AN INSIDE GUIDE TO CHICAGO, THE WINDY CITY

chicago

Chicago, otherwise known as the windy city, the city in a garden or Chi-town is located on the Southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and it is the most populated city in Illinois – almost three million people. Some fun facts about Chicago are that it has the largest amount of movable bridges in the world, it is home to the 44th U.S. President Barack Obama and it is the third-largest city in the United States.

Because Chicago is such a massive city made up of diverse neighborhoods, visitors often have a difficult time choosing which area to stay in.

To get a real taste of Chicago, we recommend staying in the heart of the city – the iconic Loop neighborhood. Hotels like the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago offer stunning views of the Chicago skyline from the comfort of your hotel room. This modern and striking hotel, designed by famed architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, is a convenient location to reach many important sights. It is also near the financial district which makes it the perfect meeting space for work-related gatherings.

The distinguished downtown area is home to the Riverwalk, the popular theater district and charming architecture true to Chicago’s history. It is minutes away from sights like the eclectic Magnificent Mile, the shopping avenue home to hundreds of stores and the reputable Millennium Park, home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture – The Bean, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. While visiting to Chicago, one must follow the packing tips for traveling.

Aside from gaining a name for itself for its Chicago-styled hotdogs and deep-dish pizza, Chicago is also recognized around the world for being a multicultural metropolis with a lot of green spaces – over 380 acres- and a big passion for sports. It was voted the Best Sports City three times by Sporting News and has been recognized in the TSE’s international Ranking of Sport Cities list every year since 2012. Of course, this not at all surprising especially considering that the city of Chicago participates in five of the major American professional sports leagues (baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer).

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Chicago is the hub of arts, entertainment, food & culture in the Midwest, and there is no shortage of attractions and events to enjoy throughout the year.

Home to more than 200 stages – five of which are award-winners, Chicago has been dubbed the theater capital of the United States. Depending on your mood, you can choose the type of show to attend from Broadway shows, to stand-up comedy, to independent theater. There’s a show for everyone.

When it comes to food and beverage, Chicago has you covered with over 7,000 restaurants, from low-cost to high-end and everything in between. In some of Chicago’s most distinctive neighborhoods, there are dining districts like “Restaurant Row” and Fulton Market where you can find a variety of restaurants to satisfy the cravings of food enthusiasts from all over the world. Seeing as Chicago is the beer capital of the United States, you can tour one of the many local breweries.

For a fun night in the windy city, have a nightcap at any one of Chicago’s famous trendy bars and rooftops, or if you are feeling in high spirits, opt to dance the night away at a nightclub. Otherwise, if you are in Chicago to support a local sports team, you can enjoy a drink at the nearest neighborhood sports bar.

And this is just an iota of the Chicago entertainment scene. Chicago is also known for being the birthplace of popular American musical genres that became a staple of American culture, such as gospel, electric blues, house, juke, footwork, and drill. There are several notable venues worth visiting, such as the Green Mill Jazz Club or Kingston mines, representative of Chicago’s rich musical legacy.

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If you wish to venture to some of Chicago’s top historic attractions, start by taking a cruise down the Chicago River or Lake Michigan to see the city’s beautiful skyline made up of beloved and historically significant buildings, such as the Wrigley Building, 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Center), the Willis Tower and the Tribune Building. In the Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, you can enjoy a 360 panorama of the city as well as an astounding view from a protruding all-glass balcony, known as the Ledge. While astonishing, this attraction is not for the faint of heart.

 

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