Chicago

Chicago — the best city in the world, “that toddlin’ town,” “Second City” (not to me), “The Windy City,” “City of big shoulders,” blue collar city, sophisticated international city, city of melded cultures and races, city of blues (living on the south side, embalmed on the north) and jazz (alive throughout), city of fabulous food (street to steak house to, yes, seafood), city of theater (Apollo, Goodman, Steppenwolf), city of tacky tourism (“Untouchables Bus Tour,” Navy Pier), city of grand museums (Field, Science and Industry, Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium) and hidden museums (Smith Stained Glass, Chicago Botanic Garden), city of architectural history, city of exploration (walk, boat, El, trolley), city of views (Willis Tower, Hancock Building), city of festivals (Blues Festival, Printers' Row Lit Fest, Grant Park Music Festival, Taste of Chicago, Folk & Roots Festival, Jazz Festival, etc.) — the best city in the world.