Visitor Information

The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau is a great place to start planning your visit to the Windy City. The organization's website is a veritable gold mine of information, from hotel packages to sample itineraries, event calendars, and maps. You can also call the toll-free number to speak with a travel consultant. The Illinois Bureau of Tourism offers detailed information about what to do and see in Chicago and is especially helpful if your travel plans will take you outside the downtown area. Once you're here, you can count on Choose Chicago's civic visitor centers in the Chicago Cultural Center and Macy's on State Street. They are stocked with free maps, local publications, and knowledgeable staff to help you out.

Contacts

Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. Illinois, 60616. 312/567–8500; 877/244–2246; www.choosechicago.com.

Choose Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center. 77 E. Randolph St., Loop, Chicago, Illinois, 60602. www.choosechicago.com.

Choose Chicago, Macy's. 111 N. State St. , Macy's, Lower Level, Loop, Chicago, Illinois, 60602. www.choosechicago.com.

Illinois Bureau of Tourism. Illinois. 800/226–6632; www.enjoyillinois.com.

Online Travel Tools

Art

For a preview of the Art Institute of Chicago, check out www.artic.edu.

Newspapers and Magazines

The websites of the city's daily newspapers, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, are great sources for reviews and events listings. The Chicago Reader's site is rich in arts reviews, whileMetromix Chicago and Time Out Chicago thoroughly cover Chicago's dining and entertainment scenes.

Contacts

Chicago Reader. www.chicagoreader.com.

Chicago Sun-Times. www.suntimes.com.

Chicago Tribune. www.chicagotribune.com.

Metromix Chicago. chicago.metromix.com.

Time Out Chicago. www.timeoutchicago.com.