If you ask most people, Chicago, IL, is best known as The Windy City. This nickname seems to come from the tailwinds that blow through the tall buildings of the urban environment. If you live in Chicago, don’t forget your homeowner's insurance.
But in reality, it dates back to a Tornado in the late 1800s and some people who were “full of hot air.” Naturally, we don’t believe that about Chicagoans. If there’s anything hot, it can be found in Chicago’s downtown.
Chicago staples, like Andy’s Jazz Club, are part of the literal soul of Jazz. Chicago even has its own series of genres, Chicago Soul and Blues, to help mark its historical significance. If you don’t like Jazz, Chicago is also the birthplace of Lollapalooza, an annual four-day music festival for rock, hip hop, and alternative. Also, if you’re driving there, be sure you’ve got good auto insurance.
Within downtown, Chicago is also known for its stellar food scene. Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza created a new perspective on what these foods could be. Of course, you’ll always have some doubters of Chicago-style pizza. But don’t worry, we’re with you.
Chicago’s legend also continued with Wrigley Field, home of one of the MLB’s best teams, the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are one of the oldest MLB teams to have never changed their city. Of course, you might be a White Sox fan as well. If you like football, you can also catch a Bears game. Basketball? The Bulls are just as legendary.
If you’re looking for some natural beauty, you can also take a walk through Lincoln Park, the city’s largest park. There’s also Grant Park, one of the city’s oldest parks, which has a beautiful fountain (Buckingham Fountain) that’s amazing to view at night. The city’s water features and lush trees throughout these parks make it a beautiful space.
Feeling more like tourism?
Chicago attracts over 60 million tourists, drawn here for everything from leisure to business. These visitors browse upscale shopping centers down the Magnificent Mile.
You can actually walk the city, as Chicago is the sixth most walkable city in the United States. This makes it a tourist destination and a bit of light exercise. So, if you visit and overdo it a bit on too many slices, Chicago makes it easy to walk it off.
Ultimately, Chicago is a vibrant combination of what’s new and what’s old. People visit for the festivals, sit for the food, and stick around for the culture. For many, living in Chicago is a dream.