Chicago

Also known as the 'Windy City,' Chicago is the United States' third-largest city, razed to the ground by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 only to be rebuilt to a scale that left the world in awe. This rebirth spawned the development of trend-setting architecture, including the distinctive style of the Chicago School. The city is also home to the Western Hemisphere's largest science museum. Whether you're a history buff, art connoisseur or gourmet, Chicago will not disappoint. Renowned architectural landmarks like the Willis Tower and the historic Robie House stand alongside riveting contemporary masterpieces like the silvered Jay Pritzker Pavilion, while magnanimous works of public art like the Cloud Gate and Picasso's abstract sculpture are interwoven in between. For those who prefer the art of the two-dimensional kind, the Art Institute, the Museum of Mexican Art and the Inuit Gallery are good places to begin. This city loves sports as much as it enjoys music, with baseball matches at the Wrigley Stadium met with as much enthusiasm as musical extravaganzas like the Blues Fest and Lollapalooza; it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement. Paired with a world-renowned culinary scene that runs the gamut from street food to Michelin-starred fine dining, Chicago is awe-inspiring.