I'm going to Chicago on my own in May

[NotMrPerfectAfterAll]

And I've been really excited about it for months and months but now I'm getting really nervous. For reasons I won't go into I've lost my confidence travelling even though I've done NYC and places in Europe on my own. I'm female early 40s.

Can anyone give me reassurance please? Will they be nice to me at the airport?! Is Chicago as lovely as it looks?

I honestly wouldn’t get the L (the tube) from the airport as a first time visitor with luggage unless you needed to save cash. It isn’t particularly dangerous but it’s not as nice as the tube. I would use an Uber.
Would use the L to get around once I was in the city center.
Hiring a bike and cycling along the lakefront is excellent.
The architecture tour is a must.
The zoo at Lincoln Park is free and a good visit.
Do you have any specific types of interest?

If it helps OP, my daughter has lived in Chicago since she was 18 and I do not worry about her. I’ve visited many times over the years, and DH works there periodically. There are areas you should avoid, but as a tourist you’re not going to be going to them.

I wouldn’t do the blue line to and from O’Hare with a large suitcase - mainly because there isn’t much luggage space. But DD takes it regularly if she only has a carry-on, and it’s fine.

It’s my favourite US city - I absolutely love it.

The airport is fairly big but fine to fly in and out of. Check the TSA times online for your flight home, and arrive in plenty of time.

Make sure you try some Garrett’s cheese and caramel popcorn and do an architectural boat tour.

Check the weather forecast before you go, and pack accordingly. Chicago can be very cold or very hot. Pack comfy walking shoes and plan to walk a lot.

I’ve visited all of those places, and prefer Chicago.

Palm Beach and Palm Springs I’d class as odd choices.

DH was there for the polar vortex - we live in Maine so he’s used to the cold but that was something else! Hopefully it warmed up a fair bit before you got there.

"Also loved going to a diner called Lou's (I think)."

Ohhh was that Lou MItchell's? at the start of Route 66? My daughter and I went there in 2016 and 2017, we LOVED this diner, it seemed quintessentially American to us. Pancakes and coffee and locals eating 'eggs over easy' - genuinely good food, freshly cooked - great menu choice and customisable - I had silver dollar (slightly smaller than full-size, I think) pancakes with bacon and whipped butter and maple syrup, generously supplied. And the best 'marmalade' I've ever had....

They used to have a tradition of giving away donut holes and 'milk duds' to women and children which I thought was lovely, but I didn't get any :( (DD did thogh.)

Lou Mitchell menu - just looking at the menu makes me want to go back!

Oh and I see someone else has mentioned The Bean, you mustn't miss this and it's a lovely walk along the waterfront.

If you were following political news you'd know that the city of Chicago did everything in its power to stymie the operations of ICE when it descended upon it. There was little or no co-operation between the city or any of its agencies and ICE. It's a blue city in a blue state. Citizens took to the streets to stand up for justice and the constitution.

Yikes, the polar vortex was really something. I had my old car back then, and parked it in a parking space at the rear of my building. I had to get out daily, wrapped in six layers, to get the car started and try to drive it around to warm up the engine and keep the battery alive. It chugged along at just under 5mph to begin with, making a wheezing sound. I ran back from the car to my apartment every time, before I lost all feeling in my arms and legs.

If you're not wrangling two heavy suitcases, then that would be doable.

I'd just walk east on Lake St to Michigan Ave. Or if you are tired or the weather isn't great for walking you can get an Uber or Lyft, or hail a yellow cab at Clark/ Lake.

...and many do not, because there is a far-right authoritarian government in control, and travelling there for tourism purposes gives money to that regime. Presumably you're okay with that.

To get to the Blue Line from arrivals at O'Hare, follow signs for 'Trains to City' or 'To Blue Line' if you're in terminals 1, 2, or 3.

If you're in terminal 5, get the shuttle (tram/ small train that circulates around the terminals) to terminal 2.

The shuttle is a bit of a scrum. Be prepared to battle your way on and off. Stick near the door. Hold your ground. (But you can ride around the circuit again if you miss your stop).

There are ticket vending machines at the Blue Line terminus that are not very intuitive to use.

Presumably you don't understand how devolved states, counties, and municipalities in the US are? The taxes you pay for goods and services in Chicago (point of sale taxes) go to the city and to Cook County services.

These include the City of Chicago and the Cook County public health departments, the Cook County hospital system, the Chicago Public School system, the Chicago police, ambulance, and fire departments, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Streets and San, Cook County Water Reclamation/ Sewage, City of Chicago public libraries, Cook County Sheriffs department, the county jails and court system, and many, many more city and county administrations and services.

Chicago has a huge immigrant population, with an especially prominent Hispanic cohort, many of whom work in hospitality.

So yes, tar everyone with the same brush, punish the good with the bad, or do a little reading and understand exactly who you're hurting when you hop aboard your high horse.

Thank you for this - I'm another ignoramus who has happily declared that I'm never stepping a foot in USA again until things change.
It's really good to hear some plain speaking from people who actually know what they're talking about.
Not coming anytime soon, but really appreciate the info🙂

Absolutely loved Chicago when I went with my two teen DDs a few years back. Felt perfectly safe, even when I was out on my own.

the Chicago institute of art is one of the best galleries I have been to in the world. It’s a must-see. The only bit I didn’t like was the zoo. Felt a bit sad.

I agree. Chicago also has a long proud tradition of championing LGBTQ rights, a strong heritage of trade unionism and is a very strongly Democrat city. I assume most people in Chicago are no bigger fans of Trump than his critics on this thread.

Milton Keynes, have you lost your mind? I lived in Chicago for a year and loved it. The train from O'Hare isn't terrible but if you have a lot of luggage you might prefer Uber. The weather in May should be lovely. The architecture is fantastic, many different types (International School, Prairie Style, Modern) and definitely get a tour. Terrific food. One spot that people miss because it's not in the city proper is the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette. The gardens are beautiful.

There are some neighbourhoods I wouldn't go to, but you also really wouldn't have reason to go there.

And yes, both the Mayor of Chicago and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have been strongly anti-Trump and fought to keep the NG and ICE out of Chicago.

Yes the boat tour was really good. As was the deep dish pizza

@GardeningMummy "It’s about as much of a tourist destination as Leicester or Milton Keynes!"

I appreciate you didn't like it and living somewhere is different to a holiday but It really so isn't Milton Keynes.

I'm quite surprised people are surprised about Chicago being a holiday destination? Museums, kayaking on the lake, shows, shopping, food, music culture, skyscrapers etc. I absolutely love the United States and I'm not interested in turning this helpful and pleasant thread into a political crusade. It's a fantastic country to visit regardless of it's problems. For the poster who asked I booked through TUI. I'm really looking forward to it. Let's stay positive guys there's enough doom and gloom on here 👍🙄

I think Chicago isn’t very well known outside the USA, although it is a popular destination within it.

I spent a few months in Chicago 25 years ago and only scratched the surface of the amazing things to do there. I know a lot will have changed but I would love to go back.
I loved visiting the posh suburbs on Lakeshore Drive, we used to take the train to a different one every weekend.

That said, I wouldn't go while Trump is president but I do understand that that does not deter most people.

Oh also I do have one other question. When I was in NYC I completely fell in love with Wendy's burgers! Having googled it I was thrilled to see the nearest outlet was only 2 minutes from my hotel but then realised that was via car. So a half hour walk (no problem I'm a huge walker!) So... is that walk to the nearest Wendy's an okay journey on foot? I've watched YouTube videos and am told as long as I stick to a specific circle / zip code I'll be fine from a safety point of view! As a tourist I've obviously no intention of entering any red flag neighbourhoods.

I would also love to see the Home Alone house in Winnetka but that would obviously be an uber ride or bus. I'll do my own research on that, but while I'm here talking to you helpful folk...

I'm surprised people are surprised at people wanting to go to Chicago as well. Can't wait for this moron to be out of office so can think about trips to America again. Chicago sounds great.

What a horrible thing to say. I went last summer and had a great time. Also hired a car and drove up the side of Lake Michigan. No issues whatsoever.

It’s one of the most underrated US cities I have been to.

Love Chicago, I go most years in May for a big work conference. It’s a quintessential US city. The Shedd Aquarium is amazing, as is the gothic architecture. Lovely walks along the shore. Never felt unsafe, although like most US cities, there’s loads of weed.