Things to do in Chicago, IL

There's nothing satirical about the nickname "Windy City." I've practically seen small dogs take flight. The weather has this habit of changing dramatically as it pleases. Catch the El at South Loop's underground Roosevelt platform during a flurry storm only to find yourself stepping off into a foot of snow at Sheridan. At the onrush of impulsive weather, what better to do than race to the window? Witness the dark outline of neighbors as they push aside curtains to do the same. Many an umbrella have been defeated by nefarious gale-force winds. However fierce, winter's below-zero wind chill doesn't soften the determined Chicagoan spirit.

Chicago is a born and raised sports town. Watch a Cubs fan turn green defending his team. If you aren't for the Cubs you root for the Sox. Regardless of team loyalty, locals agree that Wrigleyville is sports bar central. French doors open to pour an overflowing house of fans onto the blocks of N Clark. Team flags proudly grace the Michigan Avenue Bridge during playoff seasons. Pass by the Art Institute on game day Saturdays to see life-size lion sculptures sporting blue and orange Bears helmets.

The city is characterized by an incredible diversity of...  

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There's nothing satirical about the nickname "Windy City." I've practically seen small dogs take flight. The weather has this habit of changing dramatically as it pleases. Catch the El at South Loop's underground Roosevelt platform during a flurry storm only to find yourself stepping off into a foot of snow at Sheridan. At the onrush of impulsive weather, what better to do than race to the window? Witness the dark outline of neighbors as they push aside curtains to do the same. Many an umbrella have been defeated by nefarious gale-force winds. However fierce, winter's below-zero wind chill doesn't soften the determined Chicagoan spirit.

Chicago is a born and raised sports town. Watch a Cubs fan turn green defending his team. If you aren't for the Cubs you root for the Sox. Regardless of team loyalty, locals agree that Wrigleyville is sports bar central. French doors open to pour an overflowing house of fans onto the blocks of N Clark. Team flags proudly grace the Michigan Avenue Bridge during playoff seasons. Pass by the Art Institute on game day Saturdays to see life-size lion sculptures sporting blue and orange Bears helmets.

The city is characterized by an incredible diversity of cultures and lifestyles. Each neighborhood has an identity, a contradiction in nightlife, attractions, dining and ambiance. Officially, more than 180 neighborhoods are distinguished, from historic college areas to gentrified hotspots. The West Loop smells like chocolate. Simply walk south of Wacker Drive and let the wind carry the factory's rich scent. The handful of blocks bordering Ukrainian Village have, in recent years, become the epicenter of up-and-coming urban real estate. Constant renovation of old-style apartment buildings has branded the area "East Village."

Dirty politics in the Windy City is certainly not unheard of. Like clockwork, during Midterm Elections the scandalous flyers emerge. Dozens of papers scatter the street proclaiming Mr. Candidate an erroneous misanthrope. Pass by a light-post demanding to know "WHO IS THIS GUY?" in bold red. Election slander at it's finest. Chicago is home to bare-knuckle political campaigns. Eliminating party rivals? No problem. Later on down the road, return for a favor. We've seen the evidence in print. Former Governor this... former Senator that... Chicago has its fair share of ex-politicians behind bars. It's an old fashioned city, self-interested for good reason.

Chicago's world-famous skyline reflects powerhouse names in architecture like Ludwig Mies van de Rohe and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Architecture itself is the city's biggest attraction. The tour business thrives on showcasing these award-winning designs. You can walk, kayak, sail and even fly through the sites. Structural creativity reaches more than just eye-catching views. Stationed in the West Loop is a dog park with amenities that rival amusement parks. Fido plays amongst artificial canine grass and oversized dog bowls with continuously streaming water. Upon entrance cool off in a cloud of mist courtesy of the stainless steal gateway. 

First city to use the word "jazz." First planetarium in the Western World. First atomic reaction. First steel-framed skyscraper. First elevated train system. First commercial air flight. The Second City of Comedy has experienced its fair share of firsts over the years. Indeed, the Windy City has a style and pace all its own. Little wonder that the Chairman of the Board christened it, "My kind of town!"

In the 1670s, Marquette and Joliet discovered a route connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. The link relied on the Chicago River and allowed the French to expand their American empire. The area later fell under the auspices of the British and, by 1795, those of the United States. Over the next century, the tiny settlement grew into the country's main east and west portal.

Between the year of its incorporation (1833) and the year of the Great Fire (1871), Chicago ballooned from 300 to 300,000 people. From the ashes of the fire, a New Chicago arose, shaking off its pioneer planks. Indeed, artists and architects converged on post-fire Chicago, creating a phalanx of modern design and sweeping decorative elements.

The city also emerged as a leading cultural and educational center. Today, the...  Read more »

First city to use the word "jazz." First planetarium in the Western World. First atomic reaction. First steel-framed skyscraper. First elevated train system. First commercial air flight. The Second City of Comedy has experienced its fair share of firsts over the years. Indeed, the Windy City has a style and pace all its own. Little wonder that the Chairman of the Board christened it, "My kind of town!"

In the 1670s, Marquette and Joliet discovered a route connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. The link relied on the Chicago River and allowed the French to expand their American empire. The area later fell under the auspices of the British and, by 1795, those of the United States. Over the next century, the tiny settlement grew into the country's main east and west portal.

Between the year of its incorporation (1833) and the year of the Great Fire (1871), Chicago ballooned from 300 to 300,000 people. From the ashes of the fire, a New Chicago arose, shaking off its pioneer planks. Indeed, artists and architects converged on post-fire Chicago, creating a phalanx of modern design and sweeping decorative elements.

The city also emerged as a leading cultural and educational center. Today, the University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, DePaul University, and Northwestern University combine with smaller schools to create a modern-day Alexandria, and iconic institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and Oriental Theatre don't merely bring culture to the city — they share Chicago's own brand with the world.

Chicagoans know how to play as well as to enrich, and even first-time tourists recognize the city's symbiotic relationship with the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox. Plus, Historic Navy Pier and Brookfield Zoo provide great places to spend the day with kids. Meanwhile, Lake Shore Park, Lincoln Park, and Grant Park are popular for their jogging paths and for hosting public galas like the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Yes, there is jazz in Chicago. And rock. And soul. And even Cajun. The nightscape is rich in quality and possibility. One night you're ambling around the North Side's pubs or dance clubs; another, you're tucked into a crowded booth in Buddy Guy's on the South Side. The flourishing dining scene, too, leaves no stone uncovered. In addition to historic standbys — steakhouses, Italian restaurants, and dog and burger joints — there's a truly international palate of choices, from churrasco to sushi, pelmeni to sweetbreads.

Chicago is also the story of trade and politics. For many years, big business and the mob had their hands firmly planted in the pockets of local government. Thankfully, such corruption is long gone, and "Windy City" better references climatic conditions than the turbulent political landscape. Today, business thrives along the Lake Michigan shore like never before, thanks to Fortune 500 stalwarts like the Boeing Company, Bank One, and Sara Lee.

And then there are the people of Chicago, whose wry wit, Midwestern values, and friendly demeanor make the city one of the world's most hospitable. Combine that with a wealth of diversions and an awe-inspiring skyline, and it's easy to see why Chicago has been romanticized in poetry, song, TV, and film time and time again. Indeed, far from being a Second City, Chicago is now more than ever "everybody's kind of town."