About Chicago, IL

Home to roughly 2.7 million people, Chicago is the third biggest city in America. The residents of Chicago are known both for being friendly and hard working. Of course, Chicago is also known for being a bustling town with a plethora of clubs, dive bars, posh pubs, and concert halls. Work hard, play hard as the Chicagoans like to say.

Chicago offers a lot of options besides partying. Competitive sports teams, world-class museums, zoos, and outdoor spaces are among the many things to do around town. If you head to either of Chicago's two zoos, the Lincoln Park Zoo or Brookfield Zoo, you can see exotic animals from around the world. The beaches that line Lake Michigan offer a great place to catch some sun in the summer. Chicago is also home to a number of beautiful, lush parks. Festivals, concerts, and fairs are common in the city as well.

Summer is especially hopping in Chicago. A lot of pent up energy spills out into the streets. Beach parties, street parties, bustling bars that spill out onto the walkways, the first weeks of summer are often supercharged. With a plethora of block parties, festivals, concerts, Chicago summers are energy packed.

Both expansive and dense, there's a lot of diversity within Chicago's city blocks. In many ways, Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. Chicago is also a hub for knowledge. There's the Museum of Science and Industry, The Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of History - all of which are located on the Museum Campus. The Art Institute of Chicago is also nearby.

Chicago is food eccentric, and offers more than Chicago-style hot dogs and deep dish pizza. Over in Pilsen you can enjoy some of great, authentic Latin American food. There's Little Vietnam as well, just get off at the Argyle Stop on the red line. Chinatown, Ukranian Village and many other ethnic neighborhoods offer their own distinct and exotic flair. Also, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a favorite, and the inland beach at Humboldt Park recently reopened.

Meanwhile, there is the bustling Loop, which is well-regarded for its food, shopping, and culture. You can also check out the "Magnificent Mile" on Michigan Ave with its dazzling array of high end stores, such as Louis Vutton, Gucci, and Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. There are also several specialty stores, such as Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel.

Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, so big that it's practically an ocean since you can't see the far shore. There are also plenty of great sandy beaches that line the lake.

There are many interesting facets to Chicago. Did you know that the Chicago river flows backwards, for example? Also, the famous Route 66 also starts in Chicago. You can take the road all the way to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Willis (or Sears) Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. There are several other architectural gems, as well, including the Thompson Center, the Cultural Center, the Jeweler's Building, and the Board of Trade. Did you know that the Merchandise Mart building is so big that it used to have it's own zip code?

There is a lot to see and do in Chicago. While getting around some cities can be a challenge, Chicago's CTA offers a great public transportation system. It's true, the local public transportation system can be a bit tricky to learn. However, if you need to get around, Chicago's public transport is a great option. Whether you're a tourist looking to see the sites, a student trying to get to class, or just someone trying to get to work, Chicago's public transport can help. Meanwhile, Chicago's straightforward grid system makes it hard to get lost. So don't confine yourself, get out and see the city!