Chicago

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 * //Major Airlines//**: O'Hare is the only U.S. airport that serves as a major hub for two giant airlines: United, with about 40 percent of the airport's passengers, and American, with about 34 percent. Most other big domestic airlines (except Southwest) serve O'Hare, along with many Oneworld and Star Alliance international members.=====

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 * //Layout//**: The field has seven runways in three parallel sets, some intersecting; O'Hare is in the process of reconfiguring the field to six parallel runways to increase capacity. Passenger facilities consist of three contiguous domestic terminals plus a distant international terminal, connected by a people mover outside of security. Interline connections can be difficult.=====

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 * //Ground Transportation//**: Heavy-rail system CTA "L", with an on-site station accessible by walking from three domestic terminals, serves O'Hare with frequent Blue Line trains to the Loop ($5). The people mover plus a shuttle bus connect to a stop on suburban heavy-rail Metra's North Central Service line, with trains to downtown Chicago ($4.75) and to northern suburbs through Antioch. Taxi fares to the city center are $30–$40. Several shuttles serve the city and surrounding areas. A consolidated car-rental facility served by the people mover is under construction.=====

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 * //Alternate Regional Airports//**: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), southwest of the Loop and closer than O'Hare, is Southwest's main base in Chicago; Southwest (with AirTran) accounts for almost 95 percent of Midway's 17 million annual passengers. The CTA Orange Line serves Midway. Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), some 45 miles northwest of the Loop, is Allegiant's main gateway to Chicago, with a few seasonal Frontier flights. Although relatively close, Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY), 25 miles east of the Loop, currently has no scheduled service.=====

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Travel to downtown Chicago by way of the EL.(elevated train). YouTube Videos: [] and []. Proceed through the airport through the parking lot as directed. Purchase ticket at kiosk, just a couple of dollars. Train circles the city downtown area as well as many other destinations and takes less than 30 minutes to get there. It is very safe. While there visit the homes of the original Chicago deep dish pizza: Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due (Website: [] ). Head to 29 E. Ohio Street for Pizzeria Uno ( [] ) or to 619 N. Wabash Avenue for Pizzeria Due (yes, they are one block apart)=====

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In addition to being a great city to hang out in for a few days, Chicago can also be a great day trip. As Cheryl mentioned above, I would recommend using the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains to get around (Website for CTA: [] ). The Orange Line will take you into the city from Midway. There are kiosks as you enter the train station from Midway where you can purchase tickets. If you're doing a simple round trip, just purchase a $5.00 transit card. If you want a one-day unlimited fun pass for $5.75, you have to purchase it through the internet at least ten days before your trip (Pass information: [] ). You can purchase an unlimited 3-day pass card at the vending machines at Midway's CTA station. Here's a couple of websites for tourist attractions in Chicago: [] and []. For museums, I would include the Field Museum (Website: [] ). You can walk to the museum from the Roosevelt stop on the Red Line. The Adler Planetarium is close by the Field Museum (Website: [] ). Also in the same area is the Shedd Aquarium (Website: [] ). A little bit south of these three museums along Lake Shore Drive at 57th is the Museum of Science and Industry (Website: [] ). It's probably better to take a bus to get there, but check this site for information (Website: [] ) on getting there. All of these museums are fun to visit. You can also visit the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, Willis Tower (Website: [] ). It was once called the Sears Tower. If you like high buildings, you can also visit the John Hancock Observatory (Website: [] ). If you want to take a boat ride on Lake Michigan, head out to Navy Pier (Website: [] ) where you can ride a boat or take advantage of many other attractions. Here's some information about Boat Tours on the Lake and the Chicago River: [] ). The "Loop" is the heart of Chicago with many venues to visit during the evening. Here's a map: [] of attractions in the Loop. Here's some backgrund information on the Loop: [] and [] . If you like comedy, you might want to check out "The Second City" in Chicago (Website: [] ). To get there, you can take the Brown Line to the Sedgwick stop. Then walk two blocks east on North Street to Wells Street (Map: []= 1616+N+Wells+St+Chicago%2cIL%2c60614&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=39.184175,90.527344&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16 ). For places to eat, I have five recommendations: Chicago Firehouse Restaurant (Website: [] ) located at E14th Street and Michigan Avenue is great. Monk's Pub (Website: [] ) has a wide variety of beers and good food. Here's a map: []. My third choice is the New Line Tavern (Websites: [] and [] ) which has decent prices and good food. Here's a map: []. My fourth recommendation is the Bottom Lounge which has a nice patio deck area (Website: [] ). It also hosts many live concerts and events in their Volcano Room. Here's a map: []). My fifth choice is Shaw's Crab House (Website: [] ) . It's pretty expensive for dinner; I'd recommend it for lunch. If you want THE original Chicago Style deep dish pizza, go to one of Lou Malnati's thirty-nine restaurants (Website:=====

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It's easy to do a one day trip and watch a White Sox (Website for White Sox: [] and [] ) or Cubs (Websites for Cubs: [] and [] ) baseball day game. Currently, Frontier flight 533 leaves for Midway at 7:00 AM. It arrives at 10:21 AM. The CTA will get you to Cellular One (White Sox) field by taking the Orange Line to Roosevelt Station and connecting south on the Red Line to Sox-35th Station. The park is two blocks away. You'll be at the ball park by 11:30 AM. I would recommend eating lunch at The Cork at the Park restaurant, which is at 3258 South Princeton (Article: [] ). It's about 3 blocks north of the field from the parking lot and on the other side of Armour Square Park (Map: [] ). If you prefer a Cubs game, you'll take the Orange Line from Midway to Roosevelt and transfer north on the Red Line to the Addison Street Station. You'll arrive at Wrigley Field (Website: [] ) by 11:45 AM. There are many more choices for food around Wrigley Field compared to Cellular One Field. Here's a Website with information about bars in the Wrigley Park area: []. I would recommend Harry Caray's Tavern (Website: [] ), but it can be crowded. If you leave either park by 4:15 PM, you can easily get back to Midway in plenty of time for your flight by taking the Red Line connecting to the Orange Line at Roosevelt Station. The return F9 flight 532 leaves Midway at 6:55 PM. It arrives in Denver around 8:30 PM. As for tickets, you can either buy from a ticket scalper on the street, or visit the StubHub website and buy a downloadable ticket on-line before you leave, which is what I did.=====

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Recently did a quick day-trip by going to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. We took the 8:20 AM Midway flight from Denver. With the bus ride, we had about three hours to visit the museum on a quiet Monday. From the Gate, follow the signs for "GroundTransportation/CTA" through the terminal, up the ramp, along the parking garage to the CTA station. We took the #55 Bus from Midway (at the CTA station), and it drops you off at the front door of the museum. Here's a link from the Chicago Transit Authority Website:=====

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[]. Before you get on the bus, buy a ticket at a Kiosk at the bottom of the escalator at the CTA Station at Midway. We bought a $5.00 ticket (cash or credit) which we used for our round-trip ($2.25 one-way). Here's a link for the return trip: [] which can be by bus only or bus and train (we chose bus only). Here's two links to the museum: []) and []. The U-505 was the reason for the trip. I grew up in Indiana and remember as a pre-teen visiting the museum and the German U-Boat. It was neat going back after over 40 years. Take your kids and spouse and enjoy a trip to MSI-Chicago!=====

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With the recently started flights to South Bend, Indiana, you can use South Bend as a back up to get to/from Chicago to/from Denver. There is train service literally at the end of the South Bend Airport Terminal to the "Loop" in downtown Chicago. Frontier doesn't fly to South Bend every day, so double check the flight schedule. Our inbound flight doesn't arrive until 11:30 PM. Here's the website for the South Bend Airport: []. If you're going to Chicago, you don't need to rent a car, but you'll have to wait until morning to catch the South Shore Train/NICTD. Here's the website for the train: [] and []. The first train to Chicago leaves the airport at 6:32 AM and arrives in Chicago around 8:00 AM. Currently, the fare is $11.75 one-way all the way to downtown Chicago. If you want to take the train from Chicago to South Bend to fly home, you'll need to spend the night in the South Bend Airport or at a nearby hotel. The South Bend - Denver flight leaves South Bend at approximately 10:00 AM. It's not the best option, but it is an option. Remember, Chicago is in the Central Time Zone and South Bend is in the Eastern Time Zone -- a one hour difference.=====

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A visit to this city isn't worthwhile without checking out some of the top Chicago attractions**.** A fantastic city for sight-seeing, there is so much to do and see in Chicago it can be difficult to know where and when to go.=====

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The best Chicago attractions include the family friendly Navy Pier (Website: [] ) and the fascinating and educational Art Institute of Chicago (Website: [] ). Another Chicago highlight is Museum Campus that hosts the popular Shedd Aquarium (Website: [] ), the Field Museum (Website: [] and the Adler Planetarium (Website: [] ). All that touring can really work up an appetite! The Chicago Traveler website has lots of information. Here's information for Chicago Restaurants: [] .=====

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You might want to consider a Chicago Food Tour. Walk around Chi-Town and see the sights in between stopping for a slice of pizza here and a cupcake there! Many food tours cater to a specific genre (deep dish pizza or Chinatown specialties) but there are also some that cover all of Chicago's great eats! Here's the websites for food tours: [] ,=====

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[]. Here's a comparison chart by Chicago Traveler : [] showing these and some other tours. Popular attractions aren't the only things to do in Chicago. Don't forget about all of the beautiful Chicago architecture! You can take guided tours to learn all about it and get inside access to some of the best views in the city on a Chicago Boat or Walking Tour (Website:=====

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[]. There's a lot to do in this great city. There is plenty of information on numerous websites that can help you. Also check out the websites for the Chicago City Pass (Website:=====

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It's time to head back to Chicago before the cold weather sets in this coming weekend. From O'Hare ride the CTA Blue Line ($2.25, 25 min) (Website: [|www.transitchicago.com/blueline] ) to the Logan Square stop, from this stop have a meal across the street at Webster's Wine Bar (Website: [|www.websterwinebar.com] ) or Longman and Eagle (Website: [|www.longmanandeagle.com] ). Longman and Eagle even have a six room hotel if you want to stay in the neighborhood. We also visited the Goose Island Brew Pub in the Lincoln Park neighborhood (Website: [|www.gooseislandbrewpubs.com/home-clybourn] ) for some Chicago-brewed beer. A few stops more on the CTA Blue Line brings you to Wicker Park (hop off at Damen), a walkable and lively neighborhood (Website: [] ) with some great hangouts, like Big Star, a cool bar and taco joint in an old gas station one block south of the CTA stop (Website: [|www.bigstarchicago.com] ). Here's a website for other restaurants in the Wicker Park/Bucktown Neighborhood: [] =====

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From there we headed south to Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House (Website: [|www.hugosfrogbar.com/chicago-pages-579.php] ). Known for its fresh seafood, huge portions, and sides large enough to share, Hugo's is a great seafood restaurant in downtown Chicago. They also have a piano bar each night starting at 5:00 PM. Really nice place to visit when you're in town.=====

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Two other Chicago institutions are Lou Malnati's (Chicago Deep Dish Pizza), which has at least five locations (Website: https://www.loumalnatis.com/ ) that are located throughout the city and Portillo's Hot Dogs (Website: https://www.portillos.com/index.html ), which opened in Chicago at the intersection of Clark and Ontario Streets in 1994. Many of the items inside the restaurant were purchased from the original Chicago Stadium, including the original Chicago Blackhawks 1938 Stanley Cup banner. =====



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