{"id":1306450,"date":"2026-10-12T11:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306450"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:24","slug":"illinois","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in Illinois","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"Chicago, one of the great American cities: skyscrapers born here, a lakefront of beaches and parks, blues clubs, deep-dish pizza and world-class museums, plus the start of Route 66.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307946","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"4\u20135 | Days in Chicago","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"Chicago and the prairie state","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"For most travellers, Illinois means Chicago, and the city is one of the most underrated in the USA. The modern skyscraper was invented here after the Great Fire of 1871, and the skyline is an architecture museum in itself. Along Lake Michigan, a 29 km lakefront path links beaches, parks and harbours, and the city has some of the best museums in the country.\r\n\r\nChicago is a city of neighbourhoods, from the lively bars of Wicker Park and Logan Square to the murals and Mexican food of Pilsen and the historic Bronzeville. It is the home of Chicago blues and house music, and of deep-dish pizza and the Italian beef sandwich. The Obama Presidential Center opened in Jackson Park on the South Side in 2026.\r\n\r\nBeyond Chicago, Route 66 begins downtown and runs south-west across the state, and Springfield has Abraham Lincoln's home and presidential library. Give Chicago four or five days. Late spring to early autumn is the best time; winters are long, cold and windy.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Chicago O'Hare and Midway\r\nTime zone | Central Time\r\nSales tax | 10.25% in Chicago\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | The L, buses and bikes\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nRoute 66 | Starts in downtown Chicago\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days\r\nBest months | May to September","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of Illinois","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Chicago and its suburbs in the north-east, and farmland, small towns and Route 66 across the rest.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Chicago | City, food, nightlife | The skyline, the lakefront and dozens of neighbourhoods. | 41.8781 | -87.6298 | \nChicago suburbs | Architecture, lakeside towns | Oak Park's Frank Lloyd Wright houses and the North Shore. | 41.8850 | -87.7845 | \nCentral Illinois | Lincoln, Route 66 | Springfield and the Route 66 towns. | 39.7817 | -89.6501 | \nSouthern Illinois | Forests, cliffs | The Shawnee National Forest and Garden of the Gods. | 37.6000 | -88.4000 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in Illinois","hw_hub_state_do_body":"Take an architecture boat tour on the Chicago River, the best introduction to the city's buildings. Walk Millennium Park to see the Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the Bean, and visit the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the great art museums of the world. Go up the Willis Tower or 360 Chicago for the views.\r\n\r\nWalk or cycle the Lakefront Trail and spend a summer afternoon at North Avenue Beach. Explore the neighbourhoods: Pilsen's murals, Wicker Park's shops and bars, and the Chicago Cultural Center's Tiffany dome, which is free. Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and listen to live blues at Kingston Mines or Buddy Guy's Legends.\r\n\r\nVisit the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park and the Museum of Science and Industry nearby. Outside the city, drive Route 66 from its starting point downtown, and visit Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Architecture boat tour | The best way to see the skyline\r\nArt Institute | One of the world's great museums\r\nLakefront Trail | 29 km along Lake Michigan\r\nLive blues | Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy's","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in Illinois","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"Millennium Park, the Bean, Crown Fountain and free summer concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion cost nothing. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free, and the Chicago Cultural Center has free exhibitions and its famous Tiffany glass dome.\r\n\r\nThe Lakefront Trail and the city's beaches are free. Several museums have free days for Illinois residents only, so check before going.\r\n\r\nThe Chicago Greeter programme offers free neighbourhood tours with local volunteers.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Millennium Park | The Bean and free concerts\r\nLincoln Park Zoo | Free\r\nCultural Center | Tiffany dome, free\r\nBeaches | Free in summer","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in Illinois","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"Chicago is a great food city. Try deep-dish pizza, though locals often prefer tavern-style thin crust; an Italian beef sandwich, dipped in gravy; and a Chicago-style hot dog, with everything on it except ketchup. Garrett's popcorn mixes caramel and cheese.\r\n\r\nPilsen and Little Village have excellent Mexican food, Chinatown and Argyle Street have Chinese and Vietnamese food, and the West Loop's Restaurant Row has some of the best restaurants in the country.\r\n\r\nChicago has a big craft beer scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Deep-dish pizza | Or tavern-style thin crust\r\nItalian beef | Dipped in gravy\r\nChicago hot dog | No ketchup\r\nWest Loop | Restaurant Row","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for Illinois","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"Chicago has a huge nightlife. Wicker Park and Logan Square have bars and live music, River North has clubs, and Boystown in Lakeview is the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife. Live blues and jazz play every night.\r\n\r\nChicago is the birthplace of house music, and its clubs still play it. Some bars stay open until 4am, and 5am on Saturdays.\r\n\r\nComedy is big too: Second City launched many famous comedians.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Wicker Park | Bars and live music\r\nLive blues | Every night\r\nHouse music | Born in Chicago\r\nSecond City | Famous comedy","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Illinois","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"Chicago has a good public transport system, the CTA, with the elevated L trains and buses. The Blue Line runs from O'Hare Airport to downtown in around 45 minutes, and the Orange Line from Midway. Pay by tapping a contactless card or phone, or with a Ventra card. Divvy bikes are everywhere.\r\n\r\nChicago is the hub of the Amtrak network, with trains across the country. Metra trains reach the suburbs.\r\n\r\nA car is only needed for Route 66 and the rest of the state.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"The L | Elevated trains across Chicago\r\nO'Hare | Blue Line to downtown\r\nAmtrak | Chicago is the national hub\r\nDivvy bikes | Bike share everywhere","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for Illinois","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What Illinois costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"Chicago is cheaper than New York or San Francisco, but not cheap. Dorm beds start around $35 to $55, and much more during big events such as Lollapalooza.\r\n\r\nChicago has one of the highest sales taxes in the country, 10.25 per cent, and higher on restaurant meals. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe free parks, zoo and Cultural Center, and the CityPASS for museums, help keep costs down.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around $35\u201355\r\nSales tax | 10.25% in Chicago\r\nFree sights | Parks, zoo, Cultural Center\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for Illinois","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"Chicago's downtown, the lakefront and the main neighbourhoods visitors go to are generally safe. Crime is concentrated in some neighbourhoods on the South and West Sides; ask at your hostel and use transport or rideshares at night.\r\n\r\nWatch your phone on the L, where snatch thefts happen, and keep valuables out of sight.\r\n\r\nWinters are bitterly cold, with wind chill well below freezing; dress properly. Swim only at lifeguarded beaches on the lake. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nPhones | Watch them on the L\r\nAt night | Rideshares in quiet areas\r\nWinter | Bitterly cold","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for Illinois","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Chicago for most of the trip, and Springfield for Lincoln and Route 66.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Chicago |  | One of the great American cities, on Lake Michigan. | Millennium Park; Art Institute; Architecture boat tour; Wrigley Field; Obama Presidential Center | 1306576\nSpringfield |  | The state capital and Abraham Lincoln's home town. | Lincoln Home; Lincoln Presidential Library; Route 66 | 1308003","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"May to September is the best time, with festivals, beaches and outdoor life. Autumn is crisp and pleasant. Winter, from December to March, is very cold and windy.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Chicago, rounded.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | -1 | 2 | Bitterly cold\r\nFebruary | 1 | 2 | Cold\r\nMarch | 8 | 3 | St Patrick's Day, green river\r\nApril | 15 | 3 | Spring\r\nMay | 21 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nJune | 27 | 5 | Festival season\r\nJuly | 29 | 5 | Beaches, festivals\r\nAugust | 28 | 5 | Lollapalooza\r\nSeptember | 24 | 4 | Pleasant\r\nOctober | 17 | 4 | Chicago Marathon\r\nNovember | 9 | 3 | Cold\r\nDecember | 2 | 3 | Festive markets","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Music festivals, blues and the river turning green.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"api","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"All events in Chicago","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/north-america\/usa\/chicago\/","hw_hub_state_events":"Lollapalooza | Late July or early August | Grant Park | One of the biggest music festivals in the USA. |  | \nSt Patrick's Day | March | Chicago River | The river is dyed bright green. |  | \nChicago Blues Festival | June | Millennium Park | A free blues festival. |  | \nChicago Marathon | October | Chicago | One of the world's major marathons. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Chicago prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Big festival weekends cost more.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 45 | 30 | 8 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 85 | 60 | 18 | 40\r\nComfortable | 190 | 110 | 35 | 80","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Chicago, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Chicago","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/chicago\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"Illinois questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"How many days do you need in Chicago? | Four or five for the architecture, museums, lakefront and neighbourhoods.\r\nHow do I get from O'Hare to downtown Chicago? | By the CTA Blue Line, around 45 minutes, or by taxi or rideshare.\r\nIs Chicago safe? | The areas most visitors go to are generally safe. Use transport or rideshares at night and ask locally about other neighbourhoods.\r\nIs the Obama Presidential Center open? | Yes. It opened in Jackson Park in 2026.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Chicago? | May to September, with lots of free festivals.\r\nWhere does Route 66 start? | In downtown Chicago, on Adams Street near the Art Institute.\r\nIs Chicago expensive? | Less than New York, but the 10.25 per cent sales tax adds up. Free parks and the zoo help.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Chicago: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Chicago | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/chicago\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"illinois","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306450","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Illinois Travel Guide: Chicago, Route 66 and Hostels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Illinois: Chicago&#039;s architecture, lakefront, blues and deep-dish pizza, the new Obama Center, Route 66 and hostels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/illinois\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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