By Ray Chang
As I step out of the revolving door, I take a deep breath of the fresh summer air and marvel at the skyscrapers that tower above me. The cacophony of bustling cars clears my mind off school textbooks and I launch my brain into full summer mode with the intent of exploring every corner of Chicago, also known as “The Windy City.” Whether it be architecture, culture, or even geography, I knew for a fact that I was ready to traverse the diverse elements of Chicago city and maybe even bring home a few cool souvenirs as proof of my travels.
At the heart of Chicago lies its intricate yet comical and culturally rich architecture. Skyscrapers of different heights occupy the city at the core. Although touring Chicago for the first time may seem intimidating because of the buildings, the design of the city actually provides enough convenience and accessibility to compensate for the massive buildings that enclose the city. From the mechanical bridges that aerially suspend themselves to the stratified subway systems, Chicago offers a meticulously interwoven transportation system for natives and tourists alike; whether they travel by foot, ferry, or metro, Chicago provides efficiency with layers in transportation. Aside from the grand skyscrapers and successful transportation systems, Chicago also houses its own fair share of goofy architecture. Dwelling at the center of Millenium Park lies “The Bean,” a glistening structure that reflects the city skyline and shore of Navy Pier all around. As the name implies the panoramic structure concaves down, which allows tourists to gaze at the shiny underbelly of the structure that envelopes them. “The Bean” serves as a benchmark for tourism in Chicago, as the structure physically captures the buoyant city’s life which by effect allows visitors to absorb and wonder at Chicago’s rich architecture and culture. A more culturally immersive experience however was the Navy Pier ferry tour that takes tourists on a roundabout journey through the slithering river of Chicago. Tour guides navigate and inform tourists about the history of Chicago’s architecture, further enhancing the city’s cultural prominence. Learning about the fact that Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed movie, The Dark Knight, was filmed in the famous metropolis of Chicago city kept me hooked and eager to learn even more about the city.
From quartering a multitude of famous architectural masterpieces, legendary sports teams, and even nurturing a unique culture, Chicago city presents itself as a staple metropolitan city for tourists — even on par with New York City dare I say. Nationally, the East Coast houses most of America’s rich culture through cities like Chicago. Encompassed by bits of brilliant architecture and cultural depth, everyone should at least visit Chicago, “The Windy City,‘ at least once in a lifetime.