Illinois Archives

Leo and Cleo, the room service robots at Hotel EMC2 in Chicago.

Hotel EMC2, Chicago: Robot room service, science-inspired rooms, restaurant & visitor tips

At Hotel EMC2 in Chicago, science meets hospitality in unusual ways. From laboratory-themed décor to robot room service delivered by Cleo and Leo, the hotel blends technology with playful design. Meeting the robots at Hotel EMC2 The lift stops unexpectedly on the 9th floor. Someone…

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago: Visitor guide with ticket prices, hours and must-know tips

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an environmental and natural history museum located in Chicago's Lincoln Park. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips. This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the latest pricing structure,…

Chicago History Museum, Chicago: Visitor guide with ticket prices, hours and must-know tips

The Chicago History Museum is a museum documenting regional and national history, located at 1601 North Clark Street in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood of Chicago. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips. To skip the details and…

Chicago Children’s Museum visitor guide with prices & hours

Visit the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier. My guide provides ticket prices, opening hours, and practical tips for families. It was updated in March 2026 to confirm the current ticket prices. When I first walked into the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, what…

Cloud Gate (The Bean), Chicago: 2026 visitor guide

Planning to see Cloud Gate, The Bean, in Chicago? This visitor guide offers practical tips and essential information for your 2026 visit to the much-photographed landmark. It was updated in March 2026 to confirm current Millennium Park opening hours. Other guides may be outdated. When…

Best Chicago neighbourhoods to visit: A visitor’s guide to the Windy City’s top districts

Discover Chicago's most vibrant neighbourhoods in this guide to the city's diverse districts. From historic Old Town Chicago to trendy West Loop restaurants, explore the unique character and attractions that make each area special for visitors and locals alike. Old Town: Victorian charm meets comedy…

The Tiffany glass dome inside the Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall.

Preston Bradley Hall: The Tiffany Dome at Chicago’s most underrated attraction

Visit Preston Bradley Hall inside the Chicago Cultural Center to see the world's largest Tiffany Glass Dome and the surrounding, intricate glass and mother-of-pearl mosaics. Chicago brims with top quality attractions. The public art in Millennium Park (including Cloud Gate) has become legendary, the Art…

Plan your visit to Miller Park Zoo: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

The Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois offers a wide range of animal habitats, indoor and outdoor, and is well suited for a relaxed but engaging family outing. Below are all the practical details first-time visitors need to know: how to book, verified opening hours,…

Lion statue outside the Art Institute of Chicago.

Do I need to buy Art Institute of Chicago tickets in advance?

Do you need to buy Art Institute of Chicago tickets in advance? Booking ahead is recommended to avoid long lines, but the museum rarely sells out. Art Institute of Chicago visitor numbers The Art Institute of Chicago is justifiably one of Chicago’s top attractions and…

A selection of Chicago's architecture from the Chicago River.

Ten reasons why Chicago is the best city in the US

Discover why Chicago is America's best city: world-class architecture, deep-dish pizza, lakefront beaches, blues music, and Midwestern friendliness. Over my twenty-plus year career as a travel journalist, I’ve visited dozens of US cities. Many of them more than once. I thoroughly enjoy most of them,…