Chicago

Welcome to Chicago!

Chicago is known for it’s fabulous skyline but within the city you will find sights and neighborhoods that offer year round entertainment. All of the city’s neighborhoods host delicious ethnic restaurants and bars for those that love the social scene, but each neighborhood has something special about it.

Downtown Chicago is not only the center for work and major company headquarters, it offers some of the city’s best sights! The architecture is dominated by high-rises including Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) which is the tallest in the United States. You’ll quickly find the Loop isn’t all business. You can enjoy shopping on State Street and surrounding area or enjoy a performance at one of its theaters.

The Chicago River flows through the heart of the city. The mouth of the river is on Lake Michigan and flows west to Wolf Point to form the Main Stem. Wolf Point consists of Merchandise Mart to the north, Lake Street to the south, Franklin Street to the east and Canal Street to the west. There it joins with the North Branch and forms the South Branch. The river has been transformed from commercial activity to a recreational area with sightseeing. Many of Chicago’s best buildings border the Chicago River. An architectural boat tour is an ideal way to enjoy the view. There are several tours to chose from and most start near the Michigan Avenue Bridge or Navy Pier. One of the most famous events on the Chicago River is dying it green for St. Patrick’s Day.

East of all of the skyscrapers is Grant Park, which is the home of Buckingham Fountain, Petrillo Bandshell and Taste of Chicago. In 2004 Millennium Park became an addition to Grant Park. You will probably recognize the Cloud Gate sculpture, or “The Bean” as most call it. The distorted reflection is causes makes it a popular site for photographs. Here you will also find Crown Fountain. It is an interactive video sculpture that, weather permitting, cascades water down the two towers. It is a public play area and you will see many children enjoy it during the hot weather.

Even further east and a little south is the Museum Campus. Three of the city’s most notable museums sit near the lakefront. The Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Natural History are all dedicated to the natural sciences.

Residents of the North Side Root, root, root for the Cubbies at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, watch improv comedians rise to fame at The Second City, and enjoy upscale shopping.

The laid-back Far North side hosts many neighborhood art and food festivals, and has some of the best beaches in the city!

The hip West Side enjoys amazing live bands, a fabulous artist community and trendy boutiques.

Discover your own gems by historic homes, O’Hare International Airport, and Polish Village on the Far Northwest Side.

The Good Guys at Cellular Field and the brainy Hyde Park enjoy real Chicago Blues on the South Side.

Make sure you join the tourists every once in a while window shopping on the Magnificent Mile, especially during the holidays! Rock out at a major music festival at Millennium Park, put your eyes to the skies at the famous Air & Water show, and enjoy Chicago’s spectacular nighttime skyline from the top of the 150 foot Navy Pier Farris Wheel.

For more city information please visit, www.cityofchicago.org.

For more Art and Entertainment information please visit, www.chicagoreader.com