PHOTOS

Chicago, IL

Millennium Park
DESCRIPTION: This imaginative park of art and architecture built over a commuter train station, is a masterpiece of urban design; Wrigley Square and Millennium Park Monument features a full-sized replica of the original peristyle built in this location in 1917; a peristyle consists of a series of columns enclosing a court and tree-lined quiet area to relax and reflect; McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink provides 16,000-square-feet of FREE ice skating November through February, other events populate the rest of the calendar; Park Grill opens early, closes late for fast food and refreshments; the giant Cloudgate, often called the “Bean”, is 66 feet long by 33 feet high and evokes comparisons to objects you’d expect to see in the movie 2001 Space Odyssey; Crown Fountain will steal your kids attention and spare your wallet –they will have so much free fun here its ridiculous; Chase Promenade is often lined with outdoor art and special exhibits; the spectacular Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion features partially covered seating and lawn seating for outdoor concerts; Welcome Center at 201 East Randolph Street
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-11p
ADDRESS: 55 North Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: paid garage underneath premises
TRANSIT: Randolph-Wabash CTA Station, Madison-Wabash CTA Station, Chicago-Randolph Metra Station and buses on Michigan Avenue
PHONE: 312-742-1168
WEBSITE: http://www.millenniumpark.org

Michigan Avenue
DESCRIPTION: Although this avenue traverses the Near Northside to the deep Southside, the Heart of Chicago lies between Balbo Avenue on South Michigan Avenue and Oak Street on North Michigan Avenue; in this stretch a visitor finds one of the top ten hospitality, fine dining and retail districts in the world complimented by Chicago River, parks, museums, cultural centers, publishers, great architecture colleges, transit centers, historic sites and landmark attractions; the landscaped median, mature trees and mini-gardens make for plenty of inviting photos in what the city calls The Magnificent Mile; this urban gem did not happen by accident -- it is part of Daniel Burnham's master plan for a great Chicago; Hop off Chicago Trolley and Double Decker sightseeing tour buses when you reach the Historic Water Tower -- oldest standing structure on Michigan Avenue
ADDRESS: Michigan Avenue  MAP
TRANSIT: Millennium Metra Station
WEBSITE: http://www.themagnificentmile.com

John Hancock Observatory
DESCRIPTION: Located in the architecturally robust John Hancock Center, newly renovated and still meeting elevated expectations; views span up to 80 miles and 4 states so bring your zoom lens cameras and camcorders; tripods are NOT permitted in the observatory; when shooting at night, set your camera exposure to 800 ASA or higher for less motion blur
ADMISSION: Adults $9.50, Ages 62+ $7.50, Ages 5-12 $6, Age 4 and under FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-11p with last ticket sold at 10:45p
ADDRESS: 875 North Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: paid garages on premises
TRANSIT: near Chicago-Red CTA Station
PHONE: 312-751-3681
WEBSITE: http://www.hancock-observatory.com

Harold Washington Library
DESCRIPTION: America’s largest central library is a befitting monument to the late (1922-1987) Mayor Harold Washington; born in Chicago, Harold was a scholar athlete who frequented the Chicago Public Library before graduating from DuSable High School; he became a sergeant during WWII; got a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University and a law degree from Northwestern University; in 1982 he became the first African American elected mayor of Chicago; tragically, he died of a heart attack while in office; Harold’s personal effects and memorabilia are featured, as well as a notable Jubilee Showcase Gospel Music Video Collection of more than 100 programs
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily, call for hours
ADDRESS: 400 South State Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots and garages nearby
TRANSIT: near Library CTA Station
PHONE: 312-747-4300
WEBSITE: http://www.chipublib.org/001hwlc/001hwlc.html

Sears Tower Skydeck
DESCRIPTION: After 1974 and until recently, this skyscraper has been the world's tallest building and it has an incredible 100 elevators; take one to the 103rd floor for a spectacular view of the city and region; the experience is best enjoyed at non-peak hours after 4p
ADMISSION: Adults $9.50, 3-11 $6.75, Children under 3 FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily May-September 10a-10p, Oct-Apr 10a-8p
ADDRESS: 233 South Wacker Drive  MAP
PARKING: paid garages nearby
TRANSIT: near Quncy-Wells CTA Station and Chicago-LaSalle Metra Station
PHONE: 312-875-9696
WEBSITE: http://www.the-skydeck.com

Riverwalk Gateway
DESCRIPTION: Public art tells the history of Chicago and its river in a 336-foot long wall of sixteen narrative panels; available for viewing year-round; one of the best aspects of the Riverwalk is being able to dine at several places along the way
DAYS & HOURS: daily dawn to dusk
ADMISSION: free
ADDRESS: 400 East Wacker Drive at the Chicago River bank  MAP
PARKING: paid garage nearby
TRANSIT: near Randolph-Wabash CTA Station and Chicago-Randolph Metra Station

Chicago Board of Trade
DESCRIPTION: This monument to futures investments was founded in 1848 to stabilize grain prices; built in 1930, this art deco structure features fine architectural details that are most evident up close; the top is crowned with Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grain; take the 30-minute tour view this exciting trading floor where the price of your grits and bacon are likely determined; don't be alarmed by the high security measures which are required here for your safety; this building appeared in both the Batman, "Dark Knight" movie
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-2p
ADDRESS: 141 West Jackson Blvd  MAP
PARKING: paid garages nearby
TRANSIT: Quncy-Wells CTA Station, LaSalle-Van Buren CTA Station, and Chicago-LaSalle Metra Station
PHONE: 312-435-3590
WEBSITE: http://www.cbot.com

House of Blues
DESCRIPTION: HOB stays on the cutting edge of upbeat urban entertainment by featuring a heavy dose of blues, rap, and R&B concerts—but not exclusively those genre, so call ahead for the calendar of events and those delicious Sunday Gospel Brunches; this is a smoke-free restaurant and NO cameras are permitted
ADMISSION: $10-$12 for concerts at 10pm; free entry for lunch or dinner
DAYS & HOURS: daily for lunch & dinner; concerts start at 7p
ADDRESS: 329 North Dearborn Street  MAP
PARKING: paid garages on premises & nearby
TRANSIT: near Clark-Lake CTA Stations
PHONE: 312-923-2000
WEBSITE: http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago

Hard Rock Café
DESCRIPTION: Check of a sample of the 70,000 guitars, drums, pianos, harmonicas, microphones, shirts, pants, scarves, shoes, handwritten lyrics, cars, bikes, a bus and assorted rock memorabilia that exist in the Hard Rock Cafes around the world; get a burger and your own memorabilia in the gift shop
ADMISSION: free entry, but you pay for $10-18 for entrees
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 11a-11p, Fri-Sat 11a-12p
ADDRESS: 63 West Ontario Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: near Grand-Red CTA Station
PHONE:
 312-943-2252
WEBSITE: http://www.hardrock.com/locations

Rainforest Café
DESCRIPTION: A theme restaurant that surrounds you with the sights and sounds of tropical rainforest jungle with lush foliage hanging from the ceiling and tropical fish darting around in floor-to-ceiling aquarium tanks; the drinks have fancy themes and  making it a good choice for general entertainment and family dining
ADMISSION: free entry, but you pay $9-17 for entrees
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-9:30p, Fri 11a-10:30p, Sat 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 605 North Clark Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: near Grand-Red CTA Station
PHONE:
 312-787-1501
WEBSITE: http://www.rainforestcafe.com