America's third largest city – behind New York and Los Angeles – is Chicago, and millions of visitors flock there each year to sample its museums, sporting events, and deep-dish pizza.

Chicago is located in northern Illinois and curves around Lake Michigan, with the Chicago River snaking through its center. The lake is central to the city's prosperity and climate, regulating temperatures so that it is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Chicago boasts nearly 30 public beaches along its shores, as well as several parks and green spaces, including Lincoln Park , which is second only to New York 's Central Park in the number of visitors it attracts each year.

Chicago 's Navy Pier is one of its biggest attractions. At 3,000 feet long, the pier, which extends along Lake Michigan , houses several restaurants, shops, and museums. It is also home to a 150-foot tall Ferris Wheel.

The Magnificent Mile is another of Chicago 's treasures. This upscale street fronts the Chicago River and is home to several high-end retailers, five-star restaurants, and luxury hotels.

Chicago is one of America 's most ethnically diverse cities, with a large population of African-Americans, Poles, Germans, Swedes, Italians, and Irish, among others. This mix of cultures is reflected in the city's distinct and varied cuisine. Not only will you find Chicago staples such as deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, but you'll also find authentic dishes in any of the city's many ethnic neighborhoods: Greektown, Little Italy, Chinatown, and Little Seoul, to name a few.

Chicago 's ethnic diversity extends beyond its culinary traditions to its arts and cultural scene. Chicago hosts a variety of theatrical productions and musical concerts, including opera, symphony, ballet, blues, soul, jazz, gospel, indie rock, house, hip-hop, and punk. Chicago is also home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Chicago Museum of History, the DuSable Museum of African-American History, the Museum of Contemporary Art , and the Polish Museum of America .

Chicago is a world-class sporting city and is home to several major sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Bulls. Each year, millions of sports fanatics make the pilgrimage to the city's famous Wrigley and Soldier Fields. The city also hosts the Chicago Marathon and is a contender for the 2016 Summer Olympics.