As you go about planning an amazing trip to Chicago, the main things on your mind are likely booking airfare or another way to travel and accommodations. After that, you’ll begin thinking about what to do at the destination. To get the most out of your upcoming adventure, check out these tips for your first day of the trip.
Are you planning a Chicago Trip? Check out these tips to start your vacation right! There’s so much to do and see in Chicago!
Explore without Worrying about Your Luggage
Whether you’ve arrived before the hotel check-in or want to start exploring the new city right away, lugging around suitcases is going to be a real pain on the first day. To avoid that hassle, use a trusted service like luggage storage Chicago to keep the suitcases safe while you begin to walk around. Now that your hands are free, you can look at what you want, when you want, and as much as you want to do so. With locations throughout the city and in other locations, there is sure to be one close by when you need it.
Now you can go on public transportation without worrying about keeping your eyes on your bags at all times. Plus, it gets heavy carrying them after a while, and having sore arms tomorrow is not a good thing. Perhaps you head to one of the most popular destinations, the Art Institute of Chicago.
Get Your Bearings in the New Place
Finding your way in a new city can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of new sights and sounds. You might not know what types of ways to travel there are, such as bus and taxi, or how to go about getting to them. To help you with this, which makes the first day (and the days to follow) easier, do your homework before even leaving for vacation.
While still back at home, go online to find out what transportation is available, beginning from the airport, if you will go by plane. For example, is the first destination you want to go to upon arrival within walking distance of the airport or do you have to take a taxi, bus, or other means of transportation? If you’re planning on the bus, what is the route to take, and how often does the bus leave the airport?
Check Out Reviews of Local Eateries
Where’s a good place to eat around here? That’s what you might be asking yourself upon arrival, especially if you didn’t like the airplane food. Looking at reviews on your phone or laptop of where locally is good to eat, based on the number of stars received, is a good idea. It can help you know over the next few days where to dine for some great meals. It’s nice not to have to cook while on vacation!
You might choose a snack or meal from a must-try spot. It could be a Chicago-style pizza or an Italian beef sandwich. Good eats are ahead. There’s a reason this city is so well-known for its delicious food. You can also check out the SafeHouse Restaurant – it’s a fun experience and a great meal!
Plan on taking a Chicago Food Tour! This was my favorite thing we did when we visited Chicago!
Grab a Drink to Celebrate the Arrival
A glass of wine or a cocktail sounds like a great way to kick off the trip! Of course, do not overdo it, and be responsible. As your surroundings are new to you, only have minimal alcohol, so you avoid risky scenarios. Don’t let your travel companion out of your sight and ask them to do the same; together, you two are looking out for one another.
The point here is not to be drinking in excess but instead to toast with your travel buddy to make it to your destination and begin to enjoy yourself away from home. Also, be sure to drink lots of water so that you stay hydrated. After all, the last thing you want is a headache the next day, which would make the second day a lot less fun.
Don’t Overdo It
While you are excited to be at the destination, be careful not to do too much on that first day. That’s especially true if you traveled a long distance to get there and are in another time zone, as jet lag can be exhausting.
Instead of trying to do everything the first day, the better approach so that you have energy on the second day in the new city is to choose one fun thing to do rather than two, three, or four things. Limiting yourself will be something you appreciate when you have lots of energy on that second day. As for what that one fun thing is, it’s up to you and your travel companion!
About the First Day
The first day of the trip is so important because it sets the tone for the rest of the time away. A great beginning can make for an amazing travel experience, whether you are in Chicago for a few days, a week, or longer. Meanwhile, a rocky start can have the opposite effect.
Given how much you’ve been looking forward to this vacation, you definitely want to have a great first day. Ideally, it is the happy and exciting initial moments you’ve been thinking about for a while now. You deserve this much-needed break from work and stress, so starting it off on a sour note isn’t what you want at all. Having this time to enjoy yourself is something you’ve been really looking forward to, and now it’s finally here!
Now that you know why the first day matters so much, let’s get to the tips for making it the best one possible!
Conclusion: Making the Most of the Start of Your Trip
The first day is usually a partial day as you have to spend time traveling to get to the place you want to go. So, the next day is usually the first full one, and it’s a time to get this getaway going full-force!
Based on what you’re learning on this getaway, now you know ways to start the next ones off on the right foot, too. The tips you gain can benefit the many vacations to come. Help make a seamless vacation a reality by having an amazing first day.