As I am visiting Chicago later in the year I thought I would share why this city really is one of my favourite cities I have ever visited.

I have been fortunate enough to drop into “The Windy City” on several visits to the US, even more so in the last 4 years to meet up with friends who I would not normally get to see on a regular basis.   During this time it has grown to be my all time favourite city for so many reasons. 

The Chicago Skyline

It really does not matter what age you are, the “City of Broad Shoulders” has lots to offer for everyone.   

There are gorgeous parks to stroll through, beautiful beaches to relax on, fascinating history and culture to learn about by visiting the vast array of museums.   The city is not all about the gangster era of the 1920s and Al Capone is it more commonly known for.  A great museum to visit to learn more about the history of Chicago is the Chicago History Museum, which has the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia in the World.

The Polar Bear named Lee at Lincoln Park Zoo

Many music lovers will be familiar with the Chicago Blues genre and every year, usually for 3-4 days in June, there is the Chicago Blues Festival, featuring many of today’s blues musicians.  Famous Chicago blues musicians of the past include, amongst others, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and Freddy King.

Chicago has one of the most famous skylines in the world featuring unique architecture such as The Sears Tower (which was at one point the tallest building in the World and is actually made up of 9 skyscapers).  Throughout the city you will come across unusual and original looking sculptures including Cloud Gate (which locals affectionately call “The Bean”) and “The Picasso”.

If you plan to visit with kids there are fun and entertaining areas for the whole family including Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium and Lincoln Park Zoo (which is one of the last free zoos in the US).

Chicago also has a groundbreaking theatre scene where many big Hollywood and TV stars perfected their craft including John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, John Mahoney and William Petersen, and despite making it big on the West Coast, many of the actors and actresses who have roots in the city still come back home to perform on stage for the local crowd. 

Big Sue - The most complete T Rex in the World on display at The Field Museum

For all the shopaholics out there you will not be disappointed with a trip to “The Magnificent Mile” for all your shopping needs with stores including Bloomingdales, Macys, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Crate and Barrel, The Apple Store and Nordstroms.

Last but not least, let’s not forget Chicago sports boasting household names of the past including Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) and Walter Payton (Chicago Bears).   Chicagoans are passionate about their sports and it’s hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere whenever and whatever game is on.  Chicago is also one of the cities bidding to host the 2016 Olympics.

These reasons play an integral part of why Chicago is one of my favourite cities. It will not matter how many times I visit Chicago in the future, I will not see everything, but I am certainly going to do my best to try.

I recommend the following must see attractions to anyone visiting Chicago.

• The Art Institute of Chicago
• John Hancock Observatory
• The Field Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• The Shedd Aquarium
• Navy Pier
• The Sears Tower
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Millennium Park
• Any sports event!

 I also recommend for anyone visiting the city for the first time to pick up a City Pass as you will save quite a bit of money to visit many of these attractions.

 View more photos of Chicago in our Flickr Gallery.