Chicago

Throughout its history, America's third-largest city has been described in a variety of ways. When Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla competed for the right to use their forms of electricity to illuminate the World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) in 1893, Chicago was known as an industrial city. When Prohibition came into effect, infamous mobsters like Al Capone turned Chicago into their own dangerous playground. Throughout the twentieth century, intense immigration surges brought a slew of new identities to Chicago, including Greek, Polish, Italian, Irish, and Jewish.

Today, Chicago is just as diverse, with a thriving arts scene, numerous shopping districts, and a veritable cornucopia of eateries. Visitors to Chi-Town for the first time are bound to be transfixed by the sky for at least a day or two. The skyscrapers and public art in Chicago are absolutely stunning: Take a Chicago Architecture River Cruise or spend some time in Millennium Park, and you'll find yourself looking up a lot. Head to the Willis Tower's Skydeck Chicago or the John Hancock Center's 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck for a bird's-eye view. After that, immerse yourself in everything the city has to offer, from exceptional museums to a thriving sports culture and deep-dish pizza that takes delicious to new heights.