Life In Chicago

Must-See Sights Heading link

The Windy City is full of architectural beauty, historical jazz music, and endless museums.

The Willis (Sears) Tower
The Willis (Sears) Tower
This iconic, 110-story skyscraper boasts an adrenaline rush like you’ve never felt. Trek to the 103rd floor to experience “The Ledge,” a glass balcony extending four feet out over the cityscape.
Art institute of chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
With its entrance guarded by two impressive lion statues, what lies inside is definitely worth guarding. Discover 300,000 pieces of ancient and contemporary artwork in one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile
Boutiques, stores, and eateries are scattered through this famous area on Michigan Ave., ideal for a pleasant city walk and views of the Chicago River.
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center
This is one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. Originally opened in 1987, it is the nation's first free municipal cultural center and home to two stunning stained-glass domes. Admission is free.

Top Chicago Attractions Heading link

With it’s gleaming buildings reaching the sky and crisp air, the options to eat, explore, and discover in Chicago are endless.

People observing from 360 observation deck

360 Observation Deck

Located in the building formerly known as the John Hancock on the 94th floor and made entirely of glass, experience heart-stopping views of Chicago’s skyline and four neighboring states.

Cloud Gate

Millennium Park

Across the street lies a 25-acre oasis, perfect for a stroll or catching a fun concert in the warmer months. Cloud Gate, the sculpture otherwise known as The Bean, marks the center of the park ans serves as a destination hot spot for tourists around the world.

Travel and Transportation Heading link

The largest city in the Midwest has multiple options to move about easily and comfortably.

Transportation

UIC is served by both CTA buses and trains, with the “L” train Blue Line (UIC-Halsted and Racine stops) and the Pink Line (Polk stop), connecting the campus with downtown Chicago, O’Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport, the historic neighborhoods of Chicago, and the western suburbs.

The CTA Ventra U-PASS is available to eligible students during enrolled terms and provides unlimited use of CTA trains and buses during the semester. Distribution for new students is conducted in the Student Services Building.

O'hare Airport

Two major airports serve the Chicago area: O’Hare International Airport (ORD), one of the largest airports in the world, and Midway International Airport (MDW). O’Hare is located northwest of Chicago, and Midway is located on the South Side of the city. There are several ways to reach campus from either airport. You may opt to take a taxi especially Uber or Lyft because those two are the most popular ride-booking services in United States, bus or train (also known as the “L”), GO Airport Express, or rental car.

Trains

Metra is the commuter rail agency serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry counties in the Chicago area. It is the sister agency to the CTA, which provides mass-transit rail (the “L”) and bus service to Chicago and some suburbs, and Pace, which provides bus service primarily in the suburbs.

Buses

GO Airport Express provides shared ride services to all downtown/suburban hotels and many businesses.

Greyhound is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation serving more than 3,800 destinations across North America. The Chicago Greyhound station is on Harrison Street, just two blocks east of the campus.

Mega buses are the safe, affordable, and cost convenient which just costs one dollar in few of the routes.