Chicago
The Windy City
General Information
Other Name: City of Broad Shoulders, District: Illinois, State: Mid West, United States of America
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: English
Long Distance Code: -
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Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Chicago is the largest city by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States.One of the largest cities in North America, Chicago is among the world`s twenty-five largest urban areas by population, and rated an alpha world city by the World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University.It is the third-most populous city in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles, with a population of nearly 3 million people.Today the city''''s attractions bring 44.2 million visitors annually.First city to use the word "jazz." First planetarium in the Western World. First atomic reaction. First steel-framed skyscraper. First elevated train system. First commercial air flight. The Second City of Comedy has experienced its fair share of firsts over the years. Indeed, the Windy City has a style and pace all its own.The city also emerged as a leading cultural and educational center. Today, the University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, DePaul University, and Northwestern University combine with smaller schools to create a modern-day Alexandria, and iconic institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and Oriental Theatre don`t merely bring culture to the city – they share Chicago`s own brand with the world. Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago`s eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States third-largest convention destination.The city`s waterfront allure and nightlife has attracted residents and tourists alike.When Chicago incorporated in 1837 it chose the motto "Urbs in Horto" a Latin phrase which translates into English as "City in a Garden", and today the Chicago Park District consists of 552 parks with over 7,300 acres of municipal parkland as well as 33 beaches, nine museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons and 10 bird and wildlife gardens. Lincoln Park, the largest of these parks has over 20 million visitors each year.Location
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Humid continental climate
From popular Rembrandt masterpieces to recent works by lesser-known artists, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest art collections in the world. Spanning centuries of human creativity, exhibits include a distinguished collection of prints and drawings, an internationally acclaimed collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, sculptures, photographs, Asian, African and American arts, architectural drawings, textiles and more. Many pieces are on loan from the famed Terra Foundation for American Art . Educational programs and guided museum tours are available.
Graceful sea horses spray jets of water into the lagoon that surrounds what is perhaps Chicago''s most beloved public piece of art.
Chicago boasts a large Polish population, and this is the head church of all the Polish churches throughout the city. Built in 1876, it was modeled after a church in Krakow. It is hard to recognize the similarities now because it has gone through a number of alterations over the years. Inside, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is opulent and majestic with carved oak choirs stalls, huge paintings and Tiffany windows peering down on the baroque altar.
Although not one of the country''s larger ''Chinatowns'', the main drag on Wentworth Avenue is worth the brief side trip from the Loop for the curious. You will find an assortment of shops, restaurants and the butchers with skinned ducks hanging in the windows. Fueled by an influx of money from wealthy Chinese developers looking to diversify their holdings outside of Hong Kong, Chinatown is looking to expand its boundaries. A new shopping center was recently completed.
Travel from ancient civilizations through modern times, viewing remnants of bygone cultures and traditions. Get the inside story on Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex dinosaur skeleton, or view preserved man-eating lions and other animals. For a truly subterranean experience, check out the Underground Adventure, an exhibit dedicated to soil and how it sustains life, or just relax at one of several places to eat.
Nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan, this indoor aquatic world the John G. Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 650 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from across the globe. Explore Caribbean waters at the 90,000-gallon coral reef exhibit, or watch whales and dolphins play during marine mammal shows. Eat at Soundings restaurant, where you will find a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, or in the Bubble Net food court.
Lincoln Park Zoo is perfect for a family outing. Built in 1868, it is one of the oldest zoological gardens in the country. The zoo management team comprises experts in wildlife conservation, community education and recreation. The zoo, which attracts more than three million visitors a year, is open all year-round.
Only the Pope has the authority to designate a church building a "basilica." This is an honorary title given to churches with especially noteworthy architecture, and Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica is only one of two churches in Chicago with such an esteemed degree. The Renaissance building was completed in 1900 after ten years of construction. Inside, an absolutely magnificent barrel-vaulted ceiling wraps around a high altar that is made entirely of Carrara marble.
This is possibly the most-photographed spot in Chicago, but more for its picturesque view over the river than for its historic significance. Plaques embedded in the sidewalk mark the spot of the original Fort Dearborn, where Chicago''s first settlers staked their claim off of Lake Michigan. The bas-relief sculptures on the bridge represent important events in early Chicago history.
Millennium Park is one of the newest additions to Chicago''s many wide-open urban spaces, and is host to a range of indoor/outdoor activities for the entire family. You can listen to top musical events at the outdoor pavilion, or glide across the bustling ice skating rink come winter. The park is also home to some of the city''s best public art, such as the interactive Crown Fountain, and the scene-stealing Cloud Gate —a mirrored sculpture situated in the middle of the plaza.
This museum makes science fun with interactive, educational exhibits that stretch the imagination. Spend time in a 16-foot heart as you learn about how yours works. Find out how technology has influenced history by stepping back in time on ''Yesterday''s Main Street''. Watch action-packed films in the museum''s giant-screen Omnimax Theatre or take a ride down a coal mine. And don''t leave without picking up some great souvenirs at The Big Idea museum shop.
This is Chicago''s most famous beach and the perfect place to relax and people watch. The beach is man-made and the sand is shipped in, but people here don''t seem to care. Unfold the pool chair and soak in the view of Lake Michigan and the John Hancock building, as well as the avenue that bears the lake''s name. A cafe has been added, and various vendor carts dot the bordering paths frequented by runners, bikers and bladers.
The delightful Ann and Roy Boyd operate this dual-level gallery space in the same building as their home. The sculpture garden in the rear is inviting and allows you to rest and ponder the figures on display. You will tend to find only accomplished artists on display at Roy Boyd Gallery, such as distinguished painter Markus Linnenbrink. The Boyds have been important figures in the area''s art scene since the early 1980s and can share rare insights with visitors.
While no longer the world''s tallest building, the Sears Tower still stands proud. High-speed elevators climb 110 stories to the observatory deck, and when clear, the view from 1,454 feet can be stunning. Enjoy bird''s eye views of Lake Michigan, both the North and South Sides of the city, the surrounding suburbs and, on a clear day, parts of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. The Skydeck Tour also includes a multimedia presentation and an exhibit with information on the Sears Tower and other architecturally significant buildings.
The University of Chicago has done it all, from the birth of the atomic bomb to the first living-donor living transplant to the birth of sociological study. On a lighter note, Chicago''s famous Second City comedy group was conceived at the UOC, and the nation''s first Heisman Trophy winner, Jay Berwanger, ran the pigskin here. Former home of Enrico Fermi, Albert Einstein, Milton Friedman and Saul Bellow, the UOC is rightfully proud that more Nobel laureates have studied or taught here than at any other university. The school was founded by the lake front in 1891 and houses a richly detailed, Gothic style campus. Take in one of many concert programs or events on campus, or take a stroll through scenic Hyde Park, the beautiful old neighborhood that engulfs the university.