About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
April 30th, 2008 by susan j

Springtime in Chicago photo uploaded by
Spring is the perfect time to visit Chicago. The city is reawakening after the winter, and some of Chicago’s most popular attractions are reopening for business. Here are some our picks:
What’s your favorite springtime activity in Chicago? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
April 14th, 2008 by susan j
If you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, then you should be sure to pack a good map so you can find your way around the city. We’ve put together a map that includes all of the attractions that are part of the Go Chicago Card so you can get the most out of your vacation. and start planning your trip to the Windy City!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
March 31st, 2008 by susan j

Chicago Botanic Gardens photo uploaded by
Running May 3-10 in Chicago, the 2008 promises fun for the entire family. This week long family arts festival covers five different Chicago neighborhoods and features live performances to inspire and entertain kids of all ages. The roster of performers includes Mirah and Spectratone International performing “Share This Place” (a multimedia video performance with live music), Lelavision (performing in English & Spanish), Teatro di Piazza D’Occasione (presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Botanic Garden, picture above).
The highlight of the festival will the world premiere of José Cruz González’s new play, The Blue House, which is about a 13 year old girl discovering the secrets of Chicago’s history. The performance opens on April 5 and runs through May 3. While in Chicago, you might also take the kids to Chicago Children’s Museum, Brookfield Zoo, and Navy Pier.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
March 26th, 2008 by susan j

Wine photo uploaded by
Chicago wine lovers are in for a treat when Wine Enthusiast’s breezes into the Windy City on Thursday, May 1. For one night only, Chicago’s Field Museum hosts a spectacular evening of wine and entertainment. The tasting is being touted as “America’s premier wine tasting event” and will feature selections from several of Chicago’s top restaurants. Guests will be able to sample over 500 wines, spirits, and signature dishes. Cheers!
For more on wining and dining in Chicago, check out these posts:
Brunch in Chicago
New Restaurant Openings in Chicago
Chicago Restaurant Week
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
March 21st, 2008 by susan j

Chicago CTA photo uploaded by
Matt B over at The Chicago Traveler clued us into a : senior citizens with a Reduced Fare Card can ride Chicago’s CTA, Meta, and Pace systems for free. This is good news for travelers over the age of 65!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
January 22nd, 2008 by susan j
Fountain at the Art Institute of Chicago Photo uploaded by
We’ve already blogged about Free Days at Shedd Aquarium. Well, more good news for budget travelers headed to Chicago, because the Art Institute of Chicago has instituted free admission on Thursday evenings thanks to a donation by Target. Free admission starts at 5 pm and runs until 8 pm, but it will undoubtedly be crowded, so you’ll want to arrive on the early end to avoid lines. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
January 8th, 2008 by susan j

Aquarium photo uploaded by
A favorite among families visiting Chicago, the recently announced their 2008 schedule of free days. There are 52 of them and here they are:
January discount week (Jan. 12-18)
January, Mondays and Tuesdays (Jan. 21, 22, 28, 29)
February, Mondays and Tuesdays (Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, 26)
February discount week (Feb. 18-22)
June discount week (June 15-20)
September, Mondays and Tuesdays (Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30)
October discount week (Oct. 6-9)
October, Mondays and Tuesdays (Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28)
November, Mondays and Tuesdays (Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25)
Check out the for more information.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
January 2nd, 2008 by susan j

Museum of Science and Industry photo uploaded by
If you’re visiting Chicago the week of January 9, you should note that the Museum of Science and Industry will be closed on Wednesday, January 9 to Friday, January 11 in preparation for their 75 anniversary celebration. However, the Museum will be offering free admission for the remainder of the month (January 12 through January 31), so you’ll definitely want to check it out if you’re in Chi-Town! .
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
December 25th, 2007 by susan j

Christmas tree ornament photo uploaded by
If you’re visiting Chicago this week, then check out these blog posts:
Chicago’s Top 5 Attractions at Christmas
Happy holidays from all of us at Go Chicago Card!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
December 18th, 2007 by susan j

Photo uploaded by
If you’re doing some last minute holiday shopping in Chicago this week, then you might want to take advantage of the Fanni May Free Chocolate Ferry. Now through Sunday, December 23, weekend passengers on the passengers will get a free ride, complimentary chocolate samples, plus a coupon for a free cup of Fannie May Hot Chocolate. Shopping AND free chocolate? Now that’s a reason to celebrate this holiday season!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.