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Chicago, IL: Our Kind of Town (Flight Not Included)
Breeze into the Windy City, where you'll be blown away by a skyline of famous skyscrapers, miles of magnificent shopping, and nothing less than that spirited, Mid-Western charm.

Where the locals go: Chug an "Old Style" and bite into a hot dog while cheering the Cubbies at Wrigley Field, arguably the country's most charming ball park. Hard-core fans may sit in the bleachers in hopes of catching a homerun hit, but there's hardly a bad seat at the "Friendly Confines."

History lesson: Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. Opt for the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise--touristy, but undoubtedly the most awe-inspiring perspective on everything from Art Deco masterpieces to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's minimalism.

Did we mention it's free? From tropical skinks and salamanders to arctic penguins and polar bears, a visit to Lincoln Park Zoo is a crowd-pleaser. Open 365 days a year, this zoo, established in 1868, is among the nation's oldest.

Local flavor: You can't go wrong with porterhouse, rib-eye, or any other slab of meat at the original Mortons, the paradigm of Chicago-style steakhouses. And whether you take yours deep-dish or stuffed, you've got to try the "pot pie" pizza at Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder.

As seen on TV: Channel John Belushi's short-order cook stint on SNL with a "Cheezburgah, Cheezburgah, Cheezburgah...," at the skit's inspiration, the Billy Goat Tavern, home to a killer double-cheeseburgah on a Kaiser roll.

The real deal: Lighten up at The Second City, the comedy club where the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, and Chris Farley got their big breaks -- we think it's a national treasure, no joke.

Get your bearings: If you want to get around Chicago like a Chicagoan, get to know "the Loop" and "the L." Think: the Loop is the business district that is circled by the mass-transit, elevated train called the L (and the Chicago River).

Place we love, even if it's touristy: With 110 stories rising a quarter mile into the sky, the Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America. On a clear day you can see four states from the skydeck on the 103rd floor.

Where to blow a paycheck: Rain, snow, or shine, shopaholics flock to the Magnificent Mile, packed with department stores, boutiques, and specialty shops. Nearby on State Street is the historic, ornate Marshall Fields with a Tiffany ceiling and a lavishly decorated Great Tree during the holidays.

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