10 Best Facts About Chicago

Planning a trip to Chicago or just curious about this iconic city? You’re in for a treat. From soaring skyscrapers to legendary deep-dish pizza, Chicago is a city full of surprises. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or just love quirky trivia, these 10 Chicago facts will give you a new appreciation for the Windy City—and maybe a chuckle or two along the way.

Before Chicago became a metropolis, it was a field of wild onions and garlic. The name “Chicago” comes from the Algonquin words “Chicagou” or “Shikaakwa,” meaning “wild onion” or “wild garlic field.” Fun fact: if you thought your kitchen smelled strongly of onions, imagine an entire city!

Chicago has earned plenty of nicknames over the years, including:

• The Windy City – Not just for gusty Lake Michigan breezes, but also, some say, for its long-winded politicians.
• The Second City – A nod to rebuilding after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
• City of Big Shoulders – Thanks to Carl Sandburg, who summed up its industrious spirit in poetry.
• The White City – From the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

Chicago officially became a town in 1833 and a city in 1837, after its population surpassed 4,000. The city’s first permanent resident was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a Haitian trader and settler, who established a trading post along the Chicago River. Without him, Chicago might have remained just another stretch of lakeshore.

Chicago is famously the starting point of Route 66, America’s “Mother Road,” which begins near Grant Park on Adams Street across from the Art Institute of Chicago. Since 1926, travelers have set off from Chicago to explore nearly 2,500 miles of open road—and countless roadside diners.

With over 2.7 million residents, Chicago is Illinois’ largest city and the third most populous in the U.S., after New York City and Los Angeles. Despite its size, it still manages to feel like a friendly Midwestern hub where deep-dish pizza reigns supreme.

Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper, and the city boasts four of the ten tallest buildings in the United States. The 13-story Tacoma Building, completed in 1889, was one of the first steel-frame skyscrapers in the world.

Here’s a fun twist: the Chicago River actually flows backward. Engineers reversed its course in the early 20th century to protect Lake Michigan from sewage contamination—a city literally turning the tide to stay clean.

Chicago has 26 miles of public beaches, making it a surprising haven for sunbathers. Popular spots include North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, South Shore Beach, Foster Beach, and Columbia Beach. And yes, you can get sand between your toes while admiring the skyscrapers—no passport required.

The city’s “L” train system (short for “elevated”) is the fourth-largest rapid transit network in the U.S. Locals ride the L, not the subway, and it’s a must for any visitor wanting to experience authentic Chicago commuting… or just admire the skyline from above.

Chicago is responsible for several iconic foods:

• Twinkies – Invented in 1930 by Hostess employee Jimmy Dewar, inspired by a “Twinkle Toe Shoes” ad.
• Brownies – Created in 1893 at the Palmer House for the World’s Columbian Exposition.
• Deep-Dish Pizza – Developed in the 1940s by Ike Sewell at Pizzeria Uno, because sometimes thin crust just doesn’t cut it.

Chicago has been home to many innovations:

• Chicago is home to the nation’s first blood bank, established in 1937 by Dr. Bernard Fantus at Cook County Hospital.
• Spray paint was invented in Chicago in 1949 by Edward H. Seymour.
• NBC 5 Chicago/WMAQ became the first all-color TV station in 1956, later broadcasting the famous 1960 Nixon-Kennedy presidential debate.

Chicago loves a little eccentricity:

• Art on theMART is the world’s longest-running permanent digital art installation.
• The city has over 200 art galleries, 60 museums, 250 theaters, 7,300 restaurants, and 400 local festivals.
• Lincoln Park Zoo once treated an elephant named Princess Alice with whiskey to help it recover from illness… and she became, well, a little tipsy.
• Chicago became the first U.S. city to ban pay toilets in 1973, thanks to the Committee to End Pay Toilets in America.

Planning your Chicago adventure? Book your stay with our curated list of the best hotels in the city and enjoy comfort, convenience, and easy access to all the top attractions!

9.4 Superb

St. Jane Chicago

230 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, us

8.5 Very good

Hotel Julian Chicago

168 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, us

8.4 Very good

Pendry Chicago

230 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, us