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Two hundred thirty-four square miles, 2.7 million souls, an everchanging mix of shops, restaurants, bars, comedy nights, rap stars ‌ Where should you spend your time, energy, and money when the choices are practically endless? Read this, for starters and explore Chicago.
4 General info 6 Museum 8 Architecture 10 Day 12 Night 14 Restaurants
Photos by Choose Chicago.
ABOUT CHICAGO The City of Chicago covers an area of 60,000 hectares and sits 176 meters (578 feet) above sea level on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. At 190 km wide and 495 km long, its the 5th largest body of fresh water in the world. The city is traversed by the Chicago and Calumet rivers. Chicago’s extensive parklands, including 3,000 hectares of city parks attract an estimated 86 million visitors annually. As a multicultural city that thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods, Chicago today embodies the values of America’s heartland-integrity, hard work and community and reflects the ideals in the social fabric of its 77 totally distinct neighborhoods. North Avenue Beach.
Willis Tower and the Chicago River. 4 | Explore Chicago
Millennium Park Skaters.
Chicago Skyline, view from Lincoln Park.
Chicago is recognized across the United States as a very passionate sports town. Chicago is a leader in reforming public schools, enhancing public safety and security initiatives, providing affordable housing in attractive and economically sound communities, ensuring accessibility for all and fostering, social, economic and environmental sustainability. Chicago’s nicknames include: The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, and The City That Works. Explore Chicago | 5
ARCHITECTURE Mag Mile Night lights.
The architecture of Chicago has influenced and reflected the history of American architecture. The city of Chicago, Illinois features prominent buildings in a variety of styles by many important architects. Since most buildings within the downtown area were destroyed (the most famous exception being the Water Tower) by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, Chicago buildings are noted for their originality rather than their antiquity. 6 | Explore Chicago
The first bridge across the Chicago River was constructed over the North Branch near the present day Kinzie Street in 1832. A second bridge, over the South Branch near Randolph Street, was added in 1833.The first moveable bridge was constructed across the main stem at Dearborn Street in 1834. Today, the Chicago River has 38 movable bridges spanning it, down from a peak of 52 bridges.These bridges are of several different types, including trunnion bascule, Scherzer rolling lift, swing bridges, and vertical lift bridges. Trump Tower from below.
Chicago River bridge. Explore Chicago | 7
MUSEUMS From the bottom of the sea to the tops of the stars, Chicago has it all on display. Start your adventures on the famous Museum Campus along Lake Michigan. Three worldrenowned museums call it home: The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, The Field Museum, and The Shedd Aquarium, and all are filled with opportunities to stretch your mind and relax. For art lovers, the Art Institute of Chicago offers masterpieces from ancient to ultra-modern, and our cultural institutions cover everything from famous historical events to current GLBT issues. We celebrate African American heritage, Jewish tradition, Mexican art, Lithuanian culture, and more. Art Institute of Chicago: Seurat.
Museum of Science and Industry Interior. 8 | Explore Chicago
Field Museum: Sue-T.Rex.
Shedd Aquarium: Caribbean Reef.
At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you’ll meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. Explore Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. Polar Play Zone is a permanent exhibit where kids and their families can play, pretend and discover through hands-on activities. Explore Chicago | 9
THINGS TO SEE Navy Pier SW view.
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot (1,010m) long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and city planner Daniel Burnham and his associates. As Municipal Pier number two, Navy Pier was planned and built to serve as a mixed-purpose piece of public infrastructure. Its primary purpose was as a cargo facility for lake freighters, and warehouses were built up and down the Pier. However, the Pier was also designed to provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers, and in the pre–air conditioning era parts of the Pier, especially its outermost tip, were designed to serve as cool places for public entertainment. Navy Pier is Chicago’s number one tourist attraction in the city. 10 | Explore Chicago
Willis Tower is the premier corporate office building in Chicago, home to more than 100 companies including prominent law, insurance, transportation and financial services. The iconic building is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, ecompassing more than 4.5 million square feet, including its Skydeck and 103rd floor glass viewing platform, The Ledge, which attract more than 1.3 million visitors every year. They are waiting for you too. Visit Millennium Park today and enjoy an unprecedented combination of stunning architecture, sculpture and landscape design located in the heart of downtown Chicago. Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower.
Hancock flowers.
Millenium Park. Explore Chicago | 11
NIGHTLIFE Chicago has so much nightlife that you might have to schedule an extra day just to recover. From dance clubs to swanky lounges, you’ll find it all – and more – so rest up! The Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion stands 120-feet high, with a billowing headdress of brushed stainless steel ribbons that frame the stage opening and connect to an overhead trellis of crisscrossing steel pipes. The trellis supports the sound system, which spans the 4,000 fixed seats and the Great Lawn, which accommodates an additional 7,000 people. For visitors, daytime Loop dwellers and Chicagoans alike, Miller’s Pub is easily one of the best downtown bars for lunch, drinks Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion at night.
Miller’s Pub. 12 | Explore Chicago
Murphy’s Bleachers.
after work or the theatre, and for celebrities of either local, regional or even national status. Head to Chicago’s Wrigleyville where the streets are lined with sports bar after sports bar. You can’t go wrong with a neighborhood named after its historic field. Join the cheering and beer-ing at places like the Cubby Bear and Murphy’s Bleachers. These favorites are nearly as much fun as being at the stadium.
Explore Chicago | 13
RESTAURANTS Chicago Rooftop bars and restaurants.
Forget thin crusts and delicate toppings. This treasured food staple is as hearty as they come, baked in a deep, round pan filled to the brim with cheese (and any other ingredients you desire) and topped with a thick layer of tomato sauce. The result is a piping hot, gooey piece of pizza on a buttery, flaky delicious crust. What was born out of the Great Depression has since risen in the ranks to become a famous Chicago staple. So what is a Chicago-style hot dog? The primo version is this: 14 | Explore Chicago
an all-beef hot dog on a steamed poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, relish, tomato wedges, chopped onions, a pickle spear, hot peppers and celery salt. Of course, defining it is one thing; tasting it is a whole different ballgame. Thin slices of seasoned roast beef bursting out from a long Italian roll, dripping with juices – this is the famous Italian beef sandwich. You can order it hot (with giardiniera peppers) or sweet (with sweet peppers); dipped/wet (the bread is quickly dunked), juicy (wetter) or soaked (even wetter!). But it’s more than just a delicious Chicago specialty. It’s a historic icon. Chicago Style Hot Dog.
Grand Lux Cafe on Michigan Avenue.
Sixteen Restaurant at Trump.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Explore Chicago | 15
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