Chicago

Most cities pale in comparison to Chicago, whose stunning skyline erupts from the western shores of Lake Michigan. Its ethnic and cultural diversity, shopping, world-class attractions and museums are all enveloped within incomparable architecture. Touching the clouds are soaring skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower. Just stroll through Millennium Park to see Frank Gehry's lofty stainless steel ribbons atop the outdoor concert venue, the talking faces displayed on the soaring glass fountains by Jaume Plensa or Anish Kapoor's stainless steel, elliptical Cloud Gate (affectionately known as "The Bean") that reflects ...

Most cities pale in comparison to Chicago, whose stunning skyline erupts from the western shores of Lake Michigan. Its ethnic and cultural diversity, shopping, world-class attractions and museums are all enveloped within incomparable architecture. Touching the clouds are soaring skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower. Just stroll through Millennium Park to see Frank Gehry's lofty stainless steel ribbons atop the outdoor concert venue, the talking faces displayed on the soaring glass fountains by Jaume Plensa or Anish Kapoor's stainless steel, elliptical Cloud Gate (affectionately known as "The Bean") that reflects fish-eye panoramas of the skyline. Nearby is the Art Institute, with its extraordinary collection of French Impressionists as well as American artist Grant Wood's classic work, American Gothic. Stretching a half-mile out into Lake Michigan is Navy Pier. One of the city's most popular tourist meccas, it contains shops, restaurants, a 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, and a carousel, plus an IMAX theater, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, miniature golf and The Chicago Children's Museum.

About the Expert

Roberta Sotonoff is coauthor of Eyewitness Top 10 Chicago and has contributed to many other guidebooks, including Fodor's Chicago, Fodor's Caribbean, Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call, and Thomas Cook Traveller's USA.