4 Epic Reasons to Visit Chicago, the Windy City

If you’re planning a vacation on the Land of the Free then you should definitely consider a visit to Chicago. Chicago is one of North America’s most unique and beautiful big cities with its perfect combination of art, culture, and history. Below are some of the reasons why Chicago is such a popular tourist destination. And if you do decide to make the trip, make sure you have a Chicago Travel Guide and Offline City Map & Metro on the ready. Willis Tower

The Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower) is the tallest building in the United States with a dizzying height of 1,450 ft. Designed by Chicago firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the tower is made unique by its lack of interior supports. It instead uses nine exterior frame tubes to maintain its structural integrity. The Skydeck in the 103rd floor allows for a 360-degree view of the city. The Skydeck also connects to the Ledge, an arrangement of enclosed glass boxes that allow you to view straight down to the ground.

Field Museum

The Field Museum, named after its first major benefactor Marshall Field, is a massive museum built to display items from the World’s Columbian Exposition. Today, it houses a plethora of treasures, fossils, and artifacts. It also offers a wide variety of interactive exhibits. The unique insight into global cultures and environments past and present makes it one of the best museums in the United States.

Navy Pier

The Navy Pier, a former military and freight terminal, has undergone numerous renovations to become a center of recreation filled to the brim with various attractions for both kids and adults. Today, it has become the most visited attraction in Chicago, drawing over eight million people every year. It also offers spectacular views of the city.

Let's have fun at Chicago Navy Pier

Lincoln Park Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo is the second most popular attraction in Chicago. It is also one of the oldest zoos in the US and one of the few that still offer free admission. This small park was built in 1868 with just a couple of swans. Now it is home to a wide variety of animals and has even become one of the leaders in ape research.

Visit nature in Chicago!

There are tons of more reasons to visit the wonderful city of Chicago. eTips, your reliable travel companion, has info on all of them.

Outstanding Reasons to Visit Havana, a Premium Destination for Americans

The Cuban Government has made making it easier for Americans to visit the country a key part of its tourism campaign. There are now direct flights to Cuba from many cities in the United States. A lot of major American cities even have nonstop charter flights to Cuba. This alone makes it a good idea to visit this country. And if you will visit Cuba, might as well choose its capital and largest city, Havana. For easier time navigating Havana’s busy streets, get the Havana Travel Guide with Offline City Street Map. The Tourist Area of Old Havana (La Habana Vieja)

There is no better way to immerse yourself in the culture of Havana than taking a casual walk through the busy, crowded Calle Obispo from Calle Mercaderes, near Havana Harbor, west to Avenida Bélgica. You might even pick up souvenirs along the way as the sidewalks are littered with closet-sized shops selling refrigerator magnets, stuffed dolls, marionettes, t-shirts, and more.

You can also grab some street food as you go along with your stroll. An elote (corn on the cob on a stick) is a must try. You will also come across vendors selling sticky pastries and small Cuban sandwiches along the way. You might also encounter musicians giving free performances on a random street corner.

What a view! Havana Morro and the city Malecon seawall

Historical Havana

Cuba had its fair share of battles. It came under Spanish occupation for many years. Americans also tried to invade and conquer it numerous times. In Havana, you can find various fields, buildings, and promontories that were once battlefields. Take a walk on the walkway through the lawn facing the Malecón and the beautiful water beyond. Look for the historical markers that provide clues of when Cubans and Americans faced off using rifles and cannons.

1950s and 1960s American Cars

Havana is a paradise for automobile enthusiasts who have a taste for the antique. You will surely be amazed by how many vintage Buicks, Pontiacs, Chrysler Plymouths, Ford Fairlanes, Chevrolets, Dodges, and Studebakers parade the streets. Perfectly restored cars are often parked near hotels and plazas waiting for tourists who want to rent them.

Havana's Typical Old American Cars

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A city armed with Gothic grit and glamour- Visit Lisbon!

WOW! Lisbon skyline at sunset

Lisbon which came out of a dire recession galvanized and game for anything, has found itself in the unexpected position being of Europe's new cool capital. There are more exciting things to do in Lisbon so make sure you have your Lisbon Travel Guide and Offline City Map & Metro.

Enjoy the view

Strap on some comfy shoes and get moving, Lisbon, after all, is a city of seven hills, which means there are breathtaking views around (nearly) every corner. One of the best views of Lisbon can be found from the São Jorge Castle. Get your tickets online to avoid lining up, and enjoy the view of the city from the castle grounds. If you’d rather not pay for a view, Miradouro da Graca offers some of the best sights free of charge. Bring a sandwich, grab a bench, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with a stunning view of Lisbon. If you’re after a luxurious setting, Silk nightclub is supposed to be one of the best vantage points to see Lisbon at night. Just make sure to dress the part, as this club has a fairly strict dress code (we found out the hard way).

Shop

Shopping in Lisbon is plentiful and very affordable. Skip the useless souvenirs, and instead stock up on delicious Portuguese specialties like gourmet tinned fish, sweet Ginja, and the delicious Portuguese-made preserves and honeys. Portuguese ceramics and fragrant soaps are also amazing keepsakes to bring back with you. Make sure you’re not buying the Made in China products by shopping at stores that sell the locally-crafted ceramics (and other goodies) – Lisbon Shop, A Vida Portuguesa, and Embaixada are a few of my faves. Embaixada deserves a special mention for its beautiful setting.

Explore

Lisbon is a lively, beautiful city with a ton of things to do and plenty of landmarks to visit. Admiring the many tiled buildings was probably my favorite thing, which is why I’m so sad that we missed out on a visit to the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (aka the Tile Museum). I hear it’s a gem, so check it out if you get a chance.

It was too hot for us to ride the infamous Tram 28, but hanging out along its route to take photos of the passing trams was just as fun.

So beautiful, typical Lisbon architecture

Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favorite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travelers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.

Get to know more about Lisbon or some other city you plan to visit, just go to eTips to get all the info you need!