Very often Chicago is called "The Second City" or "City of Winds".
"The Second city" means leadership in the economic plan (after New York), and the name "city of winds" it received because of the fluctuations of the city authorities (and not because of strong winds, as many think). The nickname, said by politicians, was so right that it became the second name of Chicago. This city does not hold daring and vanity, there is something fascinating in it...
The powerful architecture of Chicago conceals Mexican, Polish, Vietnamese and other ethnic residential areas, which you can safely walk.
Chicago appeared on the map in 1833 as a settlement with a population of 350 people. The city was founded by French Jesuits.
The name Chicago is a French word changed from the language of the indigenous Indians of Miami-Illinois "shikaakwa", which means "wild onion".
In 1837, Chicago received the status of a city. The location between the eastern and western states and the development of railroads turned Chicago into a US transport center.
In 1871, most of the city was burnt in the Great Chicago Fire. This provided an opportunity to rebuild the city and prompted the establishment of Chicago as the center of the architecture of the United States.
The first skyscraper in the world was built in Chicago in 1885.
In 1890, Chicago was the second largest city in the United States (after New York) with a population of 1.1 million. With the growth of the city, there was a lack of clean water and a problem with sewerage, as the city was draining the sewage into Lake Michigan.
In 1900, the problem was solved by turning the Chicago River to flow from Lake Michigan and the construction of a canal leading to the Illinois River.
In 1920, the city gained international "fame" in connection with the growth of organized crime, led by famous gangsters, such as Al Capone.
In 1942, the University of Chicago, as part of the Manhattan Project, conducted the world's first controlled nuclear reaction.
A pleasant surprise for many who come here for the first time will be a strip of sandy seashore with a length of 24 km and parkland along the lake in this purely commercial city. Unlike other cities on the Great Lakes, in Chicago, most of the land near the lake is reserved for parks and residential quarters, there are no industrial enterprises. Just a few blocks from the center there comes expanse for lovers of sunbathing, swimming or fishing.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the best orchestras in the world, and the Chicago Art Institute is an internationally known museum. But the citizens themselves, without seeking the refinement of the inhabitants of Manhattan, are characterized by a benevolent and ironic attitude to life, which makes them more accessible in communication.
Chicago Attractions
Start an acquaintance with Chicago, standing on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, especially pleased with the excursion on the boat. From the variety of water walks you can choose an architectural excursion, a walk with lunch or dinner on board, a walk with fishing, a tour of the lake, during which all the main attractions of Chicago will be at your palm, or a sightseeing tour with a visit to the observation deck on the river Chicago, from where the majestic outlines of the city open.
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The Loop is the business center of Chicago, where the exchanges are located, the main shopping street State Street, LaSalle, called Chicago Wall Street, Michigan Avenue, considered the most beautiful street The city, part of which is "Magnificent Mile" - is famous for fashionable hotels, restaurants and shops.
Sears Tower (the Sears Tower skyscraper is the tallest building in the United States (110 floors, 443 m high), consisting of nine towers of different heights, connected in a single structure. You can climb to the observation deck on the 103rd floor, from which you can see the view to the whole city, the surroundings and Lake Michigan, and on a clear day - and to the adjacent territories of the four states.
Archi Centre (Center for Architecture) - here you can get acquainted with the history of American skyscraper. The very first skyscraper is considered to be built on the project of the American architect William Le Baron Jenny in 1885 in Chicago, the building of the Home Insurance Building, which existed until 1931. Originally it had "only" 10 floors, and in 1891 two more superstructures were built. Today, 5 out of the 10 tallest buildings in the US and 10 of the world's 50 tallest buildings are in Chicago.
The sculpture of Pablo Picasso, located on the Plaza Daley Plaza, is a popular meeting place for Chicago residents and visitors. Depending on the season, musical performances, agricultural fairs and other events take place here. Fans of sculpture and painting can be recommended to visit the world-famous Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Chicago’s parks and museums.
Along the waterfront of Lake Shore Drive, from the shore of Lake Michigan to the business and residential quarters of the city, there are beautiful parks.
The most famous of them are Grant Park, Millennium Park and Lincoln Park. To the south are Burnham Park and Jackson Park in Hyde Park.
In a series of parks interspersed with more than 30 beaches (lovers of swimming prefer the beaches of Lincoln Park Beach and Oak Street Beach, good, but smaller and stony beaches are located between 49th and 57th Street), the Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo), several bird sanctuaries, the Navy Pier and the Museum Campus The Museum Campus.
Chicago Botanical Garden, located on the territory of 120 hectares. It is especially interesting to visit a Japanese garden, broken on three islands, and a rose garden.
The University of Chicago. From the walls of the world-famous Chicago University, more Nobel laureates have graduated than from any other university. In 1942, the world's first controlled nuclear reaction was conducted here.
Old Town is an area where shops and other buildings from the beginning of the 20th century have survived and the functioning church of St. Michael is located. In the first days of June, artists and other representatives of the art world come here from all over the country.
Theaters in Chicago.
Chicago recognized like a theatrical capital of America, has a huge number of small theaters and studios, many of them appeared in the last decades, but already managed to win the recognition of the audience. Here, actors such as Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers and Chris Farley began. Here there are original dramatic works and shows similar to Broadway.
