Chicago has even more to offer than you might think
By Joshua Haigh
Sponsored
It’s one of those iconic cities on everyone’s bucket list, but it’s certainly not resting on its laurels in 2017.
Chicago has so much to offer visitors, and with it being the third largest city in America, there’s something for absolutely everyone to enjoy.
While its variety of vibrant ‘gaybourhoods’ are just waiting to be explored, there’s no denying that to fully appreciate Chicago you’ve got to venture further out.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend an evening, why not get your glad rags on and head down to see a Broadway show. The city’s legendary theatre district is renowned for its array of iconic productions, which you can watch at stunning venues including Cadillac Palace and The Oriental.
For some fantasy escapism you can catch shows like Disney classic Aladdin, or for a little more culture why not sit down for an epic journey with the critically acclaimed Chicago production of Hamilton.
If it’s an altogether different kind of music scene you’re after, then you can dive straight into one of the city’s numerous annual music festivals.
You can’t get much bigger than the world-renowned Lollapalooza, which has been held in Chicago since 2005, and attracts hundreds of thousands of music fans from all over the world every year.
No matter what style of music you’re into – pop, trance, rock and everything in between – the festival caters to all tastes and preferences. Performers lined up for this year include the likes of Charli XCX, Tove Lo, The Killers and Lorde to name just a few. You get to soak up the sights, sounds and architecture that the heart of the city offers while dancing your heart out – what could be better?
Other notable music-based events include Grant Park Music Festival, Pitchfork and Northalsted Market Days, so there’s plenty to choose from.
If you’re looking for central places to stay to make exploring the city even easier, then look no further than the Acme Hotel, which is a fantastic starting point for checking out all of the sights downtown. Just two blocks from the Magnificent Mile in the River North neighbourhood, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location.
And to make things even more convenient, it’s also just a quick ride on the iconic “L” train to fun-filled LGBT+ neighbourhoods like Boystown and Andersonville. After a day of sight-seeing you’ll need to grab a bite to eat, and River North offers some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and cafes, including the legendary House of Blues.
You can also treat yourself to a new addition to your wardrobe at one of the neighbourhood’s numerous high-end fashion stores. Magnificent Mile is the perfectly place to indulge in some retail therapy, and you’ll find the perfect blend of boutique and department stores to fulfill your shopping needs.
It’s bound to make you work up an appetite, and thankfully Mag Mile lies in the heart of Chicago’s famous culinary scene that’s jam-packed full of award-winning restaurants and upmarket eateries, where can you fill your stomach with locally-sourced ingredients for a truly authentic dining experience.
Don’t forget that you can also explore the city by river. There are numerous architectural boat tours available that offer unrivaled views of the city and the best vantage points to properly admire the some of the world-famous buildings and landmarks. For a more indulgent experience, take a ride at night to see Chicago as you’ve never seen it before, and even head out onto the breath-taking lakefront.
With numerous non-stop flights between London and Chicago from London’s biggest airports, it’s never been easier to escape the UK for a few days or weeks.
Plan your trip at www.enjoyillinois.co.uk and join in the celebration on social media with “amaizingILmoments.