Chicago-style: The adjective seems to attach itself to everything in Chicago—from the vibrant downtown, stunning architecture and political machines to deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, the arts and blues music. Chicago residents do things with their own distinctive flair, creating innovations that resound far beyond the city's borders.
The result is a world-class city with an internationally acclaimed symphony, champion sports teams such as the Bears and Cubs, a host of renowned museums such as the Field Museum, great hotels and miles/kilometers of gorgeous beaches and lakefront paths that many use for bicycling, rollerblading and jogging. Most first-time visitors are surprised by the city's cleanliness and the profusion of plants and flowers.
It's no simple matter to make a precise definition of Chicago. The third-largest city in the U.S. is many things at once—a blue-collar town that's full of high culture and gracious living, and a town of historical importance that's in no way stuck in the past. It's a classic Midwestern city with international importance and a multitude of vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, including the largest Polish population anywhere in the world outside of Poland, and the only officially recognized Puerto Rican neighborhood in the U.S. (Humboldt Park).
Ultimately, Chicago's refusal to conform to any single style, even one that bears its name, is what truly defines this city.
There are plenty of great places to watch a sunset (or sunrise) and see the magnificent skyline of the Windy City, including the Willis (Sears) Tower Skydeck or 360 Chicago; the Historic Water Tower; Millennium Park; a Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox or Cubs game; Navy Pier; a Chicago Architecture Foundation river tour.
The Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art; the Field Museum; the John G. Shedd Aquarium; Chicago History Museum; International Museum of Surgical Science; DuSable Museum of African American History.
A true Chicago-style hot dog at Superdawg Drive-In or Gold Coast Dogs; a slice of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at Giordano's, Gino's East, Pizzeria Uno or Lou Malnati's Pizzeria; posh Michigan Avenue eateries such as Shanghai Terrace that offer seating with a well-heeled view; trendy dining at the edgy bistros along West Randolph Street.
Improvisational sets at the Second City theater or the comedy-cult favorite iO Theater; catching the headliner at Zanies stand-up comedy club; catching a live band at the House of Blues or Metro; tapping into Chicago blues or a live jazz show at one of the city's legendary live-music clubs.
A leisurely stroll along Michigan Avenue (the "Magnificent Mile") from the river to the Drake Hotel; a walk through Grant Park to Buckingham Fountain; strolling through the spectacular grounds and across the Frank Gehry-designed bridge of Millennium Park.
The high-tech Adler Planetarium; the Museum of Science and Industry, with "please touch" signs scattered throughout; the Chicago Children's Museum, featuring a two-story rope tunnel; Lincoln Park Zoo; the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum; American Girl Place.
Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago Style Hot Dogs
Jeppson’s Malört
Chicago's Weather: Late spring, summer, and early fall, being warm and mild.
Best time to plan your visit to the windy city is late May and early October for the best weather.