Chicago

Chicago is one of those great American cities that almost defies any sort of description you try to attach to it. Sure, it's a major hub in the Midwest, and between the blues and jazz festivals, Lollapalooza in Grant Park, the Bulls, the White Sox, the Cubs, the Blackhawks, the Bears, Greektown, Hyde Park, Steppenwolf Theatre, Northwestern University, and Union Station, you might try and find some way to label her, but Chicago is more than just the sights and sounds, it is a way of life. The city hosts the third most prolific movie industry in the nation, and Americans have grown up on films such as “The Untouchables” and “The Fugitive”, and more recently “Batman Begins”. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the museums or the Art Institute of Chicago or the rambling architecture that ranges from classical to Gothic to extremely modern, “The Windy City” is one of the most famous cities in the world for a reason. 

Chicago is a city packed full of history. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper, and it was here that steel-frame construction was first invented. Between the Sears Tower, the Trump Tower, the Aon Center, and the John Hancock Center, the city boasts three of America's tallest buildings. Their African-American history runs deep, with Dr. Martin Luther King and the Reverend Jesse Jackson both being major influences on the region. The blues and jazz have deep ties to the city as well. From the professional sports teams to the beaches along Lake Michigan to the lakefront parks, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye, though. United Airlines makes their company headquarters in the city, but there are two other things which are extremely popular in Chicago: deep dish pizza,the Chicago Style hot dog and how can we forgot the popcorn! Bring your appetite, your sense of adventure, and be prepared to spend a lot of your time in simple amazement when you visit.