The Second City? Depends On Who You Ask.
Ask anyone who knows me what my favorite city is, and they will say “Chicago, of course!” without hesitation. Though I sometimes act like the so-called Second City is the only great one, of course it isn’t. I just returned from a whirlwind weekend in another metropolis, New York City, where I had the pleasure of attending the BlogHer conference.
Though the two cities are obviously very different when you look at the big picture, New York City–Manhattan to be more specific–has much in common with Chicago. For one thing, they are heavily populated and the streets and sidewalks are nearly full of people. Both cities have distinctive neighborhoods with character, and the boundaries, where one community blends into the next, are easy to see without looking at a map. A melting pot of world citizens? Yes, please. If you want rich diversity, you can find it in either place.
Both cities have a big, beautiful green space with trails, sculpture, performance space, fountains, an ice rink, restaurants, and natural features where citizens and visitors can find respite from the chaos. Though Millennium Park can’t match Central Park in size, it certainly provides some healthy competition in every other area.
Both cities could be considered gastronomic heaven: some of the most famous chefs in the world have opened restaurants in Chicago and New York City, helping to turn the cities into Foodie Paradise.
Museums? Check. Some of the best museums in the world are in Chicago and New York City. I wouldn’t want to get involved in a debate with a New Yorker about it, but our museums are just as good as theirs.
Both cities even have Donald Trump: Manhattan is home to Trump International Hotel and Tower New York (among many other branded buildings!), and Chicago is home to Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago.
During the time I was in Manhattan, I had a perma-grin on my face. A vibrant city, even if it’s not Chicago, gets my heart all a-flutter. The magic of New York City grabbed my heart and held on tightly to it as I strolled along the sidewalks, took wild rides in cabs, and zoomed underground from place to place on the subway. The lights of Times Square were intoxicating and blinding all at the same time, and the sirens, horns, and other random noise from outside lulled me to sleep at night instead of having the opposite effect. Could I live there? Absolutely. Would it be my first choice? No. For me, New York City is the Second City.
After five days in Manhattan, I was sad to leave because of the fun I had, but I was also ready to go home, to my streets. My park. My restaurants. My museums.
My city.
Walking from the plane into the bright white of Terminal 1 at O’Hare, I sighed with relief. A sign of a great vacation is a new appreciation of your home, and I had it. I was finally back, in Sweet Home Chicago.
Photo by Melisa Wells.
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We travel a lot and there’s nothing better than seeing the Chicago skyline out of a plane window. It is good to come home, especially when home is Chicago.
I’m really not much of a city girl but New York did look like a ton of fun from all the photos I’ve seen.
GREAT post … gonna go home and watch The Blues Brothers … glad you traveled home safely xoxo
Had many of the same feelings on our return from a long road trip.
I’ve never been to new york City but I certainly would like to go one day.
Chicago’s always been my home and there is nothing like being Chicago Born and raised