In restaurants, public places and bars in Chicago (United States), the pulsating beats of the house They resonate throughout the city, infecting locals and visitors with their energy.. And it makes perfect sense: the Windy City is the cradle of this electronic genre, precursor of dance and techno.
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But the musical influence in this place does not stop there. With a heritage of jazz, blues and gospel, each neighborhood offers a live showwhere artists fill its streets with soul and rhythm.
Its buildings give it a very modern touch, but they also make its visitors feel tiny in front of the imposing buildings such as the 110-story Willis Tower or the 98-story Trump International Hotel & Tower.
Some historians consider that the era of skyscrapers was born here, thanks to the architectural advances that transformed the city into a world reference. An example of this is the Home Insurance Building, considered the first construction of this type. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, this ten-story building was opened in 1885; Then, in 1891, two more were added, marking a milestone in the history of architecture.
Los Bulls y los Blackhawks
For locals, sports have an important place. Arriving at the United Center, the home of the Bulls basketball team and the Blackhawks (hockey team), you can see the excited attendees. Many wear t-shirts, hats and scarves with the iconic logos, which include a representation of a member of the indigenous communities of the United States, and, of course, the famous Benny the Bull mascot.
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Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks.
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The matches are interrupted by dances, shows musicals and contests in which spectators can participate.
If you travel, One of the unmissable plans is to attend a game, be it basketball, hockey or American football with the Chicago Bears. Each sport has its own vibe, but they all offer an exciting experience.
The rebirth of Chicago
On October 10, 1871, The Great Chicago Fire destroyed a large part of the central area of the city. The fire burned about 6.5 kilometers and left more than 100,000 people homeless. Then, Michael Ahern, a reporter who worked for the newspaper Chicago Tribuneassured that a cow was the culprit by hitting a kerosene lamp.
Although the reporter confessed that the story was not real, The locals still believe that this was the cause of the tragedy. Years after what happened, the city was reborn and architects from all over the world helped in its reconstruction. The progress was so great that Chicago contributed to urban planning and architecture with its steel infrastructures.
And you will One of the most memorable sightseeing tours is along the Chicago River. The ‘tour’ begins at Navy Pier and the guide will talk to you about its history, curious facts about its architecture and reasons why its buildings are important.
To admire its buildings from above, it is worth visiting its skyscrapers. Skydeck and 360 Chicago are a few. Enjoy these plans also at night, when the place shines with other lights and unique aesthetics.
Panoramic view of skyscrapers from the Chicago River Architectural Tour.
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Live Christmas
The Christmas season is already felt. Between November 23 and 24, the Wintrust Festival of Lights took place, marking the official start of the holiday season the weekend before Thanksgiving, which falls tomorrow.
You will also find markets, such as the traditional Christkindlmarket, inspired by German markets, with local and international foodfrom sausages and pretzels to typical seasonal sweets. Additionally, visitors can warm themselves with drinks such as mulled wine and chocolate, while exploring the ‘stands’ that sell crafts and accessories to decorate your home.
Millennium Park
Another tourist attraction is Millennium Park, located in the Loop community area. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is located there.a stage with 4,000 fixed seats, where outdoor musical presentations are held.
In addition, The famous Cloud Gate sculpture, popularly known as the Bean, is located in Grainger Plaza.. Created by British artist Anish Kapoor, the work has 168 stainless steel plates and weighs 110 tons.
The park offers other areas of interest such as Crown Fountaindesigned by the Spanish Jaume Plensa; Lurie Gardenand, in some seasons, you’ll find skating rinks and open-air art galleries.
Gastronomy
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Chaufa rice is one of the dishes you can find at Tanta, a Peruvian restaurant in Chicago.
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A Uno Pizzeria Grillan American restaurant chain, He is credited with the origin of Chicago-style deep dish pizza. This dish, traditional from the area, has a high edge, is filled with cheese and tomato sauce. Trying it is an inevitable plan. The places most recommended by locals to do it are: Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Another typical dish is the Chicago-style hot dog, which includes a variety of toppings such as mustard, peppers, tomato, pickles, among other ingredients. The recommendation is to go to Portillo’s, a chain that has 46 locations in the city’s metropolitan area and northern Illinois.
Likewise, you will find gourmet options that will surprise you. With cuisine from all over the world, Chicago is home to internationally recognized restaurantssome with Michelin stars. Among the options you can visit is Tanta, a Peruvian restaurant, which stands out for its ceviches; and Acanto, an Italian restaurant, which offers fresh pasta dishes.
Recommendations
- If you are flying from Bogotá, the fastest way to get there is by Avianca, which has a direct flight lasting six hours. There are other airlines that also fly to Chicago, but they have stops in Miami, Atlanta or Fort Lauderdale.
- Between November and January it is cold, so you should wear thermal clothing to be protected from the wind and low temperatures.
- Buy the CityPass It is a good option to see the main tourist spots such as taking a tour along the Chicago River, entering the Skydeck or the Art Institute of Chicago.
- It is a large city, so it is advisable to stay in the center so that the distances to the tourist spots are walkable or at least short.
- If you don’t know which festivals, bars, restaurants, and museums to visit, you can go to the Choose Chicagothe tourism promotion office for this area, where you will see essential suggestions for your trip.
With invitation from Choose Chicago and Avianca.
ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ – TRAVEL EDITORIAL – @ANGS0614
