Chicago Travel Agent Specialist

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Laurie Walter, Travel Agent in Baltimore, MD

Laurie Walter

Baltimore, MD Travel Agent
Super Agent

Laurie Walter

Baltimore, MD · 25+ Years of Experience

Designing Travel, an independent agent with Travel Leaders Davis, CA
5.0
(15)
100% Recommended
Laurie planned an incredible family vacation at an all-inclusive resort for us. She took the time to understand exactly what our family needed—relaxation, kid-friendly activities, great... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Chicago, Illinois, Skokie, Northbrook, Naperville

Interests:

Arts & Culture, Culinary & Foodie, Architecture, Museums, Shopping

Suppliers:

InterContinental Hotels Group, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons, Leading Hotels of The World, Millennium Hotels

About Me

Chicago Skyline
Chicago Skyline

Chicago sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and blends world-class culture with bold Midwestern energy. Renowned for its iconic skyline and architectural innovation, the city offers museum-caliber institutions (Art Institute, Field Museum), a lively theater scene, and legendary music venues for jazz and blues. Food lovers flock for everything from deep-dish pizza and classic Chicago hot dogs to cutting-edge fine dining in the West Loop. Outdoors, the Lakefront Trail, beaches, and expansive parks provide scenic escapes, while architecture river cruises and rooftop views showcase the city’s dramatic skyline. With diverse neighborhoods—each with its own character, arts, and dining—easy transit, two major airports, and year-round events, Chicago is a dynamic urban destination for culture seekers, foodies, families, and weekend explorers.

Top Neighborhoods

The Loop: downtown business center, Millennium Park, Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Art Institute.

River North & Gold Coast: nightlife, galleries, upscale dining, Magnificent Mile shopping

.West Loop & Fulton Market: trendy restaurants, food halls, nightlife.

Lincoln Park & Lakeview: residential charm, zoo, theaters, lake shore parks.

Wicker Park / Bucktown: indie shops, coffeehouses, nightlife.

Pilsen & Logan Square: strong arts, murals, and diverse dining scenes.

Hyde Park: University of Chicago, museums, intellectual vibe, cultural diversity. Easy to navigate with dense urban core and walkable neighborhoods

Must-see attractions Millennium Park & Cloud Gate Art

Institute of Chicago Willis Tower Skydeck or 360 CHICAGO (John Hancock Observatory) Chicago River architecture cruise

Navy Pier and Centennial Wheel

Museum Campus: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium

Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lakefront

Trail Chicago Cultural Center and neighborhoods’ local galleries

Food & nightlife

Deep-dish pizza (Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, Pequod’s) and thin-crust/tavern-style pizza

Diverse dining: world cuisines, acclaimed fine dining (Alinea area), farm-to-table in West Loop

Iconic eats: Italian beef, Chicago hot dog (no ketchup), pierogi and Polish food in specific neighborhoods

Live music: jazz and blues clubs (Green Mill, Kingston Mines), large concert venues

Outdoors & recreation Lakefront Trail for walking, biking, and skyline views

Beaches along Lake Michigan (Oak Street, North Avenue)

Millennium Park concerts and public art

Kayaking on the Chicago River or boating on the lake

Getting around:

CTA trains (“L” lines) and buses cover most of the city; reliable and affordable.

Walkable downtown; bike-share (Divvy) and ride shares widely available.

Major airports: O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW).

Chicago is known for striking architecture, world-class museums, vibrant food and music scenes, and rich cultural diversity. Easy to navigate with dense urban core and walkable neighborhoods. Also within driving distance to several vacation destinations in the Great Lakes Region. If you are looking for a city escape let’s make your plans now to experience Chicago.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
15 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 15 reviews

Mexico-Family All-Inclusive
Reviewed By Rosebud - Johnstown, PA | Traveled to Mexico
Laurie planned an incredible family vacation at an all-inclusive resort for us. She took the time to understand exactly what our family needed—relaxation, kid-friendly activities, great dining, and zero stress. She chose the perfect resort and arranged transportation making sure everything was ready for our arrival. Her level of care and responsiveness is outstanding. It is a memorable family experience to be cherished forever by all. We are so grateful for Laurie's planning and expertise and highly recommend her to anyone looking to plan a worry-free getaway.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Caribbean Cruise
Reviewed By MrT - Maryland | Traveled to Caribbean
Laurie couldn't have done a more thorough job planning our first cruise. She answers all our questions and is very responsive. Laurie listened to our preferences and got it all right. We felt organized, stress-free and that this cruise was personalized just for us. Met every need thanks to Laurie's expertise. Will recommend to all our family and friends!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Family Travel
Reviewed By Patton Family - Pennsylvania | Traveled to USA
Laurie has been planning our family's vacations and getaways for several years. She is always on the ball with suggested destinations and itineraries that meet everyone's needs. Laurie pays attention to details and provides us updates so we always feel we know what's happening and when on all our trips. Highly recommend!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Niagara Falls June 2018
Reviewed By Lulu - Baltimore, MD | Traveled to Niagara Falls | Ontario | Canada
My husband and decided on a last minute road trip to Niagara Falls for our anniversary. We asked Laurie for and itinerary for a 4 day trip. She designed the perfect plan leaving Baltimore and stopping about halfway in upstate NY for the night. We got into Niagara Falls, Canadian side, early afternoon the next day where Laurie booked us a hotel with spectacular views of the falls from our room. We even saw the fireworks display that night. Laurie had secured us tickets for a few excursions while there an even planned our return so we had time to stop in Pennsylvania and to visit relatives. Her planning was right on. We got to see the falls and then some without feeling rushed. Definitely will call Laurie again and highly recommend her services.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great Smoky Mountains
Reviewed By Jeannie - Annapolis, MD | Traveled to Tennessee | USA
Laurie organized a special family trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She helped us choose the perfect cabin location—peaceful, scenic, and still close enough to hiking trails, towns, and attractions. We especially appreciated the recommendations for easy-to-moderate hikes, which allowed everyone in our group to enjoy the outdoors without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. She planned both outdoor adventure and downtime gave us structure but still left plenty of flexibility to explore at our own pace. We enjoyed breathtaking mountain views, waterfall hikes, and peaceful drives through the park, along with cozy evenings back at our cabin. This was a memorable getaway for us as this park has special meaning to our family. We would highly recommend both the destination and the Laurie's services for anyone looking to experience the Smoky Mountains without the stress of planning everything on their own.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
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