Chicago Things to Do Tips by deecat

Hancock Building

Michigan Avenue is truly "The Magnificent Mile" in Chicago. It stretches from the Wrigley Building and goes north to Oak Street.

Tourists as well as residents flock here because of the exclusive boutiques, the best retail stores, terrific restaurants, nightlife, art galleries, magnificent architecture, Salons, cafes, and glorious gardens.

As a "vertical city", you'll find yourself constantly looking up at such buildings as Hancock building, Tribune Building, Wrigley Building, Old Water Tower and Pumping Station, and the London Guarantee Building. Also, since the Trump Tower is being constructed, we'll all soon be looking way up at this very tall building on the river.

Michigan Avenue has four large shopping centers, and each has between four and ten levels of shops, restaurants, and atriums.

Photographs:

1. Hancock Building where you can go to the observatory and see the entire city.

2. Water Tower Shopping Center.

3. One of my favorites: The Wrigley Building.

4. The lovely and historic Water Tower.

5. The under construction Trump Tower.

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Directions: From Wrigley Building by the Chicago River north to Oak Street.

Things To Do: A Beautiful City Beach: Oak Street Beach

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Written by deecat

on Aug 12, 2007

Dee at Oak Street Beach

Photographs:

1. Dee standing on the sandy beach called Oak Street Beach.
2. Allan just finished testing the temperature of the water, which was quite pleasant.
3. Morning scene of Oak Street Beach.
4. Underpass that leads to Oak Street Beach.
5. Kids on the concrete portion of the beach [they had been jumping into the lake].
You can see the ferris wheel at Navy Pier in the distance

While in the city, we walked from our hotel down Michigan Avenue until we found the underground passageway to the Oak Street Beach. It makes it so easy to get to the beach in a short amount of time without any hassles.

This is a wide, long beach that has stretches of concrete which serve as breakwaters on the north and the south ends. Lake Shore Drive is west of the beach. Volleyball courts exist beside sunbathers, sand-castle builders, tourists, and businessmen on lunch breaks.

Note: Public restrooms are locasted in the underpass beneath the lakefront path [6am to 11 pm}.
See photograph #4, the underpass.

There is no parking for this beach, but the people in the surrounding buildings, tourists from the hotels, and workers on break use it regularly.

Note: the nearest subway is: Chicago at 800 N. State Street, about 1/2 mile.

Lifeguards are on duty from 9am until 9pm from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

There is a restaurant called The Oak Street Beachstro which serves steak, seafood, salads, pastas, and sandwiches.

We saw skaters and bikers on the walking path as well as mothers pushing their children in strollers. It appears to be a popular and "trendy" place.

The beach is also quite pleasant in the evening for strolls along the beach...quite romantic.

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Address: 1000 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611

Things To Do: Gardens of the Magnificent Mile

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Written by deecat

on Aug 12, 2007

"American Beauty"

It was such a delight to walk down Michigan Avenue and see the wonderful gardens along the sidewalks. But even more delightful was being able to stop and observe the public art installations of torso dressing forms that were designed by fashion design students from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago and the Academy of Design and Technology as well as established designers from district retailers.

This is such a "cool" idea to mix the beautiful gardens along Michigan Avenue with fashion design [which represents the incredible retail stores along this same street.

Sponsors of this event include Nokia, 101.9fm "The Mix" radio station, and Moore Landscapes, Inc.. All the signs that accompany the art installations say"Nokia presents "Gardens of the Magnificent Mile" June 27-October 15.

Photographs:

1. "American Beauty" where the skirt is made of artificials roses.

2. "Charming" by Maria Hyman, Tiffany and Company.

3. "Cultivating Knowledge" by Stanley Smith from Oak Street Designs, Loyola University-Chicago.
Of course, the books that make up the skirt represent knowledge. Note the play on the word "Cultivating" which one associates with gardening.

4. I cannot remember the name of these two, but it has something to do with mother and child.
I thought it was quite clever.

5. This photo illustrates how elaborate some of the gardens are between the sidewalk and the street all along Michigan Avenue

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Directions: From the Chicago River to Oak Street along Michigan Avenue

Architecture & Art (outdoor): Take the Architecture River Cruise

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Updated by deecat

on Aug 12, 2007

Raising of Bridge on Chicago River

by deecat , 2 more photos

Photos
1. Taken from Chicago's First Lady Boat while on architectural tour of Chicago River. Bridge was lifting to let the tall sail boats pass.

2. Taken from above the Chicago River showing all the different boat tours.

3. A typical Tour Boat

One of the finest activities that you can experience while visiting Chicagod during the late spring, summer, or fall (end of April through late November), is to take a Chicago Architecture Foundation River Tour.

This tour is done on the First Lady boat that seats about 120 people. Be sure (if you wish to take photographs) to be on the upper or lower decks rather than inside on the lower level.

A docent who is trained will be your host. You will see more than 50 historic and architecturally significant sites on this wonderful tour. It starts at the boat dock at the South East corner of Michigan and Wacker Drive. Go down the stairs and look for the Chicago's First Lady.

Do not wait to purchase tickets on the day you are touring because your chances of getting a ticket are slim. You may buy tickets at Ticketmaster (312-902-1500 or online), the Chicago ArchiCenter at 224 Michigan, Chicago Water Works Visitor Center at Pearson St. and Michigan Ave.

This tour takes about one and a half hours, the best one and a half hours you'll ever spend.

I was lucky enough to take the tour during the Great Chicago Places & Spaces Great Excursions Tours on Saturday, May 21, 2005. At that time, I only had to pay a $3.00 service charge via the Net. Usually, the tour costs $23.00 on week days and $25.00 for Friday-Sunday and holidays.

You are able to see the grand Chicago architecture along the Chicago River; you see these buildings from a whole new angle. Give it a try.

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Directions: Boat dock at south east corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.

Things To Do: Montrose and Wilson Beach

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 28, 2007

Montrose/Wilson Beach

One of the most wonderful things about Chicago is Lake Michigan & the beaches that line it.. One of the biggest of these beaches is the North Side Montrose & Wilson Avenue beaches. They simply run together. On Sunday, June24, 2007, Allan & I visited the Montrose Harbor & the Montrose/Wilson Avenue Beaches

Wilson Avenue Beachis one of the few spots where you are able to launch non-motorized watercraft such as a kayaks into the lake. There is a beach house with a concession stand, bathrooms, & a cafe. The park next to the beach has a nature area & soccer fields.
It was once a private beach & is officially located at the 4600 North block. It is free, and there is street parking as well as lots.

The red line stops at Wilson or Lawrence. for Montrose Avenue beach only on weekends and holidays [the regular terminal is Montrose and Marine Drive]. But Montrose Avenue beach is within walking distance of the #81 Lawrence that terminates at Wilson and Marine.

The Montrose Beach/Wilson Avenue Beaches have a play lot for children, a six-lane boat launch for fast entry into the lake. Fishing is also popular at Montrose Beach [The pier & Park Bait Co. Bait Show are within walking distance.] There's a soccer field, a skate park, the Corinthian Yacht Club [601 W. Montrose] for sailing & racing. There is also a 15-acre Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary [Magic Hedge], a popular bird-watching location.

You can play beach volleyball, there are tennis courts & baseball diamonds in the adjoining park.

Probably the most popular area is the dog area that is fenced in from the bank to the waterline, but the rear of the beach isn't completely surrounded by the tall fence. You need a permit from the city to let your dog off-leash.

Of course, this is just 1 or 2& of many beaches along Lake Michigan in Chicago, but this one is not very crowded and is family friendly, kid friendly, & dog friendly in spots.

Open: 9:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily

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Directions: 4400-4800 north

Wrigley Field/Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field: Intimate, Beautiful, Zany

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Updated by deecat

on Apr 14, 2007

Famed Wrigley Field Sign

Photographs:

1. Famous Wrigley Field Sign in Front of Stadium
2. Kristi [Dabs} in Section 33, Row 5, Seat 5 at Wrigley Field
3. View from my seat of the Original Scoreboard that is still used today [score is kept by hand rather than electronically]
4. Statue of Harry Caray, announcer for Cubs for years
5. Famous quote from Harry Caray.

I love Wrigley Field; it's historic, rowdy, & home to my husband's beloved CUBS.
Today, it's called the "Friendly Confines" & the 2nd-oldest ballpark in the majors. Next year will be the 95th season for Wrigley Field.

These new photographs were taken on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 when Kristi [Dabs} and I went to the game against Houston and had great tickets in the box seats [5th row from the field] on the first base side!

Originally known as Weeghman Park, it was built on the grounds once occupied by a seminary. When called Weeghman Park, it was home of Chicago's entry in the Federal League & owned by Charles H. Weeghman. 1916 was the first year a National League game was played at the park, & the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. Believe it or not, a bear cub was in attendance at the game.

The park became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased it. In 1926 it was named Wrigley Field in honor of the club's owner, William Wrigley, Jr.

Interesting facts:
1. No batted ball has ever hit the center field scoreboard.
2. A tradition of flying a flag bearing either a "W" for a win or a"L" for a loss atop the scoreboard after a game.
3. Original vines were purchased & planted by Bill Veeck in September, 1937.
4. Ernie Banks' # 14 and Billy Williams' # 26 flies from the rightfield foul pole. This year Ron Santos' # 10 was added.
5. Wrigley Field didn't have lights until 1988.
6. Ernie Banks' 500th career home run on May 12, 1970 was here.

Too bad I could not add to that list that in 2003 the Cubs won the World Series!!!!!%c*

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Phone: 773-404-CUBS
Address: 1060 West Addison

Things To Do: Impressive James R. Thompson Center

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Written by deecat

on Feb 10, 2007

View from Lobby Atrium of James R.

Thompson Center

by deecat , 2 more photos

Be sure to see hidden photos

The James R. Thompson Center [formerly known as the State of Illinois Center] is conveniently located in Chicago's downtown loop [west Randolph Street] and can be accessed by either elevated train or subway without stepping outside! Under the building is the Clark/Lake Stations, and if you are walking you can pick up the center's concourse-level entrance of the Pedway which has connection to other major destinations in the Loop.

The building was dedicated in May of 1985 as the State of Illinois Center as a multipurpose government building which combines offices, state agencies, commercial shops, restaurants, and a State of Illinois Gallery called Illinois Artisans Shop. This shop has a large collection of contemporary Illinois artworks. In May of 1993 the building officially became known as the James R. Thompson Center [named after former Governor James R. Thompson]

It is known for its inside and outside views. Outside, the huge glass facade often "stops people in their tracks" as they wonder what this unique modern building must be. Inside, people are in awe of the ground floor Atrium lobby with its angled skylight. Also, the sixteen-story exposed elevator banks with lighted glass cubicles present a dramatic view from the bottom of the building or from the elevator itself.

Its location is grand [corner of Clark and Randolph] which puts it near great hotels, the financial district, as well as the Merchandise Mart. Because of its convenient location and its attractive architecture, its assembly Hall is often used for weddings, performances, and conferences.

This combination of steel, pink & grey granite, concrete, and glass facade is, indeed, unique and a place to visit while in Chicago.

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Address: 100 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Il. 60601-3220

Things To Do: Chicago City Hall and the County Building

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Written by deecat

on Feb 10, 2007

Chicago City Hall

by deecat , 3 more photos

I was even surprised that I had not ever been inside of Chicago's City Hall or the County Building!

Chicago City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Chicago. It is located adjacent to the Richard J. Daley Center & the James R. Thompson Center. Its main entrance is on LaSalle Street. Here, you will find four relief panels which consist of city playgrounds, the park system, public schools, & the water supply system.

This, of course, was not the first city hall, but it was dedicated in 1911. It is an 11-story structure in the classical revival style. It takes up the west half of an eleven-story structure which, by the way, takes up an entire city block!

The other part of the building is called The County Building and is occupied by the County Office. It concerns various offices of Cook County.

Chicago City Hall has within it: the mayor's office, the city clerk and the city treasurer of Chicago. Also it contains offices of aldermen/women of Chicago's wards, chambers of the Chicago City Council, and other city departments.

Interestingly, Chicago City Hall has a Green Roof which was completed in 2001. It is a rooftop garden that was designed to test different types of green roof systems for their cooling and heating benefits. This area is not usually accessible to the public, but from at least 30 other taller buildings, one can see it.

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Directions: Situated on a city block bounded by Randolph, LaSalle, Washington, and Clark Streets.

Things To Do: Visit the Pittsfield Building

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Written by deecat

on Feb 10, 2007

Welcoming Sign for Pittsfield

Building

by deecat , 2 more photos

For an architectual delight, be sure to visit the landmark building called The Pittsfield Building with its five-story atrium. The lobby leads to this public atruim iwth its beautiful marble, brilliant brass, and Spanish carvings.

The Pittsfield Building was developed by the Marshall Field estated and was named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Pittsfield is where the original Marshall Field worked in his first job. Field sold this building in 1960. This beautiful slender building has 38 stories and three setbacks. It's a great representative of the 1920's era skyscraper, made popular in Chicago.

This art deco and Gothic Revival building is located in what is called Jeweler's Row Landmark District. Speaking of landmark, The Pittsfield Building was giving "landmark status" in 2002.
The building is comprised of doctor and dentist offices, residences, and jewelry shops.

There is a popular deli and cafe on the first floor. From all that I have read, the food is quite delicious.

So, if you find yourself in Chicago in the Jeweler's Row Landmark District, by all means, stop in to admire the Pittsfield Building, a little part of Chicago history.

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Address: 55 East Washington
Directions: East Washington and North Wabash

Chicago Cultural Center: The Old Chicago Public Library [Cultural Center]

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Updated by deecat

on Feb 3, 2007

Chicago Cultural Center