You'll see Chicago at its best if you visit during the summer or fall. Summer offers a nonstop selection of special events and outdoor activities; the downside is that you'll be dealing with the biggest crowds and periods of hot, muggy weather. Autumn days are generally sunny, and the crowds at major tourist attractions grow thinner -- you don't have to worry about snow until late November at the earliest. Spring is extremely unpredictable, with dramatic fluctuations of cold and warm weather, and usually fair amounts of rain. If your top priority is indoor cultural sights, winter's not such a bad time to visit: no lines at museums, the cheapest rates at hotels, and the pride that comes with slogging through the slush with the natives.
When planning your trip, book a hotel as early as possible, especially if you're coming during the busy summer tourist season. The more affordable a hotel, the more likely it is to be sold out in June, July, and August, especially on weekends. It's also worth checking if a major convention will be in town during the dates you hope to travel. It's not unusual for every major downtown hotel to be sold out during the Housewares Show in late March or the Restaurant Show in mid-May.
Weather
Chicagoans like to joke that if you don't like the weather, just wait an hour -- it will change. In spring and autumn, be prepared for a wide range of temperatures; you may be shivering in a coat and gloves in the morning, only to be fine in a T-shirt by mid-afternoon. While Chicago winters get a bad rap, they're no worse than in other northern American cities. (Though blustery winds do blow in from Lake Michigan, Chicago’s nickname, the Windy City, is due to the hot air generated by its politicos, not its weather.) Still, days of subzero temperatures, snowstorms, and freezing wind chills are not unheard of. If you arrive in winter, a hat, down coat, and a good pair of boots are musts.
Summer in Chicago can be tough to take as well: Temperatures can soar past 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) for several days at a stretch, and the humidity can rise to stifling proportions. That said, thanks to Lake Michigan breezes, it’s always cooler near the lake.
As close to your departure as possible, check the local weather forecast at the websites of the Chicago Tribune newspaper (www.chicagotribune.com); WGN-TV, whose Tom Skilling is a very well-known meteorologist (www.wgntv.com); or The Weather Channel (www.weather.com).
Holidays
Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012).
Major Conventions
Plan ahead, because hotel rooms and restaurant reservations can be hard to come by when the big shows are in town -- and even if you snag a room, you'll be paying top price. Contact Choose Chicago to double-check the latest convention info before you commit to your travel dates, as convention schedules can change.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
