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If you prefer a moderate climate, the best time to visit Chicago is spring or fall. But if you can bear the snow and bitter cold of the festive season, you’ll see the city sparkle with magical Christmas lights – and you’ll have a lot fewer tourists to contend with. Avoid November visits, as the city’s hotels are filled by conventioneers during this month.

Chicago winters are usually intemperate with heavy snow and temperatures ranging from 13° F (-9° C) to 37° F (4° C). Summer days can be anything from balmy to boiling, averaging 69° F (22° C) to 84° F (30° C). Extremes, like winter blizzards, heavy spring rains, and summer heat waves are not uncommon, with spring-time weather being particularly changeable. Despite the winds that can gust off Lake Michigan, Chicago’s “Windy City” moniker is actually attributed to the verbose bid the city made to host the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (see The Museum’s Origins).

Pack lightly for summer, and bring layers for the unpredictable spring and fall conditions. Layers are best for the often desperately cold winters, in order to cope with centrally heated environments. A hat and suitable footwear are essential then too. While casual clothes are acceptable in most places, men should bring a jacket and tie, since they are required at many upscale restaurants.

It is strongly recomended to have a comprehensive travel insurance policy, including coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, car rental insurance and, most of all, medical expenses, which are very high in America.

Citizens of European Union countries, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan can spend up to 90 days in the US without a visa. They just need a valid passport and a round-trip ticket. Canadian citizens must only show photo ID and proof of residence. Citizens of other countries should contact their local US embassy well in advance of their trip to obtain the relevant visa.

Do bring some dollars with you for essentials on arrival. But from then on, major credit cards are accepted in most places. ATMs abound, but check with your own bank to avoid the extra fee charged for using ATMs of non-affiliated US banks. It’s also worthwhile bringing a few US dollar traveler’s checks in case of emergency. These can be changed at most banks and foreign exchange on showing photo ID, and can also be used in stores and restaurants.

Foreign or out-of-state driver’s licenses are valid in Chicago – if they are in English. Bring your picture license even if you don’t plan to rent a car: it’s a good alternative to a passport if you are asked for proof of age in a bar.

Electrical appliances in US operate on 110–120 volts and use two-prong plugs. This means that non-US, single-voltage appliances need an adapter and transformer, available in airport shops, and at many electrical stores and large department stores.

If you have student or senior ID, it’s a good idea to carry it with you to make the best of discounts offered on everything from public transit and hotels to admission to the main attractions.

Chicago operates on Central Time (six hours behind GMT). Daylight saving begins at 3am on the first Sunday in April and reverts to standard time at 1am on the last Sunday in October.