From its culinary innovations to its rich history, the Windy City is full of surprises.
In celebration of Believe Chicago’s limited time showing at FlyOver Iceland, we’ve dug into this iconic American city to learn what makes it unlike any destination we’ve ever explored. Dive into these nine fascinating fun facts and discover why Chicago is truly one of a kind.
Ever wonder how Chicago became Chicago? The name was first recorded in the late 1600s and comes from the Algonquian word "Chigagou," meaning onion field. It’s a nod to the wild onions that used to grow in the area.
In 1893, inventor Whitcomb L. Judson introduced the first zipper design at the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, which he called a clasp locker. Originally developed to simplify fastening boots, his creation laid the foundation for the zippers people use without a second thought today.
Invented by bridge builder George W. Ferris, the Ferris wheel was a gamechanger in the entertainment industry, especially for those afraid of heights. Also introduced at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the slow-moving wheel’s legacy lives on today at carnivals and amusement parks the world over.
For many, tuning into Home Alone is a holiday tradition. Some fans, however, take it a bit further by visiting the McCallister home itself, located just north of Chicago in the village of Winnetka. Expect heavy traffic around the holidays as fans flock to this residential landmark, which can be admired from the sidewalk only.
Chicago hosts one of the most exciting St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world. In addition to countless venues transformed for the festivities, the Chicago River is also dyed a bright emerald green. A tradition since 1962, this vibrant exhibition is created by the Chicago Plumbers Union with a well-kept, environmentally friendly secret formula.
Spanning over 756,640 square feet (70,294 square metres), Chicago’s Harold Washington Library is one of the world’s largest public library structures. Housing around two million books at any given time, it also stands as a magnificent example of Chicago’s architectural mastery.
Considered the first skyscraper ever built, the Home Insurance Building was constructed in 1885 and demolished in 1931. This innovative 10-story building inspired the development of the quick, safe elevators and modern plumbing that are standard in much taller buildings today.
Rumor has it that Chicago has more hot dog stands than McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s locations combined. Chicago-style hot dogs are a city staple and typically come in a poppy-seed bun topped with peppers, yellow mustard, pickles, onions and neon-green sweet pickle relish. Putting ketchup on one, however, might raise some eyebrows — many Chicagoans consider it a hot dog faux pas.
The Chicago dog isn’t the only culinary superstar in town. From deep-dish pizza to Italian beef sandwiches and several signature sweet treats, there's something for every palate in Chicago. No, seriously. If there's one thing (and there are many!) Chicago is famous for, it's food. So, if you find yourself in the Windy City, be sure to loosen your belt and embrace the dining scene like a true Chicagoan.
Believe Chicago’s is showing at FlyOver Iceland for a limited time, from September 12 to December 31, 2024.
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