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For many a trip to Chicago isn't just a vacation, it's a pilgrimage. They come to experience authentic deep-dish pizza, see a tyrannosaurus named Sue, visit Wrigley Field (POI-Stadiums) or Oprah.  People come with expectations, and Chicago doesn't disappoint.
Local celebrity Oprah Winfrey reigns as undisputed queen above fellow TV talkers Jenny Jones and Jerry Springer, while the WChicago City allows film fanatics Ebert & Roper to critique Hollywood from a safe distance. For sports addicts it's nirvana, with the Bulls, Bears, Cubs et al. taking turns in the national spotlight and giving the world larger than life personalities such as Michael Jordan and Mike Ditka. Wrigley Field is considered a shrine to our national pastime and a must see for every baseball aficionado.
While it might be known as the capital of the Midwest, not all Chicago's pleasures are so earthy. To many first-time visitors the sophistication in the midst of America's heartland comes as a surprise. In fact, a shopping trip down chic Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile, is more reminiscent of Beverly Hills than Boise. Providing visitors with fine dining and elegant accommodations is a point of pride for the city. Its cultural offerings boast world-class opera, symphony and museums, including the home of the world's most co mplete tyrannosaurus skeleton at the Field Museum. Chicago has long been a haven for great live theater, with John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Bill Murray and John Belushi being just a few of the entertainers who cut their teeth at legendary institutions like the Steppenwolf Theater Company or Second City Improv.
Those looking to experience the gangster glamour of Chicago's gin-soaked past might book an "Untouchable Tour." These two-hour bus trips highlight famous Prohibition-era buildings, gangland exploits and other bits of Chicago history. If you're still all jazzed up, make sure to hit the city in June for all the barbecue and Dixieland you can ask for during the annual Blues Festival.
Outdoor adventurers flock to the city's 26 miles of beaches, trails and boardwalks along Lake Michigan. But before a walk along Navy Pier check the weather forecast - it's not called the WChicago City for nothing. Temperatures run the gamut from minus 30 degrees F in winter to more than 100 degrees F in summer. So layer up and come to Chicago! No matter what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed!
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