DESTINATIONS

Chicago: A May/September Romance

Chicago rises like a stone-and-steel jewel sparkling at the edge of one of North America’s largest freshwater lakes. It is one of our most historic cities, and makes for a truly great Spring or Summer getaway, rich with fine and varied cuisine, sightseeing attractions, theatre, comedy, museums, art, stylish hotels, and a full spectrum of retailers.

May and September are the ideal months to explore Chicago, with warm days, cool nights, and a minimum chance of rainfall. The 18.7+ square miles of parklands, lakes, marinas and beaches throughout the city invite exploration on foot, by bicycle, in a boat, on a beach towel, or via the El (the city’s above-ground metro line).

The heart of the city’s historical business center is focused in the downtown Magnificent Mile, River North, and Loop areas, whose towers lance skyward in a bustle of architectural styles, from neo-Gothic, -Renaissance, Modernist, Art-Deco (and sometimes a combination of all of the preceding), through to present-day, Post Modern styles.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, the Chicago Water Tower (which is one of the few Great Fire survivors still extant), and the John Hancock Building are located on the Magnificent Mile. The wind-swept 94th floor John Hancock Observatory offers Chicago’s most impressive panoramic view of the city.

The Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower (think flying buttresses, a whimsical steel-and-chrome Moose, and the self-described Voice of the Midwest), and the Michigan Avenue Bridge are in the River North district. River North houses Chicago’s Art District, whose concentration of art galleries is considered second only to that of Manhattan.

The Loop is home to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Harold Washington Library (one of the largest libraries in the world), the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Millennium Park, which is the site of Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion. The Monadnock Building, and The Rookery are historic landmarks created by the architectural firm Burnham and Root. The Rookery is the oldest standing high-rise in Chicago and one of the world’s first true skyscrapers.

Its own particular mixture of ethnic and cultural elements uniquely inspires the atmosphere of each Chicago district. Depending upon your interests, you may prefer some more than others. Since Chicago encompasses over 75 neighborhoods, I’ll have to highlight a select few—there are many more from which to choose. The North Side has all kinds of fun, excellent food, café society, original theater and comedy, and nightlife in the Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and Boystown districts.

The Lincoln Park district is one of the city’s most beautiful; within its boundaries lie the eponymously named Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo; Biograph Theater (site of John Dillinger’s final encounter, in 1934, with the FBI); Chicago History Museum, which offers walking tours of Lincoln Park and Old Town; and Steppenwolf Theatre Co., finishing it’s 33rd season this June, which presents dynamic ensemble interpretations of both classic and original works. Old Town, to the south of Lincoln Park, is the site of The Second City, producer of leading American comics for over 50 years now, including greats such as Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert. Rogers Park is situated on the Far North Side (north of Lincoln Park), and is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Emil Bach House. The neighborhood is also home to a vibrant Indian community on Devon Avenue, which is known throughout the city as the place to go for authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

Chicago’s Lower West Side contains West Pilsen, a Mexican neighborhood with a strong cultural presence and savory eating establishments offering good, inexpensive meals. Located on the South Side, Chinatown is the third largest in the U.S., and here’s where you’ll find authentic and delicious Chinese food, ambiance, and history. Head further south to Archer Heights for authentic South Side Polish and Lithuanian restaurants and atmosphere.
—Jon Brulloths
What to Do, Where to Go: Visit www.choosechicago.com