Washington DC or Chicago for holiday. CANT DECIDE!

[chazha]

Beggin for help!

I have now booked the hotels in both cities in order to fetch a good deal :D But havent got the flight tickets yet. Just cant decide which one should get my vote. Im a young bloke who might be travelling alone, looking for good nightlife, shopping, eating and sightseeing. I think both cities got their splendors to offer in each of their unique way. But where would you go?

Please help..

[crew]

You picked two great American cities and either would be a good choice.
Considering you are young I would give the edge to Chicago. It's bigger than DC and may have more to offer entertainment wise to a younger person.
Washington, on the other hand, has great sight seeing and Georgetown at night has something for everyone.

[blackmsport]

washington is boring

[Rbdport]

I'd choose DC with a train ride to NYC. I lived many years I the Midwest, and traveled every year to Chicago. Chicago is a great Midwest city! But DC with it's museums will give you an overview of America and the availability of a relatively short train ride to NYC.

[jyyanks]

Been to both and live in NYC. Go to Chicago -better restaurants and nightlife in my opinion. Everything in DC closes early and I think its kind of boring, especially if you are younger.

[Zed Homme]

I'd pick Chicago, but bear in mind that Chicago is pretty miserable in the wintertime whereas DC is mild like the UK.

[rosspanics]

Chicago!

[Pep04]

I'm going to Chicago the first weekend of December. So, naturally I voted for Chi town!

[Jack's Uncle]

I agree with the majority of my fellow yanks.

Chicago will have more to offer you than D.C. Better restaurants, night life, entertainment, etc.

Whichever you choose, hope you enjoy your stay in our country.

[smallcandle]

I've lived in the Chicago suburbs when I was younger and have been back to visit several times since moving away. It is a fantastic city with seemingly endless amounts of entertainment and history. In fact, I can't wait to get back again!

[Timber Loftis]

Chicago also cleans up and decorates nicely for the holidays.

[psv]

Like I tell my kids - Only boring people gets bored! ;-)

A) What time of the year are you traveling?

B) What are your interests/hobbies?

I really like Chicago and that area in general, but if I had to pick one city of the two it would be Washington, DC without doubt. Immerse yourself in American culture and history; visit the Mall with the monuments, travel back in time to understand the Declaration of Independence; watch some art at the National Art Museum or Philippe's Collection; never forget history by visiting the Holocaust Museum or Arlington Cemetery. The DC restaurant scene has grown leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.

Here is a little known fact your a young single guy: the DC metro area, because of the presence of Federal government and so many universities have something like 62% women of the population. On top of that very large community of men that are not interested in women, so if you want to meet eligible women...

On top of that, the DC has a bit of southern charm to it. The tempo is not as hectic as NYC. Since no building can be taller than the US Capitol dome there are no high-rises, the city feels open and fresh.

Lastly, the location of DC is great of exploring a bit further if you have time. You can jump on the train at Union Station and be in Philadelphia in less than 2 hours or NYC in 3 1/2 hours. Heck, you can even take one of those super-swanky DC-NYC busses, that will get you to NYC for $25 - including internet connection -- that way you can go for a day or only one night.

Go DC! Go Nats! Go Skins! Go Caps! :-)

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by psv

Like I tell my kids - Only boring people gets bored! ;-)

A) What time of the year are you traveling?

B) What are your interests/hobbies?

I really like Chicago and that area in general, but if I had to pick one city of the two it would be Washington, DC without doubt. Immerse yourself in American culture and history; visit the Mall with the monuments, travel back in time to understand the Declaration of Independence; watch some art at the National Art Museum or Philippe's Collection; never forget history by visiting the Holocaust Museum or Arlington Cemetery. The DC restaurant scene has grown leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.

Here is a little known fact your a young single guy: the DC metro area, because of the presence of Federal government and so many universities have something like 62% women of the population. On top of that very large community of men that are not interested in women, so if you want to meet eligible women...

On top of that, the DC has a bit of southern charm to it. The tempo is not as hectic as NYC. Since no building can be taller than the US Capitol dome there are no high-rises, the city feels open and fresh.

Lastly, the location of DC is great of exploring a bit further if you have time. You can jump on the train at Union Station and be in Philadelphia in less than 2 hours or NYC in 3 1/2 hours. Heck, you can even take one of those super-swanky DC-NYC busses, that will get you to NYC for $25 - including internet connection -- that way you can go for a day or only one night.

Go DC! Go Nats! Go Skins! Go Caps! :-)

I completely agree with Patrick. DC is the place to get to know American history at its fullest. And it's an easy train or bus ride to Philly or NYC.

Don't get me wrong. I love Chicago. I go there once a year for the eating and museums. I also love NYC. OTOH, DC has some excellent dining that can match any city and most of the museums are free (unlike most other cities). Plus there is plenty of nightlife here. You can only go to so many clubs and unless you've lived here for nearly 50 years, you're not going to run out of places to go at night.

[Zed Homme]

Unfortunately, so many people (especially young people) leave DC to be with their families during the week from Xmas to new years and the place feels like a bit of a ghost town because of it. At least that was the case when I lived there. Nightlife will be very slow. However, for that same reason it does make te city a pleasure to explore.

[Cru Jones]

that's a hard one....both are great in their own way. if you want to check out museums and see the monuments, DC is fine....plenty of restaurants and nightlife with a bit more international flair than chicago, given the government. chicago will get you more entertainment, yes, and i'd say the architecture is more interesting, if you're into that sort of thing.

between the two, i'd say chicago is more of a "great american city" and DC, with its layout and vibe, is a touch more european.

if you were going during baseball season (only a couple weeks left), i'd definitely give the edge to chicago, since an afternoon at wrigley field can't be beat. and, since you probably don't know much about the game, the overall terribleness of the cubs won't bother you.

[psv]

Where does it say that he is going for "the Holidays", i.e. Christmas? Personally I would stay away from Chicago in the winter. And I even like winter! :-)

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by psv

Where does it say that he is going for "the Holidays", i.e. Christmas? Personally I would stay away from Chicago in the winter. And I even like winter! :-)

You're right, I misread the thread title. I guess subliminally I added an S. I agree with you on the Chicago winter, I mentioned it in my first post.

OP,when do you plan on coming?

[Mr. Greene]

if you like american history museums go to washington. dont miss the international spy museum

[eric23]

I want to go to Chicago one day!

[gypsy jim]

They are great American cities, you should visit each. Both are excellent in all four of your categories, but I see it this way:

nightlife = Georgetown, D.C.
shopping = Chicago
eating = Chicago
sightseeing = D.C.

[chicfarmer1]

Im a young bloke who might be travelling alone, looking for good nightlife, shopping, eating and sightseeing.

I'd say Chicago for the nightlife, shopping, and dining, but DC for sightseeing--unless you're an architecture buff. If you are, that's Chicago. So on the whole, Chicago has my vote for your particular interests. Even in winter.

BUT it really depends on your interest in history and getting a sense of the US's capitol and its museum treasures. DC is kind of our London, so maybe that needs to be seen before Chicago.

[snowbird]

Chicago is a great city and has lots of fun things to do . . . I used to live there and it's a great place.

As a visitor though I'd personally go to Washington. There's nightlife in Georgetown and enough museums to keep you busy during the day for quite a while.

Some of the attractions may be of interest mainly to Americans (such as the National Museum of American History) but many have broad appeal (such as the International Spy Museum and the Air and Space Museum).

[sea-dweller]

Dc!

[SR/1]

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world. Famous architecture, amazing restaurants, great athletic clubs, a ton of museums/aquariums within walking distance from each other. One of my fondest memories is walking down Michigan ave in the winter with an ex

What hotel did you book there?

[SR/1]

Oh and there are so many great bars and comedy clubs I wouldn't know where to begin. But start in river north or wrigleyville depending on your taste

[psv]

In which city can you see 11 black-out Suburbans blowing down Penn Ave in 60 mph with dudes in baklavas hanging out the trunks with guns ready? Nuff said! :-)

[chazha]

Wow didnt expect so many responses in such a short period of time. You guys are great:)

I will be travelling from 31. Dec to 15 Jan...
Just realised that NYC is nearby Washington after I read some of your posts so I immediately booked into NYC for 6 nights :) then I can figure if I want to travel towards DC or Chicago.

If I going towards DC should I stay in Philadelphia for 2-3 days?? Is it worth visiting?

Believe it or I got a list of trusted sellers on TRF and try to pick up a place where I might be able do a face to face deal with one of the sellers..lol

The votes seems to 50/50 with DCvsChiTown but some of you are warning against the winter in Chicago. Is that really bad.. ? Maybe I should do 6ngts NYC, 3ngts Philly, 5ngts DC..

I like museums, galleries and musicals.. And I would love to learn about American history.
As for the attractions Im pretty much into everything except music/concert unless its Britney Spears. :)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[chazha]

Originally Posted by SR/1

Chicago

What hotel did you book there?

I got Renaissance Chicago Downtown. The location should be ok no??

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by chazha

Wow didnt expect so many responses in such a short period of time. You guys are great:)

I will be travelling from 31. Dec to 15 Jan...
Just realised that NYC is nearby Washington after I read some of your posts so I immediately booked into NYC for 6 nights :) then I can figure if I want to travel towards DC or Chicago.

If I going towards DC should I stay in Philadelphia for 2-3 days?? Is it worth visiting?

Believe it or I got a list of trusted sellers on TRF and try to pick up a place where I might be able do a face to face deal with one of the sellers..lol

The votes seems to 50/50 with DCvsChiTown but some of you are warning against the winter in Chicago. Is that really bad.. ? Maybe I should do 6ngts NYC, 3ngts Philly, 5ngts DC..

I like museums, galleries and musicals.. And I would love to learn about American history.
As for the attractions Im pretty much into everything except music/concert unless its Britney Spears. :)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Philly is good for about a day. Consider an overnight in Philly; spend a day and a half there and then head for DC toward evening. If you come to DC, try to stay in the downtown area (west of Capitol Hill), no further west than Georgetown, and no further north than about R Street. You'll find good transportation in this area and its pretty safe to walk around.

If you come to DC, let us know when you'll be here and we'll try to arrange a GTG.

[SR/1]

Originally Posted by chazha

I got Renaissance Chicago Downtown. The location should be ok no??

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Nice hotel and good location.

And yes, Chicago winters are brutal but don't let that be a deterrent (the summers suck too). If I were to suggest the top 3 cities in the US to visit, they would be NYC, Chicago, and LA in that order (Vegas is 4th ). I can't imagine many people would disagree. Might as well try to knock out all 3 in one trip..ORD to LAX is only $100-150 each way