No matter you are newcomers to Chicago or just short-term visitors, there are always some "Need to Know"facts about the city. Of course, you can check Wiki, Yahoo Travel or something alike. However, bet you will wear a bored look on your face when learning that dull statistics on Chicago, about its rich history, average temperatures, extensive public transportation, cityscape and something alike. All right, forget those boring stuff.

Well, since Chicago is such a fabulous and ideal city for vacationers, whether we can learn some skinny about it and make everything much interesting and welcoming? The answer is, of course, yes!

• About Chicago Weather

Sitting right in continental climate zone, Chicago is seriously hot in summer, upwards of 90°F or so, and bitterly cold in winter, around 23°F. Hot as it is, summer is actually the wettest season for Chicago, particularly in August. Thus, if you visit the city in mid summer, you will be fairly grateful for any air-conditioned spots, like museums, centers or malls. Be sure to drink a lot of water!

By the way, if you are not in the mood of walking or running in the pouring rain, remember to bring an umbrella with you whenever you are out for fun, for summer Chicago receives thunderstorms or rainfalls frequently.

Winter Chicago seems not to be kinda enjoyable for outdoor activities, for it is windy, cold and snowy on typical winter days. But if you are a skating or snow boarding addict, a visit to Chicago in winter is pretty fabulous!

Spring and fall are the best time for the city, when the weather was moderate, crisp and mild. Each year, starting from late summer to early fall, Chicago will play the host to a variety of live performances, festivals, music series and others, making your boots scoot almost every day. Besides, as the chance of precipitation is relatively lower, spring and fall witness the nicest time throughout the year for tourists in Chicago. Be sure to check the forecast every time before you hang out in Chicago.

• About Transportation

When talking about Chicago transportation, we really need to give it a thumb up! As one of the major transportation hubs in the US, Chicago also serves as the world's third largest inter-modal port, just behind Hong Kong and Singapore.

Currently, there are 9 interstate highways running through Chicago, with the Kennedy Expressway and Dan Ryan Expressway as the two busiest ones. Airport transportation leans on Midway International Airport and O' Hare International Airport, which is the third busiest airport worldwide.

Pubic transportation for daily commuters around the city is offered by CTA (Chicago Transit Authority), Metra (11 lines radiating throughout Chicago), and Greyhound Lines (inter-city bus service to and from Chicago). Moreover, Chicago offers a wealth of bicycle transportation facilities to ensure the convenience of bicyclers.

As you see, making your way in Chicago is unexpectedly easy for Chicagoans and visitors. You can take advantage of pubic bus, train, taxi cab, "water taxi"or even just walking. According to a study of 2011 by Walk Score, Chicago is ranked the fourth most walkable largest cities in the nation. So, taking a leisure walk along popular downtown streets also sounds fascinating! Find out further details about Chicago transportation.