful acrobats who can come up with the most dazzling moves without even breaking into a sweat. This is a great way of spending quality time with your family enjoying the feats of human endurance. The acrobats move in a graceful manner and yet operate at top speed.

If you want to groove to the sound of music and if you want to let go of all the built-up stress and pent up energy, you can enjoy live music at the Bud Light Stage in the garden of the Navy Pier. The open environment combined with live music and the cool breeze of the lake is going to make a wonderful de-stressing experience.

If you want to have a feel of the water, you can ride any of the cruise boat rides that leave from the south dog of the Pier. The cruise boats are the only shipping activity that continues in the Pier today.

Don’t you want something to remind you of the wonderful time you had in the Pier? You can check out numerous retail shops in the family pavilion and buy lots of stuff ranging from souvenirs to utility objects like sunglasses and books. These shops are open throughout the year. Of course, it remains to be seen whether you would get time to take your eyes off the wonderful sights and sounds of Chicago to read the book.

Well, Chicago is the right place to visit if you want to thank all those comedians who made life wonderful for you when you were down in the dumps. Chicago is the place where modern improvisation was born. It is the capital of comedy in the country.

There are specific clubs where comic artists perform and entertain the patrons. You can join them and laugh to your heart’s content at some of the best and the most original jokes in the industry. Who knows, you might even stumble across an upcoming star who may take the world of comedy by stage in the future. You can claim to have discovered the star even before the world knew him or her.

You can have good fun in these clubs along with a good drink in your hand and the companionship of various other individuals who are there to laugh and be entertained.

This is not the end of your cultural education in the city of Chicago. You can attend concerts at various venues in and around the city. The most famous of all the concerts is the one that is held in summer at the millennium park. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion offers a view of the Grant Park Music Festival. It is the only music series in the country that performs classical music out in the open.

The visit to the Millennium Park will be invigorating and to listen to classical music in the open is going to be a very grand affair. If you are visiting in winter, you can check out different events and plan for them well in advance.

You can introduce your child to the world of dinosaurs and also to the world of paleontologists and excavating experts by visiting the Dinosaur expedition. The dinosaur expedition exhibit is a recreation of a real expedition that was conducted to dig up a fish eating dinosaur. The same took place in 1997.

The exhibit has a real excavation pit where the kids can step in and do some digging themselves. Apart from this, the kid is given into a peek into how dinosaur experts work. Kids get a real life look at the way expeditions work and how different role are assigned to different individuals.

Of course, no child is going to let go off the dinosaur exhibit without knowing more about dinosaurs. The best part is the manner in which the entire setup has been arranged. The same has been arranged in such a manner that kids get a feeling that they are playing and having fun. The truth is that they are learning more about dinosaurs, expeditions and the way history is discovered.

Since this is the part of the permanent exhibit, you can drop in any time at the museum and can access the same. Just make sure that you complete the necessary formalities and visit the museum within its operating hours.

You can also access the numerous facilities and entertainment options in and around Navy Pier to round of the day with a bit of learning, bit of food and lots and lots of fun for your child.

This exhibit allows kids to sit in the pilot’s seat and simulate the process of flying a plane. Kids are given a simple, short and easy to understand introduction to the concept of flying. Kids are explained how airplanes work and how they are maintained and how they help people travel faster.

Kids are also given a peek into the enormous amount of administration that goes into making sure that all the airplanes fly safely and reach the destination on time. Rather than viewing the airplane as a dangerous item that may fall out of the sky at any moment, your child will realize that it is a bird that is completely under the control of science and the human brain.

This is a great way to start your vacation. You can also consider it to end your vacation. If you are flying out of Chicago, you can have a last stop at the exhibit so that your kid gets something extra to learn and take home. Well, do not be surprised if your child starts a conversation with the air host and insists on taking up the real task of flying the. As long as you protect yourself from such over enthusiasm, you will find that introducing the child to the Fly The Kids exhibit was the smartest decision that you took during the entire vacation.

The Chicago children’s museum in Navy Pier has tie ups with different museums all over the world and comes up with special exhibits on an annual basis to showcase different cultures and traditions for children in a language that they can understand.

This year, the museum has organized tie up with the Papalote Children’s Museum in Mexico. It has secured on loan numerous toys from the land of Mexico and is showcasing them for the benefit of all children who visit Chicago during the exhibit.

Taking a look at toys from all over the world is always going to be an enriching experience for children. However, it often seems cruel that the kids can look at the toys but cannot play with them. The museum has come up with a via media for this problem.

It has organized workshops where children will be taught how to make their own toys. There is even a puppet house where kids can make their own puppets and then proceed to put on a show. Try to discover the creative flame in your child by encouraging him or her to make puppets. Your kids will make great friends with other children and learn to work together as well. All this can be done by a just a single day’s trip to the museum.

Make sure you take time out for the special experience so that your child will end up with grand memories of a very fun event.

As the name suggests, the town is very similar to the normal urban environment that is seen all over the world. However, the only difference is that each and every component of the structure has been reduced to the perspective of kids. Your kids can even drive the toy bus move around in the Kids Town.

From a typical urban landscape, you can take your kids right to the bottom of the ocean. The Kohler family climbing Schooner provides education for your kids about the way our seas are filled with life. Your kids can take a trip down under the water to check out marine life.

To make sure that the process is not converted into a boring lecturer, kids are given a chance to climb three stories of rigging that symbolizes the distance from the deck of a ship to the crow’s nest. To ensure safety of the child, tubes have been set up so that kids can simply climb to the top without any risk of injuries.

The entire process is going to be informative and very educating for your child. The physical activity will also make sure the pent up energy in the child does not leave him or her eager for more. After a satisfying day at the museum, you can either dine at the top notch restaurants in Navy Pier or move out for some street food. You can then checkout the wonderful night life of Chicago after putting your kids to bed.

Fifteen teams of professional snow sculptors have been selected on the basis of submissions consisting of pencil sketches. This is a prestigious competition where the best snow sculptors participate and create wonderful structures. Chicago and teams from other states compete for the top honors year after year. This year, teams from international arena will also be present. The festival is expecting teams from Canada, Bulgaria, Russia, China and even Mexico.

The fifteen teams will present their snow sculptures and we will try to win the prize. If you want to watch the experts whip up and conjure images out of playing snow, then make sure you are there at the time of the festival. Make sure you land up with your video cameras are so that you can record the fantastic sculptures for posterity.

For those who want something more than just plain snow sculptures, you can opt for demonstrations of dogsled racing and weight pulling. There is a competition about snow boat rail jam and there is also entertainment for the entire family arranged in the family pavilion in the Navy Pier.

Hence, for all those who love winter sports and cheer it at all times, the snow festival in Chicago is going to be a must visit. If you plan to visit Chicago in and around this time, make sure you are present for the spectacular finale.

First timers to the city of Chicago or often puzzled by the hype surrounding the Chicago Pizza. At first, the dish seems to be no different than the standard pizza that Americans have been eating for centuries now. However, all it takes is a single bite to realize that Chicago pizza is worth all the hype and a bit more.

The primary characteristic of this pizza is that it is a deep dish delicacy. It was invented in 1943 in a pizzeria named Pizzeria Uno. In simple words, the club is called Pizza number one.

The club is always packed with clients and has been around for more than sixty years now. The specialty with Chicago pizza is that the base is more than two inches thick. That is right, the base itself will be this thick and the pizza will include other toppings as well. As always, the crust will be covered with lots and lots of mozzarella cheese. Uncooked tomatoes are crushed and a sauce is prepared and is arranged along with meat to complete the crust.

This happens to be the standard Chicago Pizza. You, on the other hand, are free to experiment and come up with any possible concoction. Chicago respects those individuals who can come with the wildest combination possible when ordering the Chicago Pizza. How about spinach on your Pizza? Or how about a combination of mushrooms, peppers, olives combined with pineapple?

If you, for some reason, feel that the Chicago deep dish pizza is not deep enough, you can opt for a stuffed version instead. The stuffed version is obviously going to be thicker and you probably would not be in a position to eat more than one pizza despite being a heavy eater. There are numerous restaurants that are dedicated to the deep dish Pizza. It is impossible to hide from these in Chicago.

The Navy Pier is a very popular location for families to have a weekend picnic. Of course, you don’t have to carry anything from home because the facilities at the Pier are good enough to take care of all your requirements. If you are bringing kids along, make sure you pay special attention to their needs and requirements.

Kids can quickly get bored of the beauty of the spot and the calmness and the breeze. This thing is may seem like a big deal for a person who spends his or her entire day in an air conditioned office. However, a child who loves roaming around and playing around will obviously not find it anything out of the ordinary.

Hence, make it a point to check out specific entertainment options for kids in an around the Navy Pier. Thankfully, there is no shortage of options for kids. You can check out the Ferris wheel at the Navy Pier. The Ferris wheel is going to take you as high as a 15 storied building.

Once you reach the top, you will have a clear view of not just the lake but the city as well. It is a great place to take snaps of your family having a lot of fun. If you have visited the Navy Pier more than once, then you can opt for a cool movie like Tron: Legacy or Yogi Bear at the IMAX Theater.

You can include the movie as a part of sightseeing and fun picnic tour. Kids require a lot of food if they need to stay calm and disciplined. A hungry child is obviously going to start throwing tantrums.

You can make use of the food court the family pavilion and enjoy a wide variety of dishes. From the standard pizza and burger to ethnic food-you can check out a lot of dishes at the food court.

If you have tried Chicago pizza for lunch and if you plan to visit a restaurant for a fancy dinner , then why don’t you have quick snack by opting for a Chicago hot dog? Technically speaking, the hot dog was invented in the nineteenth century. However, it was only during the Great Depression that an enterprising snack vendor came up with this idea.

The hot dog is a completely pre manufactured dish. The seller simply assembles all the ingredients and hands it over for a quick bite. With sufficient vegetables and accompaniments, the hot dog gives the individual a feeling that he or she has had a good meal. The idea of placing a piece of meat between two buns may not seem like a big thing. However, when you have many other dishes to have with the hot dog and when you top it off with a drink, you will definitely feel as if you have a had a proper meal. Of course, the low cost does not hurt either.

There are certain shops outlets in Chicago selling the Chicago hot dog that has obtained iconic status. For the sake of photo opportunities, you can always visit such outlets. On the other hand, if you just want a good hot dog that you can eat even as you window shop, then you can choose any roadside outlet selling it spicy hot.

Just make sure you are careful with the spices when you are feeding the dish to your children. The last thing you want is for your kids to end up with an upset stomach. However, most kids have the habit of eating foods like the hot dogs much better than adults. Hence, there is no harm in giving this dish a try as long as you know that your family members will not be worse for the experience.

Chicago is a big city and you must be prepared to rely on public transport arrangements to move around this city. If you are planning to check into the hotel and then take a stroll around the city and walk to the major attractions, then you will have to spend quite a lot of time just walking from one place to another.

The Chicago Transit Authority has set up bus and subway train lines. The bus is a very convenient option that can be used for relatively small distances. On the other hand, you can use the subway train to travel from one end of the city to another and without any difficulty. You will get comfortable seats and the journey will be smooth until you reach your destination. Hence, you can take advantage of the easy to travel option to have extra fun.

If you want a bit more freedom than what buses and taxis offer, you can opt for private chauffeur services. As the name suggests, you will pay a specific amount and will get a vehicle and a chauffeur for the holidays.

There are special precautions that each and every vacationer should follow when hiring a vehicle. Make sure that you are driving license is up to date and that you have completed all formalities. Secondly, check the condition of the vehicle to ensure that it is indeed in good shape and can be used to travel all over the city. You may be required to fill gas but there should be nothing fundamentally wrong with the vehicle.

Thirdly, there is no harm in not trying to get these services from your holiday accommodation in charge. Of course, using the internet has simplified the process as booking can be done online as well. However, contacting your hotel will help you get discounts that may not be otherwise available to you.

If you are worried about your fitness and want to lose weight as early as possible, then why don’t you incorporate a weight loss plan into your vacation to Chicago? How can having a holiday in Chicago help you get rid of excess weight? Well, the city was recently ranked as one of the best cities for bicycling in the United States of America. Why?

Well, Chicago is one city that continues to respect bicyclists and does not treat them as an unnecessary obstruction on the road. From the government to the people – there is high tolerance for presence of bicycle on the road. Secondly, there are numerous facilities that have been set up by the department of transportation to encourage people to travel by bikes.

Reducing the total number of cars on the road can have a huge impact on the level of pollution in the city. Rather than having too many cars and a lot of smog, it makes sense to encourage citizens to travel by a bike instead. This is the reason why the department of transportation has initiated a bike program.

Any and everything that you wanted to know about biking in Chicago – you will find it here. From maps and parking slots to information on biking and other such benefits of this exercise – you can find all this and a lot more.

Of course, traveling around by cycle will work only if you have certain level of fitness and are prepared to work hard. If you opt for a rented cycle and get tired after a day or two, you will either have to spend more to get a vehicle at hire or will have to sit at the hotel and wait for your body ache to go away. If you are not in a relatively fit condition, then opting for lots of cycling in a new city can prove to be dangerous.

When traveling to Chicago, make sure you carry walking shoes along with you. At first sight, the idea of traveling with walking shoes may not make sense, especially when you are traveling to a city that you do not know anything about. However, Chicago downtown area is connected by a walking network covering at least twenty blocks of the business center of the town.

Hence, if you want to explore this part of the town, you just have to put on your walking shoes and start using the subways and walking facilities made available. You can also make use of the bicycles available to widen your reach and improve your ability to explore Chicago at very low cost.

If you skip renting a bicycle and if you explore on foot, then you need not spend even a single cent. You just have to keep on walking until you are satisfied. This is a great way of letting the sights of the city sink in. If you have somebody to keep you company and if the other person is equally enthusiastic about walking, then you will have a very good time indeed.

After the work is done, you can always move to the Navy Pier, put your feet up, and let the cool breeze help you relax. You can eat, drink and shop to your heart’s content in the Pier.

By saving money on transportation and other such expenses, you can have that extra cash in your hand which can be used for the last whacky night out just before you leave for your hometown. Or, you can save this money in the time of recession and use it wisely when you go back home. You will only get compliments for the supremely fit condition that you happen to be in. This is because of walking many miles in Chicago.