The fountain that is featured in the opening minutes of the hilarious 90’s sitcom Married with Children.

Chicago is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the United States, and there's no shortage of things to do and see when visiting the Windy City. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's rich history, trying some of the world's best food, or taking in some of the most spectacular views in the country, Chicago has something for everyone.

I was so psyched to visit Chicago last October because I heard so much great things about the city from friends and print. Although we only had a quick weekend to blaze through the city and a wedding right smack in the middle of it all, it was still an awesome overview of the spirit of Chicago. In fact that spirit (a cold one I might say) smacked me across the face as I walked off the plane at 6 am in the morning and said Welcome to Chicago!

One of the first things you should do when visiting Chicago is to take a stroll along the city's famous Magnificent Mile.

While waiting for the hotel room to become available, my husband and I grabbed some breakfast at a local joint nearby Wildberry Pancake and Cafe and strolled through the famed Millenium Park. The Jay Pritzker Pavillion designed by Frank Gehry, the celebrated Cloudsgate (a.k.a. the bean), Art Institute of Chicago, and the Buckingham Fountain greeted us. I adored the bean because it reflects and warps all the nearby buildings and surroundings. You can get some really creative and funky photo selfies and snapshots from it. One won’t appreciate the scale of the fountain until you see it up close and personal. It’s enormous and television doesn’t do it justice. We also checked out The Art Institute of Chicago on a different day. To be honest, I’m not a big museum person, but this place gets my vote for a diverse art collection. It has paintings, photographs, sculptures, building renderings, pottery, and exhibitions showcasing modern design at a good size. Some museums are so large that you’re just overwhelmed. Not this place. My favorites are the impressionist pieces from Monet.

Downtown Chicago is also known for its incredible architecture styles and skyscrapers especially flanking the Chicago River. As we walked around the main thorough-fair of downtown, we came across the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower. My husband is a HUGE fan of Transformers and its movies. Since they filmed part of Dark of the Moon in Chicago I recognized these buildings from the film. I was picturing Optimus Prime and Megatron duking it out on the tops of these buildings and wreaking havoc on all the people below. We seized the opportunity to take an architecture river tour and educated ourselves on the history of the buildings and city. After I got off the tour, I felt like I could nosh on some hors d’oeuvres and small talk away with any artsy people. Unfortunately, as time moved on, all those cool little details and facts emptied out my brain and fell by the waist side. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

If you're a foodie, then Chicago is the perfect destination for you. The city is known for its deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches, but there's much more to the city's culinary scene than just these famous dishes. From upscale dining experiences to trendy food halls and street vendors, Chicago has it all. Here are a few places that we checked out:

• Girl and The Goat
• The Purple Pig
• Floriole Cafe & Bakery

As we ventured to the outer parts of Chicago, we got a better sense of the soul of the city. We saw Wrigley Field where the Cubs play and took pictures with Ernie Banks’ statue.

We visited the free admission Lincoln Park Zoo. Did I mention that this place is free? A few highlights from the zoo are the roaring lion, cute beavers, and the raccoon-looking red panda. The lakeshore is awesome and offers an impressive cityscape. We also got a glimpse of unique and cute shops/stores as we passed through the neighborhoods on the bus.

Another must-see attraction in Chicago is the iconic Willis Tower.

This towering skyscraper, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is one of the tallest buildings in the world and offers stunning views of the city from its observation deck. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even step out onto "The Ledge," a glass platform that extends out from the side of the building, giving you a thrilling view of the city below. Chicago's parks offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you're looking for a place to take a leisurely stroll or a spot to have a picnic with friends and family, Chicago's parks are some of the best in the country.

With such a short trip, I felt like I only got a nibble of what the city had to offer. I am smitten and would love to come back for round 2 preferably when the days are longer and the weather is a tad warmer. In conclusion, Chicago is a city that has something for everyone, from history buffs to foodies to nature lovers. So if you're looking for an exciting and unforgettable vacation, be sure to put Chicago at the top of your list.