It's the grandaddy of modern music festivals and it's still going strong. Book your trip to Chicago from Aug. 1-4 for this year's Lollapalooza.
Headline acts include The Strokes, Childish Gambino and Ariana Grande, but over 170 acts from all over the world will play the festival's eight stages. Offstage look for plenty of food and drinks, merch and kid-friendly offerings, along with space for visual arts.
The festival plays out in Grant Park, nestled in the Windy City's Loop overlooking Lake Michigan and convenient to the city's vast cultural and culinary offerings.
Fortunately, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between New Orleans and Chicago on travel site Skyscanner.
Here’s a list of flights, hotels, restaurants and local attractions in Chicago to round out your trip. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Flight deals to Chicago
The cheapest flights between New Orleans and Chicago are if you leave on Aug. 1 and return from Illinois on Aug. 8. Spirit Airlines currently has tickets for $169, roundtrip.
If you fly out of New Orleans on Aug. 1 and return from Chicago on Aug. 5, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $172 roundtrip.
Top Chicago accommodations
To plan your stay, here are two of Chicago’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.
The Palmer House a Hilton House (17 E. Monroe St.)
First up is the 4.5-star rated The Palmer House a Hilton House.
The hotel is a lively destination within walking distance of the best attractions the city of Chicago has to offer, like Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lake Michigan, the Art Institute of Chicago, the theater district and the Magnificent Mile.
TheWit — A DoubleTree by Hilton (201 N. State St.)
Another option is TheWit — A DoubleTree by Hilton. The 4.8-star hotel has rooms for $249/night. Recreational amenities include a health club and a fitness facility.
"With its modern rooms, great views and rooftop bar, theWit is a great place for a Chicago weekend stay or even for a night out. The rates are very reasonable for its location and totally worth it," wrote visitor Sara.
Featured Chicago food and drink
If you're looking to snag a bite at one of Chicago's many quality eateries, here are a few popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated.
Portillo's (100 W. Ontario St.)
One of Chicago's most popular restaurants is Portillo's, which has an average of 4.4 stars out of 106 reviews on Skyscanner. Portillo's first "Dog House" opened in 1963 and this Chicago classic has never looked back.
"A must-have if you are coming to visit Chicago," wrote Joseph. "Portillo's is a cornerstone in tourist eateries for good Italian beef and Chicago-style dogs."
Giordano's (730 N. Rush St.)
Another popular dining destination is Giordano's, with 4.3 stars from 114 reviews.
Visitor Ulan wrote, "Got cheese curds this time, which were yummy! Minestrone soup was chock-full of veggies and tasty. Pizza, as always, was crisp on the crust and ooey-gooey inside."
The Signature Room at the 95th (875 N. Michigan Ave.)
Also worth considering is The Signature Room at the 95th atop the John Hancock Center.
The high-end restaurant offers diners a 360-degree skyline view, with floor-to-ceiling windows. There's a lunch buffet Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly with seafood, steaks and chops.
"I love this place for the food and the awesome views of Chicago," wrote reviewer geminitraveller. "The classy and cozy ambience is perfect for a romantic date. Expensive place but worth the spend for the unforgettable experience."
What to see and do in Chicago
Not sure what to do in Chicago, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.
Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.)
First up is Millennium Park.
It is the most famous section of Grant Park and is home to most of the park’s highlights, including the Cloud Gate sculpture, nicknamed The Bean. The park is considered one of the largest green roofs in the world, as it was built on top of parking garages and a railroad yard.
"Love, love, love Millennium Park in all seasons," wrote visitor Marcia. "My child enjoys going there for movies, dancing events — really every reason a child could have a blast. It’s worth going to check out."
The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.)
Then, there's The Art Institute of Chicago, an art museum in Grant Park.
It is most famous for its impressionist and post-impressionist collections. Some of the more notable works include Monet’s "Haystacks," Toulouse-Lautrec’s "Moulin Rouge" and Edward Hopper’s "Nighthawks."
"Free family play area and thinking lounge off the Modern wing," wrote visitor Ulani. "Simple, quiet indoor space for all ages to relax after shopping or visiting the park. Kids can take part in free workshops, draw, build, read, create a unique journey map for a self-guided museum tour."
Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker Drive)
Finally, consider checking out Willis Tower.
The skyscraper, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is actually nine buildings bundled together — an engineering strategy to help the 110-story structure resist Chicago’s infamous winds. When it finished construction in 1974, it was the world’s tallest building at 1,451 feet. It remains among the tallest in the United States, with a public observation deck featuring glass floors for a straight-down view.
"We waited in line to step out onto the glass floor, which was pretty cool," wrote visitor Yvonne. "Great views of the city, and on a clear day you can see out across Lake Michigan."
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.