DK Travel : Chicago

Big-city sophistication combined with small-town hospitality create the perfect blend in this, the Mid west’s largest city. Chicago’s influential architecture, cuisine for every budget and taste, great shopping, diverse ethnic neighborhoods, and outstanding museums are reason enough for a visit. And the icing on the cake? The city boasts a lakefront and park system that are as beautiful as they are recreational.

Maxwell Street Market

Both 19th-century European immigrants and 20th-century African-American settlers fleeing the Deep South got their entrepreneurial start selling from push-carts around Maxwell Street. In 1994 the market was relocated to make way for the new University of Illinois at Chicago and, while a shadow of its former self, it still makes for a vibrant Sunday morning. Don’t expect valuable finds; do expect plenty of Mexican housewares and used tools. But the occasional treasure, such as a vintage fur coat, does show up. Perhaps the best reason to visit is to try the homemade tacos from the Mexican food stalls that line the street.
Medici on 57th

Great pizza draws the crowds, but sandwiches on home-baked bread and rich milkshakes are also offered.
Mellow Yellow

This laid-back eatery offers specialties of rotisserie chicken and sweet or savory crepes. There’s also a separate bar.
Merchandise Mart

This massive two-square-block edifice houses Chicago’s premier interior design trade showrooms. When completed in 1930, the four million-sq-ft (390,000-sq-m) building was the largest in the world. Today, it is second only to the Pentagon in size, and is still the world’s largest commercial building. A 90-minute guided tour includes a visit to several showrooms.
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum

The largest Latino museum in the US explores the culture sin fronteras (without boundaries), showcasing works from both Mexico and Mexican-American communities. Pre-Columbian ceramics, Day of the Dead candelabras, and prints by such luminaries as Diego Rivera are highlights of the permanent collection.
Mia Francesca

The hearty, rustic fare of Rome and its surrounding regions distinguishes Mia Francesca from the Italian pack. Large portions and reasonable prices help draws legions of fans to this Wrigleyville rave. A former candy shop, the storefront eatery is casual but stylish with paper-topped tables and black-and-white photos of rural life on the walls. Lines form early and often.
Mia Francesca

The wait for the generous portions of flavorful pastas, seafood, and chicken at this lively eatery is definitely worth it.
Michael Jordan Jersey

No longer a Bull, but he’s still a star. Buy Jordan’s merchandise at United Center’s Fandemonium store.
Michigan Avenue Bridge

Chain Reaction (1996) sees Keanu Reeves as a science student at the University of Chicago who is framed for murder. In a nail-biting chase scene, he trys to escape by running up the Michigan Avenue Bridge (see Magnificent Mile) as it’s raised.
Millennium & Grant parks

As well as a center for world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design, the 24-acre (10-ha) Millennium Park offers winter ice skating, interactive public art, al fresco dining and free classical music concerts. Together with the adjoining 19th century Grant Park, which hosts many of the city’s varied and vibrant festivals (see Festivals & Events), it constitutes one of the finest, user-friendly green spaces in Chicago.

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Restaurant price categories

Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, tax, and a 15–20%% tip.
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