No matter the time of year, a great time awaits in Chicago. The hustle
and bustle of the Loop, breathtaking lakefront vistas, significant architectural
structures, rich cultural heritage and Midwest hospitality combine to
make Chicago a world-class city.
Winter:'Tis the Season...'
The Windy City makes an intriguing winter getaway. Outdoor enthusiasts
can participate in bird watching, or sit back and enjoy the throng of
the crowd and a tailgate party at a rousing Chicago Bears football game.
For those who prefer the great indoors, the options are many, including
art, shopping and theater.
Bird Watching
On Chicago's south side, one can find nature in its purest form at Jackson
Park's Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary. City dwellers and visitors band
together at the Clarence Darrow bridge for a guided tour and a chance
to see Great Blue Herons, Black-capped Chickadees and Monk Parakeets,
to name a few. Along the way, the guide will point out some of the flora
that supports life in this delicate ecosystem, including Evening Primrose
and Queen Anne's Lace. Nearby is Osaka Garden, a traditional Japanese-style
garden, where guests can contemplate further on this oasis in the city
or walk over to the Sanctuary's next door neighbor, The Museum of Science
and Industry, for a wonderfully interactive, fun, and informing indoor
experience. For more information on the Chicago Park District's 10 bird
and wildlife gardens or to learn about other Park District activities
and events call 312.742.PLAY or log on to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Birdwatchers can also contact the Chicago Audubon Society at 773-539-6793
or chicago_audubon@juno.com.
To make a group reservation at the Museum of Science and Industry call312-684-9844,
ext. 2290.
Bears Watching
For the spectator in everyone, a Chicago Bears game may be just the ticket.
Join some of the most loyal fans around at Soldier Field, just south of
the Museum Campus. The Bears play about 10 games a season at the stadium
and usually make available two pre-season games and one or two regular
season games for groups. The best time to call them is in May, at 847-615-2327,
to receive a group order. Or, for a completely different type of bear
watching, visit the Brookfield Zoo, located just west of Chicago and open
year-round.
Winter Delights, Chicago's a Cool Place
Winter Delights will astound all with the breadth of cultural activities,
events, special value hotel packages, and shopping opportunities that
abound. Among Winter Delights' many offerings will be the "Jazz Fair Weekend,"
January 26; Chicago Auto Show, February 9 - 18; Winter Delights Blues
Weekend, February 16; RV, Camping & Travel Show, February 14 - 18;
Charles Dickens' David Copperfield at the Steppenwolf Theatre, February
1 - March 25; Rossini's The Barber of Seville at the Lyric Opera House
of Chicago on January 24, 27, 29 and February 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, and
18. For information on Winter Delights call 866.2CHICAGO or go to www.winterdelights.com
Shopping
One of Chicago's greatest indoor sports is shopping. State Street offers
many choices, including the venerable Carson Pirie Scott & Co. and
Marshall Field's stores. Among the newer shops are the trendy Old Navy
and The Children's Place, and soon to join the ranks, Borders Books &
Music. The holiday season is particularly festive along State Street as
onlookers pass from store window to store window of animated holiday displays,
depicting stories such as, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "The Night
Before Christmas," and "The Nutcracker." For more information, contact
the Greater State Street Council at 312.782-9106.
The Magnificent Mile begins at the Chicago River and extends north to
Oak Street, where there is everything from boutiques, shoe stores, jewelry
stores, and no less than four indoor shopping centers. The newest offering,
The Shops at North Bridge, is anchored by Nordstrom, which lives up to
its reputation for shoes galore, other fine merchandise, and outstanding
customer service. Other shops at North Bridge include Hugo Boss, Armani
A/X and Sephora, a one-stop cosmetics and fragrance store. One of the
many winter time treats on North Michigan Avenue is The Magnificent Mile
Lights Festival which kicks off the holiday shopping season with special
deals and the lighting of over one million lights on the signature tree-lined
street, and a procession led by Mickey Mouse. During January and February's
seasonal sales, there will be the Light Nights on The Magnificent Mile,
a six week event including intelligent lights, fireworks and spotlights,
as well as "lighter" prices at hotels, retailers and cultural and entertainment
venues on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Call 312-642-3570.
Chicago Springs Eternal
Gardens
Spring is in the air as The Chicago Flower and Garden Show gets underway,
early to mid-March. To whet the imagination of home gardeners, this well-attended
event includes fantasy and theme gardens, gardening wares, seminars, and
demonstrations. Held at Chicago's very popular Navy Pier, the show lasts
nine glorious days. For group reservations call Kenton Morris at 312-222-5086
and for general information, access the web at www.chicagoflower.com.
Music
At the Chicago Symphony Center, between September and June, over 200 performances
are staged, featuring classical, jazz, world, pop, and children's music.
Among its several music series is the Ameritech Jazz at Symphony Center
with the likes of the Mingus Big Band and the Ramsey Lewis Trio. For a
special treat, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Contact group sales at 800-223-7114. Information is also available on
the web at www.cso.org
Festivals
Chicago's outdoor festival season begins with the 17th annual "Chicago
Gospel Festival" at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park from June 1
- 3, 2001. Three days of music, food, live performances, and people watching
await festival goers. Leading into summer and fall of 2001 are several
other festivals including the 18th annual "Blues Festival," June 7 - 10;
the 21st annual "Taste
of Chicago,"June 29 July 4th weekend; the 11th annual "Country Music
Festival," June 30 - July 1; the 13th annual "Viva! Chicago," August 25
and 26; the 23rd annual "Jazz Festival," August 30 - September 2; "World
Music Festival Chicago 2001," September 20 - 30; and the 5th annual "Celtic
Fest," September 15 and 16. For information call the Mayor’s Office of
Special Events at 312-744-3315 or check their web site at www.cityofchicago.org/SpecialEvents.
Navy Pier
Fifty-acres of family fun, Chicago's historic Navy Pier features restaurants,
attractions, gardens, a park and shops. Among the attractions at the Pier
are the Chicago Children's Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Loews
Cineplex Navy Pier IMAX Theater, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows,
the Crystal Gardens, a 150-foot Ferris Wheel and a 1920’s inspired Musical
Carousel.
Several tour, cruise and charter boats disembark from Navy Pier as well,
including Windy, Seadog I-IV, Shoreline, Spirit of Chicago and Odyssey.
After a day on the water, a good meal at any of the seven restaurants
or the food court will satiate even the hardiest appetite. For assistance
in planning group visits, call 312-595-5200, or visit www.navypier.com.
The Good Ole' Summertime
Bicycling
With 18 miles of lakefront bicycle paths, adventures are plenty. Bike
Chicago offers self-guided tours or guided tours. A great way to see the
city, enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise and just have plain fun. Originating
at Navy Pier, free tours go north along the Lakefront Trail to Lincoln
Park or they go south to Osaka Garden. Tours depart at 11:30 a.m. and
1:30 p.m. from April through November. For group tour information contact
312-755-0488 or www.bikechicago.com.
Specialty Tours
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) and Chicago Neighborhood Tours
(CNT) are two tour organizations that focus on Chicago's unique features.
One of Chicago's strengths is its architecture and one of the best ways
to experience it is through the CAF's walking, motorcoach and river cruise
tours that look at both downtown and neighborhood architecture. Among
the works considered are those of famous architects Frank Lloyd Wright,
Louis Sullivan and Daniel Burnham, as well as more recent architects,
Mies Van Der Rohe, Helmut Jahn and Philip Johnson. Next fall, CAF will
offer a new tour and exhibition centered around a uniquely Chicago style,
the historic Chicago Bungalow. Between 1910 and 1940, 80,000 bungalows
were built for Chicago's working class to meet the demand for owner-occupied
housing. For more information about the CAF contact 312-922-TOUR or www.architecture.org.
Chicago is known as the "City of Neighborhoods" and Chicago Neighborhood
Tours a city government and private sector partnership offers urban
odysseys that highlight the historical, contemporary, sociological, architectural
and cultural aspects of many of Chicago's 77 community areas. There are
nine Saturday Tours each taking a different neighborhood route and a comparable
number of themed Special Tours that explore the dynamic people and events
of Chicago.
Three of the tours offered by CNT are the "Roots of Chicago Blues, Gospel
& Jazz," which explores the city's important history and fingerprint
made on each of those genres, Devon Avenue that takes visitors to a international
marketplace representing South Asian, Greek, Russian, Croatian and Syrian
immigrants cultures, and The Great Chicago Fire tour, which is the story
behind the city's world-renowned skyline. To schedule a tour for your
group call CNT at 312-742-1190 or visit the web site at www.chgocitytours.com.
River Fun
RiverBikes of Chicago brings to the Chicago River a bicycle-driven watercraft,
which offers one of the easiest to operate, most comfortable and stable
small craft on water. River bikes are available for one, two or three
riders, who are accompanied by trained safety guides. Groups of 24 or
more can be accommodated by calling 888-RIVER11. For more information
visit the web site at www.riverbikes.com.
Old World Gondoliers transforms Chicago into the "Venice of the Midwest."
This new company of stiltwalkers, gondoliers and opera divas provide gondola
rides that include a serenade and story that will transport you back in
time. For more information call 312-726-7574.
Public Art
Cows and Chicago have had quite an intriguing history together if you
take into account the legend of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow starting the Chicago
Fire, the Chicago stockyards, or the more recent "Cows On Parade" public
art exhibit. Chicago has also had an interesting connection with furniture
as a center for design, manufacturing and trade shows. It seems fitting
that the next public art exhibition will feature furniture under the banner
of "Suite Home Chicago." From June 15 - October 2001, visitors will find
life-sized fiberglass forms — a sofa, chair and ottoman, and television
decorated by local artists and sponsored by local businesses, organizations
and individuals.
Fall Back
Holiday Fun
Chicago is a season of holiday celebrations from October 1 through December
31. Next October, plan a Halloween weekend in Chicago. "Chicagoween" is
a month-long program of Halloween activities and events for everyone.
One example is "Hallowed Halls" at the Chicago Cultural Center. To receive
a Chicaglo brochure, call 312-744-2400 or access the web at www.cityofchicago.org/Tourism.
For information on Chicagoween, contact the Mayor’s Office of Special
Events at 312-744-3370 or visit their web site at www.cityofchicago.org/SpecialEvents.
Theater
The new Goodman Theatre will stage its already sold-out first performance
of August Wilson’s King Hedley II on November 30, 2000. Located in the
heart of the Chicago Theatre District at Randolph and Dearborn, the new
Goodman Theatre will reside in a state-of-the-art facility that includes
two theater spaces with over 1,000 seats. For group inquiries, please
call Goodman Theatre at 312-443-3820. For information on theaters around
town or to receive a copy of the Chicago Theater Guide call 312-554-9800
or access the web site at www.chicagoplays.com.
Museums
Three of Chicago's 46 museums are within a two-block area of one another
on the Museum Campus situated in the Chicago Park District's Burnham Park.
A great vantage point to view Chicago's magnificent skyline and lakefront,
the campus is a beautiful green space that is accented with public art,
such as the recently installed Olmec head replica, a gift from the state
of Veracruz. This stunning setting provides the perfect backdrop for the
three world class museums. The Field Museum houses nine acres of exhibit
halls dedicated to natural history and featuring everything from the smallest
insect to Sue, the largest, most intact Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered.
One of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, The John G. Shedd Aquarium,
has over 8,000 aquatic creatures including sea horses, penguins, and
whales that represent 650 species. Adler Planetarium & Astronomy
Museum, with 2,000 astronomical, navigational and mathematical instruments
in their collection, has the largest such collection in the Western Hemisphere.
Its state-of-the-art interactive StarRiderTM Theater is a fun learning
experience for everyone, and the Zeiss Sky Show Theater gives guests a
chance to view the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy and the sky as seen
through the Hubble telescope. Two other venerable cultural institutions,
The Art Institute and Chicago Historical Society, are “must do’s” on any
group’s checklist.
Nightlife
For after-hours fun, there are any number of establishments that will
please. Chicago has long been considered a bastion of music, such as blues,
jazz, gospel and the avant-garde. A few clubs that cater to these musical
tastes are Buddy Guy's Legends, Kingston Mines, Andy’s Jazz Club, House
of Blues, Famous Dave's Ribs n' Blues, Blue Chicago and the Hot House,
an international performance center. Have some laughs at The Second City,
where alumni have gone onto Saturday Night Live, or at Zanies Comedy Club
where well known comedians such as Jay Leno and Tim Allen, have appeared.
If you still have some steam left after a night out on the town, have
a late night snack at the Martini Ranch, The Buzz or Harry’s Velvet Room,
one of the city’s cigar bars. Of course, a walk along Michigan Avenue
is always a nice end to a wonderful evening.
Restaurants
Chicago has about 7,000 restaurants representing just about every imaginable
cuisine. Some of the newer additions include Fahrenheit Restaurant at
312-733-7400, Chicago Firehouse at 312-786-1401, ext. 151, and McCormick
& Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant at 312-397-9500, ask for the Banquet
Coordinator, Nacional 27 at 773-878-7340 and The Grillroom at 312-222-0627.
Groups can receive additional information including, brochures and maps
on Chicago’s many exciting events and attractions, by calling the Chicago
Office of Tourism at 312-744-2400. Chicago visitor information, including
hotel, nightlife, museums, and restaurants is also available on the Internet
at www.cityofchicago.org/tourism
and www.choosechicago.com.
