There are so many reasons to love Chicago. Whether you used to live here or have visited before, there’s a good change a piece of your heart stayed behind. From craveable foods to fun activities you can only find in the city, there are many things to miss about Chicago.

There are so many fabulous things to fall in love with here. Keep scrolling for 13 of our best features.

  1. We are very diverse.

Wikipedia/TonyTheTiger Whether you’re hanging around downtown or riding public transit, you’re bound to come across people from virtually all walks of life. From foreign tourists to college students, and every race, age, and lifestyle you could imagine, Chicago has it all.

  1. Fireworks!

Flickr/Aurimas One of the best things about summer in Chicago is the fireworks. Navy Pier and other areas like Rosemont set off these bombastic flames weekly for locals to view for free.

  1. Our pride.

Flickr/Richie Diesterheft No one loves Chicago more than a Chicagoan. We’ve got songs, sayings, and a wealth of jokes about ourselves that we absolutely can’t get enough of. We even have our own flag - and we display it regularly.

  1. All seasons are beautiful.

Flickr/Matt Bigelow Another reason Chicago is an amazing city is that you can enjoy all four seasons here. Winter can get rough, but it’s still beautiful when snow catches in the trees. Of course spring and summer bring astounding days with gorgeous skies, and in the fall the changing leaves make it look like a whole new city.

  1. The food.

Wikimedia Commons/Eric Chan The iconic eats you have to try when you visit the city are an Italian beef sandwich, a Chicago-style hot dog, and deep dish pizza. Of course, there are gobs of other epic things to feast upon in the city, and everyone has their favorites.

  1. More food… we can’t forget dessert!

Flickr/julie corsi Chicago is a wonderland of sweet treats available anytime of day. Get a rainbow cone, cheesecake, Chicago-mix popcorn, and a whole bunch of bakery goods all over the city.

  1. Did we mention food (festivals)?

Flickr/Peter F. Chitown is also well known for its festivals, and of course we celebrate food. The Taste is our most prized eating event of the year, and it takes place in the summer.

  1. Music festivals.

Wikimedia Commons/mojosmom Chicago is the place to be during festival season. From Lollapalooza to Riot Fest to Jazz Fest, there’s almost always a musical event taking place here.

  1. The breathtaking architecture and skyline.

Pixabay/12019 Chicago is underrated for how beautiful it is. From historical mansions and state buildings to modern skyscrapers, there is so much that shapes the city. Every angle is picturesque.

  1. We preserve our history.

Wikipedia/Joe Ravi The city is full of historical landmarks that now can be museums, renovated restaurants, nightclubs, and more. Many neighborhoods even have their own historical district of vintage homes.

  1. Art is everywhere.

Wikimedia Commons/Victor Grigas While you can view it more formally at the Art Institute or any one of the city’s more contemporary galleries, artwork can be found everywhere on the streets. From memorial statues to (legal) graffiti, every corner of Chicago is made beautiful.

  1. We’re close to the water.

Wikimedia Commons/Alanscottwalker Between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Chicagoans are rarely far from water. With it comes amazing views and epic experiences you can’t find anywhere else. There’s a possibility you’ll find your heart floating in the waves.

  1. Nature is never far away.

Wikimedia Commons/MrHarman In addition to the lake and river, Chicago has done a marvelous job of preserving natural areas and bringing them back to their original ecosystems. From state parks to conservatories, there’s always a natural oasis to escape to.

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Wikipedia/TonyTheTiger

Whether you’re hanging around downtown or riding public transit, you’re bound to come across people from virtually all walks of life. From foreign tourists to college students, and every race, age, and lifestyle you could imagine, Chicago has it all.

Flickr/Aurimas

One of the best things about summer in Chicago is the fireworks. Navy Pier and other areas like Rosemont set off these bombastic flames weekly for locals to view for free.

Flickr/Richie Diesterheft

No one loves Chicago more than a Chicagoan. We’ve got songs, sayings, and a wealth of jokes about ourselves that we absolutely can’t get enough of. We even have our own flag - and we display it regularly.

Flickr/Matt Bigelow

Another reason Chicago is an amazing city is that you can enjoy all four seasons here. Winter can get rough, but it’s still beautiful when snow catches in the trees. Of course spring and summer bring astounding days with gorgeous skies, and in the fall the changing leaves make it look like a whole new city.

Wikimedia Commons/Eric Chan

The iconic eats you have to try when you visit the city are an Italian beef sandwich, a Chicago-style hot dog, and deep dish pizza. Of course, there are gobs of other epic things to feast upon in the city, and everyone has their favorites.

Flickr/julie corsi

Chicago is a wonderland of sweet treats available anytime of day. Get a rainbow cone, cheesecake, Chicago-mix popcorn, and a whole bunch of bakery goods all over the city.

Flickr/Peter F.

Chitown is also well known for its festivals, and of course we celebrate food. The Taste is our most prized eating event of the year, and it takes place in the summer.

Wikimedia Commons/mojosmom

Chicago is the place to be during festival season. From Lollapalooza to Riot Fest to Jazz Fest, there’s almost always a musical event taking place here.

Pixabay/12019

Chicago is underrated for how beautiful it is. From historical mansions and state buildings to modern skyscrapers, there is so much that shapes the city. Every angle is picturesque.

Wikipedia/Joe Ravi

The city is full of historical landmarks that now can be museums, renovated restaurants, nightclubs, and more. Many neighborhoods even have their own historical district of vintage homes.

Wikimedia Commons/Victor Grigas

While you can view it more formally at the Art Institute or any one of the city’s more contemporary galleries, artwork can be found everywhere on the streets. From memorial statues to (legal) graffiti, every corner of Chicago is made beautiful.

Wikimedia Commons/Alanscottwalker

Between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Chicagoans are rarely far from water. With it comes amazing views and epic experiences you can’t find anywhere else. There’s a possibility you’ll find your heart floating in the waves.

Wikimedia Commons/MrHarman

In addition to the lake and river, Chicago has done a marvelous job of preserving natural areas and bringing them back to their original ecosystems. From state parks to conservatories, there’s always a natural oasis to escape to.

What other reasons do you love Chicago? Share your thoughts with us!

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