Vacation Rentals in Chicago

America’s third largest city, Chicago is full of wonderful vacation rental options. For example, if you look inside the Loop, you’ll find plenty of upscale apartment properties, with multiple bathrooms, bedrooms and huge living areas – all within walking distance of the subway and major attractions.

You don’t need to stay in the center of Chicago. One of the great things about the city is the beautiful shorefront of Lake Michigan. Check out lakefront neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, the Near North Side or Gold Coast. Or look inland to roomy vacation rental options in affluent suburbs like Wheaton or Itasca. There’s no shortage of fantastic accommodation possibilities in the Windy City.

Chicago is clustered around the southern curve of Lake Michigan in the state of Illinois, roughly a quarter of the distance from New York to California. The gateway to the Midwest, Chicago is easy to reach thanks to O’Hare International Airport, which connects the city to every state in the US, and international destinations as well.

In the city itself, the lake is an easy reference point. Chicago’s city center is nestled up against the lake, inside what locals call “the Loop” – which referred to the route of the elevated railway. Nowadays, the L Train network runs into the Loop from north, south, and the west, and it’s the focal point for most tourist visits.

However, Chicago is a massive city, with over 10 million people in the metro area. Within that area, there are plenty of sights and areas to explore, from Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Hyde Park to BrookfieldZoo. It’s all fairly spread out, so renting a car and choosing a rental home with parking space makes perfect sense.

Chicago has an endless array of cultural attractions. There’s a huge Blues Festival in June, the delights of the Art Institute of Chicago, the huge Field Museum and the Museum of Science. If you love art, science or music, you can’t go wrong in Chicago.

Chicago is also a major sporting destination. From the NFL’s Bears to the Bulls of the NBA and Major League Baseball’s Cubs, sports fans will have an excuse to visit the city at almost any time of year.

The home of Sears is a major shopping hub for the Midwest. For those who need some retail therapy, the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue hosts one of the highest concentrations of boutiques in the USA, while State Street is home to huge department stores like Marshall Field's.

Chicago’s museum collection is incredible. The Field Museum is a massive natural history center, the Art Institute hosts a huge collection of modern art, the Chicago History Museum teaches visitors about the city’s fascinating past, while the Science Museum immerses guests in the world of technology.

There’s no better place to witness the breathtaking skyline of Chicago than the observation deck of the soaring John Hancock Tower, which is accessible by a high-speed elevator (which is an attraction in itself). Be sure to take your camera.

The south bank of the Chicago River has been turned into one of America’s finest urban walkways, with attractions like tiki bars, birdwatching tours, water taxis, wine bars and brewery pubs dotted along its route.

Deep dish pizza is one of Chicago’s culinary specialties. If you want to try a slice, head to local institutions like Pequod’s, the Art of Pizza or Giordano’s for a pizza pie that you will never forget.

Chicago’s teams are all in the top bracket of their sports, so whether you love NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball or even soccer or hockey, be sure to catch a contest during your stay.

Chicago’s climate is something to think about if you are planning a visit. Because of its location at the center of the continent, Chicago experiences extremely cold winters (and the legendary wind), and hot summers. Visit in fall or late spring for the best sightseeing conditions. However, summer is festival season in Chicago, so if you are keen to attend open air music concerts, you’ll want to visit between June and September.

Getting around the city is fairly easy. You can travel from most suburban vacation rental home options via CTA buses or trains. If you do rely on public transportation, be sure to investigate day and week passes, as they are a great way to save money. You can also purchase City Passes to reduce the cost of visiting the major attractions.