The great Windy City, Chicago. I was raised in one of the greatest cities in the United States and I can't help but to have so much pride for Chicago. Throughout the years, I've come across the hottest places in the city and I've created a short list of my favorite places in Chicago. I would recommend those who live in Chicago or plan on visiting Chicago any time soon, to check these places out.

10. Lincoln Park Zoo

2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos to exist in the US and the best part is it's one of the free admission zoos in the US. Growing up, my family and I would take the train and visit the zoo on a nice and sunny day. I would recommend this place for a great activity for the family.

9. Adler Planetarium

1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Adler Planetarium is one of many famous museums that Chicago has to offer. For any astronomy and/or astrophysics lovers, this museum has great exhibits about our solar system. One of my favorite things about this museum that is has a largest aperture telescope available to the public. The general admission fee for adults is $12.00 and for children is $8.00. It's one of my favorite places because it has a beautiful view of the Lake Michigan and it has a wonderful walking area around the lake.

8. Field Museum of National History

The Field Museum is one of the largest museum to exist in the world and to this day, it's one of the museums that withholds historical information from several centuries. This museum has rich information that many schools around the city take their students for academic field trips and have amazing exhibitions where one can learn about the history of different periods and places around the world. The basic adult admission price is $25.00 and for a child it's $15.00. Stop by for a history lesson and fun time with family and friends.

7. Willis Tower

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

To all tourist, it's the Willis Tower but a true Chicagoan, it's the Sears Tower. Primarily because it was created to be home for Sears Roebuck and Company. In 1974, the Sear Tower built a SkyDeck/Ledge and in 2009 it was renamed Willis Tower. The Willis Tower is one of the key building to well known Chicago Skyline. The Willis Tower is the second tallest building in the US, following the World Trade in New York. General adult admission is $22.00 and for child is $14.00.

6. Navy Pier

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

"Navy Pier is a not-for-profit originally opened as a shipping and recreational facility in 1916. Located on Lake Michigan, it has served many purposes throughout its rich history and currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities and is the top leisure destination in the Midwest, drawing nearly nine million visitors annually." It is home to the famous Centennial Wheel, that was just recently reconstructed. $12.00 per person to ride the wheel, which is a nice price to a main attraction to Chicagoans and tourist. Here is a calendar of different events going on at Navy Pier, check it out.

5. Millennium Park, Cloud Gate

Chicago's main attraction, The Bean but it's real name is Cloud Gate, which is located in Millennium Park. The Cloud Gate, is a sculpture by a British artist by the name Anish Kapoor. The reason why many people call it The Bean is because the sculpture truly looks like a big silver bean. All my life I called it the bean but its called Cloud Gate. People all over the world come to visit the Cloud Gate to take pictures and visit the garden located in Millennium Park. Over the summer, Millennium Park holds free movie nights and it's a fun activity for couples or families to have a cute picnic as a free movie plays in the park.

4. National Museum of Mexican Art

1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

"Come to The National Museum of Mexican Art, where you can immerse yourself in the richness of Mexican art and culture right here in Chicago. Whatever your background, you’ll connect to this museum on a very personal level." This museum features art work by Mexican, Latino and Chicano artists in one of Chicago's cultural community, Pilsen. It's a free admission to the public, which follows its mission of educating the community of cultural art work. It holds many events and has several exhibitions for the public to see. It has become of my favorite places to visit because it brings memories of home, Mexico but as well educates the community about the beautiful people Mexico has/had.

3. Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

The Shedd Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in the world, with more than 8000 aquatic animals, crazy to think it's located in Chicago. It's home to an On-site Research and Breeding Program to help many marine species. It has 8 aquatic exhibitions: Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Polar Play Zone, Wild Reef, At Home on the Great Lakes, Waters of the World, Abbott Oceanarium and Special Exhibit, Amphibians. All of these amazing exhibitions are accessed by a $30.95 adult fee and $21.95 child fee but general admission for an adult is $8.00 and for a child is $6.00, which access the Caribbean Reef, Waters of the World and Amazon Rising. It's a great place to take the little ones and show them about the marine life.

2. Cafe Jumping Bean

1439 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Jumping Bean is one of my favorite places to hit up for a delicious meal for a very low price. I when to a high school by that cafe and I used to go at least three times a week with my friends to have a talk and meal after school. This cafe is a colorful and cultural place to have a cute date or meet up with friends. It's located in Pilsen and it is one of the most visited places in Chicago. Cafe Jumping Bean has hit #6 in the best cafes in Chicago. As a vegetarian, it is very hard to find a place that offers delicious and low price vegetarian options but hands down, they make the best Black Bean Burgers. This cafe is well loved by the community and has become a stapled place to the Mexican community of Pilsen.

1. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Home to the best Chicago Style, Deep Dish Pizza. It is true, Chicago has the best pizza ever (unbiased Chicagoan opinion) but in fact Chicago is recognized for its famous deep dish pizza and Lou Malnati's offers the best of the best in Chicago. On March 17th, 1971, Lou Malnati and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in Lincolnwood, IL, which is the first ever Lou Malnati's place. Lou Malnati became a victim of cancer and after that a foundation was created, the Lou Malnati’s Cancer Research Fund has raised over $3 million to benefit organizations who are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Not only do they serve amazing pizza but they also connect with the community.

So if you are ever in the city of Chicago, don't forget to make quick or long stops to these amazing places that I can say are my top ten favorite places in Chicago. My city is one of the greatest cities out there! There is more to see but it's best to come here and see it all.