Chicago, the third-largest city in North America after New York and Los Angeles. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper, and its atmosphere bears a certain resemblance to New York. Though its population and area are only a fraction of New York's, this compact city is densely packed with captivating attractions comparable to those of New York, including art, architecture, entertainment, and gastronomy. This short series will introduce the charms of Chicago, theme by theme. We begin with an introduction to the city.

What image comes to mind when you hear the name Chicago? Many would likely say it's a city of business. Indeed, Chicago, the third-largest metropolis in the United States after New York and Los Angeles, is home to the headquarters of global corporations such as United Airlines, Boeing, Sunstar, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and Groupon. It is undoubtedly one of America's key hubs for commerce, finance, and distribution.

On the other hand, Chicago also boasts the allure of a captivating travel destination. According to data from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the city welcomed 57.7 million tourists from both within and outside the U.S. in 2018. Furthermore, "Condé Nast Traveler," a U.S. luxury travel magazine, has named Chicago the "Best Big City in the U.S." for three consecutive years starting in 2017.

As the birthplace of the skyscraper, Chicago is lined with buildings of various architectural styles, earning it the reputation of being an open-air museum of architecture. It also houses some of North America's premier museums and contemporary art institutions, with public art by world-renowned artists scattered throughout, transforming the city itself into an art space. Moreover, Broadway shows are performed nightly in historic theaters, and lively jazz and blues performances, genres that flourished here, can be experienced in its nightclubs.

As you walk through Chicago, you'll likely feel a sense of familiarity, a resemblance to New York. This is because the elements that constitute the city—its skyscrapers, waterfront views, well-placed green parks, historic museums and theaters, and stylish restaurants and cafes—are quite similar.

While its scale is a fraction of New York's, Chicago packs an array of attractions comparable to New York's into its compact form. It is said to be described as "Chicago: America's Toy Box," a fitting analogy indeed. In this short series, we aim to explore Chicago's multifaceted charms, focusing on themes such as architecture, art, entertainment, and gastronomy.