Chicago Travel Guide
Deep dish, jazz, and architecture on Lake Michigan.
Best Time
May – October
Budget/Day
$80–$130
Mid-Range/Day
$170–$280
Getting Around
L Train
Chicago Guides
I Tested 12 Chicago Deep Pan Pizzas—Here's the Truth
Former data analyst ranks Chicago's best deep dish. Prices, wait times, tourist traps exposed. Lou Malnati's isn't #1.
Lou Malnati's Is Worth the Hype (But Order This)
I ate at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria 6 times in one month. Here's what to order, skip, and how much you'll actually spend.
Lou Malnati's: Why I Skip It Now (After 47 Visits)
Former regular spills: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria isn't Chicago's best deep dish. Where to go instead, what to order, and $20 saved per meal.
I Found Every Malnati's Near Me (Here's The Truth)
Real talk about finding Lou Malnati's locations, wait times, delivery zones, and whether the hunt is worth it. Includes cost breakdown.
I Ate 12 Chicago Deep Dishes. Here's The Truth.
Chicago deep dish pizza tested at 12 spots. Lou Malnati's vs Giordano's vs tourist traps—real prices, wait times, where locals go.
I Ate Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza at 12 Places — Here's What Actually Matters
Former data analyst ranks every Chicago deep dish pizza spot with prices, wait times, and honest takes. Lou Malnati's vs Giordano's settled.
Top Things to Do
1Architecture River Cruise
Float down the Chicago River while experts narrate 50+ landmark buildings. The city's best tour.
2Millennium Park & The Bean
Snap photos at Cloud Gate, splash in Crown Fountain, and enjoy free summer concerts.
3Art Institute of Chicago
World-renowned museum with Impressionist masterpieces, American Gothic, and 300,000+ works.
Where to Eat
1Lou Malnati's
2Portillo's
3Girl & The Goat
Where to Stay
1HI Chicago
2The Hoxton Chicago
3The Peninsula Chicago
Getting Around
CTA bus/train $2.50. Day pass $5. Blue Line to O'Hare $5. Very walkable core.