Most people know what to do when visiting a new city. Put some money away for shopping? Check. Stock up on snacks for the road trip or flight? Check. Maybe even take out some travel insurance that’s valid in the US if you’re coming from overseas. Check. But you don’t often get advice on what not to do. Knowing what to avoid in a new city can often be just as important, and typically goes together with fulfilling your to-do list in the most effective way.
Everyone from students visiting Chicago from abroad to tourists coming to the Windy City from all over the world should check out this crucial list of what NOT to do for a safer and stress-reduced experience.
1. Drive
If you’re the kind of person that gets frustrated in 5:00 traffic jams, you’ll want to try avoiding driving completely in Chi-town. Being that Chicago is such a densely populated city, there’s a good chance you’ll be stuck in a traffic jam at virtually any time of the day. And good luck moving more than an inch a minute during post-work traffic hours. Do yourself a favor and research Chicago’s awesome public transportation system instead, so you can get around the city without the road rage.
2. Stop in the Middle of a Busy Sidewalk
If you want to pin a big, invisible sign on yourself that says “I’M A TOURIST,” then go ahead: stop in the middle of the sidewalk to re-examine your map or take another picture. Tourists in Chicago do this kind of stuff all the time, and it’s easy to see why it gives them such a bad reputation. Chicago is made up of busy professionals who need to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, and tourists can often slow down this process. If you absolutely have to stop, give natives the courtesy of stepping into a coffee shop to gather your bearings before heading out again.
3. Dress Light
It’s called the Windy City for a reason; and that flouncy skirt you plan on wearing downtown doesn’t stand a chance. Sure, some days are windier than others, but generally you want to play on the safe side by wearing comfortable, well-fitted and protective clothing. Always keep a windbreaker handy for blustery days and avoid loose-fitting clothing to prevent a revealing fashion faux pas.
4. Wander
On top of being one of the busiest cities in the world, Chicago is also one of the most expansive. In an active city like this, anything can happen. To put your mind at ease and protect yourself, don’t wander around without some sort of plan – and a map. And don’t just rely on mapping services found on your smartphone. If your phone gets lost or stolen, or the battery dies, you’ll want to make sure you have a hard copy of a map you can refer to.
Chicago can seem to be a huge, busy and confusing city even for the locals, so don’t feel bad if it takes you a little while to figure everything out! These four tips will be helpful in avoiding the worst tourist offenses, so Chicagoans will be more likely to forgive minor missteps along the way.
