WHY
Chicago's name derives from a Native American word meaning wild garlic or"place of the skunk". There's nothing of the skunk about Barack Obama's home city. Within a day's drive of more than half the country,Chicago,with its bold architecture and rich cultural and sporting life,just feels right,due in no small way to the city's green arc known as the"emerald necklace". It's a fine example of visionary urban planning,yielding a people-friendly 42-kilometre swathe of city parks,tree-lined boulevards and grassy squares.
VISIT
Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park (www.flwright.org/) is a picturesque,historic neighbourhood easily reached by train. Wright developed a new American architecture – the Prairie style – in his Oak Park studio. Take a self-guided tour with audio guide to view the world's highest concentration of Wright-designed structures. Lincoln Park is a green,hip neighbourhood,home to the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre (www.steppenwolf.org/) – thinkAugust:Osage County – and The Second City (www.secondcity.com/),for terrific improvisational comedy. Alumni include Tina Fey,Alan Alda and Bill Murray.
EAT
As well as deep-dish pizza,try The Art of Pizza (www.artofpizzainc.com/) – Chicago loves a prime steak. In River North,within easy walking distance of central Chicago,is Bavette's Bar and Boeuf (www.bavetteschicago.com/food/). This sophisticated French-influenced,jazz-era steakhouse serves exceptional quality food and lethal cocktails. Nearby Kinzie Chop House (kinziechophouse.com/) is also meat central,while RPM Steak (www.rpmrestaurants.com/rpmsteak/chicago/) is where President Obama recently enjoyed a"Kansas City"cut with baked potato and Grey Goose martini. 42 Grams (www.42gramschicago.com/) received two Michelin stars in its first 10 months. It's pricey ($US243[$342] with no alcohol) but the 15-course tasting menu is a work of art.
LOOK
The Art Institute of Chicago (www.artic.edu/) in Grant Park is considered one of the world's finest galleries. Its extraordinary modern art collection includes nearly 1000 works from Europe and the Americas and includes Matisse'sBathers by a River,Picasso'sOld Guitarist and Wood'sAmerican Gothic. Numerous restaurants/cafes allow visitors to collapse and revive. Buy tickets online to bypass queues,from $US29.