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All About
Chicago
Getting to Know The Windy City
Chicago is definitely our kind of town.
Chicago is often referred to as the Windy
City, but we would like to start a trend to call it the "Everything
City."
It's only really windy here a few days a year. The nickname originates
from Chicago's windy political climate, and it has stuck like a baseball
in the Wrigley Field ivy. Chicago has a great cultural scene including
theater and operas. Every sport imaginable is played here. It is right
on the water, so there is plenty of boating and beach volleyball, as
well. There are museums and art centers exhibiting collections from
all over the world.
Not only that, but Chicago is home to some of the most fabulous shopping
and restaurants in the USA. So there is really something for everyone
in this town.
Every year
there is a fantastic list of neighborhood festivals and activities which
take place through out the summer and fall that are either free or cost
as little as $5.
These include weekly dance lessons and fireworks displays at Navy Pier,
Gold Coast Art Fair, Taste of Chicago and many ethnic fests and parades
. One of the more popular events is the Air and Water show where you
can see B-1 bombers " attack" the beaches along Lake Michigan,
watch Navy Seals and the Blue Angels strut their stuff and show us how
our tax dollars are being spent.
Chicago in 2009
The proud city of President Barack Obama has much to celebrate in 2009.
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial: Special Events, Exhibitions, and Concerts: Chicago is an important national site for the Bicentennial celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, Beginning in February, various special events, exhibitions, and concerts commemorate Lincoln’s life and historic contributions. The celebration includes Lincoln Treasures, a special exhibition at the Chicago History Museum that incorporates the Museum’s prized Lincoln artifacts; a Chicago Symphony Orchestra tribute featuring the legendary James Earl Jones narrating Aaron Copland’s inspirational work Lincoln Portrait; and a gathering of all things “Abe” including appearances by historical characters at Navy Pier. Link: lincolnbicentennial.gov
Grant Park Music Festival: 75 Years of Outdoor Summer Concerts, This outdoor summer classical music series provides performances throughout the summer at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The 75th anniversary season opens on June 19 and celebrates the Burnham Centennial with the world premiere of a symphonic and choral work based on the text of the Burnham Plan of Chicago. www.grantparkmusicfestival.org
Buckingham Fountain: After a $25 million facelift, Grand Park's crown jewel reopens on April 1. The project also includes a restoration of the pathways and landscaping that surround one of the world’s largest fountains.
Olympics. The city's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games fell short as the International Olympic Committee chose Rio instead.
Barack Obama's Neighborhood
The president maintains his red brick house in Hyde Park at 5046 South Greenwood Ave. It's swarming with the Secret Service so getting a picture is impossible, but the neighborhood adjacent to the University of Chicago has become a tourist attraction. The city gives tours of the neighborhood on select days (April 18, July 18 and Sept. 19. It's one of several tours conducted by the city throughout the year, including one previewing St. Patrick's Day and visiting the city's parks. $50. Info: (312) 742.1190 or ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com
Chicago Arrival and Orientation Information
The famed Chicago
"el" train is as fast as a speeding bullet.
The busiest arrival point for those flying into Chicago is O'Hare International
Airport. Smaller airlines utilized the older Midway airport, which is
undergoing a renovation.
Any entrance into Chicago comes with a breathtaking view into the
city. Chicago's skyline is absolutely amazing. It contains two of the
world's tallest buildings, other high-rises and hotels with interesting
architecture.
There is plenty of time to enjoy the view because Chicago's traffic
is thicker than the ivy at Wrigley Field. This, along with limited and
expensive parking, make getting around Chicago in a car difficult; expect
to pay $20-30/day for parking. Fortunately, there is good public transportation.
The major mode of moving within the city is the elevated train,
or "the el." Chicagoans take it everywhere:
to work,the parks, museums and especially to Wrigley Field for Cubs
games. The el is easy to navigate and each stop is clearly marked and
announced by the conductor. There is also a map inside each car which
shows all stops along that particular route. The downside is that the
trains are not very modern or clean and it can be a bit dicey to ride
after dark.
There is also a bus system, but its complicated even for locals
so its hardly an option for tourists.
Public transportation operates on a FareCard system instead of cash.
Cards can be purchased at card vending centers at each station.
When the weather is good, walking is a quick and easy way to
see the city. Just about any place in the downtown area can be reached
in 20-30 minutes.
Cabs are also highly recommended for transportation. If the
destination is off the beaten path, be sure and provide the driver with
have the address.
Chicago is remarkably easy to navigate. The North/South and East/West
corridors are State Street and Madison Avenue; everything goes up from
there depending on which direction one is headed. Each block increases
in 100 increments, so to get from, say, 500 North Michigan to 200 South
Michigan, it's simply seven blocks away, or one mile.
The Neighborhoods
Chicago's diversity and much of its personality can be experienced
through various neighborhoods. Each has distinctive bars, restaurants
and people:
• Gold Coast/Rush and Division. Located just off Michigan
Avenue at Rush and Division streets in a downtown central business area.
It has many bars and upscale restaurants and most of Chicago's VIPs.
• Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville. Lincoln Park is where
most people live after they get out of college. It has a good mix of
dance bars, sports bars and regular old-fashioned pubs. Adjacent Wrigleyville
is home to the Cubs and several of Chicago's best bars.
• Wicker Park/Bucktown. Chicago's artistic community,
where a lot of hot clubs are located. Adjacent to The Loop, the
city's downtown business district and an after-work hot spot.
Accommodations
As a happening and vibrant city, finding accommodations in Chicago
can be a challenge. Book a room in advance; Chicago is a major convention
town and room rates often double during major shows.
If money is no object, Michigan Avenue is centrally located
and has nearly all major chains as well as some classic Chicago hotels.
Several are historic landmarks, worthy of a visit even for those without
a room there. These include the Drake, The Palmer House Hilton, Hotel
Barnham and The Ritz Carlton.
The House of Blues hotel on North Dearborn Ave.,has a great atmosphere
and there is usually something happening there 24 hours a day.
Those on a budget will likely have to stay in the suburbs. They
are usually half the cost of the downtown hotels; use the Neighborhoods
section above as a guide to the different areas.
The People
Travelers looking for friendly locals will love Chicago. The people
here will always converse with strangers, and do they ever party. Must
be the weather.
They are a long-suffering but optimistic lot. No matter how bad their
sports teams may be one year, they line up the next hoping this will
be THE year for their team.
One gets the feeling that if the beloved Cubbies ever mount anything
approaching a dynasty, the people will be unable to cope with the success.
The basketball Bulls were one thing, but cutting back on the Old Style
beer on a beautiful day in Wrigley Field to actually pay attention to
what is happening on the baseball diamond would destroy the people's
carefree attitude about the team.
Chicago is a working class- city. The people were raised with Midwest
values and are full of local pride.
Old Style, a sunny
day and the beloved Cubbies are endearing to Chicagoans.
The bartenders are some of the most knowledgeable people one will ever
meet and are happy to share their knowledge of Chicago.
Chicago is one of America's greatest sports towns. There is a huge
rivalry between the White Sox and Cubs fans (the South side vs. the
North side), which gets battled out every year in the Cross-town Classic.
One thing everyone agrees on is the NFL's Bears; people are still doing
the the Super Bowl Shuffle and reliving the days of Mike Ditka. There
are a lot of Notre Dame fans in town because Chicago is only about two
hours from South Bend, Ind.
Nothing, however, comes close to Michael Jordan. He's a God in town,
and deservedly so. Now, the Bulls may not win another NBA championship
for 100 years, but Chicagoans will talk about the franchise's success
as if it happened yesterday and Jordon will be on a pedestal higher
than the Sears Tower.
Obtaining tickets from the box office early in a season is nearly impossible.
Ticket brokers thrive in these times.
Pubs and Clubs Customs
When it comes to bars, Chicago is our kind of town. Everything is here:
swank clubs, upscale martini bars, terrific pubs, sports bars and blues
and jazz clubs.
The action typically gets started around 10:30 p.m., and" drink
'em if yo got 'em" is between 3-4 a.m., depending on the establishment.
For late-nighters, there are the after-hours bars which are open until
5 a.m. Just about every bar has a $5-10 cover charge, so it's advisable
to pick one or two bars and stay at them all night.
Although this is a casual town it's not advisable to wear jeans, t-shirts
or sandals to any bar or restaurant (pubs and Cubs games are an entirely
different matter). Men are usually attired in khakis and golf shirts
and women are in skirts or slacks. There IS fashion in the Midwest and
it's very obvious in Chicago. So if they are wearing it in NY, LA or
on the TV show "Friends," you'll probably see it in Chicago.
Some trendier places wanting to attract an upscale crowd require men
to wear a tie and dresses for ladies. For these places, it's a good
idea to call ahead to double-check the dress standard.
Temperatures
Annual conditions in Chicago are as follows:
• January: Bitterly cold and snowy
• February: Miserably cold and snowy
• March Cold and windy
• April: Cold and rainy
• May: Beautiful picture perfect
• June: Starting to get hot and humid
• July: Hot and humid
• August: Disgustingly hot and humid
• September: Beautiful picture perfect
• October: Mild temperatures and rain
• November: Chilly and rain/snow combo
• December: Really cold and snowy
Time Zone
Chicago is GMT - 6.
When To Go
September is the ideal time to visit Chicago. The weather is perfect,
most of the tourists are gone and most college and professional sports
teams are in season. The busiest time is May through July, but the summer
months are very hot and humid; in August the temperature typically stays
above 90 degrees and it does not cool off at night. Think sauna.
If weather is no object, Christmas in Chicago is spectacular. The department
stores all decorate their windows and interiors, and there are several
annual traditions which the locals have grown up with. The tree at Daley
Plaza, Skate on State, The Nutcracker, The Walnut Room at Marshall Fields
and Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry
are just a few of these special events. Plus, how can you have Christmas
without snow, hot chocolate and apple cider?
 Next
stop on the Party Bus: PubClubbing!
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