Since its humble beginnings -- in 1835 it was just a little village on the Chicago River --- it has boomed with activity and received quite appropriately the name "The City That Works." By 1870 it had become the second largest city in the nation, catching up fast with New York City. Then in 1871 what started as a small fire in a stable far to the west of the city center, became a blazing inferno that destroyed the whole inner city. This tragedy resulted in a golden opportunity for Chicagoans; the chance to rebuild their city from the ground up.  The result is a better street layout and safer sanitary conditions for its citizens (also aided by the flow reversal of the Chicago River, which took waste out into Lake Michigan instead of into Chicago's suburbs and further down-river).

Chicago is famous for its jazz and blues clubs, and for good reason.  If music isn't your thing, you can wine and dine in the greatest of restaurants... everything from ribs to exotic food, Chicago does it right.

Perhaps the greatest feature of Chicago is its beautiful architecture. While not as big as New York, downtown Chicago is unmatched in its sheer beauty because of the uniqueness in style of each building. Standing in the heart of Chicago is a memorable experience: standing on a bridge over the Chicago River, the Wrigley Building on one side and the Chicago-Sun-Times on the other; swarmed by the masses shopping along Michigan Ave. (The Magnificent Mile)... it'll take your breath away.

Some of Chicago's most obvious attractions include the Sears Tower (formerly the tallest skyscraper in the world), the Hancock Building (home of The Signature Room, a restaurant and bar at the top of the building), Navy Pier (where you can enjoy a dinner cruise or water tour of Chicago, a stained-glass museum, the incredibly fun Children's Museum for the tots, as well as tons of shopping, food, and art.  While you're there, get some cinnamon-roasted almonds and fresh-squeezed lemonade... highly recommended!), the Shedd Aquarium, Art Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum.  You can also enjoy the Magnificent Mile, a line of top-notch shopping destinations right on Michigan Avenue.  Don't forget to take a stroll along the waterfront, where you can catch a glimpse of the famous Buckingham Fountain.  Also, new to the Chicago scene, is Millennium Park, home of a fantastic bandshell, breath-taking gardens, playful fountains, a relaxing promenade, the "Bean," and a myriad of shop and eateries, as well as other attractions.

If you come to visit, make sure to skip out on the taxis and walk around a bit.  There are a ton of fascinating little gems tucked away in every corner of this lively city!  Fun things to do are around every corner, you just have to look for them!