Chicago

Chicago famously reversed the flow of its namesake river in 1900 to improve sanitation and prevent disease, a monumental engineering feat that still stands today.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, while devastating, led to pioneering urban planning, strict building codes, and innovations that eventually gave birth to the modern skyscraper.

Chicago is widely considered the birthplace of the skyscraper, with the Home Insurance Building (completed 1885) recognized as the world's first steel-framed high-rise.

Despite being an inland city, Chicago boasts 26 miles of public lakefront and 33 beaches along Lake Michigan, making it one of the largest urban park systems in the U.S.

Every St. Patrick's Day, Chicago dyes a significant section of its river a vibrant emerald green, a tradition started in 1962 by plumbers using environmentally friendly vegetable dye.

Millennium Park's 'Cloud Gate,' affectionately known as 'The Bean,' is one of the world's largest permanent outdoor art installations, reflecting the city's iconic skyline and millions of visitors.

Chicago is the undisputed mecca of improvisational comedy, home to The Second City, which has launched the careers of countless comedic legends since its founding in 1959.

A true Chicago-style hot dog adheres to a strict 'ruleset': it must be all-beef, served on a poppy seed bun, and famously includes no ketchup, often described as 'dragging it through the garden' with its many toppings.