Chicago, Illinois, nicknamed “The Windy City” for the breeze that comes in off of Lake Michigan, was founded by European Americans in the early 19th century and, when it was first surveyed and platted by the state of Illinois, it had a population of less than 100 people. It is now a city with an ever-growing population and has nearly three million inhabitants.
If you have plans to pay this historic city a visit, you won’t be disappointed by the number of things it has to offer you. Many of Chicago’s educational attractions are within walking distance from one another, including places like the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Chicago Children’s Museum, which are all located near Navy Pier on Lake Michigan.
If art galleries are more your style, the Art Institute of Chicago offers up one of the greatest art collections in the world. For the more modern art aficionado, the Museum of Contemporary Art features works that were created after 1945. You can also make a stop at The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, just one of the many other art galleries in the area.
Also located near Navy Pier are sites like Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park and several botanical gardens. The beauty and rich history of the city are apparent in the scenery that will engulf your senses and keep you captivated for hours. While you’re out soaking up your surroundings, you will want to take a walk through The Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s primary shopping strip that runs parallel to North Lake Shore Drive and straight down to the Chicago River.
You can also check out the view of the city from the top of the John Hancock Observatory or the Willis Tower Skydeck (formerly known as the Sears Tower), after which you can take a bus tour through the city or a boat tour at Navy Pier, which will give you a perfect view of the stunning Chicago skyline.
Once you’ve packed your days with sightseeing, you’ll definitely want to see what the city has to offer once the sun goes down. There is certainly no shortage of flavor and variety when it comes to Chicago dining. While you won’t want to miss out on things like that authentic Chicago-style pizza, you should keep in mind that if you’re in the mood for something more ethnic, you can always head to Chinatown, well-known for its Cantonese and Szechuan fare. You’ll even find places that offer up Thai and Ethiopian cuisine.
Once you’ve satisfied your palate, you can head out to one of any number of nightclubs downtown. However, if gambling is your preference, you’ll have to do so at one of the riverboat casinos, as that is the only place where gambling has been legalized in the state of Illinois.
Art, education, beautiful scenery and delicious food, all melding perfectly with the bustling atmosphere of the city, will make this a place you won’t soon forget!
As with almost every city around the globe we have a wide selection of reasonably priced Chicago Hotels.