The City of Chicago, Illinois, is the third-largest city in population in the United States. The city’s eastern edge is on the shores of Lake Michigan, allowing for gorgeous views across the horizon year-round. Summers in Chicago are moderate and pleasant, and the city boasts 189 days of sun a year. With the lake nearby, the city also receives comfortable wind to tame any extreme summer heat.
Residents of Chicago will find that the city provides the same sort of amenities that they can find in any other large city across the country. Cultural variety, fine arts, Michelin star restaurants–you name it, Chicago has it. With a population of 2.7 million, the city is a melting pot. Residents can enjoy the many benefits of fine dining and cuisines from other countries. They can also indulge and support established and rising artists in film and other industries.
What to Love
303 miles of biking lanes
26 Michelin star restaurants
Many film and music festivals year-round
8,300 acres of green space open to the public
Local Lifestyle
Despite its large population, Chicago, Illinois, is not as busy a city as New York or Los Angeles. Residents find a laid-back lifestyle more to their taste. Many workers take advantage of the weather and infrastructure and bike to work regularly, keeping the streets less populated. The locals also have the friendly Midwesterner personality that Illinois is known for. Locals take things at their own pace and treat each other with care, even during tough times.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Chicago is well known for being a foodie city. Fusion American foods and Michelin star restaurants populate the streets. One dish Chicago is well known for inventing is deep-dish pizza, and what better place to eat it than the birthplace, Pizzeria Uno. Around since 1943, Uno’s has a top-notch menu of deep-dish pizza, from the classic to vegetarian to whatever the heart desires.
For a refined night out, one should look to the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Currently, Alinea is the only place boasting three stars in Chicago and one of only 14 in the U.S.
Alinea has been praised for its inventive take on modernist cuisine. The restaurant is the stomping grounds of Chef Grant Achatz, known for his work in molecular gastronomy. Another more recent addition to the fine dining scene in Chicago is Oriole. It is a contemporary-American restaurant located on Chicago’s west loop. Executive Chef and Owner Noah Sandoval opened the establishment in 2016 and consistently received two Michelin stars.
If it’s too early for a hearty pizza or top-class restaurants, stop by Lost Larson for some tea or coffee and seasonal, artisanal Scandinavian pastries. Run and owned by Bobby Schaffer, who led the pastry program for the former three-star Michelin restaurant Grace in Chicago. Lost Larson is his take on bringing tradition into the contemporary.
Things to Do
Chicago has a myriad of events and activities to partake in. On a sunny, 72-degree day, residents can visit Chicago’s, Millennium Park. It is one of the Midwest’s most famous parks, with 25 acres dedicated to events, nature, and the arts.
The annual Millennium Park Summer Music Series is hosted here. This summer-long event is held on Monday and Thursday evenings between June and August. It features local musicians and students, as well as musicians in support of global causes. Each evening is three hours of music and fun on the lawn. In tandem with this, the Millennium Park Summer Film Series runs on Tuesday evenings during the summer between July and September. Hosting old and new films alike, the series picks a theme each year and plays movies in alignment with the theme.
Another great place to frequent is the Navy Pier. During summer, the winds blow off the lake and keep you cool while you enjoy a stroll down the pier. Even boating enthusiasts can dock here and stop in for food, events, or to take a breather at their indoor botanical garden.
Schools
The Chicago Board of Education serves the City of Chicago.
