Chicago Travel Forum

I just started to plan my possible longest vacation ever (6 weeks in July and August 2008). Nothing sure as for now. The first and main idea of the whole trip is to visit western Canada and Alaska. On the way to Seattle or Anchorage I could stop for 3-6 days in Chicago (long lay-over) as I wanted to see the biggest Polish city for years :-). Well, I am not sure about the idea and it adds some additional costs (flight). So, a few questions:

1. What weather to except in Chicago between say 10th and 20th July? Is that really very hot (windy?) I was told to? Is Chicago worth a visit just in summer or maybe I should do it another time?
2. Are there any VT-ers in the city to meet during that time?
3. What are your Pro for a visit to Chicago just in July?

Hugs from sunny Poland,
Matt + matcrazy0 :-))))

Well, one of my next crazy idea is to rent a car in Chicago and drive to Alaska :-). WOW!

Chicago is a fun city to visit. Mid July can be hot, highs in the 90's are not unusual, but it could also be cool. Being right on the lake, there is generally a breeze and everyplace is airconditioned. You can take a train in from either of the major aiports, you would not want a car in the city. Chicago has a good transit system. I would take a boat tour on the river (I think there is a tip or two on my VT pages.) I am going to be there the end of August for a few days.

It is a very long drive from Chicago to Seattle, I would fly further west before renting a car to drive north. One way car rentals to and from Alaska are hard to find and can be very expensive especially going north at the end of the tourist season. Cars to be rented in Alaska in the winter are equiped for very cold weather, rental car companies may not want a car from the lower 48 left at a location in Alaska.

David

Thanks David, nice to meet you :-)

I am not going to drive from Chicago to Seattle (this time haha), I think about flight from Chicago to either Seattle or Anchorage.

Matt.

Hi Maciek! I think the worse I've seen Chicago in July is like Karlsruhe was last week, but that is rare. The lake usually keep things cool. I would say three days would be good.

This is a bike place too! Not inside he city, but there are bike rentals so you can ride your car along the lake. Also it seems the city is on the edge of the time zone - it was light by around 5:30. I had a long engagement there, and I used to stay at a hotel near the lake, and went running by the lake in the morning. It is beautiful to be in the lake around 6-7 AM. The sun and the water, and many people out.

There's a thai restaurant I enjoyed - I should post it when you have more plans.

I'll leave city particulars for residents - but lakeside was my favorite!

You can also take the metro from the airport - unless you're driving.

Karlsruhe last week was not that bad as for weather and it was really great meet :-).

Karlsruhe weather was fine for me ... especially coming from Mickey Mouse town - but since Krakow was a bit cooler I tend to be conservative when stating the weather as I'm not sure what is each different person's "heat index",

Weather-there's no such thing as typical weather in Chicago it seems, July can be very hot and humid but it can also be warm and sunny, the only weather you're guaranteed not to get is snow. But I think July is one of the best times to visit the city, it's the best time of year to take in the lakefront, go for a sail on Lake Michigan, take a cruise on the Chicago River, there are tons of festivals (including Pierogi Fest July 25-27, Venetian Night July 26, Taste of Chicago June 27-July 6, the Late Ride on July 12th and a variety of neighborhood festivals, farmers markets, etc.), lots of people out walking, biking, rollerblading. Chicago comes alive in the summer.

I'm leaving for London on July 27th but if your schedule stays what you mention, July 10-20, I will definitely be around and would be happy to show you around my city including the Polish section, I have a very understanding boss who also happens to be my husband and a very flexible schedule. We also have a sailboat that we take on Lake Michigan and a couple others that we use on a local lake so you can go out on Lake Michigan for free :-)

Let me know how your plans shape up!

Hi Maciek, I'd love to come down to the city for a meet-up in July. Keep us posted about your plans. Mid-July is a good time for me; I have a role in a play that runs through July 13, but I'm free after that.

Even if it is stinking hot, in the summer it's always cooler by the Lake :).

It is often hot in July, butnot usually unbearable for us locals. The coolest places are near the lake (or better still, in it--if you're interested in real swimming, as opposed to wading in the water or lying on the sand, let me know and I'll tell you about thebest place to swim in Chicago.

Here are some web sites you might find useful:

www.transitchicago.com/maps/visitorinfo.html

http://www.architecture.org/

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/

Czesc Maciek! Don't forget your good friend David here!

Hi Dave :-)

Wow, great to see you online. Hugs from Poland :-))).

Dekulja! Make sure you make time for a piwo if you come, wouldn't trade it for the world.

We'll go for Polish food for sure if you and Urzsula come Matt (Dave, are you up for that?)! I have a brochure from the tourism board all about Polish Chicago, you can tell us if it's authentic :-) And then we will take you for some of Chicago's speciality food, pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches....

We'll go for Polish food for sure if you and Urzsula come Matt (Dave, are you up for that?)! I have a brochure from the tourism board all about Polish Chicago, you can tell us if it's authentic :-) And then we will take you for some of Chicago's speciality food, pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches....

My stomach is, but as you know, I have Nina to consider so it all depends. Early evening is much harder for me to swing than afternoons or later at night.

Dave, as for piwo you can always count on me and I am going to bring a few cans of Polish beer for you if you don't mind. Your and others help before my first US trip is never to forget.

Well, nothing is for sure as for now. But I am busy searching flights from Poland to Chicago then to Anchorage then to Seattle or Vancouver and back to Poland. It's a hard job. Two my friends who are travel agents here in Poland do the same for me. As for now the best for matcrazies is to arrive to ORD at 7.30 pm on 11th July and to departure (to ANC via SEA) at 8.00 am on 15th July. I booked it - the reservation is valid till 13th June. If I or my friends find something much less expensive I will change it.

Great, nothing like a TyskieWarkaStaropolskaZywiec night! We can even listen to Warsaw Village Band and drink Becherovka (or Debowa) and have a blast. Let me know the dates when they are final. Also, don't forget that I lived in Seattle for ten years, might be able to give you a few ideas there as well. Talk to you later. Cheers. Dave

I think it is funny you want to leave Poland and come to Chicago! You will feel at home in so many areas. But, of course, the architecture is MUCH different. And the landscape is very different, too. I am not Polish, but I am in manufacturing (machining) and have MANY MANY acquaintances and friends that are Polish. I really enjoy listening to their stories about how and why we now share the same home. So many people and families- like mine- have been here for so many generations that we have never known the person/people responsible for getting us here. But when I speak to many of my Polish friends I can hear the stories from just 5-10 years ago.

There are so many things to do here, I really think you would love it. Especially if you enjoy walking and architecture. You could go sit in a park every day and every day would be different because of the food, weather, and people. There are not too many cities like it. Only Toronto and San Francisco compare in that regard, in my opinion.

Anyways, I would be very interested in meeting some of the people from the area, as well. If I am imposing, I apologize. My wife and I just love meeting people with a passion for getting out there and seeing and doing as much as they can. I wish I could do more. If you wish, I could probably get a couple of my Polish friends to come along, as well and they can share stories about what life for them was like and how it has changed for them (that isn't a bribe!). Some of those stories are as incredible as the ones from 100 years ago.

Sorry- not much advice, just typing while I think. Whether we meet or not, good luck and have fun!!

Hey Matt! I've not yet read all the responses, but I'm going to be near Chicago the weekend of the 19th and 20th of July for my sister in laws birthday (and a most excellent party/concert on Saturday....)

I was giving serious consideration to going up for about a week then to connect to pierogi fest in Indiana (right next to Chicago). That is the following weekend of July 25-27. I don't know for certain that I'll be doing that, but Kristi (Dabs) has invited me for several years and I'm going to be up that way at that time anyhow. It would be most awesome to see you two again!

Speaking of pivo, they pour a nice pint of Okocim at the Szalas Mountain lodge on the South Side!

Wow Chris,

We were talking about you just yesterday. We can't wait to meet you again :-))). We miss you and Kristi and others a lot.

WOW! I've just finished to book my flights. matcrazy0 just worries how to survive seven flights during just 6 weeks. It was hard job but finally I managed to get much better value. I arrive to O'Hare Int. Airport on Thursday, 17 July at 12.30 and I have a flight from O'Hare to Anchorage, Alaska on Tuesday, July 22 at 15.13.

Hope to see you in Chicago and can't wait!

matcrazies (both).

I'm so excited that you are both coming!!!! We should definitely arrange a VT meeting, tell me what day you'd like to have it on (weekends may be better for folks that work) and I will arrange it :-)

Wow Kristi,

We are very excited as well :-))). As for the VT-meet you and others choose, each day is good for us. It surely may be Friday 18th or Saturday 19th (or both haha).

Hugs from Poland for Chicago.
Matt.

Chet, Dave, Chris, chi-guy and anyone else that is interested, any preference on date? Chris, can you do this in conjunction with your trip to WI instead of Pierogi Fest?

Saturday the 19th is definitely booked up. That is the Jimmy Buffett concert AND my sister in laws birthday. Of course, it could be a lot of fun to have a VT meeting at a Jimmy Buffett concert.... or at least in the parking lot before the concert! I can be available on the 18th or the 20th though. :-) I'll see about extending my trip a bit for that weekend.

Either Friday or Saturday works for me!

Please count me in for a meeting. I haven't been able to attend any Chicago meets this far - something always comes up. Would love to meet you Matt, and I've been to Alaska (around the Kenai Peninsula) so maybe I could help you with that part of your trip :) Would also like to finally meet my fellow Illinoisans and ex-Illinoisans (Chris!)

LOL It will be good to meet you as well, Wendy!

So far it seems like most people can make it on that Friday, Matt, will you and Urzsula be recovered from jet lag by Friday night? Anyone have a preference on where? We could go back to the Polish restaurant we've already had a VT meeting at, Szalas, or I could find another Polish place or something completely different. I'm open to suggestions :-)

I'll leave that up to you Kristi, you're the foodie in Chicago. :-) Of course, if I'm in the area for a few extra days (which is the plan) we'll have to check out a real Chicago style pizza joint!