Just recently I had some family and friends come visit me. Now, as a proud Chicagoan I thought it would only be suiting to show them why Chicago is the best city in the U.S. So, where do you take someone who’s never been to Chicago? Well, I’ve decided to put a short list together of a few of my favorite places in Chicago and why I think you need to check them out if you haven’t already. (And no, I’m not getting any special perks by naming any of these places, they are just my personal preferences, however, if you do work for one of these places and want to hook a sister up, feel free!)

• Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria – Chicago= Pizza in many people’s eyes, so make sure if you have someone visiting show them that all the hype is true! This is the first place I ordered from when my parents came to town for the first time. I am in love with their thick breadstick-like crust and the cheese and tomato sauce is always fresh! It’s like the tomatoes came straight out of the garden and it’s not even greasy. You get full, but you don’t feel like a complete slug after eating it either. Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to pizza, but Lou Malnati’s definitely won my heart over (and my parents hearts too).
• The Shedd Aquarium – Like I said in my last blog, I’m a fish so it only makes sense that I’m obsessed with the Shedd Aquarium. This place is absolutely incredibly and I don’t think I’ve even seen everything there is to see there. This is the perfect place to take the entire family or a great start to a first date. I know a few people that volunteer there as well and they have nothing but great things to say about the aquarium. My personal favorite – the shark tank!
• Bull and Bear – My favorite sports bar. I think the name says it all, it’s all about the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, and they might as well add ‘And Beer’ to the end. It’s in walking distance to where I work as well so it just happens to be very convenient for me. It’s a chill place to watch your favorite sports teams and catch up with friends. If I feel like going out on the town with my friends, this is the place where I like to start.
• Michigan Avenue – Yeah, sometimes I get a little touristy, sue me. I like people-watching and there’s no better place to do that then right on the avenue. You have butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers, along with some pretty stellar musicians and dancers. If I happen to get bored with them I just go take a stroll and go window shopping and look at all the stuff I’d like to own but will never actually buy.
• Sunda – I’m a fan of sushi and Sunda does the trick for me every time! It’s intimate, the food is exceptional, and you have to like a place that has a cocktail list that includes names like ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Hello Kitty’, and ‘Blushing Geisha’. I love the atmosphere in this Asian restaurant and it’s a great place to start you night off right!
• John Hancock Building – Sometimes we can take this beautiful city for granted. If you find that to be true for yourself, just go to the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building and take a look around. Grab a stiff drink from the bar, post up alongside the glass wall somewhere and take a look around. The view is absolutely breathtaking and it makes you very proud to call yourself a Chicagoan.
• Sporting Events – I don’t really care what game you go to, just go! This city is obsessed with sports – and rightfully so, we have amazing teams to watch all year long! Pick your poison: Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, The Fire, and the list goes on!

“I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail.” – Henry Louis Mencken