August 6th, 2010
Lollapalooza starts in Grant Park, Chicago today and runs through Sunday, and alternative rock fans around the world are breathing a sigh of relief.
When Jane’s Addiction launched Lollapalooza as their farewell tour in 1991, there was no way of knowing the lasting success the tour would have. After its inception, the festival grew to encapsulate the alternative rock scene of the 1990s, including subgenres like grunge. The cancellation of the show in 1998 was seen as a major indicator that alt rock was past its prime. In 2003, a new iteration of the show toured before being cancelled again the next year. Then, in 2005, Chicago provided the birthing place for the new era of the festival. No longer a touring show, the festival is now scheduled to be held at Grant Park until 2018. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 14th, 2010
When most people hear ‘Chicago’, they think ‘The Windy City’. When sports fans hear Chicago, they think of the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, one of the Cubs most notable features is that they haven’t won a Championship game in 102 years—longer than any other major North American professional sports team. Wrigley Field, the ballpark the Chicago Cubs call home, is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors (behind Boston’s Fenway Park). The history of Wrigley field also manages to expand beyond Chicago in the form of song—the famous ballpark tune “Take me out to the Ballgame” was made famous by broadcaster Harry Caray during a the seventh inning of a Cubs game in the 1990s. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 14th, 2010
Like any big city, the streets of Chicago are overflowing with places to eat. Unlike the other big cities, the restaurants of the Windy City are blessed with culinary genius. You don’t have to go to a five star restaurant to get great food in Chicago. In fact, their two biggest delicacies are hot dogs and pizza. Chicago Style pizza is a must while visiting the city. For the best authentic Chicago pizza, try Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria or Gino’s East of Chicago.
Once you’ve tried the all-American classics, it’s safe to move on to some of the diverse dining options Chicago has to offer. Restaurants in Chicago’s 77 diverse neighborhoods range from African, Asian, Caribbean, Chinese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Moroccan, Thai, Vietnamese, and everything in between. The best Italian can be found in the Little Italy neighborhood, the west side is famous for its Greektown restaurants and cuisine, and Devon Avenue in the northwest is the place for Indian and Pakistani food. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 14th, 2010
This fun filled boardwalk is not only the number one tourist attraction in Chicago; it’s one of the top attractions in the entire Midwest. Complete with a 150-ft Ferris wheel, boat and segway tours, and hundreds of shopping and dining options, the Lake Michigan Navy Pier is a great destination night or day for both visitors and locals.
In terms of things to do at the pier, your possibilities are endless. At Pier Park, you can choose between the Ferris wheel, an 18-hole mini golf course, a musical carousel, an old fashioned wave swinger, remote control boat driving, or a 13 foot light tower ride. There’s also a children’s museum your kids will love and a 4000 square foot Funhouse maze with distorting mirrors and dizzying spin tunnels. For a panoramic view of the bustling streets of Chicago and the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, take a ride 35 stories into the air in the Navy Pier AeroBalloon. The only view that might rival the AeroBalloon’s is the collection of gorgeous stained glass windows in the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 14th, 2010
If you’re in the Windy City during the sultry months of summer, your calendar is in luck. Chicago’s diverse city offers a dazzling array of events and performances that can be enjoyed by the whole family. If you’re going to be in Chicago August 24-29, you’ll definitely want to visit the Navy Pier for Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago 2010. During this unique festival, more than 20 historic Tall Ships sail into the Navy Pier. The Tall Ships, which consist of pirate reminiscent schooners, brigantines, brigs, and barques, sail in from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. A festival honoring the ships offers nightly fireworks, daily music and entertainment, as well as tours and rides on the historic ships.
If music is your scene, head over to the popular Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago on July 10th and 11th for the Rock Around the Block music festival. The festival features thirty of Chicago’s most talented bands performing on three stages throughout the day. Of course, delicious culinary stands and artisan vendors will be set up along the streets for your enjoyment. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 14th, 2010
Millennium Park features world famous talented architects, artists, and designers over its 24.5 acre expanse. One of the biggest attractions is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by Frank Gehry—winner of the National Medal of Art. The Pavilion is the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the US. Seating 4,000 in the trellis and 7,000 on the Great Lawn, the Pavilion is the perfect home for the Grant Park Music Festival as well as other big concerts and events. Plus, the state-of-the-art sound system delivers sound quality rivaling the sound of indoor concert venues. Another famous feature of Millennium Park is Jaume Plensa’s interactive Crown Fountain. Inspired by the people of Chicago, the fountain consists of two 50 foot glass block towers on the ends of a shallow reflecting pool. The towers project images of the faces of 1,000 Chicago residents and is designed so it looks like water is spouting from their mouths. Kids love to play in the artistic water flow during the summer months (the water is on from mid spring to mid fall but the images stay on year round). Read the rest of this entry »
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