Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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The Best of Chicago
A city as large and diverse as Chicago offers almost too many options; here
you'll find hotels, restaurants, and cultural offerings to suit every style (not to
mention budget). But if narrowing down all your choices seems daunting, never
fear. Consider this your cheat sheet to the very best of the city, the places we
natives steer our out-of-town relatives to when they want to experience the “real”
Chicago. Some are well-known tourist attractions; others are insider secrets. But
all are places and experiences that truly sum up our city. Happy exploring!
1 Frommer's Favorite Chicago Experiences
Studying the Skyline: The birth-
place of the modern skyscraper,
Chicago is the perfect place to
learn about—and appreciate—
these dramatic buildings that
reach for the sky. A good way to
ground yourself in the city's his-
tory is to take an architectural
tour—by foot, bus, bike, or boat.
See “Sightseeing Tours,” begin-
ning on p. 210.
Getting Lost at the Art Institute:
This vast art museum offers myr-
iad places for private meditation.
Internationally known for its
French Impressionist collection,
the Art Institute can also transport
you to Renaissance Italy, ancient
China, or any number of other
worlds. See p. 170.
Chilling Out on the Lakefront:
It really is cooler by the lake—
meteorologically and metaphori-
cally. There are 29 miles of
lakefront for biking, 'blading, or
simply being, so get out there and
contemplate Chicago's very own
ocean. To experience Chicago to
its fullest, don't just sit on the
shore; get out on the water for a
fresh look at the city. Navy Pier is
the place to board a boat that's just
your speed, from a powerboat to a
tall-masted schooner. Or, if you
feel like putting your own wind in
some sails, rent one of the boats
from the Chicago Sailing Club in
Belmont Harbor. See the “Staying
Active” section in chapter 8,
beginning on p. 216.
Listening to Music Under the
Stars: Pack a picnic and take the
train (or drive) to the Ravinia Fes-
tival in Highland Park, summer
home of the Chicago Symphony,
or stay in town to enjoy the free
concerts presented in the city's
front yard, Grant Park. See p. 207
and 250.
Getting the Blues: Here in the
world capital of the blues, you've
got your pick of places to feel
them, from the collegiate atmos-
phere of Kingston Mines in Lin-
coln Park, where musicians
perform continuously on two
stages, to the earthy roadhouse
New Checkerboard Lounge on the
South Side, where neighborhood
locals mingle with the tourists,
blues lovers all. See “The Music
Scene,” beginning on p. 262.
Walking the Walk: You notice
the most interesting things when
you lace up your sneakers and let
your curiosity power you. Explore
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