A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Chicago for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit The Hague or Chicago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a bustling, diverse, and global city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and nightlife.

Chicago

Chicago is a diverse, vibrant, and multicultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music.

The Hague and Chicago: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Chicago?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chicago than The Hague. Chicago is bigger than The Hague, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chicago is more touristy than The Hague and is popular for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. Also, Chicago is famous for The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower). The Hague is well known for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy.

How is The Hague different from Chicago?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chicago and The Hague. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Chicago from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Theater?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for theatre. However, The Hague is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in Chicago is world-class. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.

The Hague is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in The Hague or Chicago? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Chicago has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Nightlife?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Chicago has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.

The people in The Hague know how to have a good time. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Music?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for live music. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its live music scene.

Chicago is known as a music capital around the world. The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.

The Hague has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Beaches?

Chicago is very good for its beaches. However, The Hague is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Chicago to enjoy the beach. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.

The Hague is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chicago. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

The Hague is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Christmas?

Chicago is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, The Hague does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Chicago is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There's a number of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, and excellent shopping.

The Hague does not offer Christmas activities.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Christmas Markets?

Chicago is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, The Hague does not offer Christmas markets.

Chicago offers some nice Christmas markets. Shopping is a highlight of a trip to the city, and the Christkindlmarkt is not to be missed.

The Hague does not offer Christmas markets.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Families?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Chicago is one of the most popular family destinations. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in The Hague. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Couples?

Both The Hague and Chicago are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

The Hague is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Chicago makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

The Hague and Chicago are both notable destinations for backpackers.

The Hague is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

It's common for backpackers to visit Chicago. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Students?

Both The Hague and Chicago are fantastic destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Chicago is a great destination for students. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.

Is The Hague or Chicago Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Chicago is top-notch. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.

The Hague has some very good public transit options. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Is The Hague or Chicago a more walkable city?

Chicago is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Chicago is very walkable. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

For even more information, also check out Is The Hague Worth Visiting? and Is Chicago Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chicago or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Chicago?

In either The Hague or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chicago than The Hague because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for The Hague, and 3-5 days is enough time in Chicago.

Families should spend more time in Chicago than The Hague. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chicago, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chicago than The Hague. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chicago that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chicago than The Hague if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chicago.

One day in The Hague or Chicago?

Because The Hague is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Chicago. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Chicago?

Because The Hague is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that The Hague has to offer.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the cosmopolitan big city of Chicago. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Chicago?

The Hague is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the edgey city of Chicago. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in The Hague or Chicago?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hague. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting The Hague. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Chicago is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between The Hague and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is The Hague much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since The Hague is in Europe and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to The Hague would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in The Hague and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in The Hague.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is The Hague Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of The Hague. When comparing the sizes of The Hague and Chicago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit The Hague or Chicago?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit The Hague or Chicago in the Summer?

Both Chicago and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

In July, The Hague is generally much colder than Chicago. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 17°C (62°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in The Hague. In the summer, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Chicago. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.

Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. The Hague usually gets less rain in July than Chicago. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Chicago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Chicago. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The Hague is cooler than Chicago in the autumn. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives more rain than Chicago. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit The Hague or Chicago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Chicago. Many travelers come to The Hague for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in The Hague. In the winter, The Hague is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in The Hague in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Chicago averages at about 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Chicago. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in January than Chicago. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Chicago in the Spring?

Both Chicago and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to The Hague in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, The Hague is generally cooler than Chicago. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 8°C (46°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Chicago. The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In April, The Hague usually receives less rain than Chicago. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chicago and The Hague