As you begin the descent into Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport – the second busiest in the world – it’s easy to see why the nickname ‘City of the Big Shoulders’ has stuck.
Beyond the glimmering surface of Lake Michigan, downtown Chicago’s high-rise buildings stretch up into the blue like so many giants jostling for position, dwarfing the suburbs below.
Even though Chicago was the birthplace of the skyscraper, the nickname doesn’t just refer to the buildings, it’s also a reference to its gritty, industrial roots and the toughness of its hard-working citizens.
It’s a town that works hard for tourists too, providing a wealth of sights and entertainment to keep visitors happy whether the weather is fine, or if Chicago is living up to its other nickname – the Windy City.
The work is paying off. More than a million overseas visitors come to Chicago every year, and the UK is the largest inbound market. Chicago was one of Hayes & Jarvis’ fastest-growing destinations this summer. It’s a great alternative to New York for those looking for a city break, and can be a jumping-off point for tours and road trips exploring the Great Lakes region.
Architecture
Chicago’s Great Fire of 1871, which raged for three days and destroyed a third of the city, triggered one of the biggest building booms the US has ever seen. The result was the world’s first skyscraper, a 10-storey office block.
Chicago’s architects haven’t looked down since, and the city has one of the world’s tallest skylines, topped by the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the tallest building in the US. Now the city is packed full of beautiful examples of many schools of architecture, from its variety of skyscrapers to the stunning private homes
of renowned US architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation runs a series of fascinating tours by boat, bus and foot, focusing on different aspects of the city’s buildings, from tracing the history of the skyscraper or works from the art deco era to the city’s great modern buildings.
Art
You can’t miss some of Chicago’s greatest art works – a visit to the lakeside Millennium Park reveals a swooping Frank Gehry-designed concert pavilion, an interactive fountain with the faces of Chicago residents projected to vast sizes and Cloud Gate, a huge sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor.
Museum-wise there’s a huge choice, from galleries dedicated to contemporary photography, Mexican art and even works by Vietnam veterans. For the widest choice, head to the Art Institute of Chicago, which sits at the edge of Millennium Park. This huge complex has everything from ancient Chinese bronzes to the Impressionists, plus an entire glass-fronted wing devoted to 20th and 21st-century art.
Music
Blues and jazz flourished here in the early 20th century, and the city was home to famous names such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Benny Goodman. There are still plenty of spots to hear both these genres, from House of Blues and Buddy Guy’s Legends for blues and Andy’s and the Velvet Lounge for jazz.
Blues lovers can visit Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, a archive and photo gallery dedicated to the former Chess Records Studio, where Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry and Aretha Franklin recorded.
However, the history of music in Chicago doesn’t end there. Towards the end of the 20th century, the city was the birthplace of house music, and home to artists as diverse as the Smashing Pumpkins and Kanye West.
Shopping
Chicago can duke it out with the Big Apple when it comes to shopping. A stretch of North Michigan Avenue is particularly famous. Known as the ‘Magnificent Mile’ it has four shopping centres. The State Street area is home to all of the great US names, including a six-storey, Barneys, a 10-floor Macy’s and a discount Nordstrom store.
For smaller boutiques, try some of Chicago’s neighbourhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park.
About 45 minutes out of the town in Aurora, there’s Chicago Premium Outlets, which offers discount shopping at 120 stores, including big names such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Banana Republic and J.Crew.premiumoutlets.com
Families
Those visiting in summer can make the most of Chicago’s lakeside beaches; Oak Street is the most central. The city is home to the Cubs and the White Sox, so families could take in a game, or head to the White Sox’s US Cellular Field where children can practise pitching and batting. Navy Pier has a huge ferris wheel, and the Lincoln Park Zoo is the world’s largest free zoo.
On a rainy day, children will love the Field Museum, home to Sue, the world’s largest and most complete tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, and the Shedd Aquarium, where they can see sharks, whales, dolphins, seals and penguins through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The John Hancock Observatory is well worth a visit this winter as it will be home to the highest skating rink in the world, which opens on January 1. More than 1,000ft off the ground, skaters will pay $5 for a 25-minute session.
The Adler Planetarium has a range of shows including one where Big Bird and Elmo from Seasame Street journey through the night sky. There is also a new children’s exhibition, called Planet Explorers.
Food
Chicago is a diverse city, a fact reflected in its dining options. As well as all the classic US diners, clients will also be able to choose from Chinese, Mexican, Cajun, Vietnamese and even Peruvian. Try the Eleven City Diner on Wabash for a Jewish twist on the diner, with knish and latkes alongside its brilliant burgers and perfect pies.
The city is famed for its deep-dish pizza, with a buttery crust, chunky tomato sauce and lots of cheese. Pizzeria Uno claims to be the home of the original, invented by owner Ike Sewell in 1943.
The city also has its own version of the hot dog – an all-beef sausage on a poppy-seed bun topped with mustard, onion, sweet-pickle relish, dill pickle, tomato slices, hot peppers and celery salt, no ketchup.
The Billy Goat Tavern is the most famous place to enjoy this delicacy, and you never know who you might meet there – it’s welcomed Bill Murray, Jack Black, Neve Campbell and a number of US presidents.
Sample product
Hayes & Jarvis is offering 10% discounts on short breaks to Chicago departing on January 10, a four-night package costs £599 per person (saving £69) including Delta flights from Heathrow. hayesandjarvis.co.uk, 0844 415 5550
Attraction World has added 11 new tours and attractions in Chicago, including shopping tours, pizza tours and shows including The Lion King and Wicked. Inside Chicago: The Grand Tour is £29 per adult and £14 per child. attractionworld.com, 0871 700 8888
