The best concierges share their recommended Chicago hotels, Chicago events, and Chicago activities.

What every visitor to Chicago must know before planning a trip to the Windy City!

The latest FREE special report from the Concierge Preferred is for anyone even considering a trip to Chicago.

On the surface, traveling to Chicago is easy. Simply book your travel, show up at the hotel, and you're off!

However, many visitors pass up wonderful opportunities to see the insider's Chicago at discounted rates and valuable add-ons.

How often have you visited a city and felt like you were only scratching the surface of what it truly offers to travelers?

And if you factor in all the costs of your trip, wouldn't you want to get the most from money you're spending?

And, if you have kids along, don't you want to provide them with a truly memorable experience? One that the whole family will remember for a lifetime?

Unfortunately, many visitors never take advantage of Chicago packages that offer travel, lodging, sightseeing, and fun for one low price.

Reality check: Making the most of your upcoming trip to Chicago requires a great deal of forethought and evaluation.

Without the proper guidance, your trip can turn into a time of long lines, closed exhibits, expensive dinners, and more walking and less sightseeing than you bargained for.

Top 10 Chicago Packages for Hotels, Sightseeing, Fun, And More: The Best Concierges share recommended Chicago Hotels, Chicago Events, and Chicago Activities, is based on our 8 years of experience in Chicago together with the valuable insight of more than 700 experienced and dedicated Chicago area concierges.

We call them the "Top 10 Chicago Packages" because they have been culled from a long list of potential Chicago packages that offer truly great experiences at great values.

By taking note of these Chicago packages, you can determine—before investing valuable time and money-if your trip to Chicago is better served by one of these exciting travel packages.

Days Inn Chicago offers a wonderful package for the whole family focused around The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The hotel itself is nestled across the street from beautiful Lincoln Park, just north of downtown Chicago.

The "Kids Nature Package" offers you a room at the Days Inn Chicago (upgraded to an executive room, if available) and a complimentary “family pass” for two adults and two children to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. To start your day off right, this package also includes a deluxe continental breakfast with waffles for each member of your family.

After visiting the Nature Museum, take a stroll around Lincoln Park. The park in which the neighborhood was named for is a 1200-acre park along Chicago’s lakefront stretches from Ardmore Avenue to North Avenue. Lincoln Park has many athletic facilities, including 15 baseball fields, 2 softball fields, 6 basketball courts, 35 tennis courts, 163 volleyball courts, field houses, the Lincoln Park golf course, and the Lincoln Park Athletic Club.

Rates are subject to availability and taxes and gratuities are not included.

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Tower offers a truly memorable getaway with increased discounted rates as you stay more nights. Stay two consecutive nights and you save 10%. Stay three consecutive nights and you save 15%. Stay four consecutive nights and you save 20%!

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers welcomes you to the heart of the city. Overlooking the Chicago River, the hotel puts you within walking distance of business, dining, entertainment and nightlife.

The hotel is located across the street from Grant Park. Grant Park (originally named Lake Park) is a large park (319 acres or 1.29 km²) in the Loop community area of Chicago. The park's most notable features are Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute of Chicago. The hotel is within walking distance to many shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Rates are subject to availability and taxes and gratuities are not included.

Celebrations can be wild and ecstatic or take a turn towards rest and relaxation. Ensuring that guests won’t lack for comfort, Hotel Monaco offers a plush landing spot for Chicago visitors. Stay in the luxe Karen Neuburger Tranquility Suite and enjoy a 50-minute in-room massage, an in-room movie, breakfast in bed and many other luxuries. With average nightly rates starting around $559 per night, the What Women Want Package is true treat for the ladies.

The extravagant Hotel Monaco is nestled in downtown Chicago, at ease amid the bustling streets. The four-star boutique hotel caters to the “road warriors,” traveling for work and the sightseers indulging in the city’s attractions. Steps away from some of the world’s best shopping on Michigan Avenue or amazing outdoor art and events at Millennium Park, it’s situated near the best Chicago has to offer.

Rates are subject to availability and taxes and gratuities are not included.

Chicago is a dynamic and fast-paced metropolis and the downtown Loop’s Hotel Burnham is certainly in the center of all the hustle & bustle, but at the Burnham they recognize the need we all have to just phase down and relax from time to time.

With rates starting at roughly $346 per night, this package is ideal for the business traveler looking to unwind or the pleasure-seeker in need of some rejuvenation after a long day of sightseeing.

Hotel Burnham, a Kimpton Hotel, is situated in a National Historic Landmark building in Chicago's famous Loop–perfectly juxtaposing old world elegance with a chic contemporary sensibility. Surrounded by endless shopping, dining and nightlife options, the Burnham is also located just three blocks from Chicago’s Millennium Park–an outdoor oasis that combines nature with stunning architectural and sculptural feats. The attractions don’t end there. The famous Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute, the theater district and many other highlights are within walking distance of this charming boutique hotel.

Rates are subject to availability and taxes and gratuities are not included.

With all the things to see and do in Chicago it’s hard to fit it all in. With their Windy City Explorer Package the Avenue Hotel provides two guests with complimentary access to several of Chicago’s top attractions.

You could begin your sightseeing extravaganza with a trip to the top of the Sears Tower or the Hancock Observatory, where you can look down upon the majestic city and the blue expanse of Lake Michigan. Watch the whales, dolphins and other creatures of the deep at the Shedd Aquarium, then set your sights up, up and away at the Adler Planetarium.

Learn more about our planet’s natural history and get up close and personal with the T-Rex Sue at The Field Museum, then head over to the Museum of Science & Industry and experience a real-life German Submarine and much more.

Special rates apply when booking additional nights. Call hotel directly for details.

Travel, especially to a city like Chicago, is often all about the shopping. At the Amalifi Hotel, they’ve figured that out and have teamed up with Macy's on State Street to bring their guests some truly fantastic deals.

With rates starting at $176 per night, the Macy’s Shopping Package will provide guests with a $50 Macy’s gift card for each night’s stay, further Macy’s discounts and a welcome gift sent to your room upon arrival. This package is sure to delight any and all shoppers. In addition to shopping till you drop, Amalfi guests receive a complimentary continental breakfast, free wireless internet and a complimentary cocktail hour each evening.

Located in Chicago’s River North District, the Almalfi Hotel is a stylish and contemporary hotel within close proximity to the Loop, the Magnificent Mile and Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

This offer does not apply to rates found on opaque websites such as Priceline.com or rooms sold as part of a travel package.

With its breathtaking skyline, Lake Michigan and all the excitement of the city, it’s undeniable that Chicago is a very romantic destination. With their Romantic Getaway Package, the Embassy Suites Downtown Chicago can really add a romantic oompf to your travel plans.

With rates starting at $279 per night, this package offers a king size bed, valet parking, a $25 gift certificate to Osteria via Stato and complimentary strawberries and chilled sparkling wine upon arrival. The Romantic Getaway Package is a genuine steal for lovebirds looking for an adventure in the city.

With its central location, couples staying at the Embassy Suites can easily venture out into the city to experience other romantic delights. Stroll along the beach, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier or take in a show in the theatre district.

Advance reservations required. Guest must book their reservation separately with Osteria via Stato at 312-642-8450.

With their Bridal Package, the Raffaello Hotel, located just off Michigan Avenue, actually helps put the blush in blushing bride.

With rates starting at roughly $205 per night, the Bridal Package includes a $50 gift certificate from The 900 Shops, which features a Bloomingdale’s and six levels of upscale retail and a certificate from Mario Tricoci for a complimentary makeup consultation and custom blended “Perfect Bride Lip Color.”

Boasting chic appointments and a prime location in Chicago’s Gold Coast, the Raffaello is the perfect respite for any bridal party looking to experience Chicago and celebrate the impending nuptials. As Chicago’s only completely non-smoking four-star boutique hotel, the Raffaello also offers a hot American breakfast buffet, massage treatments, manicures and pedicures by Windy City Massage, luxurious bathrobes and other suburb amenities.

Just steps from the doll-lovers Mecca that is the American Girl Place, the Westin Michigan Avenue knows how to pamper the true American Girl and her favorite doll.

Offering several American Girl-oriented touches, such as ice cream sundaes and a complimentary Kit Kittredge in-room movie, the Westin is the ideal place to stay if you’re looking to treat your own American Girl. With rates starting from $189 per night, it would be downright un-American Girl to pass this offer up.

Located just across from Bloomingdale’s and the upscale shops of Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile, the Westin Michigan Avenue is a shopper’s dream, but also offers a central location for anyone looking to hit Chicago’s top attractions.

Offer subject to availability, black-out dates and changes. Offer is valid for one girl only; additional costs may apply for extra package amenities. Offer is not valid for groups. Offer does not apply to taxes. Advanced reservations required. Other restrictions may apply.

Families come first at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. With their Family Fun Package, children are made to feel especially welcome from the moment they arrive, with services and amenities just for them.

Designed for families with children ages 12 and under, this package offers several free gifts and savings at various Chicago stores and attractions. In addition to toys that the kids are sure to enjoy, families can sip on hot chocolate while taking in a complimentary children’s movie in-room.

With rates starting at $340 per night, families can also take advantage of free admission to a few of Chicago’s top attractions and just soak up the genuine luxury that the Ritz is known for.

Located atop the Water Tower Place in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago is just a short walk to such attractions as the American Girl Store, the Hancock Building and many other family-friendly hot spots.