If it's your first visit to Chicago, get ready to be seriously impressed. The Sears Tower, which is a staggering 1,450ft high, is the tallest building in North America and just one of a plethora of buildings which make the city's skyline one of the most arresting in the world.
Back in 1871, the "Great Fire" razed much of Chicago to the ground and planners had to set about building a new metropolis from scratch. In the years that followed the work of such legendary architects as Frank Lloyd Wright and Daniel Burnham helped transform the city into one of the planet's most magnificent metropolises.
There's more to this urban wonderland than beautiful buildings, however. Culture vultures will feel right at home in Chicago, as few cities boast so many museums, galleries and cultural institutions. The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the world's most celebrated collections, with works on display including pieces by Marc Chagall, Paul Gauguin and JW Turner. The Museum of Contemporary Art, meanwhile, houses a huge collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs from the likes of Andy Warhol and Ed Paschke.
Natural history is also a local speciality, with the Field Museum playing host to the world's biggest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. The Shedd Aquarium, which is the largest indoor aquarium in the world, meanwhile offers you the opportunity to come face to face with everything from whales to penguins.Back Next page »
