LocumLife - November 2008 - (Page 28)

DESTINATIONS City beat The heart of a community OGDEN SLIP, in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois My kind of town Like the laid-back attitude of the Midwest but crave the excitement of an urban environ? Look no further than Chicago. Jennifer L.W. Fink ith a population approaching 3 million, Chicago is the largest city in the state and the epicenter of Illinois culture. From fine food, to festivals and architecture, to archeology, Chicago has something for everyone. LOCATION, LOCATION Situated at the edge of Lake Michigan and on the Chicago River, the city became an important shipping center. In the mid1800s, it was the transportation hub of the country, accessible by road, rail, and water. The composition of the city’s substratum also gave rise to one of its earliest innovations: the skyscraper. Soft, swampy ground near the lake was too unstable to support tall masonry buildings, so engineers designed steel frames that could support the large, towering structures that now populate the city’s impressive skyline. In fact, three of the world’s tallest structures— 28 LocumLife NOVEMBER 2008 the Sears Tower, AON Center, and John Hancock Building—call Chicago home. With 77 distinct neighborhoods and about 40 suburbs, there is no limit to what you can explore. The Chicago Transit Authority covers the entire city and most surrounding suburbs. To get around, take the bus or hop on the “L,” the city’s elevated train system, which encircles the downtown area known as “The Loop.” FREEWHEELING FUN If you are looking for fun events to attend, check out the Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, and 36 parades during the year. Add a host of attractions, like the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Tour, Millennium Park, and over 26 miles of lakefront (with 19 miles of bike trails), and you can see why people flock to this Midwestern metropolis. Amid the city’s roar, Lincoln Park Zoo is host to more than 1,000 animals. Garfield Park Conservatory offers greenhouses, exhibition halls, and a children’s garden. Chicago’s Navy Pier provides you with plenty of dining and shopping options, plus a 150 foot-high ferris wheel. The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue features 460 upscale stores, and nearby Oak Street includes boutiques with international flair. Besides the Chicago Cultural Center, over 25 museums—including the Museum of Science and Industry, International Museum of Surgical Science, and Museum of Contemporary Photography—highlight the city’s history, arts scene, and ethnic culture. In particular, the famed Art Institute of Chicago is host to the most comprehensive collection of Impressionist and PostImpressionist paintings in the world. The Chicago Symphony Center is home to the city’s symphony orchestra, while the Lyric Opera of Chicago performs at the Civic Opera House. Enjoy more concerts at The Chicago Theatre and House of Blues, and many dance productions, musicals, and plays in the Downtown Theatre District. For comedy, visit The Second City, which spawned John Belushi, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey, among others. TASTY TEMPTATIONS Chicago’s food scene delivers everything from upscale and ethnic to down-home cuisine. Chef Jose Garces recently opened Mercat a la Planxa, a chic tapas spot, in the renovated Blackstone Hotel. The Green Zebra, a vegetarian restaurant, offers a five-course tasting menu for $55/person. Brunch at the Milk and Honey Café includes an unforgettable orange brioche French toast with toasted almonds and pure maple syrup, while Ed Debevic’s, a throw-back 1950s style diner, serves up simple food with attitude. Photo: Getty Images/Dennis Flaherty W FOR MORE INFO Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau 2301 South Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60616 www.choosechicago.com (312) 567-8500 www.LocumLife.com http://www.choosechicago.com http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - November 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Residency Corner Sailing the High Seas Last-Minute Luxury International Colleagues Explore the U.S. Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct City Beat Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - November 2008

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