Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwestern part of the United States — and for that matter one of the biggest cities in the country as a whole. Much of the media has portrayed the city as a dangerous warzone, where the ‘Chiraq’ moniker has been unfairly attributed to it. When visiting this city for the first time, you may be blown away by the architectural brilliance — not to mention the cleanness of the downtown area. You’ll surely want to see ‘The Bean’ in Millennium Park. You’ve probably been told about Rush Street, Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. However, Chicago has much more to offer. Let’s dive in.
Wrigley Field
There’s nothing like taking in a game at Wrigley Field. The intimate atmosphere coupled with the emerald ivy and classic red brick of the outfield instantly puts you in a good mood. Those in attendance enjoy watching the game. You won’t see people glued to their phones. The stadium also mitigates manufactured sound — meaning that the crack of the bat reverberates through the ballpark with authority. A day game at Wrigley is essentially a rite of passage for anyone coming to Chicago. If the baseball season isn’t occurring during your trip, you can still check out Wrigley with the daily tours offered. You’ll get to go on the field, the press box, and even the clubhouse.
Lakefront Trail
The city of Chicago doesn’t have an ocean, but you can still take a stroll along the ‘beach’ on Lakefront Trail. This paved walkway sits adjacent to both the skyline and Lake Michigan. In the summer months, there’s pretty much nothing better than strolling along the pathway with the views of people enjoying warm weather. From a picture standpoint, you’ll see some incredible shots when pairing the crystalline blue water with the modernity of the skyscrapers.
Chicago Food Staples
This is a foodie city. In fact, one of the most prolific food cities in the world. The variance here is quite nice. If you want an upscale dinner at an opulent Italian joint or steakhouse, you’ve got plenty of options. If you want to dumb it down a bit, you can also do that. Do your research, and seek out an Italian Beef sandwich. They’re a mix between a French dip and the best steak sandwich you’ve ever had. Trying deep-dish pizza at least once should be on your Chicago bucket list. While Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s often are the two heavyweight chains, Pequod’s is a better choice. The Chicago (hot) dog has a steamed poppy seed bun to go along with tomato and pickle spears. However, don’t ask for ketchup — they don’t do that in Chicago.
Architecture River Boat Tour
A plethora of companies offer boat tours down the Chicago River. This is a nice way to break up the day, where you can put your feet up, grab a frosty beverage, and marvel at the iconic Chicago skyline. Along the way, you’ll be educated on the history of the city — learning a bunch of fun facts pertaining to what makes Chicago unique. Be sure to have a camera and/or smartphone handy…you’ll be snapping plenty of pictures.
Northwestern Stroll
Public transportation in Chicago is a breeze. You can get out to the suburbs with a train for minimal cost. One of the country’s most prolific universities, Northwestern, resides in the Chicago suburb of Evanston. It’s a picturesque campus, and the city of Evanston as a whole is very nice. You could have a very nice afternoon walking through this institution before grabbing lunch somewhere at a quality mom-and-pop establishment.
