When you arrive at Chicago get ready to hit the ground running. Chicago weather varies from season to season, but you can enjoy the outdoors throughout the year. For example, Chicago's Oak Street Beach offers volleyball or jogging along Lake Michigan in the summer, while downtown's Millennium Park has outdoor skating in the winters. Dress appropriately for the season and activity, bring a pair or two of comfortable shoes and get ready to encounter Chicago.
Chicago Geography
Though the weather changes with the seasons, Chicagoans joke that there are only two seasons a year...summer and winter. According to City-Data.com, Chicago temperatures average 21.3 degrees in January and 73.4 degrees in July. Chicago is located 578.5 feet above sea level and total precipitation in a year averages 35.82 inches a year. Chicago is west of the state of Indiana and south of the state of Wisconsin and lies adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Chicago Sports
From downtown, take a ride north on the Red Line and get off at the Addison stop to visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Go south on the Red Line and get off at 35th Street to visit the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox and Cubs are Chicago's baseball teams. Go west to the United Center and visit the Bulls for basketball or Blackhawks for hockey. Very close to Lake Michigan is Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears football team, and the Chicago Fire play at Toyota Park located near Chicago's Midway Airport.
Getting Around in Chicago
One of the benefits of Chicago tourism is Chicago's avenues of public transportation. Public transportation in Chicago is plentiful. With buses and trains that go into the city and suburbs, even from the airports, travelers can save money from car rentals and put it into day passes on Chicago transportation. For those who are considering bringing bikes, some of the major Chicago streets have designated bike paths. According to ChicagoBikeTrails.net, 16 bike trails cover Cook County, a large part of which includes Chicago.
Eating in Chicago
Most visitors come to Chicago for the pizza, hot dogs and other meat options, but there are healthy alternatives. Chicago's Green Zebra on Chicago Avenue is an example of Chicago vegetarian cuisine. The Chicago Diner on Chicago's north side offers a vegan bakery and completely meat-free food options. Smoothie lovers can enjoy venues, such as Starfruit; you could also try Protein Bar, which offers menu items that are high in protein, high in fiber and low in sugar.
Considerations
Chicago is a big city and activities should be planned by region. First-time Chicago residents should focus on downtown venues such as Grant Park where you can inline skate, jog, bike, visit the beach, have a picnic and in the summer catch a festival such as Taste of Chicago, Gospel Fest or the Jazz Fest. Those who have visited Chicago previously can branch out to venues such as WhirlyBall on Chicago's north side, which is a cross of bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball, golfing in Jackson Park on Chicago's south side or visit River Park, which has a swimming pool, interactive water playground, soccer field and running track.
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