Chicago is a world class cultural and business center with an endless list of things to do. Chicago gave the world the first skyscraper, Michael Jordan and the 6 time champion Chicago Bulls. Chicago has plenty world-famous architecture and world class museums. You can stroll through history just by walking through the down town area called the Loop. Chicago Fact Sheet Chicago is the Windy City, an homage to the blustery gusts coming off Lake Michigan (and the windy politicians who have populated city hall). Check out our Chicago Links page for even more great info about Chicago. On-line tours of Chicago's Landmarks

1. Museums                   6. Shopping

2. The Lakefront             7. Observatories

3. Architecture                 8. Gardens & Parks

4. Sports                          9. Zoos

5. Summer Festivals     10. Vacation Getaways

Chicago is known for the quality and quantity of its museums. Be sure to visit the Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science and Industry, and John G. Shedd Aquarium. One can easily devote an entire day or more to each of these famous museums!
Chicago Museums

The city stretches north to south along 33 miles of lakefront and Chicagoans take full advantage of this proximity, especially during the summer. Bike, rollerblade, or jog on the paths that run along the lake. Oak Street Beach, just across from the Gold Coast, is the best beach for people-watching. North Avenue Beach has volleyball (including a few pro tournaments during the summer), and the best swimming beach is just 1/2 mile south of Oak Street beach in what we call the "Play Ground".

Chicago is home to a plethora of architecture styles. Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Helmut Jahn are a few of the renowned architects who have shaped Chicago's skyline. You'll never look at the Tribune Building in the same way after a walking, bus, or boat tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (312) 922-3432 or the Chicago Historical Society (312) 642-4600. Oak Park is home to many of Frank Lloyd Wright groundbreaking Prairie School designs, including his brilliant Robie House in Hyde Park. Walking Tours are provided through the Frank Lloyd Wright Historical District Visitors Center (708) 848-1976. For more information on Chicago Architecture click here.
Chicago Architecture

A major part of the Chicago culture. The legend - Michael Jordan, the freak - Rodman, and the entire 6 time World Champion Chicago Bulls, da coach - Mike Ditka (gone, but not forgotten) the big hurt - Frank Thomas, and the big bud the late Harry Caray, are a few of the cult figures known from Chicago. The city has a multitude of sportstalk radio programs including several "all sports - all the time" stations, covering the Cubs, White Sox, Black Hawks, Wolves, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears. Perhaps they are so successful because decent tickets are difficult to get. Don't be too discouraged - scalping (while illegal and not officially recommended) is actually quite easy at some venues, such as Wrigley Field. Legal ticket brokers make a killing. Recreation sports are also huge softball (12-inch and gloveless 16-inch) is the summer favorite. Check out the Chicago area Golf courses from
Golf Web
Chicago Sports

Summer in Chicago is one long party. Chicagoans emerge from winter hibernation and retake the streets and neighborhoods of the city. The Taste of Chicago, including the annual 3rd of July fireworks, is an A-list party. The Taste, a ten-day food orgy held in Grant Park at the end of June/beginning of July, is the best way to sample food from many of Chicago's leading restaurants while enjoying live music. The Chicago Blues Festival - the largest free blues festival in the world - and the Chicago Jazz Festival (both held in Grant Park), the Old Town Art Fair, the Sheffield Garden Walk, the Chinatown Summer Fair and the Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach), along with dozens of other festivals and summer celebrations, provide plenty of summer entertainment.

Check out the Chicago-scene.com Events Calendar City of Chicago Events

From the boutiques on Armitage to the gleaming shops on the Magnificent Mile, Chicago has some the best and more diverse shopping of any city. Check out these sites for more info. Metromix Shopping Guide, Yahoo Chicago

Magnificent Mile - The heart of upscale shopping in Chicago is the famed Magnificent Mile, which runs along Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to the Chicago River. This isn't a place for the budget conscious.

State Street - A Chicago shopping spree might include a visit to the center of the Loop. At its heart is the original Marshall Field's, which recently completed a five-year, $115 million renovation. State Street is home to yet another famous Chicago department store, Carson Pirie Scott & Company. Customers are drawn into the entrance of the flagship store at 1 S. State Street by the ornate grillwork designed in 1899 by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan.

Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Avenue. (312) 595-7437. Renovated and re-opened in 1995, this large entertainment complex includes restaurants, bars, specialty stores, an IMAX Theatre, the Chicago Children's Museum inside the massive Family Pavilion, a Ferris wheel modeled after the first Ferris wheel built for Chicago's 1893 World Columbian Exposition and convention facilities. Billed as a "playground on the lake," the 1,500 seat outdoor theater has Chicago's dramatic skyline as a backdrop. Chicago�s top tourist attraction, it attracted over five million visitors last year; however, it is a fun place to take the family and is an obligatory stop for any Chicago explorer. If lucky enough to be in town over the summer, be sure to spend an evening at the beer garden, soaking up your favorite elixir and the gorgeous view.

Oak Street - Don't leave the area without stepping around the corner to Oak Street just west of Michigan Avenue, where designs from Paris, Milan and Manhattan are mixed with Chicago's Gold Coast atmosphere. The result is an international street lined with intimate buildings and shops whose employees are dedicated to personal service. Even the store names reflect the ambiance: Ultimo's, Gianni Versace, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani.

Halsted Street - For funkier items, as well as one of the world's greatest women's shoe shops (Lori's Designer Shoes at 824 W. Armitage Ave.), check out the offbeat stores that line Halsted, especially those on either side of Armitage.

The two best-known and most-visited observatories offering astonishing views of this amazing city are the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center:

The Sears Tower - 233 S. Wacker Drive at Wacker and Adams (312) 875-9696. Architect Daniel Burnham probably envisioned this building when he uttered his famous directive about Chicago "Make no small plans." Designed by the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, and completed in 1974, the Sears Tower measures a staggering 1,454 feet from top to bottom, 1,707 feet if you tack on the antennae. At the time that it was built, this structure was the tallest the Federal Aeronautics Administration would allow. On a clear day, the view is spectacular - you can see the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin from the 103rd floor Skydeck Observatory. A brief film about Chicago is included in the price of admission. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (5-12). Children under 4 are free.

John Hancock Center - 875 N. Michigan Avenue (312) 751-3681. A great view of the city from the observatory, but the view is just as spectacular from the Signature Room restaurant on the 95th floor or Images Lounge on the 96th floor. Some claim that the view from the women's restroom is the best in Chicago. Admission to the observatory is $8 ($6 for students, children 5-17 and seniors) and the observatory is open from 9:00 am-midnight, 365 days a year.

Baha'i House of Worship 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette 847/853-2300

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd./East of Edens Expwy., Glencoe 847/835-5440 This 385-acre living museum offers visitors of all ages and interests the unparalleled beauty of more than 23 different gardens, including the Gardens of the Great Basin, English Walled and Rose Gardens, the Japanese Islands, the Native Plant Garden, the Fruit and Vegetable Garden, the Waterfall Garden, three native habitats and more. Located 25 miles north of Chicago on Lake Cook Road, one-half mile east of the Edens Expressway. Seasonally offered narrated tram tours offer visitors an overview of the entire garden. Admission is free.
Parking is $10 per car.
Open daily 8 a.m. to sunset.

Chicago Park District 312/742-PLAY (7529) Explore one of our more than 500 parks and playgrounds this spring! The Chicago Park District offers scenic views, historic buildings and miles of lakeshore to enjoy. For more information on park locations, call 312/742-PLAY.

Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N. Central Park Blvd. 312/746-5100 Programs highlight one of the largest indoor plant collections in the United States. Open 9 am-5 PM daily. Free admission. 3/27-5/9: Spring Flower Show 6/5-9/5: Summer Tropical Show

Lincoln Park Conservatory 2400 N. Stockton Dr. 312/742-7737 Located next to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago's largest park, this horticultural collection, including a 50 foot tall fiddle leaf rubber tree dating from 1891, expands into four greenhouses and is well worth the visit. Stroll through the Palm House, the Fernery and the Cactus and Succulent House in the Conservatory from 9 am-5 PM daily. Admission is free. 3/27-5/9: Spring Flower Show 6/5-9/5: Summer Tropical Show

Brookfield Zoo 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield 708/485-2200 Brookfield Zoo is open daily 10 am to 4:30 PM. Visitors can tour the zoo via motorized safari rides from late spring through early fall. Admission is $6 adults, $3 seniors and children 3-11, children under 3 free. Oct.-March Tues. and Thurs. are free; April-September Tues. and Thurs. prices are $4 adults, $1.50 seniors and children 3-11, children under 3 free. Parking is $4 for cars; $8 for buses. Brookfield Zoo is located at First Ave. and 31st St. in Brookfield, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is accessible via the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, Tri-State tollway (I-294), Burlington

Lincoln Park Zoo Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy. 312/742-2000 A 35 acre garden oasis in the heart of the city, Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and admission is always free. Visit more than 1,000 animals, including three Siberian tiger cubs. Enjoy lunch at the brand new Park Place Cafe. Shop the zoo shops. Take a paddle boat ride or a Zoo Key audio tour. There's always something wild going on at the zoo! Located minutes from downtown at Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway. Paid parking available on Cannon Drive. The zoo is directly accessible via the 151 CTA bus line. Weekdays: 9 am - 5:00 PM (buildings); 9 am - 6 PM (grounds).

Saugatuck, MI (My Favorite Vacation Getaway) is the embodiment of small town America. It's a harbor village where visitors feel they've turned back the pages of time and entered a simpler life. The layers of history that surround the area are intriguing and the picturesque village retains its 19th century character.

Throughout Saugatuck's history, artists have been drawn to its towering dunes, sugar sand beaches and jewel-like setting on the shores of Lake Michigan. Map Blast Directions: From Chicago: - 90/94 East toward Detroit - After St. Joseph take 196 North toward Holland - Saugatuck exit 36 * Approx 144 miles

Lake Geneva, WI outdoor activities abound in the summer months with so much to share and enjoy. The myriad of activities and events are compelling escapes. Boating, fishing, golf, hiking, water skiing, swimming, biking, horseback riding mixed with festivals, fairs and special events to create a vacation destination that shouldn't be missed.

Lake Geneva is in Southeastern Wisconsin, ten miles north of the Illinois state line. I-43 is six miles to the north, I-94 is 27 miles to the east. Route 12 is on the city's eastern border. Located approximately ninety minutes from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Galena, IL is in the Northwest corner of Illinois and is located in Jo Daviess County. There are so many fun, relaxing, recreational and educational things to do in Galena and Jo Daviess county that to list all of them would be nearly impossible. In addition to all of the history, be sure to enjoy the many shops, fine dining, dancing, snow skiing, riverboat cruises, championship golf, riverboat gambling and much more. Directions: Take 90/94 west to Rockford; take U.S. 20 to Galena. More info. Call: 888-8-GALENA

Minocqua, Wisconsin Welcome to the Lakeland Area! You have just discovered one of the most beautiful destinations in North America. With over 3,200 lakes, streams, and ponds we are proud to be recognized as having one of the largest concentrations of fresh water in the world. In addition to our beautiful lakes, our area is surrounded by the magnificence of the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest. From sun up through sun down the Lakeland area is breathtaking beyond imagination! Look further to discover why being Up North Is Good For Your Soul! Make sure to check out the Min-aqua Bats Waterski Team on Lake Minocqua. 1-800-446-6784

HOME | ABOUT | COMMENTS | ADVERTISING | SERVICES | BACK TO TOP