Booking the right hire car

If you want to travel primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area, it is advisable to go for a smaller vehicle so that you can take advantage of tight parking spaces. If, on the other hand, you want to go to the surrounding countryside, a large and comfortable car is advisable, with which you can enjoy the trips on the well-developed highways without any worries.

Insuring the car properly

In Chicago’s turbulent city traffic, it’s easy to get into an accident with an unfamiliar hire car. Protect yourself and go for a hire car with comprehensive insurance without deductible. With liability insurance, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.

Because if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, the costs often explode. With a traveller policy, you have the option of providing further protection if your rental company’s cover is too low. Talk to your insurance company and don’t forget to mention that the trip is to the US.

Accessories

Also in Chicago, you must always order accessories such as navigation equipment separately from your rental company. Be sure to make a reservation in good time. Only then can you be sure that the desired items are also available on the day of the rental.

Tank control

With most rental companies in Chicago, you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank of gas. Since this is a fair and transparent solution, make sure your rental company does the same.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are very satisfied with the hire car companies in Chicago. However, some complain about longer waiting times. Especially when returning the car, you should allow enough time not to miss the plane home.

Even though most hire cars in Chicago are in good condition, you should still inspect your car carefully when you pick it up and have any damage such as dents or scratches noted in writing in a defect report. This is the only way to ensure you won’t be held liable for damage caused by one of your previous renters when you return the car.

Sights in Chicago

Willis Tower: Fantastic view
At the Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, the city stroll could begin. The gigantic skyscraper is still (August 2013) the second tallest building in the United States with a height of 442 meters. It was built from 1970 to 1974, when the structure could even claim the superlative of being the tallest building in the world.

An elevator catapults you to the 412-meter-high “Skydeck” visitor platform in 45 seconds. From here you have a fantastic view of the city and surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can look up to 80 kilometres away and see four different states at once.

Chicago Cultural Center: Journey to Venice
You can experience a completely different form of impressive architecture if you now visit the Chicago Cultural Center. Here, some of the rooms were modeled after the Doge’s Palace in Venice and the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. At the Chicago Cultural Center you can experience changing exhibitions but also concerts with free admission.

Field Museum of Natural History: impressive natural history museum
Next stop on your city stroll could be the Field Museum of Natural History. This huge natural history museum was founded back in 1893. It covers an area of about 85,000 square meters and is one of the largest museums in the world. The exhibition is correspondingly extensive.

More than 22 million objects can be viewed. The spectrum ranges from biological topics such as the development of life or the world of mammals to geology, such as “Meteorites and the Cosmos” or paleontology to ethnology with topics such as Africa or “The First Americans”. Tickets are available for $30. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shedd Aquarium: Into Neptune’s Realm
Follow that up with a chance to take an underwater journey when you visit the Shedd Aquarium. Beluga whales, white-striped dolphins and sharks swim in huge tanks. The aquarium is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. During the summer months and on weekends, the opening time is extended by one hour. Tickets are available starting at eight dollars. But if you want to experience all the attractions, such as the dolphin show or the 4D cinema, you’ll have to pay $37.95.

Chinatown: pure Asia
A visit to Chinatown is a nice end to a first city tour. Here you can stock up on Asian knick-knacks in numerous small shops and then enjoy dim sum in a Chinese restaurant, for example.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Chicago either. A perfect choice is the Trump Hotel Chicago. You will stay in a gigantic skyscraper. The rooms are at least 55 square meters and offer every comfort. And also otherwise the hotel does not miss any luxury. From a luxurious spa to a gourmet restaurant, everything is on offer.

Suggestion of a trip by hire car

Galena: Enchanting Town
A trip by hire car could begin in Galena. From Chicago, you can reach the place in about 3 hours. A charming old town awaits you in Galena whose streets are lined with 19th century homes. At the Old Market House, built in 1845, you can learn a lot about the history of the town. If you want to take trips into the gorgeous nature around the town, you can then direct your steps to Fever River Outfitters to rent a canoe, a bike or even snowshoes.

Springfield: In Lincoln’s Footsteps
Continue your tour to Springfield, which you’ll reach in four hours. In the capital of the state of Illinois. Since the former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer here from 1837 to 1861, there are numerous sights in Springfield that commemorate the politician.

Perhaps start your stroll at the Lincoln Home and Visitor Center and see the house where Lincoln lived before the White House in Washington became his residence, Presidential memorabilia can be admired when you visit the Lincoln Presidentials Library & Museum afterwards. Exhibits range from Lincoln’s briefcase to his shaving mirror. A visit to Lincoln’s grave is a fitting end to your sightseeing tour.

You’ll find it at Oak Rdge Cementry, which is just north of the city center. After strolling through Springfield, you’ll save yourself the long drive to Chicago, which would cost you another three-plus hours. Spend the night at the Inn at 835, a historic home with stylish rooms and warm service. And before you retire, you’ll have time to consider where to go next with your hire car.