Chicago is My City
Get a feel for the Windy City from the John Hancock Center. (Photograph by TheeErin, Flickr)
When someone comes to visit me, the first place I take them is Al’s Beef[3] for an Italian beef sandwich (to go) and then to the John Hancock Observatory[4].
Summer is the best time to visit my city because even though the temperatures are high and the crowds are dense, there are a million things to do all summer long — and you’re not confined by a bulky coat when doing it all. Plus, this is the time that pictures seem to turn out the best!
You can see my city best from the John Hancock Observatory[5].
Locals know to skip double decker bus tours (hello, traffic is terrible) and check out a boat tour[6] instead.
Eli’s Cheesecake[7] is the place to buy authentic, local souvenirs. Yum!
In the past, notable people like Oprah, Michael Jordan, and President Obama have called my city home.
My city’s best museum is The Field Museum[8] because Sue[9], the most complete T. rex currently in existence, lives there.
If there’s one thing you should know about getting around my city, it’s taking the trains[10] during rush hour is hectic! But also if you’re here to see the sights, it’s easy to do a lot by foot!
For a landlocked city, Chicago has an impressive amount of “coast.” (Photograph by Bust it Away Photography, Flickr)
The best place to spend time outdoors in my city is Millennium Park[11] or one of the beaches. Chicago has 28 miles of shoreline to choose from[12]!
My city really knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day[13] because we know how green a river can get[14]. Oh, and because it’s an important day in history!
You can tell if someone is from my city if they know not to put ketchup on a hot dog.
For a fancy night out, I spend the day shopping and drinking martinis on Michigan Avenue[15], then head to a show at one of the theaters[16].
Just outside my city, you can visit Chicagoland[17]. It may not be NASCAR’s best track, but it’s ours!
My city is known for being the authority in deep dish pizza, but it’s really the authority on all pizza. That’s right New York City, I said it.
The best outdoor market in my city is Evanston Farmers’ Market[18].
Cornerstone Cafe[19] is my favorite place to grab breakfast, and Hot Doug’s[20] is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read Redeye Chicago[21].
My city’s biggest sports event is when “Da Bears[22]” are in town! Watch them at Soldier Field[23], or The Field House[24].
Watch out New York! Giordano’s deep dish is a Chicago institution. (Photograph by Heather Clemons, Flickr)
When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I drink my craft beers at happy hour! Chicago has tons of bars with great craft beers on tap, and many of them have fantastic happy hour specials.
To escape the crowds, I hang out in Lincoln Park[25], but not at the zoo[26].
If my city were a celebrity it’d be Christian Bale[27] because it’s beautiful and there’s no doubt it’s the best there is, despite a little bit of a temper.
The dish that represents my city best is a deep dish pizza, and craft beer of your choice is my city’s signature drink.
Aqua[28] is my favorite building in town because in a city of innovative architecture, even this building manages to stand out.
The most random thing about my city is Joakim Noah[29]’s facial hair.
Grant Park[30] in the summer is the best place to see live music, but if you’re in the mood to dance, check out Smart Bar[31].
Taste of Chicago[32] could only happen in my city.
In the spring you should run the Chicago Spring Half Marathon[33].
The Nature Boardwalk in Lincoln Park. (Photograph by John Picken, Flickr)
In the summer you should take a boat tour[34].
In the fall you should come for Chicagoween[35] and check out the farmers’ markets[36].
In the winter you should check out the Christmas lights on Magnificent Mile[37].
If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), you won’t want to miss the Shedd Aquarium.[38]
The best book about my city is The Jungle[39].
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “My Kind of Town[40]” by Frank Sinatra.
In 140 characters or less, the world should heart my city because there’s no city more dedicated to delicious food, running, sightseeing, and learning than Chicago! We’ve really got it all!
Do YOU heart where you live? Fill out our I Heart My City questionnaire[41] for a chance to share the love on the Intelligent Travel blog.
References
- ^ Chicago Traveler site (www.chicagotraveler.com)
- ^ Twitter site – Travel Chicago (twitter.com)
- ^ Al’s Beef site (www.alsbeef.com)
- ^ John Hancock Observatory site (jhochicago.com)
- ^ John Hancock Observatory site (jhochicago.com)
- ^ Navy Pier site – boat tours (www.navypier.com)
- ^ Eli’s Cheesecake site (www.elicheesecake.com)
- ^ Field Museum site (fieldmuseum.org)
- ^ Field Museum site – Sue the T-Rex (fieldmuseum.org)
- ^ Chicago Transit Authority site (www.transitchicago.com)
- ^ City of Chicago site – Millennium Park (www.cityofchicago.org)
- ^ Wikipedia site – Chicago beaches (en.wikipedia.org)
- ^ Chicago St. Patrick’s Day site (www.chicagostpatsparade.com)
- ^ Chicagoist site – green river (chicagoist.com)
- ^ Magnificent Mile site (www.themagnificentmile.com)
- ^ Magnificent Mile site – theaters (www.themagnificentmile.com)
- ^ Chicagoland Speedway site (www.chicagolandspeedway.com)
- ^ Evanston Farmers’ Market site (www.cityofevanston.org)
- ^ Yelp site – Cornerstone Cafe (www.yelp.com)
- ^ Hot Doug’s site (www.hotdougs.com)
- ^ Redeye Chicago site (www.redeyechicago.com)
- ^ Chicago Bears site (www.chicagobears.com)
- ^ Soldier Field site (www.soldierfield.net)
- ^ Yelp site- Field House bar (www.yelp.com)
- ^ Wikipedia site – Lincoln Park (en.wikipedia.org)
- ^ Lincoln Park Zoo site (www.lpzoo.org)
- ^ IMDB site – Christian Bale (www.imdb.com)
- ^ Aqua Condos site (www.aqua-condos.com)
- ^ ESPN site – Joakim Noah (espn.go.com)
- ^ Lollapalooza site (www.lollapalooza.com)
- ^ Smart Bar Chicago site (smartbarchicago.com)
- ^ City of Chicago site – Taste of Chicago (www.cityofchicago.org)
- ^ Chicago Spring Half Marathon site (www.chicagospringhalf.com)
- ^ Navy Pier site – boat tours (www.navypier.com)
- ^ City of Chicago site – Chicagoween (www.cityofchicago.org)
- ^ City of Chicago site – Chicago farmers’ markets (www.cityofchicago.org)
- ^ Magnificent Mile site – Christmas lights (www.themagnificentmile.com)
- ^ Shedd Aquarium site (www.sheddaquarium.org)
- ^ Goodreas site – The Jungle (www.goodreads.com)
- ^ Youtube site – My Kind of Town (www.youtube.com)
- ^ Intelligent Travel site – I Heart My City questionnaire (intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com)
