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Anybody been/from there? Places to go (or stay away from), things to see, recommendations. Thanks.
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aka ChurchDude. I want that moniker back! Until then....
"Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to" ~ Anon -
Re: Chicago Info Needed...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anybody been/from there? Places to go (or stay away from), things to see, recommendations. Thanks. </div></div>
Chitown and Kojack & Lucky and I are all from there (here?); what do you like to do? What time of year are you coming?
Chicago has great museums, arts, restaurants, bars, and sporting events. Our beaches and amusement parks and scenery are kinda pathetic. So it kinda depends on what you like. I recommend the architectural or skyline boat tours, blues bars, and museums (particularly the three at the Museum Campus: the Field, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium). If you're a baseball fan during baseball season, I recommend Wrigley Field, my favorite place on Earth. But need to know a little bit more about what you might be looking for. -
Re: Chicago Info Needed...
Great! We should be there in three weeks, for a few days and are usually pretty good at checking out things on the fly. However I just wondered if there was any "must see". I did check online and noticed that in downtown Chicago, visitors can check out a lot of things on foot or using public transport. I'm leaning towards more of that kind of thing - maybe a bus tour of some sights as well.aka ChurchDude. I want that moniker back! Until then....
"Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to" ~ AnonComment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
Here's a handy little resource for planning your public tranportation: http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/
You can find out about paying fares here: http://www.transitchicago.com/
Here's an architectural tour book; we have groovy buildings: http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Foot-W.../dp/1556522096
You can pay $1 and go on a walking tour with a CAF person. See below.
Maps of the city and of the “L” transit system are very helpful navigating tools. Most museums offer a free day; call ahead or visit Websites to find out when these are.
Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Walking-tour tickets can be purchased for as little as US$ 11.
224 S. Michigan Ave.
312-922-3432
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lakeshore Dr.
312-922-9410
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
312-280-2660
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
312-443-3600
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
Looking forward to your pics CEW [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
hey CEW [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]
likkle more, zeen?Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
RambleOn: Thanks much for the info. Much appreciated. One of the places I would want to see is United Center. Is that easily accessible from the downtown core?
BanDanna: As always, I'm hoping to take lots [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]
chitown: I'll link you later.aka ChurchDude. I want that moniker back! Until then....
"Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to" ~ AnonComment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
UNITED CENTER --->> United Center website
1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612
(312) 455-4500
Box Office & Ticket Info
Blackhawks (312) 455-7000
Bulls (312) 455-4000
United Center (312) 455-4500
It's too far to walk from the loop area, but you can catch CTA Bus Route #20 (Madison)...I would hop a cab [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
NAVY PIER --->> Navy Pier website
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-PIER
(800) 595-PIER
Take a 7-minute ride on Navy Pier's most visible attraction, the 150 foot-high Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel is open year-round* and is great fun for kids of all ages! Modeled after the very first Ferris wheel, which was built for Chicago's 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the Navy Pier Ferris wheel provides unparalleled views of the Chicago skyline and lakefront. The Pier's Ferris wheel has 40 gondolas, each seating up to 6 passengers. In the evening, the Ferris wheel's 40 spokes, spanning a diameter of 140 feet, are illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights
Located near the Ferris wheel in Navy Pier Park, the musical carousel was designed exclusively for Navy Pier. It's a whimsical work-of-art that recreates the Pier's golden age of the 1920s when a similar attraction delighted another generation of visitors. The carousel's 36 hand-painted animals represent the different styles found throughout the history of carousels. Horses, chariots and a playful frog are just a few of the featured characters waiting to carry children of all ages. The hand-painted rounding boards at the top of the 44-foot carousel depict scenes of Navy Pier's history
Guests have the opportunity to swing around Pier Park on the thrill ride 'Wave Swinger'. The ride towers nearly forty feet over a pond of water. This exhilarating forty-eight seat swing ride lifts visitors fourteen feet in the air, and whisks them around for a thrill that shows guests a view of the lakeside never before seen.
Visitors are invited to putt, putt, putt their way around Pier Park on the Pier's new 18-hole miniature golf course. This attraction weaves visitors around the base of the Ferris wheel, while taking them on a tour of Chicago themed golf holes.
Located at Navy Pier's Pier Park area near the Carousel you can enjoy our token operated remote control boats. We have 8 boats ready to be maneuvered by guests. $1.00 for one token, $5.00 for six tokens. One token needed per ride.
Located at Navy Pier's Pier Park area near the Ferris Wheel you can enjoy our new Lighthouse Hopper. This fun 13 foot ride will bounce you to the top and bounce back down. Lose shoes must be removed when riding. You must be 36 inches tall if not accompanied by an adult.
Ticket Prices
Individual Rides
Ferris wheel: $6.00
All other individual Rides: $5.00
(Note: Parents may stand on carousel for free to accompany a small child)
Combo Tickets
Two Ride: $9.00
Three Ride: $10.00
Four Ride: $11.00
Current Hours of Operation (weather permitting):
Sunday through Thursday — 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday — 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
more Navy Pier...
Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze
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Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze is Chicago's first full-sensory maze experience. This fun-filled 15-minute walk-through attraction challenges and dazzles guests to navigate through a series of themed areas set in the great city of Chicago.
Augmenting the experience is a series of visual and audio special effects along with narration designed to entertain and guide the guests through the Funhouse Maze. A mirror maze, spinning light tunnel and replicas of Chicago's most stunning architectural landmarks are just a few of the spectacular features that bring the sights and sounds of Chicago to life
The maze features three distinct areas of the city: Underground Chicago, Landmark Chicago and Above Chicago. Each area will thrill and educate guests on their journey.
Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze is located in the middle of Navy Pier near WBEZ studios.
Admission prices:
Adult 1 time pass: $9.95 + tax
Child (4-12) 1 time pass: $7.95 + tax
Children under 4 years old are Free
Family Pass: $29.95 + tax (4 tickets; 1 adult and 1 child required)
Senior Pass: $7.95 + tax
Current Hours of Operation:
Sundays through Thursdays 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
more Navy Pier...
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
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The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800-ft.-long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. Open since February 2000, it is the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to stained glass windows. It showcases both secular and religious windows and is divided by artistic theme into four categories: Victorian, Prairie, Modern and Contemporary. All of the windows were designed by prominent local, national and European studios and most were originally installed in Chicago area residential, commercial and religious buildings.
The windows provide unique insight into Chicago's cultural, ethnic and artistic history. The time period they represent, 1870 to the present, was an era of intense urban revision that featured the development, decline and revitalization of neighborhoods, the development of commercial and cultural institutions, the evolution of artistic styles and the response of various ethnic groups to these changes. The religious windows reveal the national and ethnic styles of Chicago's European immigrants, while the residential windows display the history of architecture and decorative art styles
Well-known artists' windows on display include Louis Comfort Tiffany and John LaFarge, as well as Chicago artists Ed Paschke and Roger Brown. The museum also presents unique contemporary pieces including stained glass portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Michael Jordan and a window created from soda pop bottles.
The Richard H. Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass is also featured within the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. This extraordinary collection features 13 windows that highlight the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and his workshop from 1890-1930.
All 13 windows come from Tiffany's studio in New York City, and he specifically designed most of the stained glass. Tiffany first began experimenting with glass art in 1873. He opened the Tiffany Glass Company in 1885; it then became the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company and later Tiffany Studios. After designing hundreds of beautiful windows for churches, public buildings and homes of his wealthy clients, Tiffany became one of the most well-known glass designers in the United States, and his reputation for experimentation in stained glass techniques and originality in design is unsurpassed.
The Tiffany windows in the Driehaus Gallery, some of which are pairs or triptychs, are showcased in an enclosed, dark area and lit with artificial light. This theatrical atmosphere gives visitors the opportunity to view the windows in the most vivid setting possible. Each window in this exhibition incorporates several types of glass crafted from various techniques, including drapery, opalescent, etched and enameled glass. The glass plates are held in place by copper foil and lead, which support the windows and make them durable and weather resistant. The relationship between the different colors, the densities of layers and the techniques applied combine to create extraordinary luminescence and vibrancy of color and detail. Among the windows featured in the gallery are:
Rapelye Memorial - St. John's Episcopal Church, New Jersey. Religious windows, especially memorial windows, were the cornerstones of Louis Comfort Tiffany's stained glass business. Although clients often requested figural windows, Tiffany preferred floral and landscape themes for memorial windows. He felt these themes drew their inspiration directly from the Creator. Poppies represent the Resurrection and passionflowers symbolize the Crucifixion of Christ.
Girl with Cherry Blossoms - probably commissioned for a private home. Private clients occasionally requested portraits of their loved ones. In this window, the figure is not identified but is likely the portrait of a client's daughter. Tiffany avoided use of enamels in his windows, with the exception of painted faces, hands and feet.
The Annunciation - probably commissioned for a church. As an artist, Tiffany's use of perspective and selection of glass added to the theatrical quality of the window. In this diptych of the Annunciation, note the use of milky white glass that covers much of the composition. When the window is backlit, the image is softened, giving a sense of depth to the architecture and drama to the scene. When the light is turned off, the viewer only sees the milky white layer.
The Richard H. Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass is representative of Driehaus' collection of both religious and secular windows, which he has accumulated over the past 25 years. This is the first public exhibition focused on his private collection.
Admission and Operating Hours
Admission to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is free and the museum is open daily during Pier operating hours.
Current Hours of Operation:
Sundays through Thursdays 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/notworthy.gif[/img] chitown [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
restaurants at Navy Pier...
Billy Goat Tavern --->> Billy Goat Tavern website
This popular and widely recognized Chicago restaurant/bar became famous when it served as inspiration for a Saturday Night Live skit featuring the late comic actor John Belushi. It is the fifth Billy Goat Tavern to open in the city, and Pier visitors are guaranteed to go away happy after ordering a 'Cheezborger.'
Bubba Gump --->> Bubba Gump website
The charm and spirit of Paramount's smash hit 'Forrest Gump' is recreated and down-home family fun is guaranteed at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. & Market! Located just inside the entrance of the Family Pavilion, Bubba Gump's features scenes from the movie and shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp! Servers will test your 'Forrest Gump' trivia knowledge while you dine on a 'Bucket of Boat Trash' or maybe the Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs. Bubba Gump's also offers kids' meals, ice cold beer and smoothies-down home cooking served with down-home warmth.
Charlie's Ale House --->> Charlie's Ale House website
Charlie's Ale House is a favorite, old-fashioned neighborhood saloon on the lakefront! Similar in design to the original Charlie's Ale House in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, Charlie's Ale House at Navy Pier offers down home cooking and a selection of 70 different beers. The restaurant seats 85 plus 100 more in its summertime outdoor café.
Capi's Italian Kitchen --->> Capi's Italian Kitchen website
Capi's Italian Kitchen brings the taste of true Italian to the world of casual dining. Enjoy fresh salads, create your own wood-stone pizza, or choose from one of their delicious entrees including pasta, seafood and panini sandwiches. Beer, wine and espresso served.
Joe's Be-Bop Cafe and Jazz Emporium --->> Joe's Be-Bop Cafe and Jazz Emporium website
Joe's jazzes up the Pier with this one-of-a-kind full-service restaurant and jazz bar. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, Joe's Be-Bop Café & Jazz Emporium presents live Chicago-style jazz seven days a week.. Guests can choose from hickory-smoked ribs and chicken, jambalaya, steak and a full selection of sandwiches and salads.
Riva / Riva Cafe --->> Riva / Riva Cafe website
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan at Riva on Navy Pier. This Phil Stefani Signature Restaurant features a variety of premium seafood, steaks and daily chef's specials as well as extensive wine selections. Riva also offers three private rooms, lounge area and valet parking.Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
alwrite chi, im deh a Chicago fi a few days not weeks [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70456-eyebrows.gif[/img]
[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]Comment
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Re: Chicago Info Needed...
MILENIUM PARK --->> Millenium Park website
park map (.pdf format) --->> park brochure (.pdf format)
Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the North and Monroe Street to the South.
The park is open daily from 6am - 11pm. Admission is always free.
Visitors to the Millennium Park are encouraged to make the Millennium Park Welcome Center their first stop. The Welcome Center is located at 201 E. Randolph Street in the Northwest Exelon Pavilion.
The Welcome Center has information about the park, including maps and program schedules.
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