Windy City Welcomes Sports Fans

If sports are your thing, then Chicago is the place you want to be. Come see why (and where) they take their sports seriously.

The United Center opened in 1994 and is the permanent home to the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. The United Center holds over 200 events every year and has hosted over twenty million guests since its opening. You'll always find someone having their picture taken with the Michael Jordan statue that has become one of Chicago's favorite tourist attractions. The Bulls won six NBA championship trophies, and is the only team with the distinction of winning the championship three years in a row, twice. This is a must-see when coming to Chicago.

While at the United Center, all hockey fans must check out the sculpture that depicts the different eras in Blackhawk history. This sculpture is fittingly located on Madison Street where the Chicago Stadium once stood. There are 46 permanent concession stands providing the traditional fare of hamburgers, hotdogs, and nachos as well as a variety of sandwiches, pizza and other treats. There are also 4 restaurants onsite. The Locker Room offers Mediterranean and American cuisine as you enjoy a behind the scenes look at the players walking to and from the locker rooms. Fandemonium, the official team store where you can find Bulls and Blackhawk merchandise, is only open on game days.

Come see the new Soldier Field, home of "da Bears," with seating for 61,500 and 133 suites on four levels. You will have a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Soldier Field is the centerpiece of Chicago's $606 million Lakefront Improvement Plan and includes 17 acres of grassy parkland open year round to the public. Don't forget your jacket because the temperature this close to the lake is always 10-15 degrees cooler than further inland.

If baseball is your passion, you will not want to miss the site and feel of history at Wrigley Field. Wrigley is the second oldest ballpark in the majors and home to the Cubs for 89 years. Imagine Babe Ruth pointing to the bleachers where he sent his home run rocketing, Ernie Banks 500th career home run, and Sammy Sosa's 60th home runs in 1998, 1999, and 2001. So much has happened here that you can't come to Chicago without stepping into this park and becoming a part of it, even if only vicariously.

Are you flying in? The Best Western at O'Hare in Rosemont, IL is just a mile from the airport. The Chicago Wolves, or the DePaul Blue Demons at the Allstate Arena is within walking distance and you are next door to a par 3, 9-hole golf course. The Best Western Chicago Southwest will put you just minutes from Chicago attractions. The Swissotel, rated one of the best 500 hotels in the world and one of the best six in the state of Illinois, will provide you with an above standard experience and is just three blocks from Lake Michigan's shoreline.

If you're a lifetime fan of one of these fine teams or just love sports period, Chicago is the place to get your fill of sports, sports, sports!