Once Illinois joined the Union in 1818, it was not long before the town was prospering, with further growth driven by the arrival of the railroads and the immigration boom, as well as an industrial boom due to the Civil War. Cicero was also famous as the headquarters of The Hawthorne Works, which produced telephone equipment from 1905 to 1983. The facility was so large that it contained its own private railroad to move materials through the plant to the freight depot. Other employees got around by bicycle.
At its peak, over 45,000 employees worked at The Hawthorne Works. The site closed in the 1980s and was converted to a shopping center. One of the site's iconic towers still stands at 22nd Street and Cicero Avenue. To learn more about this history of the company and its impact, visit The Hawthorne Works Museum at Morton College, which is in Cicero. Some years later, Cicero gained notoriety as the home of notorious gangster Al Capone.
The city boasts a diverse and family-oriented community. In addition to its traditional Czech and Bohemian population, Cicero's diverse population now also encompasses Latin American, Hispanic, an African American community, and the student body of Morton College. The city is undergoing a commercial and real estate revival. Explore the streets of Cicero and you will find burgeoning retail corridors, new condo developments, and a lively energy and tight-knit community.
Cicero offers numerous transit links to get you into Chicago or the surrounding region, including the Metra BNSF Railway Line, which connects Aurora and Union Station in Chicago. The CTA Pink Link line also connects Cicero to The Loop in downtown Chicago. There are also numerous bus routes throughout the township.
Wherever you need to go in Chicago or on business in Cicero, this convenient town is easy to get around, and you're bound to have fun along the way.
When should you visit Cicero, IL?
Cicero, like neighboring Chicago, tends to experience cloudy skies year-round. Summers can be warm, wet, and humid, averaging in the low 90s. Winters are windy and often freezing, dipping regularly into the 20s. Visit from June to September to enjoy the best weather Cicero can offer.
Cicero loves to party. The township hosts community events throughout the year, from Chinese New Year, Easter in the Park, and Cinco de Mayo, to American Fest in June, and observances for Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Park. If you're in town, you can also celebrate Presidents Day, Lithuanian Independence Day, Puerto Rican Day, and the annual Christmas Posada and Three Wise Kings Celebration in the New Year.
Additionally, every summer Cicero hosts the Summer in the Park event series every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at Community Park, the Municipal Courtyard, and the town Community Center. Games and activities abound, from animal rides to hot air balloon rides, bounce houses, and more.
With so many fun and free activities happening all year long, Cicero makes an ideal family-friendly destination near Chicago.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Cicero, IL:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average nightly cost trends by star rating class in Cicero, IL. Analyze these charts to calculate the best dates to book a room in Cicero during the year.
What are the best hotels in Cicero for luxury lovers?
4 Star Average Prices: $171.53
Chicago Marriott Midway garners rave guest reviews for its comprehensive and luxurious amenities, like its 24-hour fitness facilities and indoor pool. This airport hotel offers plenty of on-site conveniences too, like a bar and lounge, two restaurants, room service, and a concierge. The Chicago Marriott Midway also offers business-friendly amenities like express check-in and check-out, plus 5701 square feet of event space. If you're traveling to or from the airport or train service, you can schedule roundtrip shuttle service through the hotel, free of charge.
What are the budget hotels in Cicero?
3 Star Average Prices: $142.31
The affordable Best Western Inn & Suites Midway is located close to the Chicago Midway airport and the University of Illinois Chicago. Each tidy guest room is equipped with a fridge, microwave, and desk, as well as a flat-screen television with cable programming. Log on to the complimentary wireless internet as you please, or visit the fitness center if you'd like to blow off workday stress. Visit the hotel lobby in the winter to warm up at the fireplace or grab a snack from the vending machine. Before heading out, be sure to snag some free breakfast.
2 Star Average Prices: $94.91
What are the discount hotels in Cicero?
Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Chicago Midway Airport offers excellent discounts for military and government service members. Not only will you be close to the Chicago Midway Airport, but you can also visit the Coaches Bar on site, which offers excellent drinks and bar food favorites. Between the 24-hour fitness center, the complimentary breakfast buffet, and the free wireless internet, this hotel offers a great value. Plus, a free airport shuttle will get you to the airport in minutes.
AAA members will find discounts off a luxurious stay at Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UIC. This hotel will put you within just a few miles of key Chicago sites like the Willis Tower, Millennium Park, and the University of Chicago. While you're there, be sure to take advantage of the many amenities which include smart televisions, fitness center, concierge services, and room service.
What are the best value hotels in Cicero?
If you'd like to stay right in the historic district of Oak Park, the Carleton of Oak Park is the luxurious yet affordable value hotel for you. The charming, historic property is lovingly maintained, well-decorated, and immaculately clean. Guests love the variety of room options, from single to double bed layouts to spacious suites. You can also walk to local restaurants, dining, and the bus and train stations to Chicago.
The accommodations feature upscale window treatments, premium bedding, and individual decorator details like poster beds. The spacious property also offers conference space, a business center, two restaurants, and two bars to entertain business associates or event guests.
What are the top things to do near Cicero, IL?
Cicero's proximity to Chicago means you can find entertainment right in the township or hop on a bus or train and enjoy a day in the Windy City.
If you like to gamble or enjoy the thrill of a good horse race, you can spend a day at the Hawthorne Racecourse, right across the street from Cicero Community Park. If you book reserved seating at the club level, you can enjoy waiter service for drinks and food. Check the schedule, and you might even catch an unusual event like an exotic animal race, featuring ostriches, zebras, and more.
In the summer, locals head to Manor Park to cool off at the community pool. The complex includes a large pool ringed with lounge chairs, a baby pool, and a shaded shelter area that is ideal for snack breaks and picnics. The park also offers updated playground equipment.
The manicured plantings of the Oak Park Conservatory botanical gardens are also populated by a few exotic birds. Visit this refreshing oasis and offer a welcome respite from the suburbs and city. Admission is free, but donations are suggested. If you crave shade and some quiet time, a trip to Thatcher Woods is in order. This 245-acre stretch of floodplain woodland offers shady canopies and pleasant walks any time of year, as well as a pavilion for special events and weddings.
You can even be in Chicago but feel worlds away at Columbus Park, a 135-acre park on the city's west side. This gem of a park was designed by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen, and you can find all things to do here, from swimming in a public pool to playing the 9-hole golf course. In the summer, the park screens free films. For sporting outside the summer season, head to Chicago's Piotrowski Park to do some laps in the year-round domed pool.
Columbus Park is also worth the short trip into Chicago. From two small waterfalls to a nice stone trail, playground, and swimming pool, this is a beautiful park with gorgeous scenic vistas. If you're planning a special event, like a family reunion, gala, or wedding, the Columbus Park Refectory is the gorgeous place worth booking near Cicero.
Foodies can taste their way through Cicero at local favorites like Freddy's pizzeria. Come early if you want to taste their famed deep-dish Chicago style pizza. There's usually a line out the door. Visit Taqueria Aguascalientes, a cozy little restaurant known for its gorditas and traditional Mexican fare. After lunch, do some shopping on West Armitage Avenue or head to Hawthorne Park right in Cicero, which features a nice green space, economical rental hall for special events, and a playground.
Whether you plan to spend time in Chicago and just need a convenient place to stay, are visiting family and friends, or have business in Cicero, you'll be surprised and delighted by all this township has to offer.
FAQs about hotels in Cicero