There are some things everyone assumes about Chicago that are 100% true. These 16 ideas, places, and things are stereotypes our city can’t escape, and for the most part, we don’t want to. From music to sports to food, there are a plethora of things that come to mind when you think about Chicago. Check out some that are most obvious:
- Fun.
Pexels/Pixabay Anyone coming to the city is certainly looking forward to a good time. It’s hard not to have fun in a city with so many attractions.
- Nightlife.
Flickr/Glenn Harper Many bars in Chicago stay open as late as 4 a.m., so the late scene is often alive and well, especially on the weekends. New York isn’t the only city that doesn’t sleep.
- Shopping
Flickr/Ken Lund Due to the Magnificent Mile, Chicago is the shopping capital of the Midwest. Whether it’s clothing, accessories, electronics, or toys, the city has all the best.
- Wind.
Flickr/radiant guy One of the things everyone assumes about Chicago is that our nickname, “Windy City,” is about our weather. Though it’s true that it gets very windy here, the term actually refers to how Chicago likes to boast its accomplishments.
- The skyline.
PublicDomainImages/Petr Kratochvil Nothing is more iconic to Chicago than it’s skyline. Expertly designed, our immaculate skyscrapers are part of what set us apart from other big cities around the world.
- Sears Tower.
Max Pixel Though today it is more properly called Willis Tower, Chicago’s tallest skyscraper is a popular monument. Anyone living in the city, state, or maybe even the Midwest is proud of this gigantic and beautiful building.
- Sports.
Flickr/Arturo Pardavila III Many people enjoy Chicago for its sports teams, even the ones that don’t always do that well. The Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and White Sox will always have fans from far and wide.
- Deep-dish pizza.
Wikimedia Commons/L. W. Yang While Chicago is known for many different foods, pizza is likely the most popular (unless you really like hot dogs). Unlike pies served in any other part of the world, the ones here are thick, cheesy, and hearty.
- Theatre district.
Wikipedia/Raymon Sutedjo-The For those in the Midwest, Chicago is the closest place to go to see a Broadway show. Anything that does incredibly well in New York usually comes to us.
- Lollapalooza.
Flickr/swimfinfan Festivals abound in the city, but the most popular is definitely this four-day music fest that features dozens of bands and half a dozen stages. There’s also food, art vendors, and other fun activities to enjoy.
- Frank Sinatra.
Flickr/kate gabrielle “Chicago” by Sinatra is a song many city dwellers still sing with pride today. It’s hard not to hear that smooth voice in your head when you think of our hometown.
- The Blues Brothers.
Wikimedia Commons/Julie Facine This iconic film was made even more so because it took place in the greatest city in America. True fans can even hit up the House of Blues in the city for a film-worthy experience.
- House music.
Wikimedia Commons/Mani9flores For some, coming to Chicago means dancing the night away. All the best House music DJs come through here, so it’s definitely the wildest place to be.
- O’Hare.
roaming-the-planet/Flickr As many who come to Chicago only see the airport, it’s a huge point of interest. O’Hare is the Midwest hub for flights going around the globe.
- Traffic.
Wikimedia Commons/Rhett Sutphin It’s unavoidable. Anyone who has been here has had to deal with it in one way or another. Whether you’re stuck on a highway or in a taxi in the Loop, you’re likely not going that fast.
- Pride.
Flickr/Richie Diesterheft If there’s anything you think of when you think Chicago, it should be pride. We love our city, stereotypes and all, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop us.
If you’re actually from the city, these 11 hilarious jokes about Chicago will make you laugh.
Pexels/Pixabay
Anyone coming to the city is certainly looking forward to a good time. It’s hard not to have fun in a city with so many attractions.
Flickr/Glenn Harper
Many bars in Chicago stay open as late as 4 a.m., so the late scene is often alive and well, especially on the weekends. New York isn’t the only city that doesn’t sleep.
Flickr/Ken Lund
Due to the Magnificent Mile, Chicago is the shopping capital of the Midwest. Whether it’s clothing, accessories, electronics, or toys, the city has all the best.
Flickr/radiant guy
One of the things everyone assumes about Chicago is that our nickname, “Windy City,” is about our weather. Though it’s true that it gets very windy here, the term actually refers to how Chicago likes to boast its accomplishments.
PublicDomainImages/Petr Kratochvil
Nothing is more iconic to Chicago than it’s skyline. Expertly designed, our immaculate skyscrapers are part of what set us apart from other big cities around the world.
Max Pixel
Though today it is more properly called Willis Tower, Chicago’s tallest skyscraper is a popular monument. Anyone living in the city, state, or maybe even the Midwest is proud of this gigantic and beautiful building.
Flickr/Arturo Pardavila III
Many people enjoy Chicago for its sports teams, even the ones that don’t always do that well. The Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and White Sox will always have fans from far and wide.
Wikimedia Commons/L. W. Yang
While Chicago is known for many different foods, pizza is likely the most popular (unless you really like hot dogs). Unlike pies served in any other part of the world, the ones here are thick, cheesy, and hearty.
Wikipedia/Raymon Sutedjo-The
For those in the Midwest, Chicago is the closest place to go to see a Broadway show. Anything that does incredibly well in New York usually comes to us.
Flickr/swimfinfan
Festivals abound in the city, but the most popular is definitely this four-day music fest that features dozens of bands and half a dozen stages. There’s also food, art vendors, and other fun activities to enjoy.
Flickr/kate gabrielle
“Chicago” by Sinatra is a song many city dwellers still sing with pride today. It’s hard not to hear that smooth voice in your head when you think of our hometown.
Wikimedia Commons/Julie Facine
This iconic film was made even more so because it took place in the greatest city in America. True fans can even hit up the House of Blues in the city for a film-worthy experience.
Wikimedia Commons/Mani9flores
For some, coming to Chicago means dancing the night away. All the best House music DJs come through here, so it’s definitely the wildest place to be.
roaming-the-planet/Flickr
As many who come to Chicago only see the airport, it’s a huge point of interest. O’Hare is the Midwest hub for flights going around the globe.
Wikimedia Commons/Rhett Sutphin
It’s unavoidable. Anyone who has been here has had to deal with it in one way or another. Whether you’re stuck on a highway or in a taxi in the Loop, you’re likely not going that fast.
Flickr/Richie Diesterheft
If there’s anything you think of when you think Chicago, it should be pride. We love our city, stereotypes and all, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop us.
Are there other things everyone assumes about the city? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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