Lake Michigan

The history of Chicago is closely tied to that of Lake Michigan. Since before Chicago was founded, ships were bringing people and supplies from all points on the compass. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes, with a maximum depth of 925 feet and a size slightly greater than the nation of Croatia.

Tourist attractions

Since the first steel-framed high-rise building of the world was constructed in the city in 1885, Chicago has been known for its skyscrapers, and today boasts the world's tallest skyline. Many high-rise buildings are located in the downtown area, notably historic buildings such as the Chicago Board of Trade Building in the Loop with others along the lakefront and the Chicago River. The three tallest buildings in the city are the Sears Tower (also the tallest building in the United States), the An Center, and the John Hancock Center.

Along Lake Shore Drive, parks line the lakefront. The most notable of these parks are Grant Park and Millennium Park, which border the east end of the Loop, Lincoln Park on the north side, and Burnham Park and Jackson Park in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the south side. Interspersed within this system of parks are 31 beaches in Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo, several bird sanctuaries, McCormick Place Convention Center, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, the Museum Campus, and the Jardine Water Purification Plant.

Chicago is also home to a number of architecturally notable churches: Chicago Temple/First United Methodist Church which consists of a 22-story skyscraper surmounted by a steeple cross at 568 feet above street level making it the tallest church building in the world. The city is also home to three basilicas: Our Lady of Sorrows in Garfield Park, Queen of All Saints in Forest Glen, St. Hyacinth in Avondale.

Entertainment and performing arts

Broadway in Chicago, created in July of 2000, brings touring productions and previews of Broadway musicals to Chicago, at venues including: LaSalle Bank Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Ford Oriental Theatre, and the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Examples of shows that have come to the city as part of "Broadway in Chicago" are: Blue Man Group, Wicked, Rent, Stomp, The Color Purple, Hairspray, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Cats, The Producers, Jesus Christ Superstar.

The city is home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and several modern and jazz dance troupes. Chicago is known for its Chicago blues, Chicago soul, jazz, and gospel. The city is the birthplace of the house style of music, and is the site of an influential hip-hop scene. In the 1980s, the city was a center for industrial, punk and new wave (spawning the famous Wax Trax! label). Chicago was an epicenter of the development of rave culture in the 1980s which continues today. There is a flourishing independent rock scene, including the recent explosion of Chicago indie acts, with multiple festivals featuring various acts each year (Lollapalooza, the Intonation Music Festival and Pitchfork Music Festival being the most prominent).