The great Frank Sinatra famously sang that Chicago is ‘my kind of town’, and countless people who visit there and have made their home there have reached the same conclusion. Chicago is America’s third largest city, and there’s certainly lots to see and do there, whether you visit on vacation or plan on staying a little longer. The only difficulty can be in deciding just what to do first, so here are seven great things you simply must do in and around Chicago – the windy city where having fun is a breeze.
1. Cruise Along the Waterfront
Simply walking around Chicago is a breathtaking experience, as you’ll see beautiful modern architecture side by side with historic buildings, but if this is your first experience of the city, you can’t beat the thrill of a river cruise. Pleasure boats leave from along the waterfront, and as you sail peacefully down the Chicago River that gave the city its name, you’ll see spectacular buildings and hear incredible tales. Many cruises offer all day tickets at very reasonable prices, which means you can hop on and off at designated stops as much as you like. It’s a relaxing way to see Chicago, and it gives you a great view of the development of this unique city.
2. Prohibition and Mobsters
History can be fascinating, and Chicago has more than its fair share of it. Let’s face it, we all love to hear about the darker side of history, which is why no visit to Chicago is complete without learning about prohibition in the city, and the mobsters who turned this to their advantage. There are plenty of guided tours that specialize in bringing this slice of history to life, and you’ll be able to follow in the footsteps of Al Capone himself, and other notorious names such as Bugs Malone and Hyme Weiss. You’ll see some of the locations where some of their most infamous crimes occurred, but you’ll also learn about the good side of the law, and the ‘untouchables’ who finally brought the mobsters to justice. It’s fascinating, and of course today the center of Chicago is a very safe and friendly place.
3. Check Out the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls may not be challenging for NBA honors at the moment, but they’re still one of the most iconic teams in basketball history, thanks to their legendary exploits with the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin and Dennis Rodman in the team. The Bulls won six national championships between 1991 and 1998 and you can still get a sense of that magic when you walk into the United Center arena. Watching the Bulls in action is one of the things you absolutely must do in this sports mad city, and of course you can also check out some of the very best football, baseball and hockey teams while you’re in town.
4. Take to the Skies
Chicago is known across the world for its amazing skyscrapers and its stunning sky line, and there’s no better place to see this than on the viewing platform of Skydeck Chicago. It’s located on the 103rd deck of the Willis Tower, which you may know better as the Sears Tower, which was for many years the tallest building in the world. Dare you walk out on to the ledge? It’s a glass balcony that allows spectacular views across Chicago, taking in Wrigley Fields and more; while it is, of course, completely safe, you’ll still have your heart in your mouth as you step out into what looks like fresh air. There are many other attractions to be found in the tower, from an exhibition center to high class restaurants.
5. Enjoy a Great Dinner on the Great Lake
Chicago is home to some of the greatest restaurants in America and beyond, so you’re sure to find cuisine that’s to your taste. Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy fine dining, however, in a setting that’s uniquely beautiful, a dining cruise on Lake Michigan is an experience you’ll treasure for a lifetime. You can enjoy a three course dinner as you enjoy the azure waters of one of the continent’s largest lakes, taking in sights such as the Soldier Field and the Shedd Aquarium. Cruises depart regularly from the Navy Pier, which is itself well worth visiting thanks to its shops and fun rides.
6. Take an Artistic Turn
In Chicago, you can turn almost any corner and be confronted by some of the most breathtaking early twentieth century architecture in America. It’s a work of art in itself, and is full of bijou galleries and art shops. If you want art on a grand scale, you can indulge that as well by heading downtown to the Art Institute of Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. Located in the large and lovely Grant Park, it was founded in 1879 and attracts around a million and a half visitors a year from across the globe. It hosts masterpieces of art both ancient and modern, as well as books and jewelry that have taken art as their inspiration.
7. Move to Chicago
Chicago isn’t just a great place to visit, it’s also a great place to study and a great place to work and live. With a fantastic transport infrastructure and all the amenities that you could wish for, it’s little surprise that people from across the United States are moving to the heart of Illinois. One of its great advantages is that you can find high quality homes at more than affordable prices. Chicago real estate experts such as chicagoapartmentplace.com have a wide range of apartments and studios on their website that are suited to families, couples and individual residents, and that are also suitable for all budgets. With managed apartments in West Loop, Wrigleyville, DePaul, Lakeview and Lincoln Park, you’ll have access to some of Chicago’s most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods.
Whether you love sport, gourmet cuisine, fascinating history or beautiful architecture and art, you’re sure to find it in abundance in Chicago, Illinois. It’s a great place to visit and a great place to study, and many people fall in love with it so much that they make Chicago their home.
