For the sports lover, Chicago really is a dream come true. Perhaps nowhere else are the fans so competitive and passionate about their favorite teams. Football fans can watch the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field and baseball fans can enjoy either the Cubs at Wrigley Field or the White Sex at US Cellular Field. Michael Jordan's old team, the Bulls, and hockey's Chicago Blackhawks play at the United Center.
Chicago is also known for its music. Blues, jazz, and gospel, just to name a few, all have strong roots there. Numerous venues play all varieties of music right in the heart of the city, and street performances are common as well.
The Aragon Ballroom features a unique, Spanish-style interior, and hosts not only concerts but a number of other live events. The Victoria Theatre, better known as The Vic Theatre, shows films when not hosting live music, while the Congress Theater is dedicated solely to musical performances. Of course the Chicago Theatre, one of the most historic, features a busy schedule of shows. These are just four of the city's many live performance venues.
Chicago has more than 30 beaches and accommodations for more than 5,000 boats, and it's home to an extraordinary number of parks. Lincoln Park, the city's largest, covers 1,200 acres and has more than 20 million visitors a year. In 2004 work was completed on neighboring Millennium Park, which has become a major attraction. If you're bringing children with you, stop at the Brookfield Zoo, which covers more than 200 acres and features some 450 animal species.
Another fun family option is the Chicago Botanic Garden; a 385-acre "living plant garden" which is open eveery day until sunset. It has 26 different gardens, each showcasing several varieties of flowers, plants, and trees.
