We all know Chicago for its chilly winters and beautiful summers; however, it does not imply that you should consider visiting this place only when the beaches are open. There is adequate reason for spending some time in and around the city every season irrespective of whether you are savoring the scrumptious recipes at some of the most well-known eateries or praising the fabulous public art. In this article, we have mentioned the best time to visit Chicago which will, of course, depend on your personal preferences.
In case you are not sanguine about what season to visit Chicago, here are some benefits and drawbacks of visiting the city in each of the 4 seasons.
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Visiting Chicago during spring
Spring is usually the time of the year when temperatures begin to increase thus making it more enjoyable to walk around and appreciate the places of interest. As a result, it will be a fantastic time to explore the city in the spring. Nevertheless, the weather during spring can be quite unpredictable and it can be more pleasant and moderate or might even continue the cold winter.
Pros
It is simpler to explore things by walking around since the weather begins to warm up.
Cons
The weather during spring can be quite unpredictable, and you might even encounter the weather of winter particularly in March as well as early April. Tourism begins to pick up for St. Patrick’s Day events as well as spring break in the middle of March. Although the temperature is comparatively warmer, there is a possibility of a downpour, and therefore, one should carry an umbrella during this time in Chicago.
Visiting Chicago during summer
Summer can be considered to be the most popular and the most hectic time to visit Chicago since it comes with fantastic weather (even though some days might be rather scorching and hot). However, the good thing regarding visiting Chicago during summer is the fact that you will always come across festivals, events, and concerts happening throughout the city at this time. Moreover, many of them are totally free! Navy Pier features free fireworks every Saturday and Wednesday night only during summer. You can likewise enjoy yourself while relishing delicious gastronomy at the many patios and rooftops of Chicago.
Pros
You will come across lots of concerts, events, and festivals happening during summer. The weather is quite warm for you to venture out to the beach and spend some quality time outdoors.
Cons
The weather can be quite humid and hot on some occasions and extremely busy because of overcrowded attractions. Moreover, the crime rate along with the prices tends to be higher during this time of the year.
In case you are visiting the city during early fall or late summer, it will be a good idea to go to one of the many sunflower fields nearby and capture some interesting photographs.
Visiting Chicago during the fall
The temperatures during fall can vary to a great extent and are quite unpredictable too. Nevertheless, fall will be the ideal time of the year to visit Chicago in case you are searching for pleasant weather (even though the weather is comparatively warm and there is less possibility of rainfall). It is possible for the visitors to Chicago during this time to enjoy lots of outdoor activities such as river cruise, the beach, outdoor festivals, and dining at rooftops and patios just like summer. However, one will be able to avoid the crowds during the fall. The temperature during late autumn can be somewhat unpredictable and it can even feel like winter, summer, or fall.
Pros
Fantastic weather making it quite simple to explore the places of interest by walking around and there will be less crowd since the students and children are back in their schools.
Cons
The temperatures during fall can vary significantly from one year to another, and therefore, you might be experiencing a colder-than-usual fall as well.
Visiting Chicago during winter
Even though Chicago can become extremely cold during winter, it is not always the case. On some occasions, winter can be quite mild as well. For those individuals who do not like the cold weather, it will be advisable to avoid visiting Chicago at this time of the year. However, in case you do not have any other option, there are lots of things to perform indoors during winter including great eateries, museums, skyscrapers, theater, shopping, comedy clubs, and so forth. If you are able to plan your visit more at the eleventh hour, verify the weather forecasts and book your trip in case the weather is milder.
However, Chicago will be a fantastic place to visit during winter in case you have no problem with the cold weather given that there is less crowd during this time (apart from the holiday season starting from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year’s when individuals visit the city for holiday shopping and holiday events).
Although you might not be concerned about the cold weather conditions, it will be advisable to monitor the weather forecast for any snowstorm that might take place several times every winter. They can make it quite difficult for you to get around and you might be required to cancel flights as well.
Pros
During late November as well as December there are plenty of things to perform in Chicago including holiday events. January and February are going to be less crowded, and therefore, accommodations will be available at a cheaper rate.
Cons
Although you might be fortunate to come across pleasant temperatures, the weather is usually quite cold during this time. It will be difficult to perform outdoor activities since the rivers and lakes will become frozen (no boat rides, architecture cruises, and so forth).
Conclusion
Let us hope that this above-mentioned information will help you to decide which is the best time to visit Chicago? There are plenty of options for you irrespective of whether you are traveling solo or along with your near and dear ones.
Both adults as well as children will find plenty of entertainment in this wonderful city. Moreover, food is simply irresistible! Therefore, you should not hesitate and pull out the calendar for marking your subsequent vacation. Only make certain that the time chosen by you matches up with the activities you would like to perform in Chicago.
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