Chicago is a unique city with a history that reads like a folk tale more than a textbook. That’s not a bad thing, considering the city was founded on flat, non-descropt prairie and swampland. Today, Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., and home to many recognizable landmarks.

But Chicago is more than the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, and Lake Michigan. It overflows with culture. The city’s jazz, blues, comedy, sports, cuisine, and gruff/friendly personality are all unique enough that they might as well be copyrighted.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. There are hundreds of microcosms that exist within the city limits. There are historic enclaves that date back to the time when Chicago was rebuilt following The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 (allegedly started when a cow owned by one Mrs. O’Leary kicked over a lantern in the barn).

Chicago is a stopping point, as it always has been, for many immigrants. Vibrant immigrant communities offer a diversity that is unparallel by any other place east of New York. With this diversity comes the mish-mash of cuisines that makes Chicago one of the best places in the world to step out for a bite to eat.

And what about shopping? Chicago has everything from the designer brands found on Downtown’s Magnificent Mile to bargain deals at any number of neighborhood thrift stores.

And, it’s easy, perhaps you could even call it fun, to get around The Windy City. The Elevated Train (simply known as The L) and subways are the most convenient modes of transport. There are stations close to most of the city’s main attractions. Driving is another story. If traffic isn’t enough of a nightmare, parking is non-existent in many places in the city.

Chicago is one of America’s great cities. It has its good and its bad, but, for visitors, it’ll be easy to find something to love.