Living in Chicago: Things to Do and See in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is truly the heart of America. It is the perfect blend of Midwest hospitality, heritage, grit, and charm. The city is bursting with hometown pride and its inventions and architecture have spread far and wide. Nearly three million people call Chicagoland home, making it the third largest city in the country. The city has all the benefits of being a major metropolitan area, but thanks to the foresight of Chicago’s founders, none of the drawbacks.

One of Chicago’s greatest assets is Lake Michigan. Laid out in the Burnham Plan of 1909, the area directly in front of the lake was designated as public space, often called Chicago’s front yard. Run, walk, skate, or bike along the lakefront and you’ll come across neighbors from all communities smiling and waving, because that’s just the type of people Chicagoans are. And if that weren’t enough, Chicago has nearly 600 parks offering sports fields, swimming pools, and cultural activities all over the city.

Neighborhoods like the Gold Coast offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and world-class shopping at your doorstep. Hyde Park, home of President Barack Obama and countless Nobel laureates, offers rich intellectual pursuits. Lincoln Park has two of the top private K-12 schools in the country, along with some of the city’s most desirable property. And River North has the highest concentration of art galleries in the country.

Chicago is home to two of the best-ranked schools in the nation—The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. These institutions attract the best and brightest undergraduate and graduate students from around the world and provide the city with some of the world’s leading research hospitals, businesses, economists, and lawyers.

Sports fans will have no shortage of home teams to root for. Whether you choose the Cubs or the White Sox, the NHL’s Blackhawks, the world-famous Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Fire soccer team, or “da Bears,” you’ll be surrounded by your fellow fans. Take in a game at the stadium or arena, or venture to a bar to find fans as fanatic as those at the game.

Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. So it’s no surprise that the city has five of the country’s tallest buildings in its skyline. Frank Lloyd Wright and his Prairie Style were also created here, and his thumbprint remains in both public and private buildings. Whether you prefer luxury high-rise condominiums, grand historic mansions, modern brownstones, or something in between, Chicago has a home for you.

Traveling to and from Chicago is easy with two major international airports, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, each easily accessible by public transportation from downtown. And because Chicago is so centrally located, you can be anywhere in the country within a few hours.

Learn more about Chicago at the City’s official website, http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html and all it has to offer at http://www.choosechicago.com.

How Many People Live in Chicago?

Population: 2.719 million

What Languages Are Spoken in Chicago?

Language: English (official)

What is the Currency in Chicago?

Currency: USD

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