Frommer's Chicago 2001

This is the best travel guide I have ever read. It tells you the ins outs and inbetweens of every place you planned on, and never thought of, seeing in a major city. It gives great details on well known and hidden restaurants, the prices, the cuisine, and how good the taste is. I highly recommend any Frommer's guide. I bought the San Fransisco edition and found it so great I bought the Chicago edition for when I am at home. Frommer guides are a must have for a city you live in or near, and a city you are visiting.

The author of Frommer's Chicago 2001, Craig Keller, has been a journalist in Chicago for more than a decade. As such, he is very familiar with the area, and he is an excellent writer, which makes the book easy to read. This 321-page guide has an excellent index and table of contents. It is filled with photos and is well laid out with color-coded margins to help you thumb to the different sections. These include: (1) The Best of Chicago: the best among Chicago's hotels, restaurants and entertainment experiences. (2) Planning your trip to Chicago: suggestions on when to go to Chicago, an annual calendar of Chicago events, tips for travelers with special needs, means of getting to Chicago, and information on O'Hare Airport. (3) Advice for Foreign Visitors: information for non-U.S. citizens with a summing-up section called Fast Facts. (4) Orientation to Chicago: information on the Chicago River, ethnic neighborhoods, and public transportation. (5) Where to Stay: types of accommodations in all the major segments of town. (6) Where to Dine: restaurants listed by area of town, type of food, and cost. (7) Exploring Chicago: the sights in Chicago that tourists like to see. (8) Shopping: all the most famous shopping sites. (9) Chicago after Dark: bars, clubs and musical shows of Chicago. (10) Appendix: information on Chicago history and politics. I highly recommend this thorough, readable, glossily attractive guide. It is easy to use, and full of every kind of information a visitor, new or returning, could want on Chicago.