CHICAGO'S WORST TOURIST TRAPS // What NOT to do in CHICAGO - Travel Tips from a Local (4K Vlog)

With travel picking up again and the tourism industry set to bounce back in a major way in 2022, I'll be your personal insider guide to Chicago, sharing my best travel tips & tricks, best restaurants, things to do, and what NOT to do for the best experiences.

In a regular year, more than 50 million people visit Chicago, Illinois - some for business and others for vacation.

In this video we'll talk about some of Chicago's worst tourist traps (the Donts of Visiting Chicago), plus what to avoid in order to have a more authentic travel experience.

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My name is Luis Gusto, I am a filmmaker and YouTuber living in New York City.



Traveling to Chicago in 2021? Keep it locked to my channel for the best neighborhood guides, things to do, and restaurants in Chicago. I'll help you avoid the overrated tourist attractions / tourist traps and instead give you local insider travel tips so you can get the most out of your Chicago travel experience.

#chicagotravelguide #downtownchicago #chicagovlog #gustofilms

[LisaF]

You know you from Chicago when you still call the Willis Tower the Sears Tower. It will always and forever be the Sears Tower.

[lastdonuts]

the boat tours are legit, I expected it to be boring but it was actually interesting and our guide was pretty hype

[everglowyoorim]

i like doing all the tourist traps as a chicagoan because i feel like a tourist. i need to do the mcdonalds university lol

[luissantiago]

When I moved to Chicago, I did my utmost to study and learn about its history. After that, you're compelled to go the very places mentioned in the books, and eventually the tourist stops. And while I no longer live in the city(30 years). I pride myself on really getting to appreciate what Chicago had to offer. Despite its current problems and headaches, the city is still impressive and beautiful.

[rkid]

Every new visitor to the city needs to watch this!! Nice food for thought. Spot on about the chain restaurant bit.

[lizsimmons]

For a better high-rise experience, go to the bar on the 95th floor at the Hancock building. Have a drink and an appetizer. Be sure to visit the restoom, it's an epic view.

[C.Q_Wilkenson]

It grinds my gears to biblical proportions that Millennium Park gets all the buzz and Grant Park gets no love, it's large, gorgeous with large planes of grass, trees, statues, and of course, Buckingham fountain.

[antdaweirdo]

By the way, i suggest doing the 360 chicago tilt experience in contrast to the skydeck as the views are better and the tilt is way more thrilling then the box. Its also the same price as the regular skydeck experience to add tilt.
I also suggest flying into midway with southwest(almost anywhere) or delta (Only from atlanta) if possible and not o'hare because the train ride is WAY shorter and midway is a tad bit more convenient and closer.
Navy pier can get really annoying with the bugs and the long walks, and the only other fun thing is the ferris wheel which is busy all the time with rigid hours.
Dont be like my mom was when we last visited and be open to riding the train/bus to make trips faster. I also suggest during the summer getting unlimited passes for the duration of your stay so you dont have to worry with tickets.
And finally, avoid the flashy bikes with the music as they can cost upwards of $30 for just a 10 minute ride that is less then a mile. Its a total rip off.

[thomashensal]

I love the fact that he call it the Sears Tower instead of what you talking bout Willis Tower

[kaylakascht]

As someone who has lived in Chicago for 5 years, I truly cannot imagine only going to downtown to "see the city" when there are so many cool places and things going on in other neighborhoods!

side note: I do love getting deep dish even when family isn't in town

[OhMeganGee]

Your last tip is key!! I can't tell you how many visitors I've known that get a hotel downtown and never leave. Then they complain that there's nothing to do, especially at night! You just have to leave the downtown bubble for the fun! Great video!

[OprahsDaughter]

I agree with you!

love that you called it the Sears Tower.
Deep dish pizza makes ya stomach hurt but it’s good if you’d like.
Mag mile & water tower looks cool. That’s it.
Navy Pier is where I got engaged. I love it, but you can honestly walk the pier without paying a price.
Just walk the pier. It’s a beautiful view.

[Solo-Road]

I've lived in Chicago for 15 years and I still like to go to Millennium Park.

[VictorMartinez-jeqv]

I did the Architecture Boat tours. Highly recommend those instead of the Tour Busses. Chicago was design for walking. Furthermore, I took the city bus system. The Bus Drivers were supper nice and helpful. You can use your regular debit/credit card and get a seat. No need for special cards. So many shops it takes most of the day to really get most shops done. Love Chicago

[maxhocks]

As a lifetime Chicago resident I go to nay pier for 3 things. Free fireworks on the weekends, boat tours and cruises, and free music in the beer garden. It’s a lot of fun in the summer, but it’s definitely a big tourist attraction.

[RegularFinnishPerson]

What a nice vibe to your video, not thrashing any of these "tourist traps", but just sharing your own, honest opinion. Keep up the good work man!

[cassiemartin]

My boyfriend and I are traveling by train to Chicago for a week from Louisiana at the end of the month. I've watched so many of your videos the last couple of months and I cannot tell you how grateful I am and a bit more familiar I feel after these wholesome bits of info! First really big city besides Dallas, TX. Thank you so kindly!

[BuildinWings]

The Loop is for daytime touristy stuff, neighborhoods are for nighttime real-life culture. Whatever kinda experience you want in Chicago, there's a neighborhood for it that's busy every night of the week.

[ChristinaBradway]

I’m a west sider. I suggest people who visit to grab a Ventra card, throw $15 on it, and ride the #8 Halsted bus up and down. You’ll get tons of neighborhoods, restaurants, street fests (depending on season), and shopping. If you get bored or have more time, transfer to the #56 Milwaukee bus and ride it on the diagonal. Those two bus lines will offer a great “local” experience.

[siddrajankicks]

As a Chicagoan that moved out 6 years ago, after growing up between Pilsen/WickerPark/NorthShore, THANK YOU for this