Organization:
National Electrical Contractors Association
Date:
9/12/2025 - 9/15/2025
Location:
McCormick Place
Chicago has been named the country’s Best Big City for an astonishing nine years in a row. Come experience what a city that’s never done and never outdone feels like.
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There’s nothing quite like summer in Chicago. All season long, you can bask in the sun along our miles of sandy beachfront, dine on the Chicago Riverwalk, kayak beneath our soaring skyline, bike the Lakefront Trail — the list goes on and on.
Music fans should mark their calendars for non-stop summer festivals, including the city’s packed roster of free fests dedicated to jazz, blues, house, and more. And don’t miss more iconic summer happenings, like our beloved neighborhood festivals, the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, art fairs, cultural celebrations, and beyond.
Make the most of your time in Chicago our curated selection of restaurants, things to do, and special event venues.
Dive deeper into Chicago and explore more of the city with these custom-curated itineraries.
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Located in the center of the country, Chicago is an easily accessible destination for visitors from all over the world. Our two international airports offers thousands of daily inbound and outbound flights to more than 240 global destinations.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport The award-winning, environmentally conscious O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the largest and most well-connected airports in the world. It lies just 16 miles from downtown Chicago and is a hub for many major airlines across its four terminals, ensuring a seamless passenger experience.
Chicago Midway International Airport Midway International Airport (MDW) is one of the nation’s premier airports, located just 10 miles from downtown Chicago. Accessible and easy to navigate, Midway boasts a variety of local dining options and a range of recent modernization efforts and upgrades.
Chicago’s walkable streets, miles of bike lanes, and accessible public transit make it easy to navigate and explore the city, no matter how you prefer to travel.
Public transportation The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates Chicago’s eight ‘L’ train lines and more than 100 bus routes.
The elevated train system is a fast and affordable way to travel throughout the city. Trains serve over 140 stations located throughout the city and nearby suburbs. CTA buses travel throughout the city, with stops every few blocks.
Purchase bus and train tickets at each ‘L’ station or on your mobile phone. View CTA bus and train schedules and routes.
Biking and bike share Chicago is home to a robust network of over 500 miles of bike lanes and trails. Divvy, Chicago’s bike share program, offers short-term rentals of pedal bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters.
More ways to get around Hail or e-hail taxis throughout the city, or call a ride with popular ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
The city also offers two seasonal water taxi services: Chicago Water Taxi by Wendella Boats and Shoreline Water Taxi by Shoreline Sightseeing.
Chicago prides itself on being an inclusive place to live, work, and visit. Accessibility is a fundamental part of the city experience, from our international airports to our iconic attractions.
Getting to and around Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports both offer a variety of accommodations to help travelers with disabilities get to and from Chicago safely and comfortably, including accessible parking, restrooms, service animal areas, and special accommodations during security.
All of Chicago’s CTA bus routes utilize accessible buses with features like ramps, lifts, voice announcements, and designated seating.
All CTA train cars are accessible to people with disabilities, with accommodations such as ramps, braille signage, automated voice announcements, and more. A majority of Chicago’s rail stations are accessible, with features and updates being added regularly.
Accessible attractions Chicago’s cultural institutions offer a variety of accessible accommodations, including dedicated sensory-friendly days. Many museums offer assistive listening devices, complimentary wheelchairs, closed captioning, and more.
Many Chicago theatres offer touch tours, audio-described performances, and special technology to help all guests experience the show fully. Many venues host sensory-relaxed performances tailored to guests with autism or other sensitivities.
Made with in Chicago