City of the Week: Chicago, Illinois

Not only was Chicago the only U.S. city to make the list,“Top Ten Cities to Visit in 2009,” by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel, but this gal’s been based there for over three years now. What better reasons to make Chicago the next city of the week? Lonely Planet sited Chicago’s business, art, architecture, food, music, theater and overall culture as the winning criteria, and stated, “If you want your finger on America’s pulse, don’t head to New York or LA. The heart beats in Chicago.” But, what Lonely Planet didn’t surmise about this beautiful city, is something only a local can communicate; community.

Once upon a time the Chicago community began with Native American tribes (such as the Potawatomi), and later grew to include Africans and Europeans. Today, the community consists of Chinese, Greeks, Irish, Italians, Mexicans, Macedonians, Puerto Ricans, Romanians, Ukrainians, and a robust Polish population with the largest population of Poles [in the world] outside of Warsaw. And, although Chicago’s community includes many more diverse cultures (like me, a Chitown Texan), it’s really Chicago’s celebration of these cultures that makes the city unique to any other.

While visiting, you’ll find many outlets exhibiting the city’s diversity; however, we’ve comprised a list of our favorites:

Chicago Cultural Center, DuSable Museum of African-American History , Chicago History Museum, Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian, Chinatown Museum Foundation, McCormick Freedom Museum, the Polish Museum of America, the Oriental Institute (at University of Chicago), National Museum of Mexican Art, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, Swedish American Museum Center, Terra Museum of American Art, Ukrainian National Museum.

As the list is certain to keep you busy for a couple of days, come back Wednesday, when we’ll feature some of our favorite restaurants in Greek Town, Little Italy, and more!