CHICAGO - THE SECOND CITY

Chicago is certainly my kind of town. Large, crowded, plenty to do, and two baseball teams to keep you busy during the summer. Chicago is divided into the North Side (Cubs) and the South Side (White Sox) and to find a fan who admits to rooting for both teams is a difficult task indeed. Of course, Chicago also has a West Side, but it is not clear which team they support. The East Side of Chicago is Lake Michigan, which is home to water sports enthusiasts of all kinds. There are a few beaches as well where you can sun and swim to cool off in the hot summer months.

Shore of Lake Michigan with the Hancock Tower in the background

The downtown, or Loop as it is known due to being surrounded by elevated train tracks, is vibrant and relatively safe, even later in the evening.  Of course, there are areas that are probably best avoided at night, but for the tourist, these places are not close to the attractions.  The surrounding neighborhoods are also worth visiting - each has its own unique charm and characteristics. 

The defining moment for Chicago is probably the 1871 fire that destroyed most of the city. With a new city to build, architects created a distinct style that included the world's first skyscrapers. A good number of these buildings survive to this day and make Chicago a great town for a walking tour. National Geographic recommends one tour, the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers another, and if you desire, you can certainly create your own itinerary. 

Chicago Tribune building

The Wrigley Building on the left overlooking the Chicago River

Sports are obviously a huge part of the culture of Chicago. Two historic ball teams, the NBA Bulls with their legacy of Michael Jordan and 6 championships, the Bears in the NFL, and the Blackhawks in the NHL are all the pride of this town.  

Our impressions: Chicago is not a city where you want to have your car. Parking and traffic will add more stress than you need (street parking is illegal in the Loop). Leave the car at the hotel and use the elevated trains - they are a great way to get around the city, and multi-day passes are available. Check their webpage and order the passes before you arrive. Even more affordable is the free trolley system which has four lines that run daily to all major tourist spots. The cars can get a bit crowded, but it's a good way to meet other tourists. Given that Chicago is spread out and the attractions are quite far from one another, this is a must for any serious tourist.

Free trolley

There is so much to see and do in Chicago that a few days is not enough time to appreciate the city. Although there are plenty of tourist attractions, I think that it is the restaurants and night life that allow you to relax. Rush Street is just one of many areas with lots of eateries and bars that are packed in the evenings. There are numerous theatres and you can get half-price tickets for same-day shows at Hot Tix. 

The daytime weather was hot and humid in Chicago, which made walking very tiring. With lots of places to stop and see, though, the heat should not affect your time in the city. 

Night view

Frankly, Chicago is just too big to describe adequately in this page. It is my favourite city on the trip and we hope to stop by again to enjoy a few more days in the Second City. We recommend that you should also take some time and stop by - you will certainly enjoy it.