Reasons to Visit Chicago

I've been to a lot of major cities in the U.S., and Chicago is by far my favorite. I may be biased because all my family is from there, but I don't care. Here's my top ten reasons to visit Chicago!

1. Friendly People: You'll have a hard time finding a city this big that has so many genuine people. You can ask for directions from random strangers or just start off a friendly conversation without feeling intimidated.

2. Great Restaurants: The food in Chicago is amazing, and there's a wide range of cuisine all over the city. Of course, they are known for their Italian food. For every fine-dining restaurant, there is an exceptional food joint that specializes in things such as roast beef sandwiches, pizza, or hot dogs. My personal favorite restaurant in the city is called Cite, and it’s located on the 72^nd floor of Waterfront Towers. Another favorite of mine is Giordanos pizza, it’s easily the best pizza in town and has a great family atmosphere. The wait will usually be long for this place, but it’s worth it. Lastly, if you’re a sushi fanatic, try out Sushisamba for an outstanding menu that’s conveniently located downtown.

3. Attractions: The best place to start off at is the top of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears tower). It used to be the tallest skyscraper in the world. You’ll get a fantastic view of the city. Next, head on over to the Hancock Building and go to the restaurant on the top floor (I’ll spare you the nickname due to the explicit nature). After that, it’s a necessity to visit Navy Pier. The pier has a ton of great restaurants and tourist attractions such as a ferris wheel, bike rides, and boat rides. Millennium Park is a great places for families, as it holds lots of innovative art and attractions.

4. Michigan Street: Some of the best shopping on the country is located downtown on Michigan Street. You can start out on one side of the street and make your way through Nordstrom, Ralph Lauren, Coco Chanel, etc., and then come back on the other side through a huge Apple store, Guess, and a signature Sharper Image store.

5. The Suburbs: The finest communities are located outside the inner-city. You’ll find little family restaurants that find their own unique niche within the suburbs. Family-friendly parks are littered across these areas.

6. Sports: Whether you have your own favorite sports team or not, Chicago is a great place to be for sporting events. Wrigley Field would be my personal first stop, as the atmosphere rivals that of any other major league stadium. Chicago Cubs fans don’t mess around. Next, I would go see a Chicago Bulls game for a hint of nostalgia and also for entertainment because they’ve been doing good lately.