Aerial Cities (2018)

Episode Overview

A morning in the skies above Chicago brings an array of unexpected moments. As dawn breaks, the “Legends of the Lake,” twin sisters Jennie and Julia Papilli, embark on their long-standing tradition that began in 1946, swimming two miles in the brisk waters of Lake Michigan. Known for its towering skyscrapers, the city attracts visitors who dare to step into glass boxes extending from the Willis Tower or take a thrilling ride on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, where a window and floor tilt out over the street 1,000 feet below. One rooftop doubles as a training ground for firefighters, while another serves as a workout area for inmates. All of this is connected by the city’s iconic, rusting “L” train.