Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
up-and-coming performers on the
jazz scene today. But don't just go
for the tunes—the club, a living
museum of 1930s Chicago, is an
attraction in itself. See p. 262.
•
Bonding with the Animals at
Lincoln Park Zoo:
You have no
excuse not to visit: The Lincoln
Park Zoo is open 365 days a year
and—astonishingly—remains
completely free, despite many
recent upgrades. Occupying a
prime spot of Lincoln Park close
to the lakefront, the zoo is small
enough to explore in an after-
noon, and varied enough to make
you feel like you've traveled
around the world. Most of the
exhibits have been renovated in
the past few years, making the
place look better than ever. For
families, this is a don't-miss stop.
See p. 187.
•
Soaking Up Sun at Wrigley
Field:
It's a Chicago tradition to
play hooky for an afternoon to sit
in the bleachers at this historic
baseball park and watch the Cub-
bies try to hit 'em onto Waveland
Avenue. Should the perennial los-
ers actually win, you can celebrate
at one of the neighborhood's
many watering holes. See “In the
Grandstand: Watching Chicago's
Athletic Events,” beginning on
p. 219.
•
Getting Jurassic:
The most
famous resident of the Field
Museum is mighty Sue, the largest
T-rex skeleton ever uncovered.
Standing majestically in the
museum's grand entrance hall, she
greets gawkers with a pointy-
toothed snarl—or is it a grin? See
p. 180.
•
Playing in the Sand at Oak
Street Beach:
If you're staying at a
North Michigan Avenue hotel,
you can hit the sands of this
unique urban beach about as fast
as your elevator gets you to the
lobby. Of course, you might not
want to venture very far into the
chilly waters (even in summer),
but the scene offers enough peo-
ple-watching to while away a
sunny afternoon. See p. 216.
•
Exploring the Wright Stuff in
Oak Park:
Seeing the earliest
examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's
Prairie-style homes side by side
with rambling Victorian villas is
an eye-opening lesson in architec-
tural history. The town of Oak
Park—with its funky shops and
vibrant community spirit—makes
a great side trip. See “Exploring
the 'Burbs,” beginning on p. 200.
2 Best Hotel Bets
Gone are the days when Chicago
hotels catered mainly to a conserva-
tive, convention-going crowd. Today,
the city has a hotel to suit every taste
and budget, from small-but-hip
North Side hideaways to luxe grandes
dames (although you'll still see plenty
of conventioneers at most of these
places). The biggest growth has been
at the luxury end of the market, with
the first Chicago outposts of the
Peninsula and Sofitel chains now
tempting well-heeled travelers. Room
rates have been on the rise—but with
the recent economic slowdown, many
properties seem more willing to offer
special deals. For details on these and
other Chicago hotels, see chapter 6.
•
Best Historic Hotel: The Drake,
140 E. Walton Place (
&
800/55-
DRAKE
), is a master at combin-
ing the decorous charm of
yesteryear with every modern con-
venience. See p. 94.
•
Best Rehab of a Historic Struc-
ture:
The Loop's revered Reliance
Building, one of the world's first
glass-walled skyscrapers, has
regained its dignity, thanks to a
thrilling reincarnation as the tony
