Tell me what you know about Chicago

[Hairbrush123]

I am hoping to visit Chicago in July (if restrictions allow me to and with rumours of the US border reopening to the British in May gives me a glimmer of hope)

What are your recommendations for the city? Sights? Which hotel did you stay at and would you recommend it? I want to go Monday to Sunday - is this too long?

Thanks

I love Chicago, I used to go a lot as cabin crew. The airport is a huge nightmare though!

There are lots of things to do, places to eat, shopping etc. But I don’t think you’ll get the full experience this year even if we’re allowed to go abroad. The world needs to settle down. A lot of shops/restaurants/tourist places may be closed.

@zafferana where did you find that information from? All the reports I’ve seen, it’ll either be restricted entirely to UK stays (seems unlikely now) or there will a traffic light system - where countries with high uptakes of the vaccines and low infection rates will have few restrictions and countries with poor vaccination uptake and high infection rates (eg France) will be on the hotel quarantine list or high levels of restrictions... I’ve heard reports about a possible 3 days self isolation upon arrival which is fine by me and my partner.

@tisonlymeagain, international travel rules for leisure will be announced on Easter Monday - the 5th of April. May 17th is the earliest you can travel internationally for leisure based on the information given on the 5th.

@Honeyroar - thanks for the advice! I’m keeping on eye on developments in Chicago so I’m hoping that won’t be the case. I’ve been away several times during the pandemic internationally and I had plenty to do and see so I’m hoping Chicago will be the same! If it doesn’t improve then I will look somewhere else.

This article in The Times shows what a study submitted to the Global Travel Task Force suggests as suitable tiers for countries to go into. The US would be amber (but bear in mind that a) all articles in the press are guesswork at the moment and b) this stuff can change - certainly by July/August): www.thetimes.co.uk/article/covid-vaccine-success-can-open-up-world-to-travel-ministers-told-nxc9wtbzx

This is very interesting - new guidance issued by the CDC today, although obviously we'll be ruled by UK guidance when it comes to returning home: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0402-travel-guidance-vaccinated-people.html

Could you please tell me what amber means in terms of restrictions? Or copy and paste the article? I don’t have a subscription

I read about CDC earlier, really exciting stuff! Just hope the UK follows the same suit

Amber = negative test before boarding plane + self isolation of 5, 7 or 10 days (reports vary!) + second negative test --> release

Such an amazing place. Have been several times and always enjoy. Went with DD at half term last Feb and we had such fun. River tour is a must. Lincoln Park Zoo,Aquarium both good. Love Oak Park for a wander and look at the architecture. Just love a wander around though. The ‘new’ Starbucks on Michigan Ave is worth a visit for the views out on the street alone. Gold Coast a great spot. We stayed in the Westin which was really well located but previously stayed at the Drake and the Sutton Place (which now has a new name and I can’t remember it!.

travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/analysis-says-12-countries-could-be-open-to-uk-holidaymakers-from-may-17

It’s interesting because this report suggests the US will be on the green list! I guess it’s all speculation until Monday but we shall see.

What’s the difference between an amber country then and a red country? Seeing as you might possibly have to self isolate for 10 days from an amber country

Red country = paying for isolation in a quarantine hotel (£1750 pp I believe!)

@ IrishMumInLondon2020, sounds lovely! I think Gold Coast will definitely be worth a visit as it’s been suggested so many times

But yes, it's all speculation. However, I don't think we're going to get any details on which country and exactly when it will reopen on Monday. All the rumours are that the reopening of overseas travel will be pushed back to July and exact country details given at a later date.

I don’t think we will [hear about other countries reopening] either however the US is opening aspects of society very slowly and reports have speculated there should be an announcement on the reopening of the borders within a few weeks.

However I am expecting details on this traffic light systems and which countries might be on it. If July isn’t possible - I could always visit in October which isn’t a problem.

I think the rules will be a certain level of vaccination + no nasty new variants. The US is doing well on the first of those, less well on the second, but the former should suppress transmission of the latter and hopefully within a couple of months we'll see that happening (as has happened here).

Loved Chicago! A great city with a great vibe, really friendly, not overly touristy and quite gorgeous.

We stayed at the Langham, which was great, definitely recommend.

Architecture tours are a must - I learnt so much, absolutely fascinating. We did a walking tour as I don’t think the river tours were running at the time as we were out of season.

Buffet brunch at Shaws crab house - we ate so much I thought I would pop.

Italian beef sandwiches at Al’s - one of the top 10 things I have ever eaten, omg I can still taste that sandwich!

There was a really nice posh food court type place that we stumbled across that I can’t remember the name of.

Sadly my experiences of the famous Chicago hot dogs and pizza were a bit ‘meh’, so forget that and get yourself an Italian beef sandwich instead.

Love love love Chicago.
Café Tempo for breakfast is my favourite. It doesn't look fancy, but the food is delicious. They randomly give you a wedge of orange and a prune to eat whilst you wait.
Gino's is fun for deep dish pizza - it's very different to the pizza we have.
Millenium park is lovely. Get a picture of the famous bean sculpture.

Oh garrets popcorn is famous there - their signature flavour is cheese and caramel :-/

People may have said, but go on an architectural tour. By foot or boat.

Really good suggestions! DP and I stayed in Langham in Hong Kong a few years ago and adored our stay. We are deciding between a lot of hotels currently so hopefully we will come to a decision soon. Cafe Tempo looks right up my street for breakfast and the popcorn sounds really good! Thanks guys.

I really loved it but I went specifically for the architecture. I went to the suburbs to see Frank Lloyd Wright houses but that might not be your thing! Architectural tour in the city itself is great and a boat tour.

This is positive OP: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9433653/Boris-Johnson-course-green-light-trips-abroad-traffic-light-system.html

Really hope it's true! We have flights booked for August (booked last summer when we thought that SURELY all this nonsense would be over by then).

We love Chicago! We are meant to be visiting there for 4 days in July at the end of a 2 week trip to celebrate our 10th WA.

Like you, OP, I'll be keeping an eye on the announcements!

An update for anyone who is interested:
I hit the bullet and booked the flights and hotel (both completely refundable for whatever reason) as the price was excellent. Thanks for your tips guys.

@zafferana Boris’ announcement didn’t really shine much light on what will happen in May 17th but did confirm the traffic light system. However I am quite confident I’ll be able to go the end of July. Where are you meant to be going?

@SorrelForbes lovely! Maybe we might bump into each other. Have you booked anything?

@Hairbrush123 we're supposed to be going to California 🤞

@Hairbrush123 So far I've only booked accommodation (an apartment via Home Exchange so no cost or worry about cancellation). We have been to Chicago a couple of times before but only for two days on each occasion. There's still loads we want to do and at the top of my list is a river architecture cruise and some FLW sites/houses. We're pizza fans and really enjoyed our visits to Malnati's so may venture there again but will just see what's open when we get there. We went in June and July and the weather was just perfect, warm enough for shorts/dresses and not particularly humid. I'd love to get inside one of the apartments in these buildings! www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/marina-city/

@zafferana We're meant to be flying into LA at the end of June and then doing a bit of driving around (possibly San Diego, Sequoia, Hoover Dam depending on what we decide!) and then going to the Grand Canyon before picking up the Amtrak in Flagstaff through to Chicago.

I'm steeling myself for a situation where the UK government allow us to travel but the US government won't let us in!