CHICAGO VISITOR INFORMATION 

About Chicago

Chicago is a city of world-class status and unsurpassed beauty, drawing visitors from around the nation and the globe. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest, visitors to Chicago experience a virtual explosion of cultural activity, civic pride and multicultural expression. From stunning architecture and world-famous museums to lakefront parks and vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, Chicago offers a range of attractions which keeps visitors coming back again and again.

Airport Information

O'Hare International Airport (www.ohare.com) – located 17 miles from downtown Chicago, O’Hare handles more passengers than any other airport in the world.  Information booths are located on the lower levels of the domestic terminals and on the upper and lower levels of the International Terminal. A foreign currency exchange is located on the lower level of the International Terminal.

Midway Airport (www.ohare.com/midway/home.asp) - located 10 miles from downtown Chicago.  The main lobby at the airport's center entrance is where the information booth and all vehicle pick-up services are available.

Ground Transportation (airport to downtown)

Airport Express (888-284-3826) - reliable and economical transportation service between O'Hare and Midway airports to/from downtown Chicago. Airport departures are every few minutes (check with your hotel concierge for hotel departure times).  Shuttle counters are located at both airports.  Approx. Costs: $19.00 (one way, O'Hare to downtown); $14.00 (one way, Midway to downtown)

Approx. time to downtown: 40 min. (from O'Hare); 25 min. (from Midway)

Public Transportation - look for signs for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 'L' Rapid Transit at both airports. Approx. time to downtown: 45 min. (from O'Hare); 30 min. (from Midway).  Cost: $1.75 (one ride, $0.25 for transfer)

Taxi Cabs - cabs are readily available at both airports.   Approx. time to downtown: 40 min. (from O'Hare); 25 min. (from Midway).  Approx. Costs: $26-30 (one way, O'Hare to downtown); $17-$25 (one way, Midway to downtown)

Additional Airport Shuttle Services - limousine, car service and charter bus service also available.

Accommodations

Marriott Chicago Downtown (312-836-0100) – the Official Host Hotel for the 2004 Killerspin US Open, the Marriott Chicago Downtown is situated in the most lively section of the city along Michigan Avenue, soaring 46 stories into the skyline above the famed Magnificent Mile.  A special room rate of $US 99 (plus 15% tax) is available for single, double, triple and quad rooms when mentioning “USA Table Tennis” during booking.  All rooms include cable/satellite television, high-speed internet access, and complimentary in-room coffee.  Nonsmoking and ADA-accessible rooms are available.  On-site amenities include several restaurants, indoor pool, and health club.  Check-in is 4:00 pm, check-out is 12:00 noon. 

Things to Do

With attractions and activities galore, Chicago is everyone's kind of town. See all the famous sights, then catch a show in the theater district or a Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field, followed by a latenight visit to a blues club or jazz bar. Culture hounds will delight in the multitude of museums, including the prestigious Art Institute and the Chicago Historical Society. Families will find plenty to do at Navy Pier and to explore at the Field Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo. You could spend all day strolling through Hyde Park or shopping along the Magnificent Mile. Discover vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, architectural landmarks, delicious restaurants and world-class hotels. From the top of the Sears Tower to the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago offers so much to do, visitors keep coming back for more.  See Things to Do links below or stop by the concierge desk at your hotel for suggestions.

Dining

Chicago is a city for people who love good food. Beyond Chicago mainstays like a perfectly cooked steak, deep-dish pizza and hot dogs with all the fixings, the city's diverse restaurant scene offers many excellent choices.  Check out the links under Dining (below) or see your hotel concierge for recommendations that fit your taste buds.

Shopping

Chicago is the home to some of the finest shopping in the country.  The Marriott is located in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a shopper’s paradise with four shopping centers, world-renowned boutiques and locally acclaimed designers.  Check the links below of visit with your hotel concierge to find the shopping experience that fits your pocketbook. 

Weather

Reputed to be the Windy City, Chicago actually ranks 14th for wind velocity in the U.S.  Weather from June until September is near-perfect for outdoor activities, with a few tropically hot days with temperature and humidity both hitting 100.  Average high (July) - 81º F (27º C); average low (July) - 66º F (19º C).  For current weather forecast go to www.nws.noaa.gov (search Chicago, IL).

Navy Pier (www.navypier.com)

The Killerspin US Open will be taking place in Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, approximately .7 mile from the Marriott Chicago Downtown.  As Chicago’s playground and Illinois’ number one attraction, Navy Pier consists of more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions of every kind. Some of the highlights include: a 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, I-Max Theatre, bike rentals, boat cruises, the Chicago Children's Museum, a 3D thrill-ride called Time Escape and a vast array of dining options.