Chicago Official Visitors Guide 2008-2009 - (Page 25) 2 2. The German Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) at Daley Plaza Modeled after the Nuremburg Christmas Market, which dates back to 1545, the Christkindlmarkt offers Chicago shoppers a unique holiday experience. The German Christmas Market opens the same weekend (Thanksgiving weekend) that the much-beloved Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in the plaza. Shoppers can indulge in tasty treats, such as sausages, potato pancakes and the hot, spiced red wine called gluhwein while they check out gifts, including blownglass vases and ornaments, carved wood, fabrics and textiles, toys and more. More than 70 vendors display their wares in huts with pointed roofs, and a large social tent offers visitors a place to warm up and eat or drink at long tables. For little shoppers, a visit to Santa Claus at his shop beneath the towering Christmas tree is a main attraction. 3. Macy’s State Street 3 With its Tiffany ceiling and celebrated window displays, Macy’s State Street, formerly Marshall Fields, is a holiday landmark for shopping in Chicago. Each season, the streetside store windows are decorated with elaborate scenes featuring animated figures. Dark wood paneling, white tablecloths and a magnificently decorated Christmas tree await diners in the gorgeous Walnut Room. Frango mint pie, snowman sundaes and chicken potpie are favorites this time of year. Get the background on the store’s holiday traditions with guided tours available at the seventh-floor visitor center every Saturday from November 11 through the end of December. Kids can meet Santa or decorate cookies in the culinary center. And, of course, the shopping is legendary with designer goods, private labels and just about every gift imaginable, all wrapped up in festive packages at the gift-wrap center. 4. The Holiday Trolley 4 For holiday shoppers, Chicago eliminates the burden of walking with a free holiday trolley serving major points of attraction, including the main shopping destinations. Favorites like Macy’s and Navy Pier are directly accessible from the trolley, and other purchasing points on the Magnificent Mile are stops featured on the Red Circle Line. The German Christkindlmarkt is just one block away from the Macy’s stop. The trolley runs every 20–30 minutes on four different routes. Although there is no service on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, the Holiday Trolley runs weekends until December 21 with daily service December 22–31. With so much to see and trolley service to get there, navigating holiday shopping in Chicago is a breeze. pg 25
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