As the larges city in the state of Illinois, Chicago receives millions of domestic and overseas visitors each year, which greatly contributes to the city's economy. The famed architecture, upscale shopping malls, thousands of award-winning restaurants, and diversified events are the good reasons for drawing more tourists. If you have missed the opportunity to explore Chicago in summer days, well, never mind! The upcoming month is actually the best time to pay a visit to this Windy City!

With September coming near, Chicago will welcome the most wonderful time of a year, when the days are filled with bright sunshine, the temperatures are moderate, and the humidity is comfortable. In normal September, the average high temperature is 76°F and the low is 57°F, ideal for a multitude of outdoor activities and city sightseeing.

After the wettest month of July, September receives less precipitation and most of the month is sunny or cloudy. For instance, throughout the entire September in 2010, there was no rainfall and everyday was sunny. Of course it doesn't mean this year's September must be that fine, but the chance of a thunderstorm is remarkably lower than summer months.

To win your dream Chicago vacation during the extended summer, be sure to keep updated with the latest weather conditions and forecast, after all, the weather in Chicago is "reputed" to be variable. A walk in the pouring rain might be not on your itinerary! Click here to conveniently find hourly weather forecast for Chicago. And don't forget to bring a light sweater or jacket, for the nights usually get a bit on the chilly side.

With the crowds fading away at top-name attractions and students back to school, Chicago in September is less crowed. Fun-savvy visitors are encouraged to take advantage of a variety of tours, learning about the city's history, culture, hidden facts and people! Leisure walking tours, neighborhood tours, or self-guided audio tours, traveling by trolley, bus, boat or bike, everything depends on you! Throughout the tours, besides the major attractions and cityscape, visitors can also take an up-close look at the shopping, gardening, and everything that the locals well keep as secrets.

Here is a brief intro to two featured tour options: Chicago Neighborhood Tours and Chicago Greeter. To get further info about audio tours or plan your own tours, please click here.

Chicago Neighborhood Tours: Explore Chicago's wealth array of communities in every neighborhood! There are over 20 different tours, focusing on the city's historical neighborhoods. All the tours are provided with a guide, by motorcoach and by foot. Participants check in at 9:30am behind the Randolph Cafe at Chicago Cultural Center. All tours are $30 per adult and $25 per child, senior or student, and each tour lasts around 4.5 hours.

Chicago Greeter: FREE guided walking tours with a friendly and knowledgeable Chicago local as your guide! This tour service is offered by Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, and supported by over 200 enthusiastic volunteers. These Greeters love to share you their passion and knowledge about a neighborhood or special local gems. Visitors can choose from over 25 neighborhoods and 40 notable local interests. All the Greeter tours depart from Chicago Cultural Center's Visitor Information Center and each tour is approximately 2 to 4 hours, on foot or by public transportation. Please take the particular note that you have to make reservation at least 7 business days in advance of your visit!