Chicago

Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, home to about 2.7 million people (nearly 10 million in the wider metropolitan area), on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan.

The city is famous for its architecture. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 it rebuilt itself as a testing ground for new ideas, and the world’s first skyscraper went up here in 1885. Today the skyline mixes landmarks from every era, and an architecture boat tour on the Chicago River is one of the best ways to see them.

Chicago is also a major center for research, education and culture, with leading universities, museums, theaters and a celebrated food scene.

Near the venue

• Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain: right across Michigan Avenue.
• Millennium Park: home of Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), about a 15-minute walk north.
• Art Institute of Chicago: one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country, on Michigan Avenue.
• Museum Campus: the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium on the lakefront, about 20 minutes on foot.
• The Chicago Riverwalk: restaurants, cafés and boat tours along the river downtown.
• Lakefront Trail: 18 miles of path along Lake Michigan for walking, running and cycling.

June brings long days, warm weather (typically about 15–27 °C / 60–80 °F) and the start of Chicago’s summer festival season.