Things to do in Chicago
A city of great architectural and cultural importance, Chicago ranks alongside New York as one of the most exhilarating and interesting of America's great cities.
Key points of American, and world, architecture abound throughout Chicago, the adopted home of the great Frank Lloyd Wright, who lived in the residential district of Oak Park just west of the main city.
Wright spent 20 years of his life there, and designed two dozen buildings, leaving a unique architectural legacy in a small community that can also boast to being the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, in whose honour a festival is held every July.
Both Hemingway's birthplace and a museum covering the life and achievements of this great author are open to the public, as is Wright's home and studio, which along with the various buildings he designed in Oak Park offers a special insight into his development as an architect. His home in particular shows the changes his ideas went through as he continually modified different aspects of the building.
Moving a little further west again is an attraction perhaps better suited to children, and to those who enjoy their history a little more active: Naper Settlement is a 'living history museum' where life at the time of Chicago's birthplace as a major city is recreated, with costumed village characters, authentic buildings and interiors, and seasonal activities and events.
Coming back into the centre of the city, there is a wide range of ways to spend your time: the stunning view from Sears Tower's Skydeck, over 400 metres from the ground; a thriving live music, theatre and restaurant scene; and countless exclusive shops stretched along the length of Michigan Avenue, to mention just a few.
For many people, what truly sets Chicago apart from other beautiful, historical cities is the strength and vibrancy of its arts and culture, from blues and jazz to countless, internationally renowned theatre groups.
Most famous of these is probably the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, founded over 30 years ago and spiritual home to John Malkovich, who is known to hold a strong affection for the company to this day. He returned as recently as last year to tread the boards with his favourite company.
For many, though, just saying the name Chicago evokes strong memories of great jazz and blues musicians. The city was transformed by the migration of black workers from the south looking for jobs, and with them came musicians too ? Louis Armstrong moved to Chicago from New Orleans in the 1920s, and many of the most important bluesmen who lived, including Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, also later moved north.
This influx of talented musicians saw an explosion of creative energy, with Chicago playing a central role in the development of the electric blues, pioneered by Chess Records and its founders, Polish immigrants Leonard and Phil Chess.
And this interest and energy lived on well beyond those original performers, with the Rolling Stones making recordings in the Chess studio in the '60s, and with the building now officially designated a landmark building in Chicago.
The tradition also lives on, in bars and clubs today, but particularly in the summer music festival. This year saw both the gospel and blues festivals put on in early June, with the jazz festival a fixture in August. The other arts are also well-represented, with an outdoor film festival in July and August, as well as a book festival later in the year.
Sports fans are well accommodated for too, with the once-dominant Chicago Bulls basketball team, the Chicago Bears American football team, as well as two baseball teams ? the White Sox and the Chicago Cubs, who play in the historic Wrigley field stadium.
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Things to Do
