Chicago – choose which names you believe suit it the most, but this third biggest city in the USA is called The Windy City, The Second City, the City of Big Shoulders, The White City, and the City that Works. Its motto is ‘City in a Garden’, but that’s because it has such an impressive park system – But what about its impressive railway system? Chicago has major railroads serving it than any other place in the USA. And when you visit there, you will never be stuck for places to stay; it boasts over 135 hotels – this fascinating city. Maybe it was built on an onion field, seeing as the word, Chigagou [1], first recorded in 1688, means ‘onion’.
This beautiful Midwestern metropolis has heaps to offer the traveler
Whether you stay a day or a week, the public transport system won’t let you down – it takes you wherever you need to be, and beyond. It makes no difference whether you fly into Midway or O’Hare airports, there will be a train waiting for you to take you downtown and further. It’s a good idea as a visitor to Chicago to use the CTA Chicago Transit Authority for buses and trains – you will just need a Ventra card and maps because it will be your pass for boarding the CTA – you buy these at the airport. Don’t forget, there are water taxis too!
A city and playground for all seasons
Lake Michigan is part of Chicago’s eastern side – its magnificent scenery to view, but it can get pretty cold and windy. At least you will never go hungry though because there are 22 Michelin-star Chicago restaurants downtown. You will love Indian restaurants in Edgewater, famous for their Indian dishes to warm you up. Do you fancy Chinese food or Mexican food? Find them on the south side. If you fancy Vietnamese, head toward Uptown. Old Town will provide you with the most delectable Italian beef. If you are from Africa, why not head to Andersonville for Ethiopian delights. Here’s a couple of famous Chicago restaurants – but there are more!
- Alinea
- The Signature Room at the 95th – you have to get the Chicago skyline at night – one of famous restaurants with a view!
- Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse
- The Berghoff
- Manny’s
The snow, ice, and freeze doesn’t stop the music and fun
- Just go with the flow and head to the Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park and enjoy skating to your heart’s content.
- And then there’s the Lincoln Park Zoo which has stunning Zoo Lights during the holiday season.
- You don’t have to spend a fortune in this place, there is something going on in all the different neighborhoods that will keep you entertained. Lots of the museums invite you to come in free of charge and a lot of the restaurants are BYOB.
- Usually, there’s always a festival going on throughout the year. For instance, you’ve got Lollapalooza in August, or the South Side Irish Parade is in March. Check them out here [2] – Never a dull moment!
- Don’t forget the beach. The weather can get hot here too – don’t leave before checking out Oak Street Beach – Montrose Beach is also gorgeous.
Where do you want to stay – probably a place with a view, right?
You don’t want to miss a thing in Chicago. There’s the Park Hyatt Chicago or the Chicago Hotel Hyde Park – choose your favorite from the numerous Hyatt hotels around Chicago. Staying at hotels like these, you have Chicago right there at your fingertips and they are nothing short of hospitality and comfort! Here are some new ones too.
Start a famous route right here – in Chicago
That would be the famed “Historic Route 66.” [3] Yes, the starting point is in Adams Street in front of the Art Institute of Chicago. Maybe you will see the Willis Tower while you are there – it used to be called the Sears Tower, the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Get in those elevators and speed up to the different floors at 1,600 feet per minute. I wonder what Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous architect, would say about that if he were alive! What would he think of the Aqua Building, which is the tallest structure in the world, and designed by a woman architect, Jeanne Gang? Other famous names attached to Chicago are Walt Disney, Hugh Hefner, and Oprah Winfrey, who made her home in Chicago too. And the list goes on.
See it to believe it
Chicago; a world-class status city, home to the blues and quite a few sports teams, plus an internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, shopping – something for everyone. North Michigan Avenue is where you will find upscale shopping to take away fabulous memories – go walk down the Magnificent Mile [4] before you leave because Frank Lloyd Wright was right when he said, “Eventually I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.”
References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Chicago
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_festivals_in_Chicago