Illinois Travel Guide 2009 - (Page 60) Millennium Park John Hancock Center Observatory 875 N. Michigan Ave. Ride the 39-second elevator to the 94th-floor observatory of the John Hancock Center for a panoramic view of Chicago, Lake Michigan and up to four surrounding states. 888/875-VIEW, 312/751-3681, www.hancock-observatory.com $ CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS The following neighborhoods reveal the rich character of Chicago. To experience these and other diverse local areas, see page 67 for details on Chicago Neighborhood Tours. Andersonville Swedish immigrants influenced the growth of Andersonville beginning in the 1850s. After the Great Chicago Fire, wooden homes were banned in the city, and people who couldn’t afford to build stone or brick homes chose to move outside city limits. Today, Andersonville hosts Midsommarfest, a Swedish tradition celebrating the summer solstice, and the SwedishAmerican Museum Center is located here. Michigan Ave. between Randolph and Monroe streets The 241⁄ 2-acre park showcases world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design. Millennium Park features the work of renowned artists and architects, including Frank Gehry, Anish Kapoor, Kathryn Gustafson and more. Free 312/742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org Loop District Bordered by Chicago River, Michigan Ave. and Congress Pkwy. The Loop is named after the elevated train, constructed in the 1880s, that circles the heart of downtown. Bustling sidewalks and impressive buildings house financial trading centers, historic department stores, cultural institutions and offices converted to residential lofts. Free North Avenue Beach/Oak Street Beach North Ave. at Lake Michigan Oak St. at Lake Michigan North Avenue is home to the Chicago Air & Water Show, and Oak Street is home to the largest area of deep-water swimming in the city. 312/74-BEACH, 312/742-PLAY, www.chicagoparkdistrict.com Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave. This historic maritime landmark includes 50 acres of promenades, gardens, shops, restaurants and entertainment options. Take a ride on the merrygo-round or the sky-scraping Ferris wheel, or stroll through the glass-enclosed Crystal Gardens. 312/595-PIER, www.navypier.com Free William W. Powers State Fish and Wildlife Area 12949 S. Ave. O Enjoy hunting, picnicking, winter sports and fishing at Wolf Lake, which offers six miles of shoreline for bank anglers. Free 773/646-3270, www.dnr.state.il.us Bronzeville Between 1910 and 1920, Chicago experienced a dramatic increase in its African-American population. The Bronzeville district is today’s reminder of the “Black Metropolis,” the area of the city known for its high concentration of African-American businesses and cultural institutions. Walk along Martin Luther King Drive to see the public art installations celebrating Bronzeville’s heritage. SIGHTSEEING/ ENTERTAINMENT Eli’s Cheesecake World 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr. Eli’s includes a bakery, visitors center, store, cafe and more. Take a tour of the plant, where 20,000 cheesecakes are made every day. Taste one of 50 different flavors, and stock up with even more. 800/999-8300, www.elicheesecake.com Nicholas Melas Centennial Fountain and Arc McClurg Court at the Chicago River A 100-foot jet stream arcs across the Chicago River for 10 minutes on the hour, except at 3pm and 4pm. 312/751-7909 Free Pullman Historic District 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave. This National Historic Landmark District was founded by railroad-car manufacturer George Pullman in 1880 for his workers. The Historic Pullman Foundation offers guided walking tours, an annual house tour and candlelight Christmas tour. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency offers tours of the Hotel Florence and remains of the factory. 773/785-8901, www.pullmanil.org $ Beverly This affluent Chicago neighborhood was home to Potawatomi Native Americans until 1847. The neighborhood thrived with the arrival of wealthy Chicagoans looking for a more rural lifestyle, the post–Great Chicago Fire housing boom and the arrival of commuter transportation. Today, Beverly offers a small-town lifestyle alongside the hustle and bustle of the city. ESPN Zone 43 E. Ohio St. The 35,000-sq.-ft. sports-themed dining and entertainment complex offers great American grill food in the Studio Grill, the ultimate sports-viewing environment in the Screening Room and 10,000 sq. ft. of interactive games and attractions in the Sports Arena. 312/644-3776, www.espnzone.com Sears Tower Skydeck 233 S. Wacker Dr., enter on Jackson Blvd. How does it feel to be on top of the world? Take an elevator to the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower and find out. The trip includes the Chicago Experience, a seven-minute multi-image presentation movie. 312/875-9696, www.theskydeck.com $ Bucktown/Wicker Park The Rolling Mill Steel Works brought industry and people to the Bucktown/Wicker Park area in 1857. After the Great Chicago Fire, the neighborhood experienced a residential and commercial boom. Today the neighborhood enjoys the reputation of a hip, artistic community. Trendy boutiques, antique shops and unique gift stores make the neighborhood a shopping destination. University of Chicago Hyde Park One of the nation’s most prestigious private educational institutions, the University of Chicago has been home to many Nobel Prize winners. The campus also contains architectural wonders, such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House and the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. 773/702-1234, www.uchicago.edu Free Chinatown The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Chicago in the 1870s. Today, the area around the intersection of Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road is home to more than 10,000 residents. Locals and visitors flock to Chinatown for unique shops and restaurants, and to immerse themselves in Chinese culture. WINERY/VINEYARDS Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery 10033 S. Western Ave Take a class to make your own wine or brew your own beer. They specialize in honey-mead wine. 773/233-7579, www.wildblossomwines.com Gold Coast This affluent neighborhood was once the home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Visitors to the neighborhood will enjoy a variety of entertainment, dining and shopping options. Continued on page 62 John Hancock Center PERFORMING ARTS Apollo Theater 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. This intimate venue located in Lincoln Park stages comedies, musicals and other original productions. It also houses the city’s most popular children’s theater company, Emerald City. 773/935-6100, www.apollochicago.com $ 60 ILLINOIS. MILE AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE. enjoyillinois.com http://www.hancock-observatory.com http://www.millenniumpark.org http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com http://www.dnr.state.il.us http://www.navypier.com http://www.elicheesecake.com http://www.pullmanil.org http://www.espnzone.com http://www.theskydeck.com http://www.uchicago.edu http://www.wildblossomwines.com http://www.apollochicago.com http://www.enjoyillinois.com
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