2023-04-24 10:35:52
Chicago is a great city for groups to visit — learn why we’re one-of-a-kind with a roundup of fun facts that cover everything from our iconic dining to amazing architecture and hundreds of free festivals held year-round. 77 DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS Chicago is home to a variety of international communities and unique neighborhoods that include Northalsted (formerly known as Boystown), the first officially recognized LGBTQ+ neighborhood in the U.S. ICONIC FOODS The city’s must-try foods include deep dish pizza (invented here in 1943 by Ike Sewell at Pizzeria Uno), hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, jibaritos (Puerto Rican fried plantain sandwiches), and the brownie — created at the Palmer House hotel as a new dessert to serve at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. And don’t miss the award-winning dining at more than 75 Michelin-rated restaurants, including the 3-star Alinea. ARCHITECTURE The world’s first skyscraper was designed in Chicago in 1885. The city is home to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the second-tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Nearby Oak Park is a treasure trove of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park and his Robie House in Hyde Park are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jeanne Gang’s new downtown tower — The St. Regis Chicago — is the tallest structure in the world designed by a woman. TWO SCENIC WATERFRONTS The stunning Lake Michigan waterfront offers 24 free beaches, biking along the 18-mile (29 km) Lakefront Trail, and Navy Pier. The Chicago River is home to the fun Chicago Riverwalk and the free Art on theMART, the largest permanent digital art installation in the world. PERFORMING ARTS The city is home to more than 200 theatres, including the award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Broadway In Chicago touring productions, and The Second City, birthplace of improv comedy. Some 250 live music venues include Buddy Guy’s Legends, owned by the famed blues guitarist who also performs there every January. You’ll also find 200 professional dance companies. ROUTE 66 The starting point of Route 66, known as the Main Street of America, is in the Loop, close to Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain. Look for the Historic Route 66 sign posted on Adams Street, near Michigan Avenue, that marks the start of the Mother Road. MUSEUMS More than 55 world-renowned museums include the Art Institute of Chicago (featuring the largest collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris), the Adler Planetarium (the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere) and the Field Museum (home of Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur known to man). SPORTS Chicago boasts eight major league sports teams that run the gamut from football and basketball to two beloved baseball teams. The historic Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the nation. TRANSPORTATION Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, the second-largest public transportation system in the country includes Chicago’s signature ‘L’ train, the first elevated railway in the U.S., which made its debut in 1892. FREE FESTIVALS Chicago hosts hundreds of downtown and neighborhood festivals year-round, with 70 music festivals that include the Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in the world.
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