You might instinctively think that Chicago is known as the 'Windy City' because it's, well, windy. The wind certainly whips up off Lake Michigan, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Legend has it that a culture of boasting on the part of the city's residents and politicians was dismissed by others as a load of hot air – hence, 'windy.' Chicago today certainly has a lot to be windy about: nationally-renowned museums and art galleries, architecture as impressive as it is diverse, great drinking joints from the darkest of neighborhood dives to speakeasy-style cocktail bars, a thriving live music scene (particularly in jazz and blues), basketball legends and World Series-winning baseball teams – Chicago is big, bold and the perfect spot for some good old fashioned fun. The city's neighborhoods boast their own identity and charm, so visitors can customize their trip to their heart's content. Chicago is known as the country's 'Second City,’ although is technically now its third, but it's a still a first-rate destination.
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What's not to like about a city that smells like chocolate?
Why is Chicago called the “Second City”?
The term “Second City” was popularized as a derogatory nickname in a 1952 article for The New Yorker by A. J. Lieblin. But Chicagoans have since taken hold of it.
“Wrigley Field is just a giant excuse to party,” baseball fan Joe Stanley tells me, somehow making it sound as if a party is a bad thing.