Top places to visit

The University of Chicago is one of the best universities in the world. It was founded in 1890 thanks to a donation from oil magnate John D. Rockefeller. The university and its reputation quickly grew. By World War II it had become a premier research institution. It was here that mankind's first nuclear reaction took place thanks to Enrico Fermi. Today the University of Chicago is known for its excellent academics. The Common Core undergraduate curriculum attracts a unique brand of undergraduate. Barack Obama taught at the Law School between 1992 and 2004.

The ISAC Museum is the museum of the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia and North Africa. Its collections explore the archaeology and history of these regions.

The Smart Museum of Art is named for David and Alfred Smart, the founders of Esquire Magazine and the museum's benefactor. It was founded in 1974 and is the art museum of the University of Chicago. There are more than 8,000 works on display, split into four different collections: Asian Art, Contemporary Art, European Art, and Modern Art and Design.

Wrigley Field is the historic home of the Chicago Cubs, known for its ivy-covered outfield walls and traditional ballpark setting. It opened in 1914.

Oak Park is a suburb just to the northwest of Chicago. After the Great Chicago Fire the area grew rapidly because of its location along the railroad. In 1902 it was incorporated, becoming independent from the town of Cicero. Today it is one of Chicago's nicest suburbs, with broad tree lined streets and large older homes.

The United Center is the Chicago home of the Bulls basketball team and the Blackhawks ice-hockey team. The arena opened in 1994 and also hosts concerts and other events.

The Chicago History Museum is one of the oldest institutions in Chicago, founded in 1856. The original building and collection was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. The current building was built as a public service during the Great Depression in 1932. The original facade is a magnificent Neo-Georgian structure. The newer addition is a modern glass and steel structure.

Wicker Park is located northwest of the Loop, on the west side of the Kennedy Expressway. It was built up after the Great Chicago Fire, as displaced residents and immigrants from Scandinavia and Germany streamed in. A lot of the original architecture remains. The John Rapp House at 1407 North Hoyne Street, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 1121 Levvitt Street were both designed by architect Louis Sullivan, known as the father of modern architecture.

Astor Street is located in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast district, the city's most opulent neighborhood. It is one of the most expensive addresses in the United States outside New York City. Most of the buildings were built during a sixty year period beginning in the 1880s. Astor Street was named a historic landmark in 1975 for its magnificent architecture.

Sharing Chicago's northern border along Lake Michigan is the pleasant suburb of Evanston, home to Northwestern University. Northwestern was founded in the 1850s by Methodists on land purchased by John Evans, for whom the surrounding town is named. Today it's one of America's most prestigious universities and a member of the Big Ten Conference.

The Magnificent Mile is Chicago's answer to the Champs Elysees. This tower-lined stretch of Michigan Avenue runs from the Loop to the Gold Coast, Chicago's ritziest neighborhood. It is home to luxury retailers, upscale department stores, extravagant condos, and fine dining. Development began in the 1920s after the Michigan Avenue Bridge was constructed across the Chicago River.