Miles of lakeshore, famous blues clubs and world-famous museums and architecture. The nation's third largest city is more than deep-dish pizza. folks quickly realize why Chicago is often referred to as "a great place on a great lake." The city's cultural magnificence and its citizens' Midwestern friendliness combine to offer people a home with the best the world has to offer. Chicago has a distinctive political and social history; it witnessed the outbreak of the Haymarket Square Riots, gave birth to the Chicago Defender, and became the heart of the United States labor movement. Today, Chicago maintains its remarkable artistic, intellectual, and cultural diversity. The University of Chicago is home to more Nobel Laureates than any other institution. Chicago's thriving music scene is famous for its blues clubs, opera houses, hip-hop clubs, and alternative venues. There is always something to do in Chicago, whether that means taking a ride on the gigantic Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, catching an improv show at Second City, cheering for one of the six professional sports teams, or relaxing on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Chicago boasts 77 distinctive neighborhoods, which reflect its rich history and cultural diversity. Europeans (mostly Irish, Italian, Polish, and Lithuanian) immigrated to Chicago at the turn of the century, at the same time that African-Americans from the South began seeking new opportunities here. Mexican workers migrated to Chicago to work on the railroads and in the stockyards in the 1940s. In more recent history, Chicago has become a home to Chinese, Korean, Indian, Puerto Rican, and Caribbean immigrants. The Logan Square neighborhood is known for its cultural and socioeconomic diversity.

Families and single professionals populate the area. Lakeview, with its vibrant nightlife, numerous restaurants, and thrift shops, is also popular. Those who prefer to live on Chicago's south side often choose the lakefront community of Hyde Park, which has been racially and socially integrated for more than 40 years.

Festivals and parades occur almost year-round in Chicago, attracting tourists as well as residents. There are several festivals each weekend from May to October, ranging from the huge Taste of Chicago, to neighborhood festivals like Pilsen's Fiesta del Sol. The many parades are as varied as Chicago's neighborhoods and residents. This August, more than 1.2 million people came to Chicago to watch the 75th Annual Bud Billiken Parade, founded by Robert S. Abbot (founder of the Chicago Defender).

Lake Michigan forms the eastern border of the city. Chicago has 29 miles of lakefront, which includes 15 miles of bathing beaches and 18 miles of bicycle paths.

Chicago Parks District includes 552 parks, 33 beaches, and numerous wildlife gardens and lagoons inside the city. In total, Chicago boasts 7,300 acres of parkland. The Parks District hosts thousands of special events year-round, including art shows, concerts, festivals, and community sporting events for all ages.

Now it is time to experience one of Lakeview's greatest neighborhood festivals, Market days. Vendors are selling their wares, plenty of food and drinks, entertainment and best of all lots of people to look at and have fun with.