For a city that was only incorporated in 1837, Chicago has grown from its roots as a key shipping port to become one of the world’s financial, commercial, and industrial hubs. A world-class city with amenities to match, Chicago welcomed over 50 million tourists in 2014 alone. In addition to the mainstream attractions, Chicago is home to one of the largest and most thriving LGBT communities in the country. There are so many things to see and do in the Windy City; let me tell you about some of them.
HOW TO GET THERE
Chicago is home to two of the world’s largest airports: Midway International Airport, located on the city’s southwest side, eight miles from The Loop; and O’Hare International Airport, in northwest Chicago, 17 miles from The Loop. Southwest Airlines offers daily flights between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa and Midway. American, Frontier, Spirit and United Airlines all offer direct flights between Miami, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers and O’Hare. All flights are competitively priced and routinely cost less than $200 one-way.
WHERE TO STAY
City Suites Hotel is right in the middle of the action in the Boystown neighborhood. All rooms are designed in the Art Deco style and feature mini-fridges, minibars, and separate living areas apart from the bedroom. This cute boutique hotel also offers a fitness center, coffee and tea service, and group rates for local events such as Chicago Pride! (933 W. Belmont Ave., 773-404-3000)
River Hotel is an option that will satisfy anyone who wants to be in downtown; it is just a one-minute walk to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. Go to the concierge and ask him what you should see while exploring downtown. When you return, enjoy free unlimited bottled water compliments of the hotel, and plan your next move on one of their iPads, free for hotel guests to use. (75 E. Wacker Dr., 312-777-0990)
WHERE TO PLAY
A few yearly events that may interest you as a traveler include:
- International Mr. Leather, presented every May (imrl.com);
- Chicago Pride, held during the third week of June (chicagopride.gopride.com);
- Northalsted Market Days, a massive street festival held every August in the North Halsted neighborhood (northalsted.com);
- the AIDS Walk Chicago, coming up on September 26 (aidschicago.org);
- and the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, which just wrapped up its 33rd successful year this past week (September 17-24; reelingfilmfestival.org).
Some of the bars and nightclubs located in Boystown include 3160 (3160 N. Clark St.), a 
Some more bars in Boystown you should visit include Lucky Horseshoe Lounge (3169 N. 
Bars and nightclubs in Andersonville include Atmosphere Bar (5355 N. Clark St.), well-known for their drag shows and “stripper bingo” nights; Big Chicks (5024 N. Sheridan Rd.), a bar and restaurant combo that is popular with the men of Andersonville (despite its name); The Granville Anvil (1137 W. Granville Ave.), the oldest currently-operating gay bar in Chicago, cozy and comfortable; Jackhammer (6406 N. Clark St.), a fun nightclub complex, where RuPaul’s girls like Gia Gunn and Monica Beverly Hillz perform; Man’s Country (5017 N. Clark St.), the neighborhood gay bathhouse and sauna; Marty’s Martini Bar (1511 W. Balmoral Ave.); a local favorite that gives back to non-profits and charities on a regular basis; Mary’s Attic (5400 N. Clark St.), where you go for drinking, dancing and karaoke after your meal at the fabulous Hamburger Mary’s (located in the same building); Parlour on Clark (6341 N. Clark St.), catering to live local music acts and the people who love them; The Call (1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.), a bar that mixes it up with drag shows, DJs, and showtunes, depending on the day of the week; and The Sofo Tap (4923 N. Clark St.), a welcoming venue that caters to many groups, most notably 
Then, in downtown Chicago, the main nightlife venues are The Baton Show Lounge (436 N. Clark St.), a bar you must go to if you love drag (portions of the Continental yearly pageant are held here); Downtown Bar and Lounge (440 N. State St.), a bar and lounge featuring hot beats from DJs Moose and Freddie Bain; and the Second Story Bar (157 E. Ohio St., second floor); a small bar with a lot of heart that serves many who work and play in the downtown area.
WHERE TO GO
Many LGBT travelers may want to start their exploring in Boystown and North Halsted. If so, be sure to stop by the Center on Halsted, which is the largest LGBT community center in the Midwest. They’ll be able to tell you more about this exciting city. This neighborhood is known for its theatre scene: be sure to see a show at the Strawdog Theatre Company, About Face Theatre, The Playground Theater, and the Briar Street Theater. Afterwards, indulge your sweet tooth at Windy City Sweets, one of the largest independent candy stores in the city. If your travels take you to Andersonville, visit the Swedish American Museum and then enjoy all the culinary options available along Clark Street’s “restaurant strip.”
Downtown Chicago is made up of a number of neighborhoods, such as The Loop, South Loop, Chinatown, River North and the Gold Coast. You can’t visit Chicago without admiring the skyscrapers: a walk along the Chicago River is positively dizzying. Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center, both over 1,000 feet high, are two of the tallest buildings in the city, and both offer observation decks with unique views of the metro area (these observation decks are called 
Afterwards, take a walk down Michigan Avenue and visit the Magnificent Mile, featuring some of the best luxury shopping in North America. The Navy Pier, located on Lake Michigan, celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, and is in the process of going green. Watch the ships leave the Pier, walk around Polk Brothers Park, and enjoy such attractions as the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
If you’re looking to explore some museums, Chicago has quite a few of them, ranging from the Chicago Cultural Center to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Chicago History Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry. The Clarke House Museum is Chicago’s oldest house, still preserved in in 1840s style and decor.
Read more about Chicago, including an LGBT visitor’s guide, by going to the Choose Chicago tourism website at choosechicago.com.
