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You don’t have to travel far for unforgettable travel experiences this fall.
World-class cuisine, some of the best and most interactive global galleries and modern hotel experiences are all close to home.
Conde Nast has revealed the best city in the United States, as voted by readers. The winner is Chicago.
This is why this is currently the best place to visit in the US.
A city for every traveler
There is a different Chicago for every visitor.
The most popular area for tourists is downtown, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. Here you will find the city’s old town.
If you are visiting the city for the first time and want to see all the main sights, this is the place to be.
But there are a whopping 77 different neighborhoods in Chicago, so there’s something unique to discover for every type of traveler.
Head to Washington Park or Woodlawn for green spaces and fascinating under-the-radar art galleries.
If you’re looking for an authentic spot where you can sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals, try Avondale, home to cool bars and a plethora of lesser-known restaurants that draw big crowds. Try Quality Time: A local bar with great drinks and a cool 70’s vibe.
Want to explore Chicago’s best tourist hotspots? Why not visit the beautiful Botanical Observatory in Garfield Park or see the city’s first National Monument in Pullman?
Things to do in Chicago
Chicago is one of America’s top tourist destinations, so you don’t need me to tell you the food is good or you can take a river trip.
Both of those things are true, but they also apply to almost all American cities!
So what if you want to get off the beaten path? Want to try something you can only try in Chicago?
The good news is that Chicago is a city full of hidden gems!
If you’re in town on a Sunday, head to the Maxwell Street Market! This isn’t just a great place to pick up a bargain; it is a citywide institution and an experience in itself.
Besides shopping, you can also enjoy delicious street food and a boogie.
Live bands play here every Sunday to add to the atmosphere.
It may sound morbid (but Halloween is fast approaching) to visit a cemetery, but I’m about to actually propose it!
Uptown’s Graceland Cemetery not only contains the burials of many prominent Chicagoans, it is also an arboretum and more than 2,000 trees have been planted here. You can take a free audio tour of the cemetery – just collect the information from the office.
Looking for something more cheerful? Go to the Garden of the Phoenix. This is a breathtakingly beautiful Japanese garden, and Yoko Ono’s first permanent art installation in North America (called Skylanding) is also located here.
There is no better place to relax and embrace all that is zen. And because it’s in the heart of the city, you can combine a visit here with a visit to one of Chicago’s most popular and well-known museums.
Staying in Chicago
Chicago is a fun and vibrant city, and there is almost always something fun and new happening. So where should you stay if you want to be close to the action?
The more affordable hotel options are in the Near North or Westside areas. Near North is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the city’s biggest, best and most famous museums.
This is the oldest district in the city.
Do you want to be in the hippest neighborhoods, but still stay a little more off the beaten path? Look for hotels near Wick or Wicker Park instead!
Wicker Park is home to the city’s coolest bars and hip music venues, so this is the place to be if you want to party with the locals as part of your epic weekend getaway.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
