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Hey everyone! I hope y’all are having a great week! The end of July always signals the end of the summer (at least for me) since growing up, that meant school was starting up within the next few weeks (don’t get me wrong though, I loved school cause without it, I’d probably have no friends). Although I love the summertime, and part of me is always sad that it’s gone, I always look on the brighter side and see that a much better season is just on the horizon.
If you think I am talking about the Fall season because that means much more manageable temperatures in New Orleans (which is a good reason to be fair), you clearly don’t know me well enough. I’m obviously talking about FOOTBALL SEASON; the greatest season known to man, and the single biggest extracurricular use of my time for the last 16 years of my life. I’ll be spending a lot less time this year given that I won’t be coaching for the first time in 5 years (sad), but I already know I’ll be at the top of my game in terms of football consumption.
Ok, enough of that because I’m sure most readers don’t care. For today’s blog, I’ll be giving my review of one of the biggest cities in the US, Chicago. I’ve spent some time in the city previously moving out my brother Jacques from his dorm room after his Freshman and Senior years, but I was extremely excited to spend a whole month up here. Before getting into it, I will note that this blog will 1000% be biased because I believe Chicago during the summer is the best place in America, and I will not spend a single second in a Chicago winter (and nor do I want to). So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Overview
As always, let’s start with a quick description of the city by yours truly, Chat GPT:
Chicago, often called the "Windy City," is a vibrant metropolis located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. It's the third-largest city in the United States and is renowned for its architectural beauty, cultural diversity, and robust economic activity. The city skyline, featuring iconic structures like the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the John Hancock Center, and the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, is a spectacular sight, especially when viewed from Lake Michigan. Chicago's streets are a blend of modernity and history, with each neighborhood offering a unique charm.
The city is also a cultural and entertainment hub, home to world-class museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Sports are a cornerstone of Chicago's identity, with passionate fans supporting their teams like the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox. The city is also famed for its diverse culinary scene, which includes renowned restaurants and street foods like Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. From the stunning natural beauty of Grant Park, Millennium Park, and the Lake Michigan shoreline to the bustling streets of Magnificent Mile and State Street, Chicago combines the best of urban living with a strong connection to nature.
Activities: 8.5/10
Favorite Activity: Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Architecture Tour
Like last month, Wrigley Field was one of the sports venues on my bucket list that I didn’t go to the two previous times I was in Chicago. Living only two blocks away from the stadium this month, I basically forced myself to see it wherever I went, and I must say, it did not disappoint. The bleacher section in Wrigley Field in particular was amazing with an incredibly fun atmosphere highlighted best by the cup snakes all around the outfield (the Cubs are also on fire right now, which made the atmosphere great). Just like Fenway Park in Boston, there is a vibe about a stadium being in the middle of the city (and in Wrigley’s case, in a residential neighborhood) that is so cool in my opinion, and wish more stadiums were like that (esp. new ones).
Aside from the Cubs games, there is a whole host of things to do in the city, particularly in the summertime. One of my favorites is the Friday Morning Swim Club where thousands of people jump in Lake Michigan at Montrose Beach at 7 AM to get a nice brisk wake-up call to start your day. Another must-do activity in Chicago is the riverboat architecture tours that take you down the Chicago River and tell the history of all the downtown buildings in the city. Although I could’ve done it anywhere, I also was able to do a Barbenheimer double feature in the city, but was disappointed they didn’t have the 70mm IMAX theatre for Oppenheimer :(.
Landmarks/Neighborhoods/Areas: 8.5/10
Most Iconic Landmarks: The Bean, Sears Tower
In terms of landmarks, while not as prominent as other cities like NYC, or DC, Chitown still had tons of famous landmarks to see, with the most notable one being the bean. The Sears Tower, which many Chicagoans still claim to be the tallest building in the US (they kinda have a point too), as well as the Navy Pier Ferris wheel, are also iconic landmarks of the city.
Compared to the last three cities I’ve traveled to, the Chicago proper area is massive, meaning that there are tons of room for differing neighborhoods and areas of the city. I loved the Uptown/Wrigleyville area that I stayed in with a plentiful amount of restaurants and bars. Other neighborhoods that are worth checking out include Lincoln Park, Chinatown, Hyde Park, and more. Don’t know if this counts as a landmark, area, or neighborhood, but Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is a must-do at some point where you can check out a plentiful amount of dining and shopping options (side note: I am definitely a pretty frugal person and am someone who rarely buys clothes, but it shocks me how so many of these clothing stores selling $500+ items stay in business).
Food: 8/10
Favorite Restaurants: Lou Malnati’s, The Weiner Circle
Local Delicacy: Deep Dish Pizza & Hot Dogs
When I first planned my trip, there was one food debate that I wanted to test: who has the better pizza, NYC or Chicago? After spending a month in the Windy City, and trying a bunch of local favorites like Lou Malati’s, Piquods, Pizzano’s, and more, I can easily say that NYC has superior pizza. However, Chicago’s slices are still solid, and even if you’re not a deep dish person, I highly recommend just trying Lou Malnati’s Chicago Style deep dish.
In general, though, Chicago is a great city to visit for a foodie, offering really any type of dish you’re looking for (as expected for a big city like Chicago). Although I possibly just missed most of the good places, there weren’t a ton of dishes that wowed me, to be honest, and think New York, Charleston, and New Orleans (obviously) still are miles ahead of Chicago in this regard.
Nightlife/Social Scene: 8/10
Favorite Venues: Sluggers, The Salt Shack
With Chicago being the main business hub in the midwestern part of the United States, there are tons of young adults from primarily Big 10 schools that flock there post-grad for work, making the social scene quite vibrant. I stayed very close to one of the most popular areas, Clark St., where there are a bunch of popular bars, including Sluggers, Old Crow, Bamboo Club, and more. Especially after Cubs games, this area gets wild.
Lincoln Park and Lake View also have a bunch of options to go to, and these usually stay open later in the night, so it’s common for people to start in Wrigleyville, and move their way South as the night goes on. Arguably my favorite night of the trip was going to a Trombone Shorty concert at the Salt Shack, which is an old Morton Salt Factory turned into an indoor and outdoor music venue. The one late-night establishment I regret not going to is Kingston Mines, which is a Jazz bar with tons of famous local musicians, so if you’re in Chicago, don’t make the mistake I did and miss out on hearing some great jazz music.
History & Culture: 8/10
Although Chicago is a huge urban area filled with white-collar jobs, it still holds onto the midwestern, tough, blue-collar culture that is very unique to most other cities within the US. Although I’ve never done it, I would imagine this blue-collar grit is needed to get through the tumultuous winters. For a big metropolitan area, one thing that was cool about Chicago was that it still felt incredibly homey, which I was pleasantly delighted to experience.
Compared to the East Coast cities that I’ve been spending the first 6 months of my trip visiting, Chicaly doesn’t have as long of a history given that the town was only incorporated in 1833. However, there are many historical moments, of its past, including the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which honestly marked the turning point where Chicago started becoming a midwestern hub in the US.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Spaces: 9.5/10
This is where Chicago excels as a major metropolitan area. Even though its location isn’t privy to natural beauty and outdoor spaces compared to other cities (ex: Charlotte), Chicago has one of the prettiest cities in the US in my opinion. Two of the most well-known spaces are the famous Millennium and Grant Park, where you can go on a beautiful walk, play putt-putt, listen to a random orchestra playing on a Friday, and more.
The lakefront of Chicago is also amazing, having everything from running and biking spaces to beaches, and more. The best part is that, unlike other cities, the lakefront in Chicago is classified as a public good, and no real estate developer can build skyscrapers on it. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about capitalism, but having this space kept free and open for anyone to use is incredible. Chicago is also in the process of continuing to build out its river walk in the middle of downtown, adding yet another fun outdoor thing to do in the city. Although my rating here would probably change if I went in the wintertime,
Transportation: 8/10
Like NYC, Boston, and DC, Chicago has a great public transportation system that can bring you almost anywhere in the city quite conveniently, which is impressive given the sheer size of the city. I lucked out and stayed 2 blocks away from a Red Line stop, making it super simple and easy to get downtown.
For the most part, driving around the city isn’t a big issue, but like any major city, there aly times when you get hit with the 5 o’clock traffic and are stuck for a lot longer than you anticipated. Parking in Chicago is also not a particularly easy endeavor, particularly around the area I was staying in. Thankfully, it seemed like the Chicago PD had better things to do than give 10 parking tickets to a struggling blogger, because I never had the correct permit to park in my neighborhood, but only got one ticket for being parked during a street cleaning time.
People: 9/10
In an earlier section of the blog, I mentioned how Chicago felt very homey for being a big city. One of the main reasons for this was due to the people in the city. All of my encounters with Chicago locals were very pleasant and people were nice except when my brother and I went to the Weiner Circle and got roasted by the person taking our order (that’s their thing, so I loved it).
One aspect that I never realized/expected even though it makes sense is the ties that the people of Chicago had to the Southern United States. During the 20th century, tons of people from the South (mostly African Americans) migrated to tons of different areas of the country, with Chicago being one of the main destinations. There were numerous times during my time in Chicago when I met someone who had family in the south, with the funnies instance being a waitress who said, “You must be from the South because we’re the same age and you’re calling me ma’am.”
Overall: 8.4/10
In conclusion, Chicago emerges as a vibrant city that combines the hustle of urban life with the calm serenity of nature. From architectural marvels and world-class museums to thrilling sports events and bustling nightlife, the city has something for everyone. The city's food scene, although not as captivating as some other locales, offers a unique blend of flavors and experiences. It's a city with deep cultural ties and a unique midwestern charm that's visible in its residents' warm hospitality. Its public spaces, like Millennium and Grant Park, and the serene Lake Michigan lakefront offer ample opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. Despite minor hiccups in terms of food and winter weather, the overall experience in Chicago is one of thrilling diversity, cultural richness, and a connection to nature rarely found in large metropolises. If you're considering a trip, the "Windy City" won't disappoint with its blend of excitement, history, and warmth.
Thanks for reading! I’m currently writing this in Victor Idaho, which is a place I never heard of before and would have never expected to be in my entire life. I guess that’s why I’m doing this whole traveling thing. I’ll be spending a lot of time this weekend traveling to Denver, so might be a little late on the blog for next week, but stay tuned faithful readers!
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