6/15/2013

Rich And Varied Chicago Culture

By Liliana Mills


Chicago sits on the shoreline of Lake Michigan as the largest city in the state of Illinois and the third largest in all of the United States. For many years it has been among the top cities in the world in terms of economic production and has attracted throngs of people to visit or settle within it's confines. The variety of people from far-flung places has allowed the city to develop a distinctive style and a true Chicago culture all its own.

The Second City used to be the its nickname due to ranking behind only New York for the biggest cities in the US but Los Angeles has since taken over as number two. The more common nickname currently is the Windy City, inspired by the harsh winter winds that blow off of Lake Michigan. The Loop is the term that locals often use to refer to the downtown section. This is because it is surrounded by the tracks of what's called the El, the elevated train that serves the city. The metropolitan area, commonly called Chicagoland, spreads out into the bordering states of Wisconsin and Indiana.

The city is a major tourist destination with many famous and commonly-visited sites. The Sears Tower and the Hancock Building both have observation decks from which one can overlook the entire city and the lake. The Art Institute of Chicago is a major draw as is Navy Pier. The Magnificent Mile, a stretch of Michigan Avenue in the Loop, is crammed with shoppers during the holiday season and the nearby Water Tower that survived the famous fire is on the agenda of many visitors as well.

The arts scene extends well beyond the Art Institute. The Second City is a renowned comedy club from where many well-known comedians have come. Theaters are located throughout Chicago, contributing to the city's renowned performing arts. Among the most famous ones are the Steppenwolf Theater on the city's north side and the Goodman Theater located downtown.

Music is another important aspect of this culture. Blues, soul and jazz are nearly synonymous with this city for many while some know it as the place that gave birth to house music. Local artists are also well represented in other genres including R&B, hip hop and indie rock.

Food lovers will find this city to be a delight. The three most famous foods from the area are Chicago-style pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef, which can be found nearly everywhere. Restaurants of all kinds can be found throughout the metropolitan area, ranging from high-end downtown locales to local hot dog joints that are known for the verbal abuse that the workers throw at the customers, all in good fun of course.

Professional sports are a big part of the culture as well. Chicagoans love the Bears of the NFL and are split between the Cubs and the White Sox of Major League Baseball. The local hockey team, the Blackhawks, and the Bulls of the NBA claim a host of ardent supporters as well.

Chicago culture is a fascinating and distinct blend that has to be experienced to be understood. No matter one's preferences, there is something for everyone to explore and experience.




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