Chicago is a city that dresses to impress. Long recognized as having the finest collection of modern architecture in the country, Chicago boasts names such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, I.M. Pei and Louis Sullivan as architects who made or cemented their reputations here. Other arts flourish here as well; the Art Institute has some of the most recognizable paintings in the world in its permanent collection, and the wind isn't the only thing wailing through the streets of this city; plaintive notes from pianos, saxophones, harmonicas and the like have been an integral part of Chicago ever since the blues and jazz migrated north from the Delta in the early 1900s. For people seeking a Chicago music experience, try spending part of a lazy afternoon flipping through the selections at Jazz Record Mart or Dusty Groove. Theatre, too, flourishes in this Midwestern mecca; companies such as the Goodman and Steppenwolf have consistently turned out cutting-edge productions and actors for decades.
Downtown / The Loop
Downtown is the center for government, finance, and commerce of Chicago and is encircled by The Loop, named for the elevated train tracks that loop around the central area. Tall skyscrapers such as the world's second-tallest building, the Sears Tower, and the Chicago Board of Trade are landmarks for this part of town.
Lake Michigan
It's true that the wind coming off Lake Michigan has been known to blast the streets of downtown Chicago with a brutal chill and the streets in the summer have been known to fry eggs, but that is no reason to avoid the many charms Chicago offers. Next to New York City, Chicago is the best place in the country to spend the holidays. The skating rink on State Ave., the towering Christmas tree in Daley Plaza, the Zoo Lights in Lincoln Park and the magnificent window displays at Carson Pirie Scott and Marshall Field's are bound to put a smile on the face of even the most hardened cynic. For those that prefer to vacation when the temperature is milder, the best months are between May and October, when the weather is more predictable and less extreme.
Metropolitan area
Chicago has many neighborhoods in the metropolitan area. Most of the hotels, restaurants, and tourist sights are located in the neighborhoods nearest downtown and along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Must-see attractions
include the Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo, Grant Park, Field Museum, Navy Pier, Sears Tower and Wrigley Field. For shopping, there is the famous Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue; the shops of Oak Street; or the trendy, up-and-coming boutiques of Bucktown-Wicker Park at the intersection of North, Damen and Milwaukee Avenues.
Near South Side
Near South Side of Chicago including the South Loop, has many historic buildings and residential areas, at least four important museums, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Chinatown is located in this part of town.
North Side
The North Side of Chicago lies just north of the Chicago River. It encompasses several of the more upscale residential neighborhoods and shopping areas. Chicago's premiere shopping district, the Magnificent Mile, runs along North Michigan Avenue and is lined with exclusive shops as well as a few historic buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1871.
South Side
The South Side of Chicago is largely a residential area but is also home to the beautiful Washington Park, The University of Chicago, and several museums, including the South Side's main attraction - the Museum of Science and Industry.
alternative weekly presents its guide for the best the city has to offer, as well as events and arts calendar, local news and recommended things to do.
Inc Magazines list measures revenue growth from 2006 through 2009. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by June 30, 2006.
Share + Sep 5, 2010 1:48 pm US/Central Five people, including a 15-year-old boy and a woman, were shot Saturday night while attending a barbecue in a park near Rainbow Beach on the South Side.
The Chicago Architectural Foundation Boat Tour reveals history of the city. When I am in Chicago on a glorious sunny day, I often hop on the Architectural Foundation's Boat tour of the Chicago River.
Share + Sep 5, 2010 12:41 pm US/Central A female motorist is reportedly dead and another motorist was "shaken up" after a fiery collision in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side late Sunday morning.
Police said they found an AK47 assault rifle, two handguns and a backpack stuffed with cash in the adjoining house of a Southwest Side garage where four people were murdered Thursday night.
Foreign Policy magazine recently released their 2010 Global Cities Index . Of the 65 cities listed, Chicago moved up to 6th place from the previous 8th place.
Chicago Police are crediting a text-messaging tipster with helping officers bust an illegal late-night party Friday in the Wicker Park neighborhood that allegedly served alcohol to dozens of minors.
CONTACT WALLACE" GATOR" BRADLEY AT 312-371-6914 Attached is a photo of Wallace "Gator" Bradley being greeted by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at Chicago's Cole Park at a recent legislative bill signing by Governor Quinn and according to Bradley that the Mayor was positively responding to the request that the Mayor consider meeting with a Stop The ...
Mmma chocolate. Is there a more sinful or even sexy word associated with food? The mere mention of chocolate sends one into a state of euphoria! With that said, is there a better way to spend a couple of hours than sampling chocolate? Of course not! While that Hershey bar from the drug store will do in a pinch, a Chicago Chocolate Tour takes you on ...
Before the town of Bridgeport was annexed to Chicago in 1863, before the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in that area , there was a farm referred to as Leea s Place after it was first built in 1803, the same year Fort Dearborn was constructed.
Share + Sep 4, 2010 5:42 pm US/Central CHICAGO A man standing on the corner and a convenience store employee were wounded during a Saturday morning shooting in the Roseland neighborhood.
Chicago aviation officials say they expect 1.4 million passengers to travel through O'Hare and Midway international airports this Labor Day holiday weekend.
More Chicago Vistor Information
Las Vegas Convention & Visitor
180 N Stetson Ave
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 861-0711
Chicago Greeter
78 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 744-8000
Bronzeville Visitor Info Center
3501 S King Dr # 1e
Chicago, IL Phone:(773) 373-2842
Hotel Burnham
1 W Washington St
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 782-1111
Hotel Allegro
171 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 236-0123
House of Blues
329 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 527-2583
Hotel Monaco-Chicago
225 N Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL Phone:(866) 610-0081
Rush University Medical Center Hospital
1653 W Congress Pky
Chicago, IL Phone:(312) 942-5000
