How do we love thee, Chicago? Let us count the ways. We could wax poetic about the city's best qualities for hours on end, but instead, we decided to turn the mic over to our Time Out Tastemakers. We asked them a simple question: Why do you love Chicago? Their answers cover it all—from the reliable public transportation system and walkable downtown to the city's best restaurants and unbeatable architectural gems. There are an endless number of reasons to love Chicago, but here are eight very good ones from our Tastemaker community.
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"There’s so much to do in Chicago that there is no reason to ever be bored. The beach is great in the summer, there’s a beautiful free zoo to explore, [and on top of that] many museums, amazing rooftops, great sports teams, different neighborhoods and great restaurants to try out. There’s never been a time I’ve thought there is nothing to do while living in Chicago." —Marissa Auslander
"With all of the buses and trains running through Chicago, it's easy to access many different communities and cultures that might not be available in smaller towns. You can be in Rogers Park during the day and get to an evening Sox game in under an hour, so you never miss a beat. The veins of the transit system conveniently run through the most amazing neighborhoods the city has to offer." —Carolyn Moore
"Chicago is different from any other big city I’ve lived in because of our neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is unique, with different foods, bars, hangout spots, green spaces and people. The characteristics of each neighborhood... give you an almost small-town feel [in] of one of the biggest cities in the country. Plus, it’s exciting to know that I can hop on the El and in 30 minutes be a neighborhood that is completely different from my own." —Sloane Oxley-Hase
"Having a couple Chicago winters under my belt has taught me that there's nothing better than ice skating on the Ribbon [at Maggie Daley Park] or playing board games while sipping boozy hot chocolates from Guthrie's while the snow comes down. Except maybe beach-volleyball leagues and brewery 5Ks in the summertime. Chicagoans appreciate the warm weather and are outside and active more than our coastal counterparts because we've got to soak up every minute of patio (and day drinking) season!" —Nicole Long
"I've lived in Chicago for years now and still can't get over the vast cluster of buildings. Whether it be the greystones in our local neighborhoods or the skyscrapers downtown, I'm always in awe of the diverse design, character and history each building holds." —Priyanka Das
"Chicago is a melting pot of food with a variety of cuisines to satisfy all cravings and an endless list of restaurants to serve all occasions. Whether you [want] to dine at a Michelin-starred or fast-casual restaurant, you’ll never run out of places to eat as new venues are constantly opening!" —Kanchan Garg
"I love that Chicago is a large, diverse city with a concentrated downtown. The Chicago Architecture Foundation hosts daily walking tours that not only get you out and about, but also teach you new things about this fabulous city. Grab a picnic plate at Pastoral and head to Millenium Park, where you’re likely to catch a free concert in the summer, snap a selfie on the Nichols Bridgeway, and finish with a basil-infused vodka cocktail at Terzo Piano. Don’t forget to marvel at the fabulous lake, park and skyline views that make Chicago so special."—Kristy Katzmann
"Whether you want to spend a day at the beach, dine at some of the best restaurants in the world, take in world-class comedy or cheer on one of Chicago’s many teams, Chicago has it all!"—Carly Ann
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