How To Learn About Tourism in Chicago

Chicago or The Windy City is a great place to visit as a tourist, no matter where you come from! This article contains all the important information you need to know about tourism in Chicago, including its history, places to see, events and interesting facts!

History
Chicago began life as a small trading center situated near the Chicago River and grew into a city by 1837. Built mostly out of wood, a great fire in 1871 almost destroyed the fledgling city, but bounced back over a period of 20-plus years, bigger and better than ever before. Chicago boasts of being one of the busiest railroad and air transportation hubs in the country even today.

Memorable achievements
Chicago was and continues to remain a trendsetter among major American cities. Here are some interesting achievements that make Chicago famous; many of which you may have not even known!

• The first skyscraper built in 1884 – the Home Insurance building
• In 1900, the Chicago River flow (which ended in Lake Michigan) was reversed so that it ended in the Mississippi River instead, preventing the piling up of dangerous sewage and waste matter in the lake.
• Route 66 begins in Chicago
• The tallest building in America is located in Chicago (the Sears Tower)
• Chicago boasts of the first father-son pair of mayors – Richard J. Daley, who was Mayor for 22 years and his son, Richard M. Daley, Mayor since 1989 to date!
• Famous inventions and discoveries attributed to Chicago – mail-order retailing, TV remote control, refrigerated rail car and car radios
• Its most-famous resident today – President Barack Obama!
• A population of close to 3 million people, with nearly 40-45 million visitors each year.
• A large number of cultural institutions, theaters, museums and art galleries

(Source: explorechicago.org)

Major attractions & tours
Visiting Chicago for the first time and don't know where to go? Here's how to make sure you see these famous attractions and tours which you can take as a tourist visiting Chicago!

1. Millennium Park: Music, art and architectural attractions, including the Crown Fountain and the Cloud Gate sculpture made out of stainless steel
2. The Navy Pier: home to a boardwalk, a Ferris wheel, boat tours, etc.
3. Skydeck Chicago and the Hancock Observatory in the Sear Tower
4. Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Observatory & Garfield Park Observatory
5. Chicago Cultural Centet
6. Architectural tours by bus, boats, bicycles and on foot
7. Other famous tours include the Chicago Theater Tour and Neighborhood Tours
8. Museums: Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science & History, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Chicago Children's Museum and many, many more
9. Shopping: Popular hubs for shopping are The Magnificent Mile, Oak Street, River North Gallery District, State Street Retail Historic District, etc.
10. Nightlife & Dining: Music, comedy and other entertainment at numerous bars, lounges and restaurants; cuisines from all over the world to suit every pocket can be found throughout the city
11. Sports: Home to the Chicago Bulls… need we say more?

(Source: choosechicago.com)

There you have it! A brief and tantalizing glimpse of the best Chicago tourism has to offer. If you're planning a holiday soon, you now know where to go!