The Best Things About Chicago

It's not flyover country. Chicago is that dreamy city by the lake that's located between Los Angeles and New York.

1. New Gatherer Cuisine

Iliana Regan on Instagram / Via websta.me

Top notch places like Elizabeth Restaurant, rated one of Chicago Magazine's Best New Restaurants in 2013, offers a unique variety of locally foraged seasonal finds based on the New Gatherer Cuisine, which is specific to the Midwest.

2. Downtown River Tours of Amazing Architecture

Instagram / Via websta.me

Float down the water and observe some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

3. A Great Public Transportation System Full of Characters

Instagram / Via websta.me

This panda boy is enjoying his ride on a very clean Chicago Transit Authority bus.

4. Lake Michigan

Instagram / Via websta.me

The best place for a relaxing day in the sun.

5. Dive into the Lake

Via websta.me

It's even better when you go in it.

6. Classic Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza

Via websta.me

Another look at fine dining.

7. Gorgeous Foliage at the Garfield Park Conservatory

Via websta.me

Buzz buzz.

8. Bike Riding on the Lakefront Path

Via websta.me

Jumping off the bike to take a pleasant afternoon selfie.

9. The Bulls

Via websta.me

Michael Jordan is a legend.

10. The Vast Chicago Public Library System

Via websta.me

There are 80 branches to chose from, including the downtown hub of Harold Washington Library. Climb inside this truck, and you'll end up at one of them.

11. The Art Institute of Chicago

Via websta.me

We just got a Modern Wing built by Renzo Piano. 'Nuff said.

12. The Art Institute of Chicago's Selfie Opportunities

Via websta.me

This girl looks cool while experiencing what it's like to be American Gothic. Take that, Midwestern stereotypes!

13. The Reflective Bean

Mish Sukharev, " Through the Looking Bean" (2008) / Via flic.kr

But truly, there is no better place in the country for taking selfies than Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" a.k.a. The Bean at Chicago's Millennium Park.