Traveling along Chicago skyline is a bit like checking off the most famous sky scrappers in America. The Willis (Sears) Tower, the John Hancock building… well you get the picture. It may be known as one of the tallest and most diverse skylines in America, but those buildings are only the tip of the iceberg. Chicago at street level is one of the most ethnically diverse and unique cities in America. From Greektown to Little Pakistan on Devon and the Polish Triangle, Chicago’s neighborhoods reflect the city’s immigrant past.

Not unlike New York’s Central Park, Chicagoan’s love their Millennium Park, a huge modern undertaking that helped redesign the Loop neighborhood. A park designed to celebrate the millennium, the space is an open air sculptural museum, music venue and ice skating rink.  The Cloud Gate sculpture or “bean” as it is known in Chicago, is the most popular art exhibit in the park. Highly polished stainless steel reflects the skyline, making for a unique perspective of the city and a fun place to make funny faces!

IF YOU GO: Sure the weather in the winter is brutal, but during the summer the city on the lake bursts with energy. Time your visit with some of Chicago’s wonderful neighborhood festivals or the Taste of Chicago to get a feel of the ethnic diversity that makes Chicago special. Concerts at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion range from gospel to rock and R&B. Check the schedule for free concerts or inexpensive lawn seats. Flights to Chicago arrive to either O’Hare or Midway, both are easily accessible from the city center. The public transportation system in Chicago is decent for the US, so travelers can get by easily without a car.

Photo Credit: Flickr user moaksey via a creative commons license.