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Chicago, Illinois
The root: The Great Migration's northern terminus — blues electrified on the South and West Sides, deep-dish and Italian beef in every neighborhood, the lake as the city's front yard.
Eat: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria — the deep-dish standard; Al's #1 Italian Beef — the dipped-beef original; Garrett Popcorn — the Chicago cheese-and-caramel mix.
Skip — don't: The River North chains and any deep-dish joint with a hawker out front — the neighborhood spots do it better for less.
Specialty: Electric blues, deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and the lakefront — the capital of the Midwest and its own food universe.
Shops & crafts: Neighborhood record stores for blues vinyl; Chicago-made food souvenirs — Garrett tins, Italian-beef seasoning; the Magnificent Mile if you must.
See: Chicago River architecture cruise — the skyline's best seat; Millennium Park — Cloud Gate and summer concerts; Kingston Mines — Lincoln Park blues club with two stages.
Main Street: The Magnificent Mile and State Street — a canyon of glass and limestone with the L rattling overhead.
After dark: A blues club till late — Kingston Mines runs two stages; a late-night Italian beef.
When — events
Chicago Blues Festival — June, Millennium Park
Taste of Chicago — early July, Grant Park.
Event dates are the typical annual timing; confirm with the town before traveling.