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Destination Overview
Chicago is a city of world-class status and unsurpassed beauty. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago is home to world-championship sports teams, an internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, renowned architecture, award-winning theater, and much more.
Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. It is one of the world's great cities, and yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find - its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Here are some websites to help you plan your trip:
http://www.choosechicago.com
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Chicago
Time Zone
Chicago will be observing US Central Time (CDT) during the RWISO Conference. The time zone offset will be UTC/GMT -5. Click Here to determine the time difference from your location.
Climate
May is a good time of year to visit Chicago. Temperatures are beginning to rise and the weather is usually pleasant and mild, but it can rain. Temperatures have a daily high of 70°F and a nightly low of 48°F.
Passport and Visa
To visit the United States, you must have a valid passport. In some cases the passport must be valid for more than three months beyond your visit. Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay. United States citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel. Click Here for more information in the U.S. visa requirements. Please contact the RWISO office if you need a personalized invitation letter to obtain your Visa.
Travel to Chicago
Chicago is serviced by to major airports and both are within 20 miles of the Swissôtel. - O'Hare International (ORD) and Midway (MDW). Go to www.flychicago.com for more information on these airports.
Ground Transportation at O'Hare
There are a number of ways to get to and from O'Hare International Airport. Located just 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, O'Hare International Airport is easily reachable by the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Blue Line, as well as by regional buses, downtown and suburban shuttles, and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance area of the terminal.
Ground Transportation at Midway
There are a number of ways to get to and from Midway Airport. Located just 10 miles from downtown Chicago, Midway is easily reachable by the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Orange Line in just 20-30 minutes, as well as by regional buses, downtown and suburban shuttles, and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance area of the terminal.
For either airport, use public transportation as a fast and convenient way to travel to and from the airport, avoiding traffic. Metro and other regional train and bus information may be obtained by going to http://www.rtachicago.com/ - the website for the Chicago Area Regional Transportation Authority.
Electricity
The electrical current in the United States is 120 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to the U.S. with a device that does not accept 120 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Most laptops have an AC/DC adapter built in the cord and a converter is not needed. However, you will need an adapter plug. Click Here for more about electricity in the U.S.
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