Jump to navigation

Quick Contact

Call us
Talk to a travel expert now
0877 40 50 00
Visit us
for a face-to-face chat
Find a store
Make an enquiry
Let a travel expert contact you
Get a quote
  • Flights
    • See all FlightsView the best prices on all flights
    • Domestic
      • All Domestic Flights
      • Flights from Cape Town
      • Flights from Durban
      • Flights from Johannesburg
    • International
      • All International Flights
      • Flights to London
      • Flights to Auckland
      • Flights to Phuket
      • Flights to Dubai
      • Flights to Mauritius
      • Flights to Denpasar
      • Flights to New York
      • Flights to Amsterdam
      • Flights to Sydney
      • Flights to Perth
      • Multi-stop Flights
    • Cabin Classes
      • Economy
      • Premium Economy
      • Business Class
      • First Class
    • FAQ's
  • Hotels
    • See all HotelsSearch our hotels range
    • Local Hotels
      • South Africa
      • Durban
      • Cape Town
    • International Hotels
      • Abu Dhabi
      • Amsterdam
      • Bali
      • Dubai
      • Istanbul
      • London
      • Los Angeles
      • New York
      • Paris
      • Rome
      • Thailand
      • Tokyo
  • Holidays
    • See All Holiday PackagesExplore our Package Deals
    • Holiday Types
      • All Types of Holidays
      • Local Holidays
      • Beach Holidays
      • Honeymoon
      • School Holidays
      • Family Holidays
      • Luxury
      • Adventure
      • Cruise
      • Tours
    • Local Holidays
      • All Local Holidays
      • Cape Town
      • Durban
      • Victoria Falls
      • Sun City
    • Indian Ocean
      • All Indian Ocean Holidays
      • Mauritius
      • Zanzibar
      • Maldives
      • Seychelles
    • Asia
      • All Asia Holidays
      • Phuket
      • Bali
      • Bangkok
      • India
    • All Regions
      • Explore the World
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • UK/Europe
      • Middle East
      • Americas
      • Australia/NZ
    • Package Specials
      • Flight Centre Specials
      • All Inclusive Holidays
      • Budget Deals
      • Pay Less Stay Longer
      • School Holidays
  • Homegrown Holidays
    • All Homegrown Holiday Packages
    • Internationally Homegrown Holidays
    • Homegrown Holidays Long Weekends
    • Motorhomes & 4x4 Rentals
    • Gauteng
      • Magaliesburg
      • Explore cities in Gauteng
    • Free State
      • Golden Gate
      • Explore cities in Free State
    • North West
      • Pilanesberg
      • Explore cities in North West
    • Limpopo
      • Bela-Bela
      • Explore cities in Limpopo
    • Mpumalanga
      • Kruger Park
      • Explore cities in Mpumalanga
    • KwaZulu-Natal
      • Durban
      • Explore cities in KwaZulu-Natal
    • Western Cape
      • Cape Town
      • Explore cities in Western Cape
    • Eastern Cape
      • Wild Coast
      • Explore cities in Eastern Cape
    • Northern Cape
      • Karoo
      • Explore cities in Northern Cape
  • Tour
    • See all ToursBrowse our great itineraries
    • Tour Destinations
      • All Regions
      • Africa and Middle East
      • Americas
      • Asia and India
      • Australia and New Zealand
      • Europe and UK
    • Tour Types
      • Adventure Tours
      • Luxury Tours
      • Youth Tours
      • Day Tours
    • Tour Operators
      • Back-Roads Touring
      • Contiki Tours
      • Cosmos Tours
      • Costsaver Tours
      • G Adventures Tours
      • Globus Tours
      • Insight Vacations
      • Intrepid Travel Tours
      • Luxury Gold
      • On The Go Tours
      • Topdeck Travel Tours
      • Trafalgar Tours
  • Cruise
    • See all CruisesLooking for a cruise holiday
    • To or From South Africa
    • Australia and New Zealand
    • Alaska
    • Caribbean and Americas
    • Mediterranean and Europe
    • Middle East and Asia
    • River Cruises
    • Domestic Cruises
  • Experiences
    • See all ExperiencesFind the best Experiences
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Hong Kong
      • Thailand
    • Australia
      • Brisbane
      • Melbourne
      • Sydney
    • Europe
      • Amsterdam
      • Barcelona
      • London
      • Paris
      • Rome
    • Indian Ocean
      • Mauritius
      • Seychelles
      • Zanzibar
    • Middle East
      • Abu Dhabi
      • Doha
      • Dubai
      • Israel
    • Southern Africa
      • Cape Town
      • Durban
      • Johannesburg & Pretoria
      • Out and About South Africa
      • Victoria Falls
  • Deals
    • Promotions
    • Subscribe for Deals
  • More...
    • Travel News
    • MoneyBack Guarantee
    • Flight Centre Associates
    • Travel Doctor
    • Travel Insurance
    • Brochures
    • Car Hire
    • Stokvel
    • Gift Cards
    • Destination Guide
    • FC Foundation
    • Sustainable Travel
    • Flight Centre Business Travel
  • 0877 40 50 00
  • Get a Quote
  • Store Finder
  • Contact
Contact
Get a Quote
0877 40 50 00
  • Flights
    • See all FlightsView the best prices on all flights
    • Domestic
      • All Domestic Flights
      • Flights from Cape Town
      • Flights from Durban
      • Flights from Johannesburg
    • International
      • All International Flights
      • Flights to London
      • Flights to Auckland
      • Flights to Phuket
      • Flights to Dubai
      • Flights to Mauritius
      • Flights to Denpasar
      • Flights to New York
      • Flights to Amsterdam
      • Flights to Sydney
      • Flights to Perth
      • Multi-stop Flights
    • Cabin Classes
      • Economy
      • Premium Economy
      • Business Class
      • First Class
    • FAQ's
  • Hotels
    • See all HotelsSearch our hotels range
    • Local Hotels
      • South Africa
      • Durban
      • Cape Town
    • International Hotels
      • Abu Dhabi
      • Amsterdam
      • Bali
      • Dubai
      • Istanbul
      • London
      • Los Angeles
      • New York
      • Paris
      • Rome
      • Thailand
      • Tokyo
  • Holidays
    • See All Holiday PackagesExplore our Package Deals
    • Holiday Types
      • All Types of Holidays
      • Local Holidays
      • Beach Holidays
      • Honeymoon
      • School Holidays
      • Family Holidays
      • Luxury
      • Adventure
      • Cruise
      • Tours
    • Local Holidays
      • All Local Holidays
      • Cape Town
      • Durban
      • Victoria Falls
      • Sun City
    • Indian Ocean
      • All Indian Ocean Holidays
      • Mauritius
      • Zanzibar
      • Maldives
      • Seychelles
    • Asia
      • All Asia Holidays
      • Phuket
      • Bali
      • Bangkok
      • India
    • All Regions
      • Explore the World
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • UK/Europe
      • Middle East
      • Americas
      • Australia/NZ
    • Package Specials
      • Flight Centre Specials
      • All Inclusive Holidays
      • Budget Deals
      • Pay Less Stay Longer
      • School Holidays
  • Homegrown Holidays
    • All Homegrown Holiday Packages
    • Internationally Homegrown Holidays
    • Homegrown Holidays Long Weekends
    • Motorhomes & 4x4 Rentals
    • Gauteng
      • Magaliesburg
      • Explore cities in Gauteng
    • Free State
      • Golden Gate
      • Explore cities in Free State
    • North West
      • Pilanesberg
      • Explore cities in North West
    • Limpopo
      • Bela-Bela
      • Explore cities in Limpopo
    • Mpumalanga
      • Kruger Park
      • Explore cities in Mpumalanga
    • KwaZulu-Natal
      • Durban
      • Explore cities in KwaZulu-Natal
    • Western Cape
      • Cape Town
      • Explore cities in Western Cape
    • Eastern Cape
      • Wild Coast
      • Explore cities in Eastern Cape
    • Northern Cape
      • Karoo
      • Explore cities in Northern Cape
  • Tour
    • See all ToursBrowse our great itineraries
    • Tour Destinations
      • All Regions
      • Africa and Middle East
      • Americas
      • Asia and India
      • Australia and New Zealand
      • Europe and UK
    • Tour Types
      • Adventure Tours
      • Luxury Tours
      • Youth Tours
      • Day Tours
    • Tour Operators
      • Back-Roads Touring
      • Contiki Tours
      • Cosmos Tours
      • Costsaver Tours
      • G Adventures Tours
      • Globus Tours
      • Insight Vacations
      • Intrepid Travel Tours
      • Luxury Gold
      • On The Go Tours
      • Topdeck Travel Tours
      • Trafalgar Tours
  • Cruise
    • See all CruisesLooking for a cruise holiday
    • To or From South Africa
    • Australia and New Zealand
    • Alaska
    • Caribbean and Americas
    • Mediterranean and Europe
    • Middle East and Asia
    • River Cruises
    • Domestic Cruises
  • Experiences
    • See all ExperiencesFind the best Experiences
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Hong Kong
      • Thailand
    • Australia
      • Brisbane
      • Melbourne
      • Sydney
    • Europe
      • Amsterdam
      • Barcelona
      • London
      • Paris
      • Rome
    • Indian Ocean
      • Mauritius
      • Seychelles
      • Zanzibar
    • Middle East
      • Abu Dhabi
      • Doha
      • Dubai
      • Israel
    • Southern Africa
      • Cape Town
      • Durban
      • Johannesburg & Pretoria
      • Out and About South Africa
      • Victoria Falls
  • Deals
    • Promotions
    • Subscribe for Deals
  • More...
    • Travel News
    • MoneyBack Guarantee
    • Flight Centre Associates
    • Travel Doctor
    • Travel Insurance
    • Brochures
    • Car Hire
    • Stokvel
    • Gift Cards
    • Destination Guide
    • FC Foundation
    • Sustainable Travel
    • Flight Centre Business Travel
Store Finder
  1. Flight Centre South Africa
  2. Travel Destinations
  3. North America
  4. United States
  5. Chicago
Print this page
Chicago
Country
United States
 
 
 
Tweet
Overview
Gallery
City Scoop
Things to do
Where to stay

Chicago Destination Guide

Chicago Holidays »

America’s third-largest city may not feature on as many travellers’ bucket lists as New York and Los Angeles, but Chicago is a dynamic location, a true city experience. This jazz and blues mecca has live music galore, dozens of museums and galleries, spectacular skyscrapers and art deco architecture, and food from all over the world representing a melting pot of cultures. With 500 parks and gardens and 42 kilometres of Lake Michigan shoreline, the Windy City also offers natural as well as man-made beauty. 

Top Attractions »

For a hair-raising, bird’s-eye view of the Windy City (and four states), you can step out on The Ledge, a glass-floored platform sticking out from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, America’s second-tallest building.

Cultural highlights include the Art Institute of Chicago (home to the world’s largest collection of French impressionist paintings) and the Museum of Science & Industry.

Taking in a jazz or blues club is a must, as are the fairground rides on Navy Pier, a baseball game at Wrigley Field (home of the Cubs) and a visit to the free Lincoln Park Zoo. Millennium Park is a great place for families to hang out for a few hours and soak up Chicago life.

Enjoy a day out at...

  • Lake Michigan& its many beaches
  • Grant Park, for inner-city relaxation
  • The historic Lincoln Park Zoo

Launch Chicago photo gallery »

Statue of Michael Jordan | by Flight Centre's Daniel Brown
Navy Pier | by Flight Centre's Nafisa Sabu
The Bean | by Flight Centre's Nafisa Sabu

Eat and Drink »

With a reputation as one of America’s best food cities, Chicago has its own Michelin Guide, such is the wealth of fine dining. But you needn’t spend a fortune for great food. An ethically diverse population spread across 77 neighbourhoods offers an amazing array. Try Greek Town, Chinatown, Little Italy or any number of other ethnic food hotspots.

You might also want to find a pizza joint and sample some Chicago-style pizza while you’re here. If you really want a thin crust you’ll be able to find it, but it’s deep-dish pizza, almost like a pie, that is the city staple. Chicago ribs and the Chicago (hot) dog also put a local slant on classic American dishes. 

Fill up Chicago-style on...

  • Classic deep-dish pizza
  • Dripping Italian beef sandwiches
  • A traditional Chicago hot dog 

Where to Stay »

From loft hostels to historic art deco hotels to gleaming skyscrapers overlooking the Chicago River, there’s a huge range of accommodation for visitors to the Windy City. If you’re looking to be in the heart of the action, there’s plenty to choose from in the Loop, Chicago’s CBD. Keen shoppers might base themselves on the Magnificent Mile, so they don’t have to carry their bags of goodies too far back to their room, while anyone looking for a quieter place to lay their hat could try the hotels in Lincoln Park or the traditional charm of the village of Lombard.

Shopping »

The Magnificent Mile, a roughly mile-long stretch of North Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and the Chicago River, is the city’s most famous shopping strip, home to a dense array of malls, department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, jewellers including Tiffany’s, and countless other stores, big and small.

The Loop is home to the famous Macy’s on State Street, a department store that’s also a city landmark, based in a historic nine-floor building that’s fascinating in its own right. You’ll find designer stores on Oak Street, artworks in the galleries at River North, and alternative and vintage fashion at Belmont Avenue, Lakeview.

Head out to the suburbs and go…

  • Bar hopping in Lincoln Park
  • Record shopping in Wicker Park
  • Baseball watching in Lakeview

Chicago like a Local

Chicagoans reckon they’ve got the best live music scene in the country. You can find everything from rock and roots to classical and hip-hop, but jazz and blues are the most famous Chicago genres. One of the birthplaces of jazz (Louis Armstrong was among many to make his name here), Chicago is home to numerous clubs showcasing traditional and modern styles.

Try classic jazz venues such as the Green Mill (previously frequented by Al Capone) on Broadway, Uptown, or new venues such as Constellation on the northwest side. For the blues, try Blue Chicago or Buddy Guy’s Legends, both downtown. Comedy is big too: stand-up can be found everywhere from comic shops to dedicated comedy clubs.

See the city like a local by...

  • Strolling down the Magnificent Mile
  • Riding the “L” – or elevated railway
  • Enjoying an Architecture River Cruise

Other Destinations in the USA

  • Minneapolis Destination Guide
  • Boston Destination Guide
  • New York Destination Guide
  • Miami Destination Guide
  • St Louis Destination Guide
  • New Orleans Destination Guide

Chicago Travel Deals

  • Chicago Holidays
  • Chicago Airfares and Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Car Hire

Browse Flights

  • Domestic Flights »
  • International Flights »
  • Multi-stop Flights »
  • Premium Economy »
  • Business Class »
  • First Class »

Browse Destinations

  • Africa »
  • Asia »
  • Australia »
  • Canada »
  • Caribbean »
  • Europe »
  • Middle East »
  • Mexico & Central »
  • New Zealand »
  • Pacific »
  • South America »
  • United Kingdom »
  • USA »
  • 0877405000
    Talk to a Travel Expert
  • Get a Quote »A consultant will contact you
  • Find a Store »Your nearest Flight Centre

Our customers love us!

Trustpilot
Trustpilot
captain

Save with cheap travel deals

Be the first to hear about exclusive discounted travel deals; and travel inspiration to help you plan your next getaway.

Subscribe
  • General

    • Contact Us
    • Find a Store
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • PAIA Manual
    • Cookie Policy
    • MoneyBack Guarantee
    • Lowest Price Guarantee
    • Blog
  • International Flights

    • Flights to London
    • Flights to Auckland
    • Flights to Phuket
    • Flights to Dubai
    • Flights to Mauritius
    • Flights to Denpasar
    • Flights to New York
    • Flights to Amsterdam
    • Flights to Sydney
    • Business Class
    • Multi-Stop Flights
    • Flights FAQ'S
  • Domestic Flights

    • Flights from Johannesburg
    • Flights from Cape Town
    • Flights from Durban
    • Flights FAQ's
  • Holiday Packages

    • Bangkok
    • Dubai
    • London
    • Mauritius
    • New York
    • Paris
    • Phuket
    • Rome
    • Sydney
    • All regions
  • Tours

    • Africa & Middle East
    • Americas
    • Asia & India
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Europe & UK
    • All Regions
  • Cruises

    • Domestic
    • To or From South Africa
    • Alaska
    • Caribbean & International
    • Mediterranean & Europe
    • Middle East & Asia
    • River Cruise
    • All Regions
    • To or From South Africa
*Prices are in ZAR and subject to availability. Please refer to specific product’s terms and conditions.
© Flight Centre Travel Group (South Africa) PTY Ltd | Enterprise No. 1994/000253/07
Facebook Twitter trustpilot Trustpilot Instagram