Chicago Blues Festival

The Windy City is known for many things, including its food, sports, media, arts, theater and music. To begin enjoying all that Chicago has to offer, make your way to Grant Park, in the downtown historic Chicago Loop community. Since 1984, Grant Park's Petrillo Music Shell has hosted the Chicago Blues Festival. Each June, blues music fans gather together to celebrate the history of blues music by listening to performances of blues, soul, blues-rock and jazz blues music.

This three-day music festival was created to honor McKinley Morganfield, also known as Muddy Waters, "the father of Chicago blues". Join in the festivities and have fun listening to local and top-tier nationwide musicians. The festival's rise in popularity has made it the "world's largest free concert of its kind" and the city's largest music festival. Stay close to the action in one of the local Best Western hotels and enjoy your time in the city.

Chicago Jazz Festival

Get ready for a good time in Chicago. Over Labor Day weekend, make your way to downtown's historic Chicago Loop, for the Chicago Jazz Festival. This four-day, free jazz music festival is held in the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park. The festival was established in the late 70s, by consolidating three separate August festivals into one large festival. Attend this wonderful festival to hear performances by local musicians, top musicians from around the world and musicians from the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

Past performers include, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Roy Haynes, BB King, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. Many performers continue late-night performances, after the festival is over. No matter what time is bedtime, make your way to a Best Western hotel, for a comfortable night's rest.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago area travelers looking for convenient air travel options and services are in luck. Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located northwest of downtown Chicago, is one of the top ten busiest airports in the world. During World War II, the airport was a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54s. After the war, the C-54 manufacturing plant became a Air Force Reserve and United States Air Force Air National Guard facility. From the early 1930s until the early 1950s, Chicago Midway International Airport was the main airport for Chicago area residents and visitors. Once Midway International became too crowded, O'Hare was developed as the main airport for the Windy City.

Passengers looking for commercial flights have a choice of more than 35 airlines from the airport's 182 gates, spread out in four terminals. American Airlines and United Airlines have hubs at O'Hare, with 45% of the airport passengers using United Airlines. The airport also offers flights to over sixty international destinations from Terminal Five, the international terminal. The airport is consistently voted the "Best Airport in North America" by Business Traveler Magazine and Global Traveler Magazine. Whether arriving to or departing from Chicago, stay close to the airport in a comfortable Best Western guest room and enjoy a wonderful night's rest.

Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre, built in 1921, was originally named the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre. The marquee outside of this flagship theatre, represents the unofficial symbol for the city of Chicago. In 1983, this Chicago Landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre was one of the first in the country to be built in the Neo-Baroque French-Revival style and remains the oldest of its kind in Chicago.

Throughout the years, the theatre has hosted premiere films, plays, concerts, speeches and magic shows. Step inside this beautiful seven-story building, to see the five-story grand lobby decorated in a French Baroque style, the grand staircase and crystal chandeliers. Enjoy standing on the stage during the Marquee Tour and learn of its rich history. Choose one of the area Best Western hotels for a wonderful night's rest and enjoy your time in the Windy City.

Chicago Water Tower

The Lake Michigan shoreline in Northern Illinois, is home to the Windy City of Chicago. This amazing city, the third most populous in the country, has become an major hub in the telecommunications, finance, commerce and transportation industries. Chicago O'Hare International Airport has grown throughout the years becoming the second busiest airport in the world, for passenger traffic. Whether flying into O'Hare or Chicago Midway International Airport, arrive in Chicago ready to enjoy a theater production, eat delicious food, shop and see the city landmarks. Make your way to downtown's Michigan Avenue, to view the historical Chicago Water Tower.

This 154-foot limestone tower, built in 1869, housed a 138-foot standpipe for holding water used for firefighting. It worked in conjunction with the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station, to pump fresh water from Lake Michigan for the city's use.

This beautiful city landmark resembling a castle, is one of a few historical buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. In 1969, it was designated the first American Water Landmark. While on the Magnificent Mile in the city's Near North Side community, stop by the visitor information center in the tower to learn more about its rich history. While there, spend a few minutes browsing the photographs in the City Gallery, housed in the tower. Stay in the heart of downtown, in a comfortable Best Western guest room and enjoy your time in the city.

Grant Park

Recreational areas in the lively city of Chicago were established as early as 1844, a few years after the city was founded. A large park along the shore of Lake Michigan, originally known as Lake Park, became Grant Park in 1901, honoring former United States President Ulysses S. Grant. This 319 acre downtown park, located in the historic Chicago Loop area, is sometimes referred to as "Chicago's front yard".

Throughout the years, Grant Park has been the site for many city events including the 1911 Chicago International Aviation Meet, Taste of Chicago, Grant Park Music Festival, Lollapalooza and the start and finish line for the Chicago Marathon. Features of this incredible park include Buckingham Fountain, Chicago's Museum Campus, Petrillo Music Shell, Congress Plaza, Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, Daley Bicentennial Plaza, Hutchinson Field and several gardens. After a fun day at the park, choose one of the Chicago area Best Western hotels, for a wonderful night's rest.

Lincoln Park Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo is located near the shores of Lake Michigan in a lush natural park, minutes from downtown Chicago. Founded in 1868, the zoo is one of the oldest zoos in America. Spend a wonderful day exploring over 1,200 animals including polar bears, gorillas, monkeys, penguins, reptiles, sea lions, tigers and lions. The Carousel and Children's Train Ride are also fun rides for little ones.

Stop by the Wild Things! Gift Shop to shop for toys, books, clothing, jewelry and hand-made items. Open daily and free-of-charge, a visit to the zoo is fun for all Chicago visitors. You'll find comfortable accommodations with Best Western hotels throughout the Chicago area.

Navy Pier

While in Chi-Town, be sure to include a visit to one of the historical landmarks in the city. The Chicago Navy Pier along the Lake Michigan shore, remains the top tourist attraction in the city. The 3,300-foot pier, originally named Municipal Pier #2, was built in 1916 to provide space for lake freighter cargo. In addition to the passenger steamers that docked along the pier, it was used as a place for the public to gather and for Navy training during World War II.

After a major renovation in the early 90s, Navy Pier grew to be the most visited attraction in the city of Chicago. The pier is home to shops, restaurants, a concert stage, convention space, a Ferris Wheel, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Schedule plenty of time to explore it all. Stay close to the pier in a comfortable Best Western guest room and enjoy wonderful night's rest.

Taste of Chicago

Foodies in the vibrant city of Chicago love a fun event centered around food. The Taste of Chicago features fun, food, music and entertainment, in historic Grant Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline. From the humble beginnings in 1980, the festival has grown in popularity becoming the "world's largest food festival" and the largest festival in Chicago. This five-day festival, held each July, definitely doesn't disappoint for the millions of people attending.

Schedule plenty of time to taste a variety of Chicago-style food, ethnic foods and regional foods from numerous participating restaurants. Some of the favorite foods include, Chicago-style pizza, Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, Chicago hot dogs, Eli's Cheesecake, barbecued ribs and Italian Beef. After satisfying your appetite, check into one of the local Best Western hotels, for a peaceful night's rest.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago first opened in 1879 on the corner of State and Monroe Streets, with a simple mission of exhibiting a variety of art and educating students. The museum was built in its current location in 1893 from the rubble of the 1871 Chicago fire. The museum houses fifteen collections, including Textiles, Photography, Contemporary, Modern and European Decorative Arts. The Touch Gallery encourages visitors to feel the art to enrich their experience and appreciation of art.

Spend a few days exploring the many attractions, shopping, dining and recreation in Chicago. Best Western hotels offer comfortable accommodations and excellent guest services at several locations throughout Chicago. Make the most of your time in this exciting city.

Willis Tower

Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, stands at an impressive 1,451 feet high. From 1973 to 1998, it was the tallest building in the world. At 108 stories high, it remains the tallest building in America. The building, located on the Chicago Loop, was the headquarters for Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1973 until 1992. While in the Chicago area, be sure to visit this iconic landmark.

Enjoy a quick 60-second ride to the 103rd floor, for an incredible view of the city from the 1,353-foot-high Skydeck. Each year, more than one million tourists visit the Skydeck. The glass bottom skyboxes allow visitors to look through the floor to the city below. Recharge for another fun day in the Windy City, in the comfortable accommodations of Best Western hotels.

Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

Embrace the winter and have fun at Chicago's top attraction. Make your way to the Chicago Navy Pier for the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier. This month-long December event offers plenty to do for the entire family. Lace up your ice skates for fun at the Chicago Blackhawks Indoor Ice Skating Rink, ride the fast-paced Himalaya or check out the action in the Glacier Run Simulator. Festival-goers love the Winter Wing Glider, Tinsel Tunnels, Arctic Wonder Obstacle Course, Gumball Bouncer, Matterhorn Climb and Slide, Slippery Snowflake Slide and the Holiday Howdy Horse.

Those ready for a challenge have fun on the Extreme Ice Trail Ropes Course and Snowy Summit Climbing Wall. Little ones have a blast on the Ferris Wheel, Kringle Carousel and the Reindeer Express Train Ride. With a variety of live entertainment, WonderFest characters and the New Year's Eve Fireworks show, be sure to stay in town for a few days to do it all. Check into one of the nearby Best Western hotels, for comfortable accommodations and excellent guest services.

Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field has been the home field for the Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs baseball team, since 1916. The field was built in 1914 and is the second-oldest ballpark in America. Over 41,000 fans pack the stadium to watch the Chicago Cubs play their opponents. The field was originally named Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales. This was before being renamed Wrigley Field for the chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr., the owner of the team.

While in the Chicago area, visit the ballpark for a guided tour to learn more about its rich history and beginnings. The ballpark, nicknamed, "The Friendly Confines", also offers educational tours for kids. Baseball fans can partake in a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the stadium to better understand its 97 year history. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beautiful ivy-colored outfield walls. Stay close to the action at the ballpark in a comfortable Best Western guest room for to enjoy a wonderful night's rest.