Sarah Bernhardt once called Chicago “the pulse of America;” an accurate description of the vibrant Windy City. By the middle of the 19th century with advent of the railroads, settlers and immigrants poured into Chicago. It quickly became a thriving hub between the east and the west. Then over the years, Chicago’s colorful history was marked by triumphs and tragedy. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed over 17,000 building and took many lives. Chicagoans spirit prevailed and reconstruction efforts led to a “new” Chicago; bigger, bolder and more beautiful. In the 1920s, Prohibition was again a dark period for Chicago. Organized crime ran rampant as gangsters like Al Capone fought for control of the city. The Depression took a further toll of the city until the tide again turned in Chicago’s favor around by the middle of the 20th century. Today, Chicago, the third largest city in the U.S., is the center of tourism, business, sports and culture in the Midwest. The dynamic Chicago skyline is recognized throughout the world. The city currently boasts the current tallest skyscraper in the United States, the Sears Tower topping the horizon at 110 stories and the view from the Skydeck is amazing.
Each year the city hosts over 33 million visitors. The majority of business and leisure traveler to Chicago arrive at O’Hare International Airport. Served by 56 domestic and international airlines O’Hare boasts the most connections to the most cities in North America and Union Station is also a hub for rail travel throughout the country. Once in the Windy City, getting around Chicago is easy. A system of elevated railways, known as the Loop or the “L,” travel in a huge rectangle around downtown.
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