Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
75
Major Convention Dates
Listed belo w ar e Chicago 's major (30,000 visit ors or mor e) c onventions f or
2009, with projected attendance figures. Many of them take plac e here annu-
ally, around the same time each y ear. Plan ahead because hot el rooms and
restaurant reservations can be har d t o c ome b y when the big sho ws are in
town—and even if y ou snag a r oom, you'll be pa ying top price. Contact the
Chicago C onvention and Tourism Bur eau
(
&
877/CHICAGO
[244-2246];
www.choosechicago.com) to double-check the latest info before you commit
to your travel dates as c onvention schedules can change .
EVENT
2009 DATES EXPECTED
ATTENDANCE
International Home and
Mar 16-18
60,000
Housewar es Show
Kitchen/Bath Industry Show
Apr 11-13
60,000
National Restaurant Association Show
May 17-20
75,000
Neo-Con—World's Trade Fair
June 9-11
40,000
International Manufacturing
Sept 8-13
90,000
Technology Show
Oct 26-29
40,000
Graph Expo
Radiological Society of North America
Nov 30-Dec 5
60,000
4
The rates giv en in this chapter ar e per
night and do not include tax es, which are
quite steep at 14.9%, or any discounts.
Prices are always subject to availability and
vary accor ding to day of the w eek and
seasonally. ( The lo wer rates tend to be
offered Jan-Mar and on nonholiday week-
ends.)
1
THE LOOP
Strictly speaking, “downtown” in Chicago means the Loop—the central business district,
a 6×8-block r ectangle env eloped b y elev ated tracks on all four sides. An outer cir cle
beyond this literal loop of tracks is bounded on the north and west by the Chicago River
and its south branch, forming an elbo w on two sides; on the east b y Michigan Avenue
running along the edge of M illennium Park and G rant Park; and on the south b y the
Congress Expressway. Within these confines ar e the city's financial institutions, trading
markets, and municipal government buildings, making for, as you might expect, quite a
lot of hustle and bustle M onday through Friday. Come Saturday and Sunday, however,
the Loop is pretty dead, despite the fact that it is also home to major music and theater
venues and is near the Art Institute. On a nice day, it's easy to walk south from the Loop
to the M useum Campus, home to the F ield Museum of N atural History and J ohn G.
Shedd Aquarium.
For visitors who want a real “city” experience, the Loop offers dramatic urban vistas or
skyscrapers and a feeling that y ou're in the center of w eekday action. The Loop has an
