Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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kids (and adults). Tip: A fun option for a bir thday party is climbing par ties, held for
kids ages 6 and up , Lakeshore Academy gives these parties over a 2-hour period on S at-
urday and Sunday evenings, or Sunday mornings. Check out the website for more infor-
mation.
FISHING
The Chicago Park District runs fishing programs for kids; for the latest details, check out
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com . One program, “Fish 'n Kids,” provides rods, reels, bait,
and instruction for four daily 45-minute sessions at all Chicago Park District lagoons and
at four lakefront locations. The Sam Romano Youth Fishing Derby (named for a charter
boat captain who loved fishing and kids), which r uns all summer, is open to kids ages 8
to 15. Kids enter their catches in a category: rock bass, panfish, catfish, and carp. Twenty
kids in each category win prizes of new fishing equipment.
Want to do battle with the scrappy coho salmon, or tie into a tackle-testing, arm-
aching 20-pound chinook? S almon fishing has been popular on Lake M ichigan since
Pacific species were introduced in the 1970s. G ather a group of six (to split the cost of
about $400 for 5 hr. of fishing) and be prepared to start at dawn. You can find a charter
boat thr ough the Chicago Sportfishing A ssociation ( & 312/922-1100; www.great-
lakes.org), with boats available in both Burnham and Millennium (on the south side) and
Diversey and Montrose (on the north side) harbors.
Lake perch are another popular Lake M ichigan fish—they won 't give you the fight
that salmon do, but they ar e fun to catch and good to eat. (P an-fried is the way to go .)
They are plentiful from May to August. Jumbo perch weigh in at 1 pound and are caught
with ultralight spinning tackle or hand lines rigged with multiple hooks. Check spoting-
goods stores for equipment and bait. The local anglers' favorite spot is Montrose Harbor
Pier, east of Lake Shore Drive at Wilson Avenue. Harbor fishing is allowed in designated
areas of B elmont, Montrose, D iversey, D uSable, Monroe, B urnham, 59th S treet, and
Jackson Inner and Jackson Outer harbors. To find out more, call Chicago Park District
harbor information at & 312/747-7527.
GOLF
Chicago has an impr essive number of golf options within the city limits. The Chicago
Park District offers six courses, three driving ranges, and three learning centers. Don't let
a little cold w eather stop y ou: As fur ther evidence of the har diness of Chicagoans, the
golf courses are open year-round, even on Christmas Day! For tee times and information,
call & 312/245-0909. Most recommended for kids is the Diversey Driving Range, 141
W. Diversey Pkwy. ( & 312/742-7929 ), in Lincoln Park just north of Diversey Harbor;
it's a fun way to get outside after dinner on a summer ev ening. This two-lev el range
attracts all players, from show-off scratch golfers to shanking beginners.The price is right
($9 for a bucket of balls), and the setting is pr etty much perfect.
One of the most popular golf courses operated b y the Chicago P ark District is the
9-hole Sydney Marovitz Course, 3600 N. Lake S hore Dr., at Waveland Avenue. Many
Chicagoans refer to it simply as “Waveland.” Thanks to its picturesque lakefront location,
it's always busy on w eekends; so make a r eservation well in advance, and don't expect a
quick round—this is where beginners come to practice. Another good bet, and one that's
usually less cr owded, is the 18-hole course in Jackson Park at 63r d Street and S toney
Island Avenue. These city-run courses are open mid-April through November. For infor-
mation on gr eens fees, locations, and hours, call the Chicago Park District golf office
( & 312/245-0909 ), or go to www.cpdgolf.com.
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