{"id":28595,"date":"2019-01-09T09:54:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T14:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=28595"},"modified":"2023-02-02T12:35:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T17:35:54","slug":"traveling-to-chicago-on-a-student-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/traveling-to-chicago-on-a-student-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling to Chicago on a Student Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the third largest city in the United States, Chicago boasts an eclectic culture and endless things to do. The city is situated on Lake Michigan and is home to lively beaches, gorgeous art and architecture, and a variety of universities and colleges — making it an ideal spot to visit as a student. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a list of my favorite things to do\/see in Chicago on a budget.<\/p>\n

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Where to stay <\/b><\/h1>\n

Chicago is comprised of a number of unique and lively neighborhoods, leaving you with many options to consider. When looking for a place to stay, I would highly recommend comparing the prices of Airbnb\u2019s, hotels and hostels to find the cheapest option. But in terms of where to look, here are some of the best neighborhoods to check out. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Loop<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Loop<\/span><\/a> is located in Chicago\u2019s central business district and downtown area. This part of town offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops, and is known as one of the city\u2019s most famous attractions. The Loop is littered with some of Chicago\u2019s most famous architecture, including the massive Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), as well as a number of parks, art houses and businesses. Staying in the Loop would be a great home-base, since so much of the city is located within this walkable and vibrant area.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hyde Park<\/b><\/h2>\n

Hyde Park<\/span><\/a> has made a name for itself as one of the most prominent and beautiful neighborhoods in Chicago. The neighborhood is located along the south lakefront on the South Side of the city, and is home to the revered University of Chicago. Hyde Park is dotted with beautiful greenery, historical attractions, famous bookstores and a number of interesting museums. Staying in this part of Chicago offers a good glimpse into both university life and the diversity of the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Image: The original uploader was Blanham at English Wikipedia. [GFDL or [CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>], via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lincoln Park <\/b><\/h2>\n

Lincoln Park<\/span><\/a> is located on the North Side of the city and is largely comprised of college students and twenty-something city dwellers. This youthful neighborhood is a great spot to find diverse nightlife, dining and entertainment. The park itself is Chicago\u2019s largest park, and the neighborhood is closely situated to Lake Michigan beaches, the Chicago History Museum and many free attractions, including the Lincoln Park Zoo.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Statue of Abraham Lincoln at Lincoln Park
Image: AndrewHorne [CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>], from Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>[divider]<\/p>\n

Public transportation <\/b><\/h1>\n

Depending on where you decide to stay in the city, you may need to access Chicago\u2019s public transportation system. The <\/span>Chicago Transit Authority<\/span><\/a> (CTA) is the second largest in the country, servicing Chicago\u2019s many neighborhoods by either bus or rail-line. If you\u2019ll be traveling in Chicago for an extended amount of time, it\u2019s a good idea to get an unlimited pass for either one, three, seven or 30 days, so that you can save a little on each ride. Otherwise, you can pay your CTA fare with cash or credit for every ride.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Places to go <\/b><\/h1>\n

Chicago is so massive and beautiful, you can spend an entire weekend simply walking through its diverse streets and glancing at its architecture. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the best places to stroll through when visiting this lively city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Millennium Park<\/b><\/h2>\n

Millenium Park <\/span><\/a>is located in the Loop and is known as the number one tourist attraction in the city. Millenium Park consists of 25 acres of beautiful greenery, breathtaking architecture and a wide-ranging collection of public art. Millenium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as \u201cthe bean,\u201d a piece of public art commissioned in the early 2000s, as well as a number of other free art installations, outdoor concerts, film screenings and community workshops throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Magnificent Mile <\/b><\/h2>\n

The Magnificent Mile<\/span><\/a>, sometimes called the Mag Mile, is an upscale stretch of Michigan Avenue that runs from the Chicago River to the North Side of the city. This area is surrounded by high-end retail, restaurants, and boutiques, and while most things you see are way out of a college student\u2019s budget, it\u2019s a great place to simply walk around and explore in the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Image: TonyTheTiger at English Wikipedia [GFDL, <\/span>CC-BY-SA-3.0<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>CC BY-SA 2.5<\/span><\/a>], from Wikimedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Navy Pier <\/b><\/h2>\n

Chicago\u2019s <\/span>Navy Pier<\/span><\/a> is a historical landmark, and encompasses 3,000 feet of pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. This lively spot consists of over 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and family attractions. Navy Pier consistently offers free programs and activities for the public, including summer fireworks, concerts, movie nights and dance festivals.<\/span><\/p>\n