What are some good travel tips?

I'm planning a vacation to chicago and I need all the travel tips you got.

Sounds like fun! Not sure if you arranged your travel yet, so I'll include a few tips for that as well:

* Shop around for airfare to Chicago if you're traveling. I usually check a site like Expedia.com for relative comparisons of airfare. Once you've found the cheapest option, check that airline's website. Usually the fare is a bit cheaper there.

* However, if you buy a package of airfare + hotel, sites like Expedia will usually give you a discount, so check the package price vs. the individual costs for airfare + hotel.

* Do some research on the basics -- activities, sights, restaurants. You might find discounts online, or realize that you need a reservation to try a famous restaurant. You might also want to buy a guidebook to carry around. Try these websites for research:

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/chicago/

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/

* Check the weather forecast, and pack accordingly. It helps to pack as lightly as possible to make travel more efficient. Knowing the weather helps you focus your packing. Also, it's generally best to pack layers. For example, include a few t-shirts and a sweater so you can go from hot to cold.

* Learn how the transportation works -- Chicago has the "L" or elevated train, which is easy to use. You can also take the train to/from the airport.

* Consider if you want to do a day trip or not. That will help you decide if you need a car. If you're going to be staying downtown with no side trips, you won't need a car.

* Things I like about Chicago:

-- Millenium Park -- definitely worth a stroll

-- walking along the lake

-- eating sandwiches at Potbelly's

-- climb Sears Tower Skydeck

Good luck and have fun!!