Chicago Car Hire

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Chicago is a city with a lot of character, thanks to its deep-dish pizza, jazz music, and famed 1920s criminals like Al Capone. Despite being burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the city rebuilt itself with twice the zeal. In comparison to New York or Los Angeles, Chicago is the Midwest's biggest city. World-class architecture and famous museums, an award-winning theatrical scene, public parks and green spaces, ground-breaking music, and, of course, a gastronomic landscape to be reckoned with are among its many offerings. Pre-book your Chicago car hire with Enjoy Travel to ensure a smooth journey.

Guide of Chicago

Geography

Chicago is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois. It is positioned on the continental divide of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, near the location of the Chicago Portage, a historic commercial route that used to connect the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins. The city itself is located around 600 feet above sea level, on the relatively flat glacial plains of what was formerly Lake Chicago, the forerunner to Lake Michigan.

Climate in Chicago

Chicago has a continental climate, with hot and humid summers and very frigid winters. As a result, the ideal seasons to come are in the spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October), when temperatures are comfortable and you can enjoy the city's many events and festivals, such as the famed Mayfest and Jazz Festivals.

Culture

Chicago is the birthplace of a variety of musical styles. Improvised comedy, house music, industrial music, the blues, hip hop, gospel, jazz, and soul are just a few of the performing genres that can trace their roots back to Chicago.

Things To Do in Chicago

Explore the iconic Millennium Park

The 24.5-acre Millenium Park, located in the centre of downtown Chicago, is one of the city's most famous tourist attractions. It features world-class art, architecture, music, and landscape design. Affectionately dubbed "The Bean" by local Chicagoans, the iconic and world-famous 110-ton stainless steel sculpture is a must-see on most people's Chicago itinerary. The Crown Fountain, which consists of two 50-foot towers facing each other on opposite sides of a tiny reflecting pool, is another must-see feature in Millennium Park. The towers include LED displays that show the faces of a thousand Chicago residents and are precisely aligned with spouts, giving the impression that they are spewing water on pedestrians. You may also attend a performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, built by Frank Gehry, or take a walk around the Lurie Garden or the Boeing Galleries.

Stroll through Navy Pier

The 3,300-foot-long Navy Pier juts out into Lake Michigan, attracting both visitors and residents who come to enjoy the pier's displays, parks, attractions, and top-notch eateries. The 196-foot-tall Centennial Wheel, a Ferris wheel that is a revered element of the Chicago skyline, is likely to capture your attention immediately. It provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan. After that, visit the neighbouring Chicago Children's Museum, which has adult-sized treehouses and an 18-hole miniature golf course. As the sun sets, travel to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater for a performance. Navy Pier also hosts spectacular fireworks displays on summer nights.

Admire the marvellous Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago, situated in Grant Park, is a spectacular museum flanked by a pair of bronze lions. Impressionist and post-impressionist works by notable painters such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir are included in the collections. Fans of modern art will appreciate Andy Warhol's print of actress Elizabeth Taylor, as well as pieces by Jackson Pollock and Jasper Johns, amongst others. The Thorne Miniature Rooms include 68 recreations of American, European, and Asian interior architecture and furnishings spanning the late 13th to early 20th century. Other noteworthy sites include ancient Greek and Egyptian ruins. Etruscan and Roman mosaics, pottery, glass, coins, bronze, and jewellery are on display. The museum also hosts visiting exhibits on a variety of themes, genres, and artists.

Eating Out in Chicago

Chicago's restaurant scene is wide and diversified, with cuisine from all over the globe well-represented. Whether it's a street-corner pizza place or a Michelin-starred restaurant, the city has something for everyone. Here are some of our top recommendations. Galit is a Middle-Eastern restaurant in Lincoln Park that serves delectable hummus, fire-roasted vegetables, and balloon-shaped pita. The waitresses at Superdawg Drive-In deliver you the delectable eponymous all-beef frank piled high with Chicago-style toppings and crispy ‘superfries’ straight up to your vehicle window. Tzuco, a French-inspired Mexican restaurant, serves steak tartare with pickled jalapenos, cilantro, and guacamole. Vito and Nick's Pizzeria has the crispiest thin-crust pizza done in Chicago style, with a cracker-thin crust topped with a thick sauce, melting mozzarella, and fennel-flecked sausage bits. Crab Rangoon, varied congee, and beef brisket casserole are just a few of the mouthwatering dishes available at Ken Kee Restaurant, a Chinatown institution.

Transport

Airport

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the two main international airports serving the city of Chicago and its surroundings.

Getting Around Chicago

Chicago has three public transportation systems: CTA, Metra, and Pace. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs eight 'L' metro rail lines and 129 bus routes that connect to almost all major destinations. Two of the 'L' lines operate around the clock. Metra is a passenger regional rail network in Chicago and its surroundings that runs 11 lines. Pace operates bus and paratransit services in over 200 areas around Chicago. Many tourists to Chicago choose to hire a vehicle since it provides more comfort, flexibility, and convenience.

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FAQs about car hire in Chicago

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Chicago

The average cost per day of hiring a car in Chicago is just $15.
Prices for Chicago car hire start from just $12 when booking in advance with Enjoy Travel.
To hire a car in Chicago you must be at least 21 years old.
Additional drivers can be added to your Chicago car hire agreement upon request.
The best car for exploring Chicago would be a Chevrolet Spark or similar.
Chicago is not very expensive taking into consideration the city's size. You’ll approximately spend $180 per day.
Chicago is a big city and even though the public transport system is decent, if you’re moving around a lot you’ll want your own vehicle.
You should begin exploring Chicago by visiting all the main attraction such as Willis Tower where you can get views of the while city, Millennium Park, The Field Museum, 360 Chicago and the Riverwalk.
The best times to travel in Chicago are summer and fall, when temperatures are a little warmer and more pleasant.
Based on the cheapest options you’ll spend $298 for a week, which means $43 per day.
You can find a car for a month for $1243, or $40 per day.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Chicago can vary between USD 2.31 and USD 2.02.

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