Page 174 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

172  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

With its easy-to-follow grid street numbering includes suggestions for Internet and
system, and a comprehensive network of mobile communications (see p178), safety
tourist information, helplines, and Internet precautions and emergency medical
resources, Chicago is a user-friendly city. resources (see pp174–5), and advice for
Thousands visit each year, whether to enjoy traveling to, around, and beyond the
its beautiful lakefront, dynamic cultural life, Windy City (see pp180–87). You’ll also
celebrated architecture, Michigan Avenue find tips for responsible and green travel
shopping, or world-class dining. This section (see p173 & p184).
Customs Information
museums charge an admission
Customs allowances per person fee, with extra charges for special
entering the US are: 200 cigar- exhibits. Smaller museums may
ettes; 50 cigars or 4.4 lb (2 kg) of have more limited hours, with a
tobacco; no more than 2 pints lower “suggested donation” for
(1 liter) of alcohol; and gifts that admission. The Museum Campus,
are worth no more than $100. located just south of downtown,
Many foods, including meat, houses three of Chicago’s most
seeds, cheeses, and fresh fruit, popular tourist destinations: The
are prohibited. Travelers must Field Museum (see pp88–91), The
by law claim currency in Shedd Aquarium (see pp98–9),
excess of $10,000. and the Adler Planetarium (see
pp94–5). The Go Chicago Card
and the Chicago City Pass offer
Tourist Information
Visitor information center located in the discounted admission to a
historic Water Tower (see p65) The official Chicago tourism number of worthwhile tours and
site, www.choosechicago.com, sights, including the above
Visas and Passports has lots of helpful information. museums. The card includes
A passport, valid for at least six Visit one of the two Visitor 28 different tours and sites, and
months after the date of travel, Information Centers for maps, costs $85 (subject to change)
is required for all travelers to tour brochures, tickets, public for a 1-day pass to $175 for a
the US. Foreign nationals of transportation passes, and 5-day pass (with reductions for
countries affiliated with the visa general information. children). The Chicago City Pass,
waiver program (including EU which includes admission to five
passport holders) must apply Admission Prices and must-see sites, costs $96 ($79 for
for entry clearance online via children) and is valid for nine days.
the Electronic System for Opening Hours Both cards can be bought at
Authorization (ESTA), at least Business hours in Chicago are tourist centers and major sites.
72 hours prior to travel (http:// usually 9am–5pm, Monday–
esta.cbp.dhs.gov). Canadians Friday. For information on
only need a passport; Mexican opening times of banks see p176. Etiquette
citizens require a border Most major museums are open Smoking is prohibited in public
crossing card. All other travelers daily from 9am–5pm, with later buildings (including stadiums
must obtain a visa from their hours one night per week (check and shopping centers), bars,
nearest US Consular office. their websites for details). Major restaurants, and taxis. Many
Visitors should always check
with their nearest US embassy.
Strict security checks
(fingerprinting and facial
recognition scans) are in
place for arrivals to the US.

Travel Safety Advice
Visitors can get up-to-date
travel information from the
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office in the UK, the State
Department in the US, and the
Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade in Australia. Shedd Aquarium on the Museum Campus (see pp98–9)
A train crosses the two-tiered Lake Street Bridge above the Chicago River

172-173_EW_Chicago.indd 172 13/07/16 3:05 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm