Travel Eye on Chicago (Illinois, USA)

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Overview:

Chicago is the major metropolis of America's heartland, with three million people hustling and bustling in the city of skyscrapers that appears to rise straight out of the waters of Lake Michigan, in northern Illinois. Once a gangster's hang-out synonymous with infamous names such as Al Capone and Bonny and Clyde, the 'windy city' today has a squeaky-clean reputation as an international business and commercial capital boasting an eclectic mix of architecture, world-class theatre, art exhibitions, and super-enthusiastic sportsmanship.

Chicago emerged as a rough and tough survivor after being destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871 and a huge influx of immigrants from all over the world in the early 20th century brought with them a determined spirit infusing the city with ethnic diversity and the unmistakable sound of Chicago-style blues music. Chicagoans have built a city that is to be reckoned with, boasting soaring skyscrapers including the Sears Tower (one of the tallest in the world); thriving ethnic neighbourhoods; a lakefront business district, the re-energised downtown; unbeatable shopping along the famed Michigan Avenue; and top-class sports teams.

Locality:

The capital of the Midwest, Chicago stands tall on the tail end of Lake Michigan in Illinois. America's third largest city, Chicago is also the cradle of jazz and blues, home to world-class museums, arts and symphony, and nurturer of literary talent from Upton Sinclair to David Mamet and Nobel prize laureates Saul Bellow and Ernest Hemingway.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

One thing that does not attract visitors to Chicago is the weather, which, because of its geographical location is breezy at best, and freezing and gale-ridden at worst. It is possible to ignore the weather though, when getting caught up in the myriad of things to do, see and experience in this Midwestern metropolis - there are 30 excellent museums alone.

The city emerged from prairie and swampland into a centre of high finance with three of the world's tallest 10 buildings - and the infamous Cabrini-Green projects. Its alumni include criminals Al Capone and John Dillinger, author Theodore Dreiser, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, genius athlete Michael Jordan and the first black woman US senator, Carol Moseley-Braun.

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright began his work there, as did jazz's Louis Armstrong, swing's Benny Goodman, pianist Jelly Roll Morton, blues-man Muddy Waters and velvety-voiced Nat King Cole.

Chicago also loves a funny man, boosting many comics to stardom, including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Jack Benny, Joan Rivers, John Cusack and John Malkovich.

The city's baseball team the Chicago Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908, but natives still love them. The city has seen much historical police brutality, but also inspiring social reform, such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams' Hull House. It's a mixed-up, rough-and-tumble exuberant sort of place, where good music, hot dogs, beer and pizza can cure all ills.

The lifeblood of the USA courses through Chicago and there is no better place to understand the American character - and enjoy a raucous (yet cultivated) holiday.