🇺🇸 Chicago | Truly the Home of Skyscrapers

I’d always heard Chicago was one of America’s only two truly modern metropolises, but honestly didn’t think much of it — never considered it a must-visit. That changed when I had to go to the Chicago Consulate to renew my passport. I ended up wandering the streets, strolling along the river, visiting museums, and taking an architecture cruise… and it completely exceeded my expectations! 🌆✨ The city is clean, organized, and filled with skyscrapers that are both unique and beautiful — far from a cold concrete jungle. The Chicago River flowing through downtown truly gives the city its soul! 🛳️ Highly recommend the architecture boat tour! Around 1.5 hours, ~$40+. You can book on Get Your Guide, or even better — grab a deal on Groupon two days ahead (as low as $29!). There are three companies; all are pretty similar, so just pick whichever you like! 🏛️ The museums are impressive too. Even after touring countless museums across Europe, the Art Institute of Chicago still stands out. 🖼️ Recommend half a day for art lovers, or at least 2 hours for a quicker visit. Don’t miss the museum library before you leave — while the central seats are for researchers, visitors are welcome. I flipped through exhibition catalogs from 1949 and even the year I was born — so fascinating! Besides Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile, Chicago is also home to: 🌟 The world’s largest Starbucks — 4 floors of coffee wonderland ☕ 🌟 McDonald’s HQ — near Hamburger University 🍔, you can try international limited-time items! During my visit, they had burgers from Korea, Brazil, India, fancy fries from France, and Spanish desserts. A must for McDonald’s fans! After living in rural Minnesota for so long, I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to need reservations or wait in line for restaurants… Chicago reminded me quickly! Even lesser-known local spots with good reviews had wait times over an hour — now that’s a big city vibe 🍽️😅 All in all, Chicago was a wonderful surprise. I can’t wait to go back and explore more! #Chicago #USATravel #ChicagoTourism #ChicagoPhotography #TravelPhotography #AmericanCuisine