Weather | When to visit

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The best times to visit Chicago are April through May and between September and October, when the temperatures are warm, a variety of festivals take place and crowds are manageable. Summer marks Chicago's peak tourist and festival season, with travelers from around the country hoping to take advantage of the warm weather and abundant activities. You'll find higher lodging rates during these seasons, but you'll also escape Chicago's notoriously bitter winters. Chicago experiences frigid temperatures from November to March, but if you can hack it, hotel and airfare deals are easy to find.

You'll see Chicago at its best if you visit during the summer or fall. Summer offers a nonstop selection of special events and outdoor activities; the downside is that you'll be dealing with the biggest crowds and periods of hot, muggy weather. Autumn days are generally sunny, and the crowds at major tourist attractions grow thinner -- you don't have to worry about snow until late November at the earliest. Spring is extremely unpredictable, with dramatic fluctuations of cold and warm weather, and usually fair amounts of rain. If your top priority is indoor cultural sights, winter's not such a bad time to visit: no lines at museums, the cheapest rates at hotels, and the pride that comes with slogging through the slush with the natives.

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Chicago -- the sparkling gem of the Midwest and the third largest city in the United States -- is a travel destination with a problem: the winter. When the wind whistles down Michigan Avenue in January, you might wonder why you ever decided to go to Chicago at that time of year. But even that season has its upside. Whenever you go to Chicago, you will find an array of attractions, restaurants and hotels.

Many visitors explore Chicago in the summer. There are many festivals, but there are also crowds; the weather is quite hot and humid; and hotels raise their room rates. Winter time brings very cold weather, but if you don’t mind this and you are interested in indoor activities, room rates are at their cheapest. Spring is the best time to visit Chicago. The weather is temperate from April through May but it can be a little unpredictable - some days are warm while others are cool. Fall is also considered one of the best times to visit the city. From September through the end of October the temperatures are warm and hotel rates are reasonable.