New Chicago Police Department directive limits where people can bring abandoned, stray animals

Chicago is the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S. Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed.

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Chicago is celebrating its 9th year as the Best Big City in the U.S.! Explore iconic attractions, hidden gems, and travel guides. Plan the perfect Chicago trip!

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50 Best Things to Do in Chicago According to Locals in 2026

Chicago is a city, the seat of Cook county, in northeastern Illinois, U.S. With a population of nearly three million, Chicago is the state’s largest and the country’s third most populous city. It is the commercial and cultural hub of the American Midwest. Learn more about Chicago in this article.

Widely considered to be Chicago’s best beach, North Avenue is a popular place to go swimming and sunbathing with countless amenities to be found nearby. Lying along the shores of Lake Michigan, its golden sands are located within Lincoln Park, just a short drive north of the center. Dotted with piers that keep the sand in place and create its scallop-shaped shoreline, North Avenue Beach has ...