Page 175 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  173

Responsible Tourism
bars provide outdoor spaces by calling a dispatch number
where smoking is allowed. On managed by Yellow Cab. Chicagoans are increasingly
escalators downtown, stand to Disabled parking spaces are aware of environmental issues.
the right and walk on the left. marked by the handicapped The city’s recycling program
symbol either on a sign or is improving and there are
painted on the concrete. separate sorting bins available
Taxes and Tipping in many public parks and at
Tipping is integral to Chicago’s Traveling on a Budget popular attractions.
service industry, especially in There are numerous markets
restaurants (see p147). Tip $1 Accommodation in Chicago can across Chicago selling locally
per coat checked; taxi drivers, be expensive. Be wary of hotels grown and organic produce. The
hairdressers, and bartenders, from with very low rates, as many are Green City Market, at the south
10 to 15 percent. Tip airport or SRO (single-room occupancy) end of Lincoln Park is one of the
hotel porters up to $1 per bag, transient housing. There is a best. It opens on Wednesday
and valet-parking attendants $1 good network of youth hostels; and Saturday morn- ings from
after they bring you your car. Tip the Chicago Getaway Hostel is early May through late October.
tour drivers between $2 and $3 located in a good area in Lincoln During winter, it is held on
per group member. If a concierge Park and Hosteling International Saturday mornings only at the
was especially helpful, has a convenient South Loop Peggy Notebaert Nature
acknowledge it by tipping spot. Many major sites (and some Museum (see p125).
between $5 and $10. restau rants), offer discounts for
students and over 65s. For
seniors, proof of age may be
Travelers with Disabilities
required. Students will need a
All municipal facilities are fully valid student ID.
accessible for disabled visitors,
and most attractions and public
buildings (including restaurants) Chicago Time
are equipped for easy access. Chicago is on Central Standard
However, small entertainment Time (CST). It is 1 hour behind
venues may not be. An increasing Eastern Standard Time (EST) and
number of CTA trains, stations, 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean
and buses, are completely Time (GMT). Daylight saving time
accessible. Many major stops on begins on the second Sunday in
other train lines have facilities for March, when clocks are set ahead
the disabled; check www. 1 hour. It ends on the first Sunday
transitchicago.com for details. in November, when clocks are set Green City Market selling locally grown and
Accessible taxis can be ordered back 1 hour. organic produce
DIRECTORY
Embassies and UK Tourist Accessible Taxi Cabs:
Consulates 625 N Michigan Ave., Suite Information Tel 800-281-4466.
Australia 2200. Map 2 D4. Visitor Information Traveling on a
123 N Wacker Dr., Suite ∑ gov.uk/government/ Centers Budget
1300. Map 3 B1. world/organisations/ Chicago Cultural Center 77
∑ usa.embassy.gov.au/ british-consulate- E Randolf St. Map 4 D1. Chicago Getaway
whwh/chicagocg.html general-chicago Chicago Water Works 163 E Hostel
Canada Travel Safety Pearson St. Map 2 D4. 616 W Arlington Pl.
∑ getawayhostel.com
2 Prudential Plaza, 180 N ∑ choosechicago.com
Stetson Ave., Suite 2400. Advice Admission Prices Hosteling
Map 4 D1. UK: Foreign and International
∑ can-am.gc.ca/ Commonwealth Office Chicago City Pass J. Ira and Nikki Harris Family
chicago/menu.aspx ∑ citypass.com/chicago Hostel, 24 E Congress
∑ gov.uk/foreign- Pkwy.
Ireland travel-advice Go Chicago Card ∑ hihostels.com
400 N Michigan Ave., Suite ∑ smartdestinations.
911. Map 2 D5. US Department of State com/chicago Responsible
∑ irishconsulate.org ∑ travel.state.gov/ Tourism
New Zealand Australia: Department of Travelers with Green City Market
8600 W Bryn Mawr Ave., Foreign Affairs and Trade Disabilities ∑ greencitymarket.org
Suite 500 N. ∑ dfat.gov.au/ Yellow Cab
∑ nzembassy.com/usa
∑ smartraveller.go.au/ Central Cab Dispatch for

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