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Chicago Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Chicago
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Chicago Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Chicago - Chicago is the major metropolis of America's
heartland, with three million people hustling and bustling in the
city of skyscrapers that appears to rise straight out of the waters
of Lake Michigan, in northern Illinois. Once a gangster's hang-out
synonymous with infamous names such as Al Capone and Bonny and
Clyde, the 'windy city' today has a squeaky-clean reputation as an
international business and commercial capital boasting an eclectic
mix of architecture, world-class theatre, art exhibitions, and
super-enthusiastic sportsmanship.
Chicago
emerged as a rough and tough survivor after being destroyed in the
Great Fire of 1871 and a huge influx of immigrants from all over
the world in the early 20th century brought with them a determined
spirit infusing the city with ethnic diversity and the unmistakable
sound of Chicago-style blues music. Chicagoans have built a city
that is to be reckoned with, boasting soaring skyscrapers including
the Sears Tower (one of the tallest in the world); thriving ethnic
neighbourhoods; a lakefront business district, the re-energised
downtown; unbeatable shopping along the famed Michigan Avenue; and
top-class sports teams. One thing that does not
attract visitors to Chicago is the weather, which, because of its
geographical location is breezy at best, and freezing and
gale-ridden at worst. It is possible to ignore the weather though,
when getting caught up in the myriad of things to do, see and
experience in this Midwestern metropolis - there are 30 excellent
museums alone.
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Chicago
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
www.artic.edu |
What is it? An impressive pair of bronze lions guards the
entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago in South Michigan Avenue,
housing one of the greatest art collections in the world. Works on
show date from 3,000 BC through to the present, including a
renowned collection of Impressionist art featuring numerous Monet
paintings. The Institute has it all, from Japanese ukiyo-e prints
and ancient Egyptian bronzes to masterpieces of 20th century
sculpture. Exhibits include paintings and drawings, photographs,
textiles, sculpture and architectural works. The Institute has two
restaurants, one set in a garden, as well as a gift
shop.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm (until 8pm on
Thursdays), weekends 10am to 5pm
Phone:(312) 443 3600 |
2. The Field Museum
1400 S. Lakeshore Drive
www.fmnh.org |
What is it? Chicago's awesome Field Museum of Natural
History in Lake Shore Drive is home to 'Sue', the largest and most
complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found. The dinosaur came to
rest here after being unearthed in South Dakota when the Museum
bought her remains for more than $8-million. Sue is just one of the
drawcards at the museum which offers other marvels like getting a
bug's eye view in an underground adventure; descending into an
Egyptian tomb; watching a glowing lava flow; and getting up close
and personal with the man-eating lions of Tsavo. The museum
specialises in interactive and diorama-type exhibits across its
nine acres of exhibition space.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm; last admission at
4pm
Phone:(312) 922 9410 |
3. Frank Lloyd Wright's Home
951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park
www.wrightplus.org |
What is it? America's most renowned architect lived and
worked in the complex, which served as private residence, studio
and architectural laboratory for the first twenty years of his
career, between 1889 (when he was 22) and 1909. Wright's haven
started out as a simple cottage and was continually added on to by
the architect resulting in unusual features such as a balcony
suspended on chains. The complex is administered by the Frank Lloyd
Wright Preservation Trust which offers guided tours. The
neighbourhood of Oak Park contains the world's largest
concentration of Wright-designed buildings and self-guided exterior
audio tours of the 26 structures in the area are
available.
Hours of Operation: Guided interior tours: weekdays at 11am, 1pm and 3pm,
and during weekends between 11am and 3.30pm; self-guided exterior
audio tours between 10am and 3.30pm daily
Phone:(708) 848 1976 |
Chicago
holidays - Top Events
1. Chicago Blues Festival
From 2007-06-01
To 2007-06-30
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What is it? The Chicago Blues Fest is one of the biggest
outdoor, free blues events in the world and is a must for all blues
lovers. It features over 70 international, national and local
Chicago artists spread over five stages and at night the
festivities continue in blues clubs around the city. For more
information contact the Chicago Office of Special Events on +1 312
744 3315.
Where is it? Grant Park |
2. Art Chicago
From 2007-04-27
To 2007-04-30
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What is it? Art Chicago has been acclaimed as America's
finest exhibition of modern and contemporary art and is world
renowned on the international art scene as an innovative art fair
where the works of over 3000 artists from the top galleries around
the world are exhibited and sold. Dramatically situated on the
Chicago lakefront, the fair attracts thousands of art collectors,
museum curators and visitors.
Where is it? Butler Field |
3. Taste of Chicago
From 2007-06-29
To 2007-07-09
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What is it? The Taste has been an annual summer festival
for 20 years, featuring 10 days of Chicago-style food and
entertainment. Samples from over 70 restaurants are available for
tasting, with fare ranging from pizzas and burgers, to the city's
classic prime rib steaks, and haute cuisine from some of the city's
top restaurants. Various activities and events take place
throughout the festival, including cooking demonstrations by top
chefs, Ferris wheel rides, street performers, and face painting,
and live music is staged around the park. The 4th of July is
celebrated by a fireworks display accompanied by the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra.
Where is it? Grant Park |
4. Chicago Air and Water Show
From 2007-08-12
To 2007-08-24
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What is it? The oldest and biggest exhibition of its kind
in the country, the Air and Water Show displays daredevil
acrobatics both in the air and water. It can be viewed from many
lakeside locations, but the main hub is above and beyond North
Avenue Beach. Both civilian and military demonstrations take place
and electrifying stunts are performed, the highlight being the US
Navy Blue Angels' jet formation. For more information contact the
Mayor's Office Hotline on +1 312 744 3315.
Where is it? North Avenue Beach |
5. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
From 2006-11-18
To 2006-11-18
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What is it? The official start of the holiday season in
Chicago is signalled by the lighting of more than a million white
lights along the Magnificent Mile during a procession of Mickey
Mouse and his Disney friends, concluding with a spectacular
fireworks show over the Chicago River. The whole winter wonderland
weekend is geared for the holiday season with special offers and
family entertainment along the Magnificent
Mile.
Where is it? North Michigan Avenue |
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