When you hear Chicago, three things generally come to mind: the iconic skyline, deep-dish pizza and maybe even jazz and blues music filled up the streets. But Chicago is so much more than these storied postcards. It is a city with a complex, creative and conflicted history, packed with diverse people and vibrant culture that has greatly influenced America. From its roots to its limb and leaves, Chicago is a model of resilience, ingenuity and neighborly cooperation.
THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO
Chicago’s history predates this city of the past century or two. Historically inhabited by the Potawatomi, the area that became East Chicago was not settled by European immigrants and Americans until the mid-19th century. European settlement there started in the late 17th century and early 18th century as a trading post.
The city’s growth explosion got rolling in the mid-1800s. Its excellent position Finally, situated at a transportation and commercial crossroads, Chicago was by virtue of its location critically important to the movement of goods and services — most particularly with the coming of the railroad in the 1850s. The city expanded quickly, drawing workers and immigrants and entrepreneurs. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which leveled so much of the city, ravaged it severely yet as from that conflagration there has risen up with unparalleled expedition and energy a prouder and more ambitious Chicago than even the one that was burned.
In the 20th century, the city was a center for industry, finance, and culture. It was central during the Prohibition and even harbored notorious gangsters such as Al Capone, further adding to its legendary mystique. Today, Chicago is able to strike a balance between the past and the future, still wearing its history on its sleeve while paying homage to its hardscrabble roots and diverse heritage.
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
Today, Chicago is the third most-populous city in the United States and has around 2.7 million residents. Its metro area grows even more than that, leaving a rich & diverse metropolis with plenty of culture and people from all walks of life.
English is the main language of Chicago, but the city is a patchwork of cultures and languages. Spanish dominates thanks to a sizable Hispanic population, but Polish, Chinese, Tagalog and Arabic can be heard across the city in various neighborhoods. This diversity of languages enriches the cultural tapestry of Chicago seen through its festivals, food and community life.
CURRENCY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As an integral part of the United States, Chicago has adopted the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency. The green bills and coins you recognize from home are standard issue here, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted at all but the smallest mom-and-pop shops.
The electrical current in Chicago is 120 volts, 60 Hz AC, as it is elsewhere in the US. The power plugs are of type A and type B, the former having two flat parallel pins, the latter adding a grounding pin. Those who are arriving from countries with varying voltages or plug types should carry an adapter and potentially a voltage converter in order to not fry their electronics.
CLIMATE OF CHICAGO
(Collinsville is a suburb of Belleville, which is about 20 miles east of St. Louis).” Well the way I see it: Chicago has a humid continental climate so it has all four seasons very differentlyエ “Chicago has a humid continental click mate, so he gets to experience all four seasons distinctively. Winters can be severe and very cold, with temperatures falling below freezing on more than one day of every two. Lake Michigan even as the wind off of it makes it feel colder, so there’s that whole nickname — the Windy City.
Spring is a long time coming and early spring can still be cold and wet. Summers are warm to hot, very moist and typically have a temperature range of mid-70s to high 80s °F (approx. 24–31 °C). This is when Chicago really wakes up, with outdoor festivals, beach attendees on the lake and street activity teeming.
Chicago is beautiful in the fall when all of its parks and tree lined streets are red, orange, yellow. The temperature drops and becomes cozy, just before winter returns.
TYPICAL FOOD IN CHICAGO
Chicago’s food speaks of a diverse cultural tapestry and blue-collar beginnings. And, of course, the city is best known for its deep-dish pizza — a thick crust of buttery dough filled with cheese, tomato sauce and other kinds of toppings. It’s a robust dish that goes hand in hand with Chicago’s brassy identity.
And then there is also, among the culinary greats, the Chicago Dog; a simple and intricate thing all at once. Served on a poppy seed bun, it gets covered in mustard, onions, relish, tomatoes, pickles, sport peppers and celery salt—never ketchup. This dog is a nod to the city’s Midwestern pride.
The dining scene in Chicago is also a playground for international cuisine. Its immigrant communities ensure a few different iterations of the classic Italian beef sandwich, plus pierogis (and kielbasa), Mexican street food and very colorful Asian cooking. There’s more options to indulge in throughout the city, including food markets, food trucks and uppity restaurants.
TRANSPORTATION IN CHICAGO
It’s not too difficult to move around Chicago, considering the city’s robust transit infrastructure. And the city is home to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which has an impressive system of buses and “L” trains, both elevated and subway. The “L” is sleek and efficient, providing relatively quick rides between neighborhoods and downtown.
It is also an extremely walkable city, especially in the downtown Loop area. Shorter trips are often done by bike; there are many bike lanes and renters, including Divvy bikes. Driving is the norm, but parking can be expensive and tricky in some sections of town and many resident and tourists instead opt for public transit or rideshare.
Further afield, Chicago is a hub and has America’s third busiest airport (at O’Hare International) connecting flights around the US and the world.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Just like many other major cities, Chicago does have safe and unsafe areas. It’s famous throughout the land for a few neighborhoods with high rates of crime, and travelers are frequently warned about this. But the city is vast and varied, and countless areas of Chicago are perfectly safe for tourists and residents alike.
There’s quite an intense police presence in downtown Chicago, tourist sections of the city and many established residential neighborhoods. Regular use of common sense and increased awareness of your surroundings, as well as the tendency to stick to high-traffic areas (don’t walk through dark alleys at 2 a.m.), should keep you out of trouble most of the time.
MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CHICAGO
When it comes to incredible things to do, the city is packed full of museums, history, and beautiful sites.
Millennium Park is a downtown showpiece, home to the reflective “Cloud Gate” sculpture (also colloquially known as “The Bean”). It is a park that offers concerts, events and some lovely gardens.
The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, and its collection is renowned for its depth and breadth, filled with such iconic works as Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.”
Navy Pier juts out into Lake Michigan and has restaurants, shops, rides, and a solid view of the city skyline.
Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower): Willis offers a observation deck called “Skydeck” for visitors to stand in glass boxes jutting out from the building for amazing views.
The Magnificent Mile is a popular shopping district attracting upscale shops, historic buildings, and lively nightlife.
Museum Campus – The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium combined make a complete day of fun and adventures for families or for the active mind.
The neighborhoods themselves are their own draws — places like Wicker Park, Chinatown, Pilsen and Hyde Park all have unique vibes, amazing food and cultural experiences.
OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CHICAGO
Chicago’s sports culture is part of what makes the city great. The city that has raised Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Bears (NFL), and the Cubs and White Sox (MLB) is home to legendary sports teams like the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL).NullOr The games have brought its people with hope for a better future.
The city is also known for its music scene—jazz and blues are sewn in to the fabric of Chicago’s soul, and there’s no shortage of clubs and venues that keep those genres alive here.
Education and innovation are booming here as well. Chicago is the site of prestigious universities such as the University of Chicago and Northwestern University; there’s also a burgeoning domain industry.
Environmental actions are evident in the public greens of Chicago and the green choices made for city living. The city borders Lake Michigan and offers some gorgeous beaches and great outdoor recreation.
Chicago is full of contrasts and character – a city that bridges history and the future, an urban sprawl set against sparkling blue waters, with neighbourhoods framed by soaring skyscrapers or abutted by beautiful shores. Whether walking in its parks, enjoying a deep-dish pizza or going to a game or standing mouth agape at its stunning architecture, Chicago is an energetic and heartfelt city there’s no doubt you’ll find beauty here!
From its roots as a fur trading outpost to its development into an international city, Chicago is still a site of resilience and remaking. It is a city that embraces you with open arms, urging you to discover its many layers and stories.
