Kashara & Akiel's Chi-town Weekend

Your Ultimate Chicago Adventure Awaits

August 14-18, 2025

šŸ“¦ Package Summary

Includes

Round-trip flights + 4 nights at Palmer House Hilton

Payment to Apple Vacations

$1,512.70

Price Per Person

$756.35
(package only, excludes destination taxes)

Pay in Destination

$117.40
City/Occupancy taxes - paid directly at hotel

āœˆļø Flight Information

Outbound - August 14

Delta #1620
Depart: 6:59 PM ā†’ Arrive Chicago (ORD): 9:29 PM

Return - August 18

Delta #1147
Depart Chicago (ORD): 11:15 AM ā†’ Arrive Atlanta: 2:15 PM

šŸØ Accommodation

Palmer House Hilton Hotel

Check-in: August 14 | Check-out: August 18

Location: Heart of Theater & Financial District

Walking distance to: State Street shopping, Art Institute, Millennium Park

Room: Standard with 1 Double Bed + Serenity Bed

šŸ“… Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday, August 14 (Arrival Day)

9:29 PM - Land at O'Hare (ORD)
10:30 PM - Take Blue Line CTA train to downtown (~45 min) or rideshare (~30-60 min)
11:30 PM - Check into Palmer House Hilton
Late Night - Light bite at hotel's Lockwood Restaurant or room service

Day 2 - Friday, August 15 (Classic Chicago & Downtown)

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Breakfast at Lou Mitchell's ā†’ Millennium Park (Cloud Gate "The Bean", Crown Fountain)

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Art Institute of Chicago ($32/person) ā†’ Lunch at Pizzeria Portofino ā†’ Chicago Riverwalk ā†’ Architecture Boat Tour ($45/person)

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Return to hotel ā†’ Dinner at Seville Chicago (Tapas) ā†’ Evening walk through theater district

Day 3 - Saturday, August 16 (Neighborhoods & Culture)

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

CTA Red Line to Lincoln Park ā†’ Lincoln Park Zoo (FREE) ā†’ Explore neighborhood ā†’ Brunch

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Wicker Park/Bucktown via Blue Line ā†’ Vintage shopping ā†’ Lunch at Coda Di Volpe ā†’ Coffee at local roastery

6:00 PM - Late

The 606 Trail ā†’ Dinner at Ukai Sushi and Ramen ā†’ Craft cocktails in Wicker Park

Day 4 - Sunday, August 17 (Museums & Lakefront)

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Field Museum ($18-29/person) ā†’ Sue the T-Rex & Natural History exhibits

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

North Avenue Beach ā†’ Rent Divvy bikes for Lakefront Trail ā†’ Beach time ā†’ Mochinut for treats

6:00 PM - Late

Fulton Market District dinner ā†’ Sunset cocktails with city views

Day 5 - Monday, August 18 (Departure)

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Hotel checkout ā†’ Light breakfast ā†’ Last-minute shopping on State Street

10:00 AM

Depart for O'Hare Airport (allow 1.5 hours)

11:15 AM

Delta Flight #1147 departure

šŸ½ļø Restaurant Recommendations

šŸ• Pizzeria Portofino

Cuisine: Pizzeria | Dress: Business Casual | Cost: $$

Location: Riverfront - 317 N. Clark St

Phone: 312-900-9018 | Rating: 4.8ā­

šŸ Coda Di Volpe

Cuisine: Southern Italian | Dress: Business Casual | Cost: $$

Location: Lakeview - 3335 N Southport Ave

Phone: (773)687-8568 | Rating: 4.7ā­

šŸ· Seville Chicago

Cuisine: Tapas | Dress: Business Casual | Cost: $$

Location: The Loop - 243 S Franklin St

Phone: (773)339-0362 | Rating: 4.8ā­

šŸœ Ukai Sushi and Ramen

Cuisine: Japanese (Amazing crab Rangoon!) | Dress: Casual | Cost: $$

Location: 1059 W Belmont Ave

Phone: (773)868-9900 | Rating: 4.6ā­

šŸ© Mochinut

Cuisine: Doughnuts | Dress: Casual | Cost: $

Location: 734 W Fullerton Ave

Phone: (708)638-3892 | Rating: 4.7ā­

šŸšŠ Chicago Transit: Your Safe & Efficient City Connection

āœØ Why Chicago Transit is Perfect for Visitors

Chicago's public transit system is one of America's safest and most reliable, serving over 1.6 million daily riders including countless tourists. The 'L' system has been safely connecting Chicago for over 125 years and is a beloved part of the authentic Chicago experience!

šŸš‡CTA 'L' Train System - Your Gateway to Chicago

The 'L' is incredibly tourist-friendly! Chicago's elevated train system efficiently connects all major neighborhoods and attractions with clean, modern trains and well-maintained stations.

šŸŒŸ Why the 'L' is Great for Tourists

  • Extensive Security: CTA police patrol trains and stations 24/7, plus security cameras throughout the system
  • Tourist-Friendly Routes: Direct connections from O'Hare to downtown and all major attractions
  • Clean & Modern: Newly renovated stations and updated train cars with real-time arrival displays
  • Always Staffed: Station attendants and emergency intercoms in every car for immediate assistance
  • Well-Lit & Busy: High passenger volume during day/evening hours means you're never alone

šŸŽ« Simple & Convenient Usage

  • Easy Payment: Tap your phone or Ventra Card - completely contactless and secure
  • Great Value: $2.50 per ride, or $20 unlimited day pass (cheaper than parking!)
  • Perfect Lines for Your Trip:
    • Blue Line: Direct from O'Hare to downtown (45 min) - no transfers needed!
    • Red Line: Fast connection to Lincoln Park and North Side attractions
    • Brown Line: Scenic elevated route through trendy neighborhoods
  • Reliable Schedule: Trains every 3-8 minutes during day, Blue/Red lines run 24/7
  • Real-Time Updates: Live arrival times at every station and on mobile apps

šŸš†Metra Commuter Rail - Premium Suburban Connection

Metra is exceptionally safe and comfortable! This premium commuter system serves business professionals and is perfect for day trips to attractions like Frank Lloyd Wright sites in Oak Park.

šŸŒŸ Metra's Tourist Advantages

  • Business-Class Experience: Clean, quiet cars with comfortable seating and professional atmosphere
  • Conductor Service: Friendly, uniformed conductors provide assistance and ensure passenger safety
  • Excellent Security: Transit police, security cameras, and emergency communication systems
  • Tourist-Popular Routes: Well-traveled lines to popular destinations with helpful staff

šŸŽ« Easy Metra Usage

  • Simple Ticketing: Buy on user-friendly mobile app or at clean, staffed stations
  • Transparent Pricing: Zone-based system ($3-12) clearly posted at all stations
  • Recommended Routes:
    • UP-W Line: Union Station ā†’ Oak Park (Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio)
    • BNSF: Access to charming western suburbs and attractions
  • Reliable Service: Punctual schedules with real-time tracking available
  • Helpful Staff: Conductors assist with stops and provide local recommendations

šŸ†Smart Transit Tips for a Perfect Experience

  • Travel Confidently: Chicago transit ranks among America's safest - millions use it daily without incident
  • Peak Hours Advantage: Travel during 7-9 AM or 5-7 PM for busiest, safest times with business commuters
  • Instant Help Available: CTA Customer Service: 1-888-YOUR-CTA | Emergency: 911
  • Tourist-Friendly Staff: Station attendants and conductors are used to helping visitors
  • Essential Apps: Ventra, Metra App, and Citymapper provide real-time info and route planning
  • Backup Options: Uber/Lyft are plentiful, but you'll likely prefer the efficient, authentic 'L' experience!

šŸŽÆ Bottom Line for Tourists

Chicago's transit system is designed for your success! It's clean, safe, efficient, and connects every place you want to visit. Plus, taking the 'L' is a quintessential Chicago experience that locals are proud to share with visitors. You'll save money, avoid traffic, and travel like a true Chicagoan!

šŸ’” Additional Tips

šŸŽ’ Packing Notes

August weather: Warm days (70s-80sĀ°F), possible evening breeze by lake. Comfortable walking shoes essential, light layers for evening, business casual attire for nicer restaurants.

šŸæ Food Experiences to Try

Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dog, Garrett Popcorn (Chicago Mix), local craft beer scene.

šŸ“± Useful Apps

Ventra (CTA transit), Metra App, Citymapper, Divvy Bikes, Uber/Lyft, OpenTable for restaurant reservations.