Chicago & Illinois

Chicago is internationally known for its unrivaled architecture, five-star cuisine, chic shopping and leading cultural institutions. Chicago also has a reputation as one of the friendliest and most walkable cities in the U.S., with a breathtaking lakefront that’s close to all the action.

Chicago is also known as a city of neighbourhoods, each with their own unique flavour. Shop designer boutiques and upscale retail centres on the stretch of North Michigan Avenue known as the Magnificent Mile®. The Loop is home to many of the city’s leading museums and theatres, along with great shopping on State Street. Explore unique stores, restaurants and nightlife that ranges from comedy to blues clubs in the Near North Side neighbourhoods of Streeterville, Old Town, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

Hip stores and art galleries, edgy restaurants and trendy clubs populate River North, Bucktown and Wicker Park. Authentic ethnic shops and restaurants can be found in Greektown, Little Italy, Chinatown, the German enclave in Lincoln Square and the Swedish community of Andersonville. South of downtown, the Hyde Park neighbourhood is home to the Museum of Science and Industry and the DuSable Museum of African-American History, as well as a number of African-American shops, restaurants and nightspots.

But whether you prefer the bustling culture of the big city, or the friendly hospitality of small-town America or the serene beauty of natural wonders, Illinois has something for everyone.

Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, thanks to Abraham Lincoln who worked his way from humble legislator to President of the United States. Today, Illinois is a study in diverse cultures and landscapes, from the cosmopolitan city of Chicago to the rolling green hills of Southern Illinois.

Despite the state of the economy, international tourism to Chicago and Illinois remains strong. In fact, 2008 numbers represent the highest-ever grossing year for the Illinois tourism industry. Illinois hosted 1,419,000 overseas visitors in 2008, a 21 percent increase over 2007 arrivals. This helped increase market share of U.S. overseas arrivals to 5.6 percent from 4.9 percent and maintained the ranking as the 6th most popular U.S. state for overseas visitors.

The City of Chicago specifically hosted 1,368,000 overseas visitors in 2008, a 19 percent increase over 2007 arrivals. Additionally, arrivals to Illinois from the UK were up 14 percent, compared to only 1 percent nationwide.