Chicago, USA
Currency converter
Airport: Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Served by: American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, JAL Japan Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines
City Statistics
Overview
Getting There By Air
Tel: (773) 686 3700 or 1 800 832 6352.
Website: www.flychicago.com
O'Hare is the major international airport for Chicago, only 30km (19 miles) northwest of the downtown area.
Airport facilities: Permanent bureau de change facilities and ATMs are available in all terminals and the latter take most international cards. Hotel and transportation information in eight different languages is available at Virtual Concierge Kiosks located in the baggage areas. Also located in each terminal are a variety of restaurants, bars, fast food outlets and shops, as well as car hire from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National. University of Illinois Medical Center, a fairly comprehensive medical clinic, is located in Terminal 2.
Business facilities: Laptop Lane, located in Terminal 1, offers workstations for travellers. The Hilton Business Center (tel: (773) 601 1743), located in the Hilton Hotel in Terminal 2, offers full business services. For a fee, Wi-Fi access is available in most sections of the airport.
Transport to the city: The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) (tel: 1 888 968 7282/ YOUR CTA; www.transitchicago.com) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) (tel: (312) 913 3110; www.rtachicago.com) are the major means of public transportation to and from the airport. Blue Line trains are the quickest and cheapest way into central Chicago. The service operates 24 hours and leaves every 10 minutes (journey time - 45 minutes). The walk from the flight terminals to the trains is a long one.
Continental Airport Express (tel: (773) 247 1200 or 1 888 284 3826; www.airportexpress.com) operates a shuttle minibus service 0600-2330 to central Chicago, and to the northern suburban locations in a shared coach (journey time - 45 minutes). Omega (tel: (773) 734 6688; www.omegashuttle.com) offers an hourly service 0600-2330, between O'Hare and Midway Airports, and also departs from Hyde Park (near the University of Chicago) from 0500 (journey time - 45 minutes). Taxis are available for around US$40 per person plus a fuel surcharge and for Share-a-Ride, sharing a cab with a stranger, the fare would be one-half. Expect to tip the driver about 10-15%.
Midway International Airport (MDW)
Tel: (773) 838 0600 or 1 800 832 6352.
Website: www.flychicago.com
This airport, 18km (11 miles) southwest of Downtown Chicago, is used by domestic and discount airlines.
Airport facilities: ATMs, cafes, bars, newspaper stands and car hire from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Business facilities: There is no business centre, but Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for a fee.
Transport to the city: The CTA (tel: 1 888 968 7282/YOUR CTA; www.transitchicago.com) and RTA (tel: (312) 913 3110; www.rtachicago.com) are the major means of public transportation to and from the airport. The Orange Line train goes to the city centre 0435-2320 (journey time - 20-25 minutes). Continental Airport Express (tel: (773) 247 1200 or 1 888 284 3826; www.airportexpress.com) operates a shuttle minibus service 0600-2330 to central Chicago and to northern suburban locations (journey time - 45 minutes). Omega (tel: (773) 734 6688; www.omegashuttle.com) offers an hourly service 0700-2345, between O'Hare and Midway Airports. Taxis to the centre will cost around US$35-40 plus a fuel surcharge, depending on the traffic, and from the South Side US$17. Share-a-Ride costs about half the fare (journey time - 30 minutes).
Approximate flight times to Chicago: From London is 8 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 2 hours 15 minutes; from Los Angeles is 4 hours; from Toronto is 1 hour 45 minutes and from Sydney is 13 hours 30 minutes.
Up-to-date arrival and departure information for both Chicago airports can be found on www.flychicago.com.
Getting Around
Passes for two, three and five days are available. There is a transfer charge of US$0.25 between routes, whether train or bus. Tickets and passes are available for purchase from machines and ticket offices at the stations, as well as from visitor information centres and directly from the CTA.
Metra (tel: (312) 322 6777; www.metrarail.com) is a commuter rail system serving the suburbs and surrounding cities with 12 lines.
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (tel: (312) 913-3110 weekdays 0830-1900 or (312) 836 7000; www.rtachicago.com) oversees Northern Illinois public transportation and includes, the CTA, the suburban bus line, PACE (tel: (847) 364 7223), and Metra.
Free trolley buses (tel: 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO; www.choosechicago.com) travel between the city's most popular attractions like Navy Pier, the Museum Campus and North Michigan Avenue. Buses run from late May until early September and then again during the holiday season (late November until after New Year's Day).
Pedways
An underground system of 'pedways' (pedestrian walkways or subways to the British) is especially useful for escaping the weather and crowded downtown streets. From this network, which links over 40 blocks of streets, there is access to many buildings, stations and shops in the Loop. Maps are available, free of charge, from hotels and around the various points of the system, including the Illinois Center.
If driving is the only option, be aware that the city streets are largely based on a grid pattern, the central point of which is the crossroads at Madison Avenue and State Street, in the Loop district. From here, the naming of a street as 'north' or 'south' or as 'west' or 'east' is taken for granted.
Street parking meters take coins above US$0.10 (a dime), with US$0.25 (a quarter) being the most useful coin. The more congested the area, the higher the meter rate. Major attractions may have limited parking but, in general, Downtown parking is difficult and expensive. From 1 December to 1 April, Snow Parking regulations apply on many streets, making fewer spaces available, and cars parked on snow routes are likely to be towed.
Recommended US car hire companies include Alamo (tel: 1 800 327 9633; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 4000; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 3131; www.hertz.com) and National (tel: 1 800 227 7368; www.nationalcar.com).
Hotels
Whether seeking a cheap hotel room or an ultra-luxurious suite, Chicago has a plethora of each with a lot of in-between. Travellers should always check with hotels for special rates or promotions, and at the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, particularly during Winter Delights (Nov-Feb) or during other special events.
The Chicago hotels below, all located Downtown, have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Luxury (over US$300)
Moderate (US$200 to US$300)
Cheap (up to US$200)
These Chicago hotel prices are for one night in a double room, excluding room tax and breakfast unless otherwise specified. Hotels in Chicago add a room tax and sales tax to all bills. Travellers should be aware that winter rates are sometimes less than half the cost of summer and convention rates. Beginning rates listed reflect this.
Cheap
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown-Lakefront
Conveniently located between Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, the modern Embassy Suites meets the needs of the business traveller. Its airy, 17-floor atrium lobby, with fountains and reflecting pool, is just the place to unwind after a busy day. Enclosed glass elevators reveal city and lake views, as do the comfortably furnished, two-room suites, which are standard. Amenities include high-speed Internet access and two-line phones with voice-mail. The complimentary fitness centre, a nightly manager's reception and a full American breakfast make a stay at the Embassy Suites good value.
511 North Columbus Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 836 5900.
Web: www.embassysuites.com
The Hard Rock Hotel
The staid 1929 Carbon and Carbide Building has reinvented itself and is now a sleek hotel. The 383-room, 13-suite musically-themed, contemporary venue pulsates with excitement. Piped-in music and rock & roll memorabilia are everywhere. Cushy leather couches and open space give the lobby a feeling of warmth and comfort. Rooms with zebra wood furnishings are accented in greys, blues, chrome, wood, mirrors and rock'n'roll artwork. Matchless Downtown vistas, flat screen television, and state-of-the-art amenities are standard, as is the business centre and fitness facility. China Grill , the hotel's trendy restaurant, combines Asian fusion fare with a comfortable setting.
230 North Michigan
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 345 1000.
Web: www.hardrockhotelchicago.com/
The James
Modern, sleek, compact and comfortable, The James is a nice departure from the big, glitzy chains. The narrow lobby has a clean and clubby look about it as does the adjacent, complimentary business centre and the J Bar . Rooms are designed to be more homey than hotelish. They are minimalist but comfortable with platform beds covered with down comforters, snack and cocktail bar, a dining niche, plasma TV, stereo with iPod/MP3 hook-ups, free Wi-Fi and marble bathrooms. Located next to the spa is a state-of-the-art workout room. The hotel restaurant, David Berk's Primehouse , is a meat-eater's delight.
55 East Ontario
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 337 1000.
Web: www.jameshotels.com/chicago
Trump International Hotel & Tower
Modern and chic, Chicago's newest hotel soars. At 92 stories, it is the city's second highest building. State-of-the-art guestrooms are spacious, with contemporary furniture, LCD TVs, DVD players, iPod adapters, complimentary Wi-Fi, remote-controlled lighting and drapes, plus 3.04m (10-foot) floor-to-ceiling windows sporting views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the city skyline. Available upon request are Amazon Kindles, the hand-held wireless reading device which allows guests to comfortably read their favourite novels or magazines. Other amenities include Attaché Concierge Services for making travel, theatre or dining arrangements, a spa, health club, upscale dining at Sixteen and the sophisticated lounge, Rebar . or
401 North Wabash
Chicago
United States
Tel: 1(312) 588 8000 or 1 877 458 7867.
Web: www.trumpchicagohotel.com/
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
At the Four Seasons, personal service, attention to detail and elegant appointments are basics. The opulent seventh-floor lobby has a French art deco look, while spacious guest rooms include 1940s French décor and, for viewing stunning city and lake vistas, some have leather window seats. Marble bathrooms are spa-like. Expect twice-daily housekeeping services, in-room Wi-Fi access and 24-hour technical support. At the posh Seasons restaurant, American cuisine is flavoured with a bit of France. There is an elegant spa and fitness centre and, just an elevator ride away, is the upscale shopping mall anchored by Bloomingdale's.
120 East Delaware Place
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 280 8800
Web: www.fourseasons.com/chicagofs
Ritz-Carlton Chicago
The Ritz has always been a symbol of luxury and the Ritz-Carlton Chicago is no exception. An award-winning dining room, oversized rooms with a view, L'Occitane bath toiletries, state-of-the-art business facilities and 24-hour concierge service are some of the reasons its reputation is deserved. The hotel provides special rooms for allergy-sensitive guests, a full service spa, cookies and toys for kids and, for four-legged visitors, pet services that include gourmet room service. The hotel also has its comp-cierge service - at just a moment's notice, a technician will render personal computer assistance to guests.
160 East Pearson Street
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 266 1000.
Web: www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc
The Peninsula Chicago
Service, discretion, understated elegance and attention to detail have made The Peninsula Chicago a sanctuary. Guest rooms are spacious while bathrooms have a steam-free TV screen and hands-free telephone that eliminates the sound of water. The Lobby , with its 6m- (20ft-) high ceilings and elongated French windows, is the place to meet for a meal or cocktails. During afternoon tea, there is live classical music . The Bar, Pierrot Gourmet , a wine bar and European cafe , the Asian-flared Shanghai Terrace and the upscale Avenues complete the hotel's gourmet offerings. The spa and fitness centre serve the needs of the tired traveller or fitness fanatic.
108 East Superior Street
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 337 2888.
Web: www.peninsula.com/
Park Hyatt Chicago
The look may be traditional European but this elegant boutique hotel is strictly modern American. Rich woods and warm tones create comfortable and tranquil public areas. Throughout the hotel, there is original contemporary art including the lobby's Piazza del Duomo , Milan by Gerhard Richter. Because the hotel rises over Water Tower Square, dramatic lake and city views are standard in the state-of-the-art rooms. So are oversized soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs, DVD and CD players. Guests will find great attention to detail, outstanding personal service, a bilingual staff and handsome décor. The hotel's full-service spa and award-winning restaurant, NoMI are exceptional.
800 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 335 1234.
Web: parkchicago.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
Hilton Chicago
Overlooking Grant Park, Millennium Park, the Museum Campus and Lake Michigan, the Hilton Chicago combines modern amenities with historic splendour. When it opened in 1927, it was the world's largest hotel with an in-house hospital, ice rink, bowling alley, rooftop golf course and theatre. Through the years it has played host to Queen Elizabeth and 11 US presidents. The hotel's long Renaissance lobby oozes elegance. Each of its 1,544 comfortable rooms, decorated in warm earthy colours, has state-of-the-art business facilities, classic cherry furnishings and marble bathrooms. Its facilities include four restaurants, a 24-hour business centre and fitness centre.
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 922 4400.
Web: www.hilton.com
The Fairmont Chicago
This 37-floor, Rosetta-pink granite structure, which overlooks both Grant Park and Lake Michigan, has a spacious lobby that mixes contemporary furnishings with antiques and original art. A bath sommelier is just one of the luxurious amenities offered by this 5-star hotel. Guests can relax after a busy day with a choice of candles, scents and bubbles in their drawn bath. The large and comfortably furnished rooms include premium mattresses, dressing areas, marble baths, built-in bars, multi-line phones, modem points and fax machines. Its chic Aria restaurant features a wide selection of wines and an interesting selection of regional American cuisines and its lounge has become a unique sushi bar.
200 North Columbus Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 565 8000.
Web: www.fairmont.com/
Wheeler Mansion
The South Loop neighbourhood, close to McCormick Place, may be up and coming, but the Wheeler Mansion has arrived. The 130-year-old mansion is now an elegant, 11-room boutique hotel that offers a nice alternative to the big bustling hotels. Its lovely garden area, polished woodwork and special mattresses with goose feather duvets radiate warmth and comfort. Attention to detail is revealed in the property's original artwork and furnishings. Antique dressers function as bathroom vanity units and special amenities include errand service and free shoeshine service. A breakfast feast, such as crusted French toast topped with fruit, fresh juice and pastries, is complimentary. Parking is free.
South Loop
2020 South Calumet
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 945 2020.
Web: www.wheelermansion.com/
Best Western River North
The friendly-staffed Best Western River North is a find. It has a great location, a little west of the Magnificent Mile, and is exceptional value. Spacious, pastel coloured, modern-styled rooms are well appointed with a work area. Many amenities are fee free like high-speed Internet access, in-room movies, coffeemakers and 30 minutes of local calls. In addition and at no cost, the hotel provides parking, fitness room and indoor pool. Pizzeria Ora , its onsite restaurant, specialises in Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Fine restaurants, shopping, attractions and Navy Pier are all within walking distance.
125 West Ohio Street
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 467 0800
Web: www.rivernorthhotel.com/
Congress Plaza Hotel
Built in 1893, to accommodate visitors to the World's Columbian Exposition, the Congress Plaza Hotel still retains much of its old charm. This Chicago landmark is located across from Grant Park and is an easy walk to The Loop, Auditorium Theater, Art Institute, Millennium Park and the Museum Campus. Guestrooms are small but adequate, with two doubles or one king-sized bed, table and two chairs. Sip a brew at Tavern Tap or eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the casual Gazebo Restaurant. The atmosphere at Rafael's is a bit more intimate.
520 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: 312 427 3800.
Web: www.congressplazahotel.com
Best Western O'Hare
Best Western O'Hare is located near Chicago O'Hare International Airport and provides a free shuttle service to/from the airport. The hotel has a business centre, fitness room and an on-site restaurant.
Rosemont
10300 W Higgins Road
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 296 4471.
Web: www.bestwestern.com
Comfort Inn O'Hare
Comfort Inn O'Hare is located close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and provides a shuttle service to/from the terminals. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, business and meeting facilities and it is pet-friendly.
Des Plaines
2175 E. Touhy Ave.
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 635 1300.
Web: www.choicehotels.com
DoubleTree Hotel O'Hare-Rosemont
DoubleTree Hotel O'Hare-Rosemont is located s short drive from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Hotel facilities include two restaurants, meeting rooms, a fitness centre and a swimming pool.
Rosemont
5460 North River Road
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 292 9100.
Web: www.doubletree.com
Four Points Hotel by Sheraton
Located within walking distance of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Four Points Hotel by Sheraton offers a complimentary fitness facility, business services and car parking.
Schiller Park
10249 West Irving Park Road
Illinois 60176
United States
Tel: (847) 671 6000.
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com
Hyatt Regency O'Hare
Hyatt Regency O'Hare has more than 1,000 rooms and provides a free shuttle service to/from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, which is a short distance away. The hotel has a 24-hour gym and extensive meeting facilities. It is connected to Stephens Convention Center by a skybridge.
Rosemont
9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 696 1234.
Web: www.ohare.hyatt.com
Radisson Hotel Chicago O'Hare
Radisson Hotel Chicago O'Hare is located a short drive from the airport and offers a complimentary shuttle service to/from the terminals. Facilities include a gym, swimming pool, business services and a range of dining options.
Des Plaines
1450 East Touhy Avenue
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 296 8866.
Web: www.radisson.com
Westin O'Hare
Westin O'Hare is located close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and offers a complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport. Other services include a 24-hour business centre, a gym, and on-site dining options.
Rosemont
6100 North River Road
Illinois 60018
United States
Tel: (847) 698 6000.
Web: www.westinohare.com
Business Etiquette
Chicagoans are friendly and quick to refer to colleagues by their first names, but let the person with whom you are doing business set the business tone, whether it be formal or relaxed. Business cards are commonly exchanged at meetings and e-mail is a favourite means of communication.
Punctuality for business meetings is expected and time should always be allowed for traffic delays. Business hours are from 0800/0830 to 1700. Working late is common, and it is not unusual to toil well into the night or over the weekend. Business lunches are more common than working breakfasts and may be anything from a sandwich and coffee to a more serious, although not prolonged, restaurant meal.
Often business and pleasure are combined so meeting for drinks or dinner is a popular end to the working day. As a guest, not overindulging in alcohol is always a good idea. Evening dinner invitations can be to the home or to a restaurant. Visitors should bring a bottle of wine to the home or offer to share part of the restaurant bill.
Sightseeing
Just across the street is Millennium Park. Brimming with Frank Gehry architecture and interactive art, it is a verdant oasis in the summer. In winter, ice skaters swirl around its outdoor rink.
The Art Institute is world-class. Find more art at the galleries clustered on both the Magnificent Mile and at River North. Search for the latest information on art exhibits in Chicago Gallery News (www.chicagogallerynews.com), available at any of the galleries.
If the weather is pleasant, visitors can take in the beach resort feel of the city. Monroe, Montrose and Burnham harbours are popular working and pleasure spots with yacht clubs and other services. While away a day at Lincoln Park, sunbathe and people-watch at Oak Street Beach, located on the north side of the town's Gold Coast, or take your canine to romp at the ‘doggy beach,' located between Montrose and Belmont.
Experience the ‘City of Big Shoulders' (Carl Sandburg) skyline, from the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier or travel south down North Lake Shore Drive and look toward the city at North Avenue Beach. One of the best ground level glimpses of the Wrigley Building and the Loop is at the Chicago River Michigan Avenue Bridge. And if you still want to see more, visit one of the old reliables - the Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower) Skydeck or the John Hancock Observatory.
Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph
Tel: (312) 744 2400 or 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO.
Website: www.explorechicago.org or www.choosechicago.com
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 0800-1900, Fri- Sat 0800-1800, Sun 1000-1800, holidays 1000-1600.
Additional location: Chicago Waterworks, 163 East Pearson Street, opening hours same as above.
More visitor information is available from Illinois Tourism (tel: 1 800 406 6418; www.enjoyillinois.com), at the airports and Union Station.
Key Attractions
Opened in 1930, the Adler Planetarium was the Western Hemisphere's first public museum devoted to the stars. It still maintains the traditional in-the-round Zeiss planetarium (Sky Theater) as well as the state-of-the-art interactive Sky Rider where, with the help of armrest controls, visitors can choose how they would like to journey into space. Other interactive exhibits include 3-D computer animations of the birth of the solar system and of the Milky Way.
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 922 7827.
Web: www.adlerplanetarium.org
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (late May-early Sep); daily 1000-1600 (early Sep-late May); first Friday of every month 0930-2200 (all year).
Admission Fee: Yes
Art Institute of Chicago
The bronze lions guarding the main entrance of the Art Institute of Chicago have become true symbols of the city. The Institute is packed with examples of over 5,000 years of human artistry from all over the world. Of particular interest are the collections of African, Ancient American and 'modern' American art from the 17th century to the present, including two icons of 20th century American art: American Nighthawks (1942). The Institute can also claim to be the French Impressionist capital of the American Midwest. Its collection includes one of the four surviving Water Lilies paintings by Monet, as well as work by Mary Cassatt, the only American to be included in the French Impressionist Movement. The Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing , which opened in May 2009, has increased gallery space by 33% and displays 20- and 21st- century art. A bridge links the museum to Millennium Park.
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 443 3600.
Web: www.artic.edu
Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 1030-1700, Thurs 1030-2000, Sat and Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: Yes (except on Thurs 1700-2000)
Field Museum
Home to 65-million year-old 'Sue', the nearest to a complete Tyrannosaurus Rex that has ever been discovered, the Field Museum explores the world's diverse environments and cultures. The entrance leads into the Dinosaur Hall, which is filled with real and replica skeletons. The Africa exhibit experience takes visitors from the city streets into the harsh but magnificently beautiful Sahara and into the galley of a slave ship. Inside Ancient Egypt is just that, with 23 real mummies in a recreated burial chamber. Shrink to the size of a bug and burrow into the surface of the soil at the Underground Adventure . Weekends are most crowded. The Ancient Americas , the museum's newest permanent exhibit, scans 13,000 years of pre-European, western hemisphere culture.
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 922 9410.
Web: www.fieldmuseum.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Admission Fee: Yes
Grant Park
In the 1890s, Grant Park was a marshy wasteland earmarked for development, until it was saved by the wealthy Montgomery Ward and transformed by the landscaping plans of the Olmstead Brothers. Its popular landmark, the Buckingham Fountain (on Congress Parkway and Columbus Drive), is modelled after a fountain at Versailles and is a fine example of Beaux Arts landscape design. Between 1 May and 1 October, a brightly-coloured, illuminated water performance takes place from dusk until 2300. The fountain itself flows from 1000 onwards.
Michigan Avenue (west) and the lakefront (east).
From East Randolph Street (north) to Roosevelt Road (south)
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 742 7529.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fee: No
John Hancock Center
Not quite as tall as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center is still very high, 344m (1,127ft). It is usually less crowded and gives a more scenic view of the city's shoreline. There is an excellent, newly renovated observation gallery on the 94th floor, which also has the outside Skywalk. One floor up is the Signature Room , a good spot to sip a cocktail while enjoying the sunset views to the west and the panorama of Lake Michigan to the east. Architecturally, the building is striking because of its massive X-shaped cross-braces. It is also possible for visitors to 'tour' Chicago without leaving the building, by following the 'Windows on Chicago' virtual reality tour of 80 city sights and viewing the Chicago history wall.
875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 751 3681 or 1 888 875 8439.
Web: www.hancock-observatory.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2300.
Admission Fee: Yes
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo, which sits alongside Lake Michigan, has been a favourite to both locals and visitors since 1868. Though it is noted for its Great Ape, Elephant and Lion Houses, other buildings in the nation's first urban zoo tend to simulate natural habitats. The Regenstein Small Mammal and Reptile House has a glass dome roof that serves to replicate a jungle, river and forest environment. You will find cuddly koalas here too. While away your time amid orchids and lush greenery at the nearby Lincoln Park Conservatory (2200 North Stockton Drive).
2200 North Cannon Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: 312) 742 2000.
Web: www.lpzoo.org
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700, buildings close 1630 (Nov-Mar); 0700-1830 (Apr-late May and early Sep-Oct); 0900-1900 (late May-early Sep).
Admission Fee: No
Millennium Park
Millennium Park, one of the city's most popular attractions, is a collage of exceptional art and architecture. The 10-hectare (25-acre) recreational area features Frank Gehry's BP Bridge and the towering stainless steel ribbons of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion - an outdoor concert venue. A video of faces are displayed on the Crown Fountain , two 15m-tall (50ft) towering glass fountains by Jaume Plensa. The stainless steel, elliptical Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor (Chicagoans affectionately refer to it as 'the Bean') reflects fish-eye panoramas of the skyline. Grassy and lush, the Lurie Garden pays tribute to the city's transformation from marshy flat to a beautiful metropolis. An MP3 audio tour of the park can be downloaded from the park's website, or an MP3 Player with the audio tour can be rented at the Chicago Shop in the Northeast Exelon Pavilion, 201 East Randolph Street.
Millennium Park Greeter Service will escort groups of 10 or fewer on a free 45-minute tour to learn about the architecture, development and environment of Millennium Park. Tours are on the hour and the half hour, Wed-Sun 1000-1600 on a first-come, first-served basis from the end of May to the end of October.
Between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive and Randolph and Monroe Streets
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 742 1168.
Web: www.millenniumpark.org
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2300.
Admission Fee: No
Museum of Science and Industry
Designed by Daniel Burnham for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1892, this museum continues to charm both kids and science buffs. Ride through the coal mine, explore the WW2 German submarine, the U-505, walk through the 6m (20ft) human heart or try to catch some fairy dust at Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle. Families especially enjoy the hands-on Imagination Station and the acoustically perfect Whispering Gallery. The huge screen of the Omnimax Theater features science and space-related films.
5700 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago
United States
Tel: (773) 684 1414.
Web: www.msichicago.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1100-1750 (late May-early Sep); Mon-Sat 0930-1600, Sun 1100-1600 (early Sep-late May).
Admission Fee: Yes
National Vietnam Veterans' Art Museum
Enter to the sound of tinkling bells, then look toward the ceiling and see Above and Beyond: 58,000 imprinted dog tags of the men and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. This museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and displaying artwork done by Vietnam veterans, which includes the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese as well as the allies. Artefacts and artwork give one a more intimate look and a better understanding of a most unpopular war.
1801 South Indiana Avenue
Chicago
United States
Tel: (312) 326 0270.
Web: www.nvvam.org
Opening hours: Tues-Fri: 1100-1800, Sat: 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: Yes
Culture
Lyric Opera of Chicago
The Lyric Opera of Chicago was founded in 1954 and is renowned for its eight-opera season starting in October and concluding in late March offering 72 performances of opera classics and 20th-century stories. 20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago
United States
Web: http://www.lyricopera.org
Theatre
Chopin Theatre
Located in the heart of Chicago's artistic neighborhood, Wicker Park, the Chopin Theatre offers a mix of theatrel, film, literary evenings as well as music and dance.1543 West Division Street
Chicago
United States
Web: http://www.chopintheatre.com
The content of this page is provided by www.worldtravelguide.net copyright © Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd 2007