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1. Third largest city in the United States

The name ‘Windy City’ may be known throughout the world, but the fact that Chicago is the third largest city in the United States may not be. Just steps from New York City and Los Angeles, Chicago enjoys a growing number of tourists from all over the world, with 55 million visitors last year, a number that is constantly growing compared to previous years.

Millennium Park has, without a doubt, managed to hold on to its top spot as the most visited attraction in downtown Chicago. In fact, his record is undefeated in the entire Midwest. The city also has a host of other similar attractions that give off the same gravitational pull: the Art Institute of Chicago, Cloud Gate, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo, Grant Park Music Festival, Events at the Chicago Opera House and the Harris Theater of Music and Dance, just to name a few.

The list of popular tourist attractions may remain Chicago’s biggest draw, but so are the myriad unique cuisine and shopping destinations. Don’t miss out on hunting down unique and delicious Chicago-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, or Maxwell Street’s Polish sausage as you take the charter bus to visit fascinating architectural structures like the Sears Towers and museums featuring gangster history from the 1920s such as Al Capone, Frank ‘The Enforcer Nitti’ (Al Capone’s successor), John ‘Papa Johnny Torrio, John Dillinger, Lester Joseph ‘Baby Face’ Nelson, etc. And when you’re ready to go shopping seriously, organize a few excursions to the Magnificent Mile or State Street. The streets are lined with famous brand name retailers, mom-and-pop stores, upscale diners, fast food restaurants, fun cafes, bakeries, cheerful ice cream parlors, and coffee shops.

• Millennium Park 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 742-1168
• Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 443-3600
• Willis Tower 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
• Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 595-7437
• Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 939-2438
• Chicago History Museum 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (312) 642-4600
• Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
• Harris Theater 205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 334-7777

2. The railway capital of the country

With over 1,300 trains moving people in and out of the capital, in and out of the suburbs, The Loop, and boasting the world’s first elevated railway, getting to and around Chicago is a piece of cake. Chicago is also an easy city to navigate, with predictable north and south limits, and east and west divisions, all divided into grids. The ‘L’, short for Loop, and its elevated railway were amazingly designed and built during a period of time when no such prior had yet been established. It was built in 1892 and carries more than 1.7 million passengers weekly, connecting the city both above and below ground through 144 train stations throughout the city. The Blue Line and Red Line operate 24 hours a day between north and south of downtown Chicago; the Metra, a high-speed commuter train, is used to transport people in and out of some outlying suburbs.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with a couple of friends, CTA Visitor Passes, which have a set number of days of admission loaded onto the cards, are more than enough to get you around. It costs $10 to $105 for 1 to 30 days of travel. If you’re not sure how far you’ll be moving, get the unlimited travel options. The good news is that passes can be ordered and delivered in advance! Load your preferred amount onto your Ventra card, personal bank card, or get disposable 1-day tickets that can be purchased at Ventra vending machines throughout the city and voila!

For tourists who would like to take a look around Chicago while on the go, taking a water taxi or renting a bike will also get you places. The Water Taxis offers a great combination of a sightseeing tour of Chicago’s popular museums, Chinatown, Willis Tower, Union Station, Michigan Avenue (and many more) and lets you languidly explore these amazing sites without trying too hard.

• Chicago Water Taxi for Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), Michigan Avenue Stop, LaSalle (River North), Riverwalk Clark Street, Chinatown, Chicago Avenue, North Avenue/Sheffield
• Unlimited travel passes
• Bike and Roll Chicago – Navy Pier 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 729-1000
• Bobby’s Bike Hike 540 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 6061 (312) 245-9300
• Wheel Fun Rentals 305 East Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60611 (773) 458-0868
• Division 33 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (855) 553-4889

3. Chicago is a breath of fresh air

With over 8,000 acres of green space in the form of 26 beaches and 580 parks around the city, Chicago gives you plenty of room for a relaxing respite if you fancy a day of complete relaxation. Some of the parks can be found not far from downtown Chicago, with some built right in its heart, while others are easily accessible by public and private transportation. The city is also well connected by bike paths for those who prefer to ride a bike. With 225 miles of lanes, 13,000 bike racks, 3,000 bikes and 300 bike stations through the Divvy bike share system alone, Chicago’s most notable attractions and landmarks are literally a bike ride away.

You can enjoy events around Lake Michigan and Grant Park with free admission to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, and Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, visit the remarkable farmhouse, and let the kids have fun at Indian Boundary Park, which are regular grounds. for local health enthusiasts. . Immerse yourself in the pristine landscape, natural formations, stone paths, and Midwestern-themed Columbus Park, or take the charter bus to Chicago’s Chinatown, where Ping Tom Memorial Park is conveniently located. As water taxis connect two of the aforementioned parks to the city center, you’re still a stone’s throw from all the hustle and bustle when night falls.

You can also kick back and enjoy Chicago’s serene scene from North Avenue Beach, bird watch or let the kids play at Lane Beach’s playground, enjoy the hidden beach at Rainbow Beach, and if you’re visiting with your furry friends , head to Belmont Harbor Dog Beach, where you can bounce with delight to your heart’s content.

• Indian Boundary Park 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 (773) 764-0338
• Columbus Park 500 S Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60644 (773) 287-7641
• Ping Tom Memorial Park 1700 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (312) 225-3121
• North Avenue Beach 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613 (773) 363-2225
• Lane Beach 5915 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660 (773) 363-2225
• Rainbow Beach 2873 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60649 (312) 729-1000
• Belmont Harbor Dog Beach N Lake Shore Dr and Lake Shore Drive Dr, Chicago, IL 60657 (312) 742-7529

4. The impressive historical side of the Windy City

Chicago’s first permanent resident was an African-American businessman from what is now Haiti, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, in 1779. Here du Sable built his home with his Indian wife and the rest, as they say, is history. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Chicago History Museum, the Newbury Library, or the Clarke House Museum to explore the myriad documents, artifacts, photographs, maps, magazines, newspapers, and directories. These are real-life stories about the Great Chicago Fire, images and documents related to the unique world of Chicago architecture, the history of The Pullman Company, Illinois Central and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroads. There is nothing more real than this! Pack into The Clarke House Museum, the oldest house in town, with free hours on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday.

• Chicago History Museum 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614 (312) 642-4600
• Newberry Library 60 W. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 943-9090
• Clarke House Museum Chicago Women’s Park, 1827 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL 60616

5. Of art and food

If a hot dog was an art, you’d never run out of options. With more than 2,000 hot dog stands located throughout Chicago’s sprawling downtown and its quaint suburbs, a long list of restaurants and cafes owned by award-winning chefs, and a conglomerate of affordable and cheap eats, Chicago is a foodie’s paradise. in every sense. the word. Together, the hot dog army outnumbers Chicago’s Burger Kings, McDonalds and Wendy’s. So don’t be surprised to learn that the first McDonald’s in the United States made its mark with the first restaurant in Chicago in 1955. Chicago-style pizza made a splash on the dining scene when Pizzeria Uno opened in 1943.

With its culinary offerings comes its large collection of Impressionist paintings. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, it remains the largest collection of its kind outside of Paris, France. The art institution is known and recognized globally for its active healing efforts, as it brings to and houses a wide variety of historical paintings, sculptures and artifacts from around the world, attracting more than 1.5 million patrons and participants each year. year. The art institute is also connected to the famous and historic Route 66, marking its starting point. Main Street of America or Mother Road, as Route 66 is affectionately known, has become world famous thanks to its length (measuring nearly 4,000 km in total) through the hit song and TV show of the same name. Even to this day, the Mother Road is considered a great work of art.

• Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 443-3600
• Hot”G”Dog 5009 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 209-3360
• Jimmy’s Red Hots 4000 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651 (773) 384-9513
• Chicago Dog House 816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 248-3647
• The Wieners Circle 2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 477-7444

While not technically ‘secrets’ per se (is ANYTHING a secret these days, with the Internet?), I think the short list and resource above will help you discover Chicago’s important facades. Some less touristy than others due to things like water taxis and hot dogs, as touristy as they are they are not to be missed! Visiting serene green spaces and beaches in Chicago is one way to help you find the sweet, serene place when you need it.