Two and a half years ago, my parents announced that we would be moving from our beautiful suburban New England home to an apartment in downtown Chicago. My previous experience with Chicago had been flying into O’Hare on a connecting flight between Boston and Los Angeles—so basically, no experience at all. I didn’t know what to expect from this Midwestern city that was notoriously windy and cold, and this apprehension coming from a girl who grew up in Maine where it’s “normal” to have four feet of snow in your front yard.
I am a New Englander, through and through. I have the steely sarcasm down to a science, and I own one too many articles of clothing from L.L. Bean. But when I came home for winter break to this new tiny apartment and life in Chicago, I was immediately transformed. Despite being a small-town girl suddenly thrust into life in the big city, I quickly learned to love Chicago’s perilous temperatures and incredible skyscrapers.
Chicago is my home now, and I couldn’t be prouder to be from such an amazing place. Chicago has so much to offer, from the sports to the shows to the food. There’s a lot to love about Chicago, but there’s a whole lot to love that people who don’t live there don’t know about. It’s not just another Midwestern city where the people are nice (but truly, they are the nicest people in the world). In my two and a half years as a resident of the Windy City, here is what I have gathered to be the most underrated awesome things about Chicago:
The food
Alright, the food isn’t exactly underrated, but there are certain types of food that get no credit. We don’t only exist on deep-dish pizza (although it is amazing). You haven’t known happiness until you’ve eaten a chocolate churro covered in whipped cream on Navy Pier or a cut of prime rib from Lawry’s. Not to mention the fact that celebrity chefs like Mario Batali open restaurants in Chicago on the regular and that Michael Jordan has his own steakhouse on the Magnificent Mile. There’s also the way we eat our hot dogs—putting ketchup on one is an abomination, so instead we pile it up high with pickles, onions, and tomatoes. There’s never a shortage of options when you’re looking to eat out on a Friday night. Just walk a block up any street and you’ll find at least three steakhouses and six sushi restaurants.
Who needs ketchup?
The shopping
Much to my bank account’s chagrin, the shopping opportunities on the Magnificent Mile are unlike any I have ever seen before. In Maine, there was one mall within a thirty-mile radius of my small town, and the only worthwhile stores were Forever 21 and Claire’s. Stepping into Water Tower Place, a seven-story mall with everything from Free People to a bomb food court, is like a spiritual awakening every time. I find myself taking the bus to “just get one thing,” and I come home with at least six bags. Chicagoans are some of the most well dressed people I have ever seen, and I know it’s because the shopping in the city is unreal. There’s a store for everyone, from The North Face to Forever 21 to Akira. And if you need a pick-me-up in the midst of your credit card swiping, you can always swing by Dylan’s Candy Bar or the Ghiradelli store.
The Holy Grail of shopping centers: Water Tower Place
The buildings
This summer, my mom surprised me by taking me on an architecture river tour of Chicago. Now, most would probably ask what the hell sort of surprise that is, but Chicago is known for its architecture. From the Trump Tower to the Hancock Building, the architectural marvels in Chicago do not get enough recognition. Famous architects from all over the world come to Chicago to claim a spot along the Chicago River, such as Bertrand Goldberg, who is responsible for building Marina City, an eco-friendly circular building in downtown. My own apartment building is called the Shakespeare Building and is just as adorable as it sounds. It’s significantly shorter than any other of the surrounding buildings, but that’s only because it boasts a centuries-old history of residence in Chicago.
The Trump Tower
The museums
If I ever find myself sitting at home bored on a Saturday afternoon (which is a lot more often than I would like to admit), I can hop on the bus and make my way to one of the many museums in the city. There’s Shedd Aquarium, where I have spent countless hours watching the beluga whales play in their tanks. There’s the Field Museum, where you can learn all about everything from wooly mammoths to Chinese dynasties. And, of course, there are the art museums, where you can find quiet refuge in the Impressionist era paintings of the Art Institute or study the modern works at the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Whatever your desire, Chicago has a museum for you, where you can expand your mind and escape for a few hours.
The Art Institute of Chicago
The public transportation
In Maine, before I got my license, I had to ask my mom or my older siblings to drive me everywhere. Public transportation was not in a thing in my small town, or really anywhere nearby, and it was awful. In Chicago, there is no shortage of public transportation. There’s a cab around every corner, with the friendliest taxi drivers in the entire world. The buses are incredible, running on a tight schedule, and can get you absolutely anywhere in the city. The “L” is the train that takes you all over the city and to the surrounding suburbs if you so please. Wherever you’re trying to go, the Chicago Transit Authority will get you there.
The "L" circa 1957
The parks
My family’s apartment is located directly on Lincoln Park, which is on the many exquisitely maintained public parks in Chicago. Not only does it have an adjoining zoo that’s open 365 days a year and free, but it has beautiful gardens and numerous walking paths that are occupied by joggers and dog-walkers at any given time of day. I love waking up and going for a run around North Pond Park, where I’m accompanied by flocks of geese and can enjoy the landscaping of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The parks provide the perfect getaway to grab a coffee and read a book on a fall afternoon, and there is no shortage of people-watching opportunities.
Lincoln Park
The weather
It seems insane to file Chicago’s unpredictable weather under the best parts of living there, but personally, I think the weather is exquisite. There are severe seasons, but there’s no shortage of beautiful foliage in the fall, and Chicagoans are the only ones who can make ankle-length puffer jackets looks chic in the dead of winter. On summer days, the many beaches of Lake Michigan offer a cool respite from the blazing heat. New England had its seasons too, but something about Chicago in the spring, with all of the flowers in bloom and the air full of possibility, can’t be matched.
The Magnificent Mile in the winter
The people
Sure, they get a lot of flack for their accent and for calling soda “pop,” but Chicagoans, and Midwesterners in general, are some of the greatest people around. I don’t know if it’s something in the water of Lake Michigan, but everyone has a constantly sunny disposition, no matter the weather. You can count on your bus driver slowing down if you’re running after the bus or having a worthwhile conversation with your taxi driver. You’ll share a special friendship with everyone on your block, from your grocer to your hairdresser. And it’s true: if you bump into someone on the street, they will apologize for getting in your way. I’ve got a lot of theories as to while Chicagoans are the way they are, but I think it’s because they know how lucky they are to call Chicago home.
