ILLINOIS: PRAIRIE STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
The
purposes of traveling
are different for different people. There are some people who travel for the
sake of pleasure. The people that are heavily burdened either at their domestic
front or at their offices move too far off places for relieving their worries
and anxieties. The poets and writers make a trip to distant places for
collection of facts for their writings. Businessmen also visit various places
to enquire as to whether there are scopes for expansion of their business.
Travelling provides the benefit of sightseeing and gives pleasure to the
visitor. In addition, it gives a scope to an individual to have firsthand
knowledge of variegated people inhabiting the world. When you want to
plan a vacation
CHICAGO “The Windy City”
Often overlooked in favor of New York or San Francisco, the ‘Windy
City' of Chicago doesn't fall short as a center of culture, art and
architecture. Soaring towers befitting the birthplace of the skyscraper are
stacked high along the stunning Chicago River and throughout the sprawling
metropolis. This is also the home of blues and jazz, where early masters such
as Louis Armstrong honed their skills.
Situated on beautiful Lake Michigan, Chicago's countless bars and
restaurants are lively and usually full - especially if a game is on. The
friendly locals are sports mad, with American football, basketball and baseball
all popular.
The live-music scene is vibrant (with plenty of blues bars), while
there are also renowned festivals, a world-class symphony and some terrific museums
- such as the Art Institute with its extensive French Impressionist collection.
Then there's the stunning Millennium Park, which opened in 2004 and features
work by Frank Gehry, Jaume Plensa and Anish Kapoor.
The Downtown area is known as the ‘Loop' after the raised
metropolitan railway that circles the central business and shopping district,
and many visitors take to the iconic waterways to tour this area's colossal
architecture by boat.
The 10-floor Home Insurance Building constructed here in 1884 was
the first skyscraper, ahead of Hotel Burnham (formerly the Reliance Building),
which was the first steel-framed skyscraper. It also houses one of the world's
tallest buildings, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). Famous architects such
as Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright and his Prairie
School of Architecture have all left their mark here.
But the city isn't only interesting for its architecture. Chicago
is a cosmopolitan hub with varied districts known for their Irish, Vietnamese,
Latin-American and other connections, and it's constantly changing. "It is
hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago," said
Mark Twain in the 19th century. "She outgrows his prophecies faster than
he can make them." Over a century later, his words still ring true.
Tours
& Excursions
Tourist Information Centers
Chicago Office of Tourism
·
East Randolph
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago
United States
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago
United States
·
(312) 744 2400 or 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO.
·
Daily 1000-1700 (Jan-Mar); Mon-Sat 0930-1800, Sun 1000-1700
(Mar-May); Mon-Thur 0900-1900, Fri-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800 (May-Sept);
Mon-Sat 0930-1800, Sun 1000-1700 (Sept-Dec).
Excursions
Cantigny
·
The 202-hectare (500-acre) estate of legendary Chicago Tribune
editor and publisher from 1925-1955, Colonel Robert R McCormick, is one of the
far west suburbs' key attractions. Originally built in 1899 by McCormick's
grandfather and founder of the Chicago Tribune, Joseph Medill, the estate has
16 hectares (40 acres) of stately gardens and two museums. McCormick served in
the US Army's First Division and The First Division Museum is devoted to the
history of this infantry division from 1917 to Desert Storm. On the lawn are
tanks from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The Robert R
McCormick Museum is the colonel's 35-room, plantation-style mansion complete
with original furniture, antiques and artwork.
·
(630) 668 5161.
Milwaukee
·
No longer merely the land of beer and brats, Milwaukee is taking
great pains to reinvent itself. It is worth the trip up there just to have a
look at the stunning winged (or as some think of it, whale-fluked shaped) white
Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Designed by Santiago Calatrava,
it has a moveable roof that opens and closes twice a day. When open, it spans
over 66m (217ft). Milwaukee has many other interesting attractions to
explore: museums, a very cool zoo, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, brewery tours and
funky neighborhoods. For motorcycle buffs, there is the House of Harley. You
can learn all about the illustrious bike, plan a trip and talk with other bike
enthusiasts.
Oak Park Neighborhood
·
Two famous residents, architect Frank Lloyd Wright and writer
Ernest Hemingway, made their home 16km (10 miles) west of the Loop in the
suburb of Oak Park. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation, 951
Chicago Avenue, was where, between 1898 and 1908, Wright developed his new
approach to architecture. Foundation offerings include Prairie School of
Architecture educational programs, daily tours (usually between 1100 and 1500)
of Frank Lloyd Wright structures and maps for exploring on your own. Discover
aspects of the author's life and history at the Ernest Hemingway Museum.
·
1 888 625 7275.
St Charles
·
The undulating hillsides and open prairie of St Charles are just
one hour west of Chicago. Situated along the Fox River, the town is as much
about the great outdoors as it is about shopping, eating and sightseeing. Float
6.4 km (4 miles) down the Fox River on St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats.
Alternatively, canoes and pedal boats are available at Pottawatomie Park, 8
North Avenue. Other relaxing parks include the Ferson Creek Park, on Route
31, two miles north of Main Street, and Mount St Mary Park, also on Route 31,
to the west of Fox River and south of Prairie Street. The Fox River Trail, a
spring and summer bike and hiking trail and a winter cross-country ski trail,
borders the river. The attractive historic town is a shopper's paradise with
antique shops, boutiques and the Kane Flea Market.
·
1 800 777 4373.
Tours
Walking tours
·
Chicago is known for its architecture and there is no better way
to learn about the city's structural designs than by taking one of the many
tours that the Chicago Architectural Foundation offers. Tours, which are on
foot, by bus and on the water, include historic and modern skyscrapers as well
as Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Except for the water tours, most begin at 224
South Michigan Avenue.
·
(312) 922 3432.
Chicago
Greeters tours
·
Considered a 'themed visit' rather than a tour, Chicago Greeters
will escort small groups (up to six) to attractions, neighborhoods, explore
insider's favorite haunts, visit specific points of interest, or even take them
shopping. Greeters are residents who know and love the city. Advance
reservations are necessary for this free service of the Chicago Office of
Tourism.
·
1 877 244 2246.
Bus tours
·
There are plenty of road-based options for touring the city. Gray
Line Tours runs a variety of city excursions including 'North' and 'South' side
city tours, which cover all the major sights in those parts of the city. Buses
leave from 55 East Monroe Street. The Chicago Double Decker Co., based at the
Willis Tower, offers double-decker service, using London-style double-decker
buses to tour 21km (13 miles) of Chicago's main sights. A hop-on hop-off
service (explore a site and catch another bus to resume the tour) stops at a
number of points, including Navy Pier, Willis Tower, the Art Institute and
Field Museum.
·
(312) 251 3100 ; (773) 648 5000.
Boat
tours
·
One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of the city as well
as learn about it is from the water. Such excursions operate from May to early
November, but it is best to check with the individual sightseeing company for
schedules and costs. Chicago Line Cruises runs both history and architectural
boat trips. Boats departing from Navy Pier run the gamut from schooners to
yachts and those that include meals and cocktails. Windy I or Windy II set sail
around Lake Michigan. Or you can paddle a kayak down the Chicago River with
Wateriders and explore history, architecture or gangster history.
·
(312) 527 1977 ; (312) 595 5555 ; (312) 953 9287.
Gangster
and ghost tours
·
The Untouchables Gangster Tour takes a step back to the days of
prohibition. It traces the paths of some of the city's most infamous 1920s and
1930s residents, like Al Capone and John Dillinger. Wisecracking guides relate
gangster lore on the way to famous hoodlum haunts like Little Italy and the St
Valentine's Massacre. All tours depart from 600 North Clark Street, and
reservations are necessary.
Chicago Hauntings visits paranormal and supernatural locations around the city. A two-hour 45-minute bus ride explores such haunts as the Biograph Theater, Graceland Cemetery, and the site of the Fort Dearborn massacre. Reservations are necessary.
Chicago Hauntings visits paranormal and supernatural locations around the city. A two-hour 45-minute bus ride explores such haunts as the Biograph Theater, Graceland Cemetery, and the site of the Fort Dearborn massacre. Reservations are necessary.
·
(773) 881 1195 ; 1 888 446 7891.
·
REFERENCE SITES:
I grew up in Danville, Illinois, right in the middle of the
state.
Dick Van Dyke
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