Blog category that provides essential information and tips for anyone planning a trip to the Windy City. Our blog posts cover a range of topics, from transportation and accommodation to dining, sightseeing, and more. We offer practical advice for navigating the city, as well as insider tips and recommendations for getting the most out of your visit.
Camping Near Chicago – Cook County Forest Preserves
Chicago may be filled with city parks to give you quick dosages of nature, but if you are looking to immerse yourself a little deeper– you may not have to travel as far as you think. Camping near Chicago, in Cook County to be exact, does not only make for a quick road...
10 Important Things to Consider Before Living in Chicago
I have come to the conclusion that DRD4-7R is very prevalent in my genetic makeup. This combination of letters and numbers is the name of what has been dubbed the wanderlust gene. This is due to its ties to increased levels of curiosity and anxiousness, mainly. I grew...
App for Free Parking in Chicago – Don’t Feed the Meters
If you are among the minority that own a vehicle of your own in Chicago– then you know the struggles of finding parking, even more so when it comes to free parking in Chicago. Valets and meters can add up very, very quickly– especially if you happen to find yourself...
14 Touristy Things Chicago Natives Need to Do
The city of Chicago is filled with cultural activities, famous buildings, and hot spots known to the incoming tourists and long-lived locals. But, what local wants to stand in lines and pay cover fees in their own city? From what time to go to The Bean to what day to...
Farmers Markets in Chicago Schedule
A sure sign of spring arriving and summer rapidly approaching is the kickoff of Farmers Markets in Chicago. Many people look forward to the opening of the market in Daley Plaza, which happens to be the’oldest farmers market in Chicago. It kicks off on May 12 and...
Dog Friendly Chicago Establishments– Plan a Date with your Best Friend
There is no denying that Chicago is an almost continuous expansion of concrete. While you may have the ability of venturing wherever you please, your furry companion is much more limited. Rather than just taking them to visit the patch of astroturf a couple blocks...
Chicago Trivia Nights & Locations – Your Guide to Trivia in Chicago
I have a soft spot for live trivia. It’s something that my brother and I try to do on a weekly basis- sometimes as teammates, sometimes foes to see who has to buy the round. With busy schedules, it doesn’t always line up on the same day every week. Fortunately, every...
Top 10 Illinois State Parks For Camping – Get Out There
Illinois State Parks offer a wide variety of options that can be found no where else in the state. Spending a few days camping is the perfect way to experience what they have to offer to the absolute fullest. Scuba diving, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, mountain...
15 Simple Ways To Reinvent Your Apartment
We all like to be able to come home after a long day and sink into a place that truly feels like our own. We want it to reflect our style and instantly make us feel at ease. In Chicago, you have to be creative to reinvent your apartment. Small spaces are just one of...
Top Ten Tax Procrastination Cities
Are your taxes done? Or have you been scrambling these past few days (or hours) to meet the deadline? If you’re among the latter, you’re not alone. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax products, put together a list of American cities that are full of...
10 Great Chicago Suburbs
When looking for a new place to live, there s no doubt that Chicago with all of its diversity and urban splendor remains among the most sought after living spaces in the U.S. :: however as a city that is surrounded by six counties, there are many gorgeous Chicago...
Chicago Living – Suburbs vs. City
Choosing a style of Chicago living can be tricky for some, and a no brainer for others. Living situations can depend greatly on where you are in your life– young professional or settling down– but it does not dictate it 100%. Some people love city living and the...
Top 10 Reasons To Love The Southside Of Chicago
The Southside of Chicago plays an important role in Chicago s economic and cultural life. With its Industrial Park being one of the most successful in the city, the Southside contains a diverse, hardworking population. There s a lot to love about the Southside of...
Chicago Fitness & Nutrition Guide: How to maximize health and minimize effort in the city
Alarm clock rings. Snooze. Run out the door to catch the CTA. Grab Dunkin’ Doughnuts on the way. Work. Potbelly’s Lunch Break. Work. Dinner. Sleep. Repeat. That may not be the most efficient’Chicago fitness and nutrition routine, but it seems to be...
Unique Gifts For The Beer & Whiskey Lovers
Alcohol evokes passion in many people’ everyone has their preference, but it all has the same principal behind it. One of the neat things about beer and whiskey, is that people like to have a lot of fun with it. They have fun while they are drinking it, and they...
10 Famous People From Chicago
Chicago has long been known to be a top producer of celebrities and famous people. There are hundreds of people that have lived in and made Chicago proud; however, many of these people were not born in Chicago. The Chicago Traveler has compiled a list of the Top 10...
Elgin Police Crash a Car Meet – Opinion from a Car Enthusiast
A video has surfaced very recently of Sergeant Ericson of the Elgin Police department interacting with a group of young automotive enthusiasts in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. (Video Below) This video of the interaction has been gaining a lot of traction over the...
Chicago Hair Salons Open Christmas Eve & Day
There is just something about the holidays that make us want to look and feel our best. Last minute hair styles can make all the difference. These Chicago hair salons will be offering up their services on Christmas Eve, and a select couple will be open on Christmas...
Top 3 Things To Do In Chicago During The Fall And Winter
Fall and winter are great times of the year in Chicago, whether you are a resident or a tourist planning a trip. Cooler weather in Fall is ideal in Chicago, not too hot or too cold, and less humid. Temperatures range from the 40s to around the mid-seventies, so its...
IVme Hydration Clinic Offers Energy & Hangover Cures
Generally my beat around The Chicago Traveler is restaurants and the occasional concert. The evening started off normally enough at Old Town’s Pomp & Circumstance for an open house at the nearby IVme Hydration Clinic– drinking an Old Fashioned and snacking on...
Just Put A Bow On It– Delicious Gifts
I hate the feeling of being absolutely clueless when it comes to gift shopping for someone. Whether the person has everything, or nothing– finding gifts is not always an easy task. Judging from personal experience, receiving amazing food- especially sweets- or some...
Fishing in Chicago – 25 Spots for Tight Lines
It’s not required to drive hours to lakes around the state when you can go fishing in Chicago. While it may not be the same as escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city into some place a little more quiet and serene, it’ll definitely help to satisfy your need...
26 Unexpected Foods For Grilling Other Than Burgers
I most certainly would not consider myself to be a master when it comes to grilling– but I do know a thing or two about cooking in the kitchen. This easily translates to cooking on the grill. Essentially everything that you can fry or bake can also be grilled– even...
How To Create An Apartment Garden – Be An Urban Gardener
When is comes to having your own urban garden – it seems like there are a lot of things standing in your way. One of the biggest hurdles that deter people from putting seeds into the dirt, is where are they going to put the dirt in the first place? With small...
The Essentials To Grilling In Chicago – Be A Grill Master
Grilling is one of the most enjoyable pastimes in Chicago while the weather is nice. Good friends, good eats and beer (when permissible) makes for a solid day– especially with all of the summer holidays. There is a thing or two to know before you whip out your grill...
Top 10 Hair Salons In Chicago
Choosing one of the hair salons in Chicago can be one of the most stressful moments in someone’s life. There are an enormous amount of options, and hair is not something to just go in to a random shop and ‘wing’ it [Flock of Seagulls style]. Choosing a quality hair...
Best Chicago Tourist Attractions – Incredibly Popular For A Reason
Traveling to Chicago is quite an experience. Chicago tourist attractions are spread throughout the city, but many of the main ones are found right in the downtown area and along the waterfront. We may have lists already covering some of the best places to visit in all...
5 Great Colleges|Universities In Chicago
If you’re looking to complete an undergraduate degree or you’d like to complete a Master’s or Ph.D., then here are 5 outstanding universities and colleges in Chicago you have to check out before you fill out an application. We know that we are all about the “Top Tens...