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Sightseeing in Chicago
There are no friendlier
confines in Chicago than Wrigley Field
In addition to being a great social town,
Chicago is full of culture and post-party activities.
There are some fantastic museums which showcase everything from local
Chicago history to Monet art exhibits. And even though the sports teams
are usually a few games out of championship contention, they are still
one of the best ways to experience the real Chicago and its people.
For e history lesson on the city, including the Great Chicago Fire,
its windy political history, Mafia connections and the system of locks
along lakefront, head to the Chicago Historical Society (at North
and Clark). The exhibits often change but they provide great insight
into the events and people which help to make Chicago the great city
it is today.
In very close proximity to the Chicago Historical Society is Lincoln
Park Zoo. Located on Chicago's lakefront, it is one of the premier
tourist stops in Chicago. Not to mention that it is free. For those
staying in the suburbs, it is worth a trip to the Brookfield
Zoo to see what sorts of exotic animals live in Chicago (these
are real animals, not the crazy people in the bar from the night before).
Hundreds of rare species make their home here and new animals are born
every year.
The Museum of Science and Industry is not only one of Chicago's
top museums, it's one of the best in the country. Located on the South
Side of the city near the University of Chicago, it has several several
permanent exhibits. Among these are the coal mine that demonstrates
the life of coal mining, a tour of a replica of a submarine and the
ever-popular baby chick incubator where visitors can watch these cute
fuzzy yellow guys and girls hatch.
The Shedd Aquarium has all types of sea-dwelling critters, including
whales and dolphins. The Shedd is part of an area just south of the
Loop known as the Museum Campus. Also located on this campus is the
Field Museum, which now is home to Sue the Dinosaur which caused
so much controversy in early 2000. The final museum in this area is
the Adler Planetarium, but there is not too much to do there
unless some sort of weird moon or planetary viewing is happening. The
nice part about this area is that it is completely removed from traffic,
making it easy to walk to each museum safely and only have to pay for
parking once.
Last on the museum tour would be the Art Institute. From the
huge lions outside to the fantastic paintings and sculptures inside,
it's an impressive site.
Additionally, there are dozens of cultural centers and ethnic museums
located in other areas of the City.
One of the most famous spots in Chicago is Second City, which
has launched comedians John Belushi, Mike Myers, etc. It's located at
1616 North Wells Street (312) 337-3992.
Chicago is a city that thrives on sports. There is usually some kind
of sporting event happening every day of the week.
The Bears and the White Sox allow tailgating prior to
every game and often that is more exciting than the game itself.
Wrigley
Field is a place
that should not be missed. Even if you are not a Cubs fan, Wrigley Field
is one of the oldest ballparks in the United States and is an amazing
place to watch a baseball game. It's like being back in the 1920s, complete
with "oompa" band and Chicago's own Old Style beer sold in
the stands. Before the game, Murphy's Bleachers sets the tone and afterward,
the Cubby Bear and other Wrigleyville bars are full of game-goers...regardless
of how the home team fared.
(Cubs Site)
The United Center is home to the Bulls and Blackhawks
and is just a short trip from downtown. The Chicago Bears, short
on wins but not on history and tradition, occupy a newly remodeled
spaceship otherwise known as Soldier Field.
Or, one can visit a park and observe the locals playing a unique game
known as 16-inch softball. It's similar to the standard game except
it utilizes a large, very soft ball that doesn't require gloves to catch.
It's a coed sport, and one of the city's favorite outdoor social activities.
The giant Radio
Flyer wagon stands at the entrance to the Navy Pier.
Then of course there is the typical tourist stops: Sears Tower,
John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place, Harold Washington Library, Navy
Pier, Museum of Broadcast Communications and Disney Quest.
 Next
stop on the Party Bus: Pub Grub!
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