Chicago- know more about the city

Chicago, the biggest city in the Illinois State is also the biggest in the entire Midwest region. It is the third largest city in the US after New York City and Los Angeles. The city has a rich history and has some beautiful architectural buildings and is nicknamed as the alpha city of the world. Much of the city was destroyed in the year 1871 in the Great Chicago Fire, though since then the city has experienced a rapid rebuilding process and growth. The city has undergone major transformation in architecture and art subsequent to the World’s Colombian Exposition, a fair held in 1893 in Chicago to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Columbus.

Chicago – rich with buildings

Chicago’s skyline today is among the world’s best. Chicago Board of Trade Building, built in 1885 is one of the grand remains of Chicago’s history. Merchandise Mart once was the tallest building in the world. The three tallest buildings at present in the city are Sears Tower, Aon Center and John Hancock Center. A large part of the city is dotted with bungalows, built in the early part of the last century. There are a number of churches built on Polish Cathedral style in Chicago as well.

Chicago Loop is the historical center of the city’s downtown. After midtown Manhattan, it is the second largest business center in United States, having a number of sky rise buildings, shopping centers, government buildings, opera, art theaters, etc.

About beaches and lakes

Lake Michigan is a favorite tourist destination in Chicago. It is one of the five Great Lakes located in North America and is the only one that is located entirely within US. The region surrounded by the Lake Michigan beaches is known as the third coast of US. There are about 30 lakefront beaches in Chicago, all man made along the 28 miles of lakefront shoreline of Chicago.

Chicago has a number of entertainment and performing arts centers, offering Broadway-style entertainment. A few popular ones include the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre, the Victory Gardens Theater, Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theater, Cadillac Palace Theater, LaSalle Bank Theatre, Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre, and Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. For excellence in theater arts, Joseph Jefferson Awards are given every year since 1968. Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the best orchestra in the world. A number of concerts are organized in the open during summer in the Millenium Park and Grant Park. Chicagi is also home to a number of dance and ballet groups.

Some parks and museums

A few other historical landmarks in the city are Navy Pier, Ferris wheel, Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Museum Campus, the Oriental Institute, etc. The city is also known for its ethnic style cuisine, especially Chicago style hot dog. Taste of Chicago, an annual festival showcasing the city’s ethnic dining diversity is also quite popular. Chicago is also known for its world-class universities, the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, etc.