HI-Chicago 
Chicago 
HI-USA 
Hostelling brings the world to Chicago!
Located in the center of downtown Chicago and in the heart of Chicago's thriving education district. HI-Chicago is very close to Lake Michigan and within walking distance of Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Our neighborhood is safe, fun and easy to get to from anywhere in Chicago. Activities from the hostel include free walking tours and excursions throughout the city. You will also receive discounts to many of Chicago's best attractions, including Chicago Architecture Foundation, Bobby's Bike Hike, Sears Tower and Hancock Observatory. The hostel has capacity for 500 guests and facilities include internet access, laundry and friendly staff to help you explore Chicago! We are open to serve you 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The BEST place to stay in Chicago! Best location in downtown Chicago |
The FUN is on in Chicago! Take advantage of all this great city has to offer, starting with a stay at Hostelling International Chicago! |
 Add to your adventure with HI-Chicago! We cater to Girl Scout Troops who stay at our hostel with a spirit of adventure, interaction and discovery. |
 Groups of 10 or more receive a special group rate. Our Group Sales Manager, Emily Piga, is ready to help you plan your stay at the hostel. |
Upcoming Events:
For the freshest information on summer fun, follow us on twitter @HostelChicago and also check out www.explorechicago.org // Twitter: @explorechicago
The weather might be getting cooler, but there are still tons of things to do in Chicago in the fall! Here are our picks:
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Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th. Ceremony honoring those who have served in times of peace as well as in war. Event starts at 11 a.m. at Soldier Field, Gate O (1410 S. Museum-Campus Drive). Admission is free.
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Beginning on November 18th: Ice Skating at Millennium Park! Come out and skate for free under some of Chicago's most impressive skyscrapers. This outdoor skating rink is open daily through March 11, 2012. Skate rentals are available for $10. Tip: Afterwards have lunch or dinner at the Park Grill located behind the rink.
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On November 19th, don't miss the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade! Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival includes numerous fun activities for the entire family all day long, such as choir and theater performances, ice sculpting demonstrations, and live entertainment along the parade route. The festival starts at 11 a.m. and goes to 7 p.m. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m.
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American Indian Center of Chicago's 58th annual Pow-Wow: November 19th and 20th. The Midwest's largest and most colorful gathering of Native American culture, singers and dancers from all across the nation. Over 40 authentic arts and crafts vendors and Native foods. From 11:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 19th and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20th. Located in the Grand Ballroom at the East end of the Navy Pier.
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From November 23rd until December 24th, you can check out Christkindlmarket! The Christkindlmarket is Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival and includes European arts and crafts, as well as brats, spiced wine and other German specialties. The only downside to this year's market will be the city's Christmas tree. Due to budget cuts, the tree will be considerably smaller this year. Normally, the tree is comprised of several large Christmas trees. This year, it will just be one tree, at least that is what I have heard. The Christkindlmarket is open daily through December 24, 2011 at Chicago's Daley Plaza.
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On Thanksgiving Day, check out the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade! This annual favorite that attracts almost a half a million spectators and starts off on State Street at 8:30 a.m. and includes marching bands, holiday-themed floats, and gigantic inflatable helium balloons. The route is State Street from Congress to Randolph. Can't make it out to the parade? No problem. WGN Channel 9 will broadcast the parade.
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Don't feel like shopping til you drop on Black Friday? Head over to Lincoln Park for ZooLights! Each year the Lincoln Park Zoo decorates its grounds and trees with mult-colored lights and animal figures. ZooLights is free and is sponsored by ComEd. Activities include ice carving demonstrations, a Holiday Express Train, and more. ZooLights runs through January 1, 2012. Admission is free.
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If you're feeling festive after Thanksgiving and like to sing, don't miss Sing-a-long Sound of Music at the Music Box Theatre on Southport Avenue. If you love Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, then you won't want to miss this sing-a-long to subtitles. The movie's biggest fans usually get there early and in costume no less. Advanced tickets are $12.50 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The price goes up when purchasing at the door: $15 for adults; 49 for kids.
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HI-Chicago's next Travelixir is upon us! Stay tuned for details on the "Holidays Around the World" edition of your favorite travel party!
Stay up-to-date with our social media:
HI-Chicago Blog: HILights of Chicago
Check out the HI-Chicago blog for features on local events, hostel activities, travel trends, volunteer & traveler interviews, and more! Submissions are made by staff, volunteers, and interns and the diverse content will keep you coming back for more!
HI-Chicago Events Calendar: Click Here
HI-Chicago has volunteer-led events at least once a day! Chicagoans take you to blues and jazz clubs, free concerts, tours of downtown architecture, pub crawls, and more. See what's happening during your stay.
Follow us before and during your stay to see what's happening on a daily basis!
"Like" us on facebook and get all of our blog and photo updates. Write on our wall and let us know how your stay was!
Check out our great ammenities:
Free Breakfast!
All guests receive free breakfast from 7:30am to 9:30am in the large dining area. The breakfast buffet includes bagels, muffins, cereal, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. Travelers at HI-Chicago can begin their Chicago adventure with a good breakfast and a great opportunity to meet other hostellers and swap suggestions for the day ahead.
FREE WiFi!
Do you travel with a WiFi enabled laptop, pda, phone or other gadget? The entire common area on the 2nd floor of the hostel has free internet access through WiFi. Coverage extends through the lobby, library, meeting rooms and dining area. If you don't have your own computer, the hostel has internet kiosks for you to use for $6/hour.
See what sets us apart:
Best Large Hostel in the 
World 3 Years!
Thank you to our travelers that rated HI-Chicago as the Best Large Hostel Worldwide for 2006, 2007, and now 2009 on hostelworld.com. This award is based on ratings by over 600,000 travelers from around the globe.
The Break Away Alternative
Break Away and Hostelling International USA are strong partners in providing you excellent inexpensive accommodations and resources to connect your group to service. Many of our hostels have provided a place for Break Away to host their Alternative Break Citizenship Schools.
Hostels provide a great, low-priced accommodation for your group while volunteering in communities throughout the country. Please contact our Groups department for more information.
And you can get involved!
Volunteer at HI-Chicago! Volunteers are essential to the vitality and unique Chicago character of the hostel. Fill out a Get Involved here to start volunteering, or e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Smith for more information.