2025 Cook County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

This boutique hotel in downtown Chicago is just steps away from the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, where there are iconic shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. The hotel offers modern, luxurious, and comfortable facilities, 3 in-house restaurants, a rooftop bar, a nightclub, and spacious meeting and social venues. Each stylish room at Virgin Hotels Chicago focuses on leisure design and offers a large dressing area separated from the bedroom by a sliding door. The dressing area offers a spacious closet with shelves and storage space, a well-lit vanity, and a luxurious walk-in shower with a rain showerhead. The bedroom area offers an ergonomic bed and a 42-inch flat-screen LG smart TV. Miss Ricky's restaurant serves high-end Italian cuisine and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and outdoor dining. The outdoor rooftop bar and nightclub offer views of the surrounding iconic city skyline. The Commons Club offers a flexible public area for guests to relax or work. The club hosts events all day and offers a charming bar and a modern chef's kitchen. The hotel's high-end coffee bar offers pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and La Colombe coffee. Guests can read any unique whimsical books in the hotel library or relax on the comfortable furniture in the Trophy Room.

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and the home of the world's skyscrapers. The number of high-rise buildings is second only to New York. At night, the towering skyscrapers are lit, and the skyline of the city's central area is beautiful and patchy. The night view of Chicago could be said to be the most beautiful in the United States. At night, a skyscraper was brightly lit and outlined the majestic skyline. The pointed roof of the tall building shines like a searchlight. On the streets of Chicago, there are old and new buildings with different shapes.  Time: Chicago sees the best night scenes, but the time is short, the most beautiful moment around five o'clock

Frank Lloyd Wright is a famous architect in American history. Chicago and the nearby Oak Park are the best places to learn about his architecture, because he left his most works. Located in Oak Park is his former home and studio, and Dana Thomas House in Springfield is one of his masterpieces. I want to visit people who are impressed with his distinctive design style. He is good at using geometric figures and lines. The unique Wright art glass will have a wonderful chemical reaction with the sun.

As I boarded the boat on the Chicago River, a gentle breeze brushed past, softening the city's usual hustle and bustle. The boat glided slowly past towering skyscrapers, and with the guide's narration, each building transformed from mere steel and concrete into a chapter of the city's rich story. What struck me most was the juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings along the riverbanks. This harmonious clash of old and new seemed to encapsulate the essence of Chicago's character. Looking up from the water, the familiar cityscape felt both unfamiliar and more three-dimensional, imbued with a newfound sense of romance. When sunlight danced on the river's surface, intertwining with the reflections on glass facades, I finally understood why Chicago is hailed as the "City of Architecture." In just an hour-long journey, it was more than sightseeing—it was a chance to rediscover the city from a different perspective, leaving behind a tranquil memory unique to the water.

Riverwalk of Chicago city- nice place to stroll around skyscrapers and take boat ride to explore city from the river

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

Day 1: Downtown, Architecture, and the River • Morning: Start with a classic Chicago breakfast — maybe at a famous spot like Wildberry Pancakes. Then head straight to Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) and take some iconic photos. Stroll through Grant Park and maybe even pop into the Art Institute of Chicago — one of the best art museums in the world. • Midday: Take an Architectural Boat Tour on the Chicago River. It’s one of the best ways to understand the city’s history and its stunning skyline. • Afternoon: Walk down Michigan Avenue (The Magnificent Mile) — shop a little, see historic buildings, and soak in the city vibes. Maybe grab a Chicago-style hot dog or some deep-dish pizza for lunch (Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s are famous). • Evening: Go up to the Skydeck at Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) or 360 Chicago at the John Hancock Center to see the city at sunset — breathtaking views. Finish the night with dinner somewhere in River North — lots of good steakhouses and rooftop lounges.

I was there in December. The university is really huge and has a lot of students. Looks like a national heritage! Really impressive and gives an atmosphere of Harry Potter movie#chicago

Galena: Winter Fairy Tale Town🏰 Drive for about 3 hours to step into a fairy tale world covered in snow. The ancient streets and buildings are like wearing a white veil, instantly transporting you back to 19th-century Europe. On the main street, 200-year-old buildings tell stories of the past, and the Christmas market and light show are perfect for taking photos.📸 Stroll through the streets and feel the purity and beauty. 🏡Oak Park: A Symphony of Art and History🏡 Just a 30-minute drive or a direct ride on the Green Line subway, this place is home to many classic buildings. The houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are artistic treasures, with every brick and tile revealing the designer's ingenuity. As the birthplace of Hemingway, every corner of Grove St. exudes a literary atmosphere, waiting for you to capture those moving moments.🖼️ 🌸Rockford: The Winter Charm of a Japanese Garden🌸 Drive for 1.5 hours to visit Anderson Japanese Gardens. This small and beautiful Japanese estate also shows a different style in winter. Ice skating, snowball fights, and sharing winter fun with friends.🎈 Even if it's rarely visited, the scenery is still as beautiful as in spring and summer, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 🏞️Lake Geneva: The Real-Life Version of Frozen🏞️ Also a 1.5-hour drive, you'll find yourself in a real winter wonderland. The snow-covered lake, twinkling Christmas lights, and leisurely boats create a series of moving pictures. Ice skating, snowmobiling, and skiing make this an ideal place for family outings or romantic getaways.🏂 🎄Long Grove: The Winter Romance of a European Town🎄 A 1-hour drive will take you to this European-style town. The streets are adorned with beautiful Christmas lights. Find a cozy café, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and homemade cookies, and feel the tranquility and comfort. Hike in Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve and enjoy the gifts of nature.🌳 🏡Getaway: A Winter Cabin Trip in the Forest🏡 A 2-hour drive will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city to this snow-covered cabin. The cabins hidden in the forest create a strong winter atmosphere. There's no Wi-Fi interference here, only snow and stars in the night sky. Remember to bring food and hot drinks to enjoy this rare peace and freedom.🌌 🏞️Starved Rock State Park: A Dream of Ice Waterfalls and Forests🏞️ A 2-hour drive will take you to a must-visit place around Chicago. Ice waterfalls, snow-covered canyons, and forests create a winter wonderland. Hike on snowy trails, admire frozen rivers and woods, and encounter white-tailed deer and various birds. Remember to wear warm clothes and non-slip shoes to safely explore this beautiful land.

Visiting the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo was a fun and peaceful experience right in the heart of Chicago. This walkway features the beauty of nature surrounded by ponds, lawns, and wildflowers, providing a natural retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I enjoyed walking along the wooden path, observing local birds and wildlife, and the atmosphere was perfect for relaxation and meditation. The breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline in the background made the place truly special. It's a great spot for families, friends, and nature lovers, offering a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature without leaving the city.

Glenn has a good idea of how to make money on his own for a year close by the way he was going

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#fallingseason

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#chicago Memorial Park#trip

The Wendella Sunset Boat Tour was completely amazing! It takes you on the river then into Lake Michigan! I highly recommend! The boat includes restrooms and a bar!

Great experience! Feeling like at home.

#mynovgetaway#awesomepic

O'Hare International Airport in Cool County is one of my favorite destination airports at all-time in the US. Security screening is very efficient and they are very fast even if the line is too long. It is a very clean and very huge airport. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

The nighttime Chicago. Chicago summer is a fascinating season, and the comfortable temperature makes it impossible to turn on the air conditioning at night. After nightfall, along the Chicago River, you can enjoy the enchanting night view along the way. You can rest at the river with a beer at any time. Compared to the hot sun during the day, I prefer Chicago at night.

If you bring kids to Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo is a good choice. There are more than 400 animals in the zoo, but the recent star is that the newly born baby orangutan in the orangutan restaurant attracted many people to watch. The areas that can interact in the zoo are the most attractive to the children, the kangaroos that jump around, or the cute alpaca that comes to you. Bird Feeding, which is capable of close contact with birds, is more fun. The parrot will fly over and fall on the stick to eat the food.

Chicago's representative food is not a deep dish, and the popular Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is chosen. Even the Chicago people themselves can't tell why the deep-disc pizza will only be handed down in Chicago. The deep dish brings a thick layer of cheese and a strong layer of bolognese. The cheese tastes very rich and the meat sauce tastes strong. Make people hooked. Here you can also feel the humor and enthusiasm of Americans.

A glass of mulled wine in the left hand and a German sausage in the right hand is the cutest Christmas market in the cold season. Collecting the annual Christmas Maca Cup is a big hobby for many old Chicagoers. A small cup in the hand, so cute. The largest holiday market in the United States, the Chicago Christmas Market, is a Nordic style, with dozens of small and lovely tents standing in the middle of a tall Christmas tree. The Christmas market is inspired by the ancient festival market in Nuremberg, Germany, so you can find many iconic German specialties in the market, such as the nutcracker, the cuckoo alarm clock and a variety of wooden handicrafts. Not to mention the banquets, German sausages and dark beer in the United States. Christmas market is set up in the city center of DaleyPlaza, the small partners of downtown may wish to take a look at the past in the free time, free ~