Chicago

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Chicago stands on the south-western shore of Lake Michigan, with a dense centre of early skyscrapers and modern towers beside extensive beaches and parks. The city grew through railways, manufacturing and migration, leaving distinct neighbourhoods shaped by communities from across the world. The river cuts through downtown and provides one of the clearest views of its architecture.

Architecture cruises, major museums and the lakefront offer strong introductions, but neighbourhood food, music and local streets provide equal depth. Blues, house music and improvisational theatre have important roots here. Winters are severe and distances considerable, yet the grid and public transport make individual areas relatively straightforward to explore.