Chicago

Chicago's style consists of a little bit of everything -- from architecture and political machines to deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and blues. Chicagoans do things with their own distinctive flair, creating innovations that resound far beyond the city's borders. The result is a world-class city with stunning architecture, an internationally acclaimed symphony, champion sports teams, a host of renowned museums and miles of gorgeous beaches.

It's no simple matter to define precisely what Chicago's style is. This large city is many things at once -- a blue-collar town that's full of high culture and gracious living; a town of historical importance that's in no way stuck in the past; a classic Midwestern city with international importance and a multitude of vibrant ethnic neighborhoods. Ultimately, Chicago's refusal to conform to any single style, even one that bears its name, is what truly defines this city.