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Fodor's Chicago 2009
Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.
Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Chicago!
•Updated annually, Fodor’s Chicago 2009 provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guide book.
• Fodor’s Chicago features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.
•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Chicago.
•Experience Chicago like a local! Fodor’s Chicago 2009 features information from local experts.
•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.
•Illustrated Features on everything from cutting-edge architecture, legendary blues, and world-class museums to major-league baseball, Deep-dish pizza, and maverick chefs. Chicago's got it all---now all you need to do is book a flight!
Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.
Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Chicago!
•Updated annually, Fodor’s Chicago 2009 provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guide book.
• Fodor’s Chicago features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.
•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Chicago.
•Experience Chicago like a local! Fodor’s Chicago 2009 features information from local experts.
•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.
•Illustrated Features on everything from cutting-edge architecture, legendary blues, and world-class museums to major-league baseball, Deep-dish pizza, and maverick chefs. Chicago's got it all---now all you need to do is book a flight!
Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1984
About the author
Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.
1,838 books63 followersFodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 18, 2026
Fodor's Chicago prepared me for a quick trip to Chicago, and I mean that in the best possible way. When you only have a short time in a city, you can't afford to wing it — and this book made sure I didn't have to.
It opens with the top reasons to visit, which immediately gets you in the right headspace. The photos are gorgeous throughout, and the maps deserve a special callout: they're so detailed and well-executed that you could navigate the city with them alone.
Coverage is organized by neighborhood — The Loop; Near North and River North; Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown; Lincoln Park and Wicker Park; Lakeview and the Far North and Northwest Sides; and Hyde Park — plus helpful sections on experiencing Chicago, Travel Smart, Day Trips, and a full map index.
What I found especially useful: the specialized interest filters. Architecture lover? Outdoor adventurer? Traveling with kids? Watching the budget? There's a clear path for each of you. I made particular use of the "On The Calendar" section, which lists special events by month — a small touch that made a real difference in my planning. The "Did You Know?" sidebars kept things interesting along the way.
My honest advice: borrow this from the library first. You'll end up buying your own copy.
It opens with the top reasons to visit, which immediately gets you in the right headspace. The photos are gorgeous throughout, and the maps deserve a special callout: they're so detailed and well-executed that you could navigate the city with them alone.
Coverage is organized by neighborhood — The Loop; Near North and River North; Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown; Lincoln Park and Wicker Park; Lakeview and the Far North and Northwest Sides; and Hyde Park — plus helpful sections on experiencing Chicago, Travel Smart, Day Trips, and a full map index.
What I found especially useful: the specialized interest filters. Architecture lover? Outdoor adventurer? Traveling with kids? Watching the budget? There's a clear path for each of you. I made particular use of the "On The Calendar" section, which lists special events by month — a small touch that made a real difference in my planning. The "Did You Know?" sidebars kept things interesting along the way.
My honest advice: borrow this from the library first. You'll end up buying your own copy.
February 1, 2026
2025 edition was full of useful information.
April 4, 2026
solid guide.
June 24, 2026
This was such a great travel guide! I only wish I could take it with me.
July 15, 2026
3.5 stars
2025 edition
useful for planning a trip to maximize your time in the windy city
2025 edition
useful for planning a trip to maximize your time in the windy city
December 24, 2013
Fodor's provides dependable and trustworthy guides for various venues. This one is no different. I just attended a conference in Chicago; I purchased this later. I enjoyed revisiting sites that I had seen and was reminded of places that I might have gone.
The book begins with a general introduction to Chicago and some things to do (e.g., quick trips that one might take over a few hours and seeing as many cool places as possible, festivals, free things to do, and so on). Next is an area by area examination--the Loop, Near North Side and River North, Lakeview and the Far North Side, and Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown, among others
Where to eat? Lots of good suggestions--including, for those who like dives, the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous on Saturday Night Live (think "Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger"), Morton's, the Parthenon (my favorite Greektown restaurant), Ditka's (da coaches' restaurant), Spiaggia, Harry Caray's, and so on. Many omissions--like Don Shula's steakhouse or Stetson (at the Hyatt along the Chicago River), but this will happen in a guide such as this.
Over time, I have stayed at a number of hotels in Chicago--from a Best Western to the Palmer House to the old Pick Congress to two Hyatt Regency hotels to the Intercontinental to. . . . Many hotels are described as recommended for consideration.
There are many useful maps, too. And much more is included.
A typically strong travel guide.
The book begins with a general introduction to Chicago and some things to do (e.g., quick trips that one might take over a few hours and seeing as many cool places as possible, festivals, free things to do, and so on). Next is an area by area examination--the Loop, Near North Side and River North, Lakeview and the Far North Side, and Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown, among others
Where to eat? Lots of good suggestions--including, for those who like dives, the Billy Goat Tavern, made famous on Saturday Night Live (think "Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger"), Morton's, the Parthenon (my favorite Greektown restaurant), Ditka's (da coaches' restaurant), Spiaggia, Harry Caray's, and so on. Many omissions--like Don Shula's steakhouse or Stetson (at the Hyatt along the Chicago River), but this will happen in a guide such as this.
Over time, I have stayed at a number of hotels in Chicago--from a Best Western to the Palmer House to the old Pick Congress to two Hyatt Regency hotels to the Intercontinental to. . . . Many hotels are described as recommended for consideration.
There are many useful maps, too. And much more is included.
A typically strong travel guide.
August 24, 2013
I attempted to read this before a trip to Chicago and it was a bit overwhelming attempting to sort out all of the locations. However, I picked it up again after the trip and enjoyed reading about the places I had seen, much more enjoyable the second time around. However, the print is a bit small. Having seen a stat that said it is the 50-55 and over group that will have a map in their car, I suspect that may be true of guide books also.
January 21, 2023
Bottomline: This guide had everything I needed for my weekend trip but seems a bit dated.
Being a few years since printing, the guide is a bit dated. However, I found this info I wanted for a weekend trip. What really makes this still a useful guide is the pictures. It has some lovely pics from the attractions and give me a better idea of what I wanted to see based on that.
Easy to flip through on a plane. And more organized than me just looking online only.
Being a few years since printing, the guide is a bit dated. However, I found this info I wanted for a weekend trip. What really makes this still a useful guide is the pictures. It has some lovely pics from the attractions and give me a better idea of what I wanted to see based on that.
Easy to flip through on a plane. And more organized than me just looking online only.
June 15, 2008
We're going to Chicago in July so I bought this (months ago) to read and help plan for our trip. It was a little overwhelming but maybe that's because the city is so big with so much to do. I will re-review this book after the trip, after I have really evaluated how helpful this book is when taking a trip to America's greatest city.
June 9, 2008
We're headed to Chi-Town for our honeymoon! Wahoo! And this combined with several Chicago blogs I subscribed to has given us a great itinerary. We're staying at a great place (incidentally not listed in Fodor's, as far as I could tell) called Ray's Bucktown B&B. Funky, hip and there's not a goose or a light blue wall border to be found! (why must all B&Bs tune to the country aesthetic?)
February 18, 2019
I bought this book because I'm going to Chicago this spring after not having been in over a decade. It seems pretty current and includes helpful information. I like that it includes a space for notes and a tear away map. The only reason I gave it three stars instead of four is because it says nasty comments about NYC at least twice. Just talk about your own city, don't be mean about other cities!
September 24, 2016
Reading on kindle means all the links are live
Easy to read and use. I look forward to traveling to Chicago. I have always used Fodor guides but using the kindle version means all the links are live. Instant access makes this great guide even better.
Easy to read and use. I look forward to traveling to Chicago. I have always used Fodor guides but using the kindle version means all the links are live. Instant access makes this great guide even better.
April 20, 2020
This seems to be a very comprehensive book about Chicago. We bought our plane tickets and have reserved an Airbnb for mid-May, but sadly due to the coronavirus, we probably will have to cancel. I hope we can visit at a later and safer date. I look forward to seeing all that Chicago has to offer.
April 19, 2010
Read this in anticipation of my trip to Chicago this summer. Gave me a sense of the city and the things I want to put on my itinerary.
October 7, 2014
This copy's way outdated, quoting museum admission prices that have doubled -- but a good starting point for planning a nice trip.
August 4, 2015
Read this cover to cover on the flight to chicago...I always turn to Fodor for great local detail, augmented by friend recommendations. Make sure to dine at the Purple Pig if you go!
February 14, 2016
Has some good info on traveling Chicago.
Got info on what transportation options work for what areas.
Things to see, walking tours, etc
Got info on what transportation options work for what areas.
Things to see, walking tours, etc
January 18, 2020
Excellent
Been to Chicago many times and have some new places to visit this weekend - wonderful resource - can't wait to get there
Been to Chicago many times and have some new places to visit this weekend - wonderful resource - can't wait to get there
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews