Chicago by Marcus Binion

A Travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gude to the City of Chicago

CHICAGO

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most beautiful modern city in the world is Chicago. I always visit the Art Institute, walk on Lake Shore Drive and take the architecture boat ride. The Chicago Tribune building is one of my favorites.â&#x20AC;? - Nicola Bulgari

CONTENTS Introduction........................... 9 History...................................10 Statistics...............................13 Windy City Welcome.........14 The Loop...............................18 Beaches...............................26 Chicago Eats..................... 30 Sports................................... 36 Lakes & Rivers...................42 Metropolis............................48

Introduction “It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago. She outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them.” - Mark Twain, 1883

Chicago was only 46 years old when Mark Twain wrote those words, but it had already grown more than 100-fold, from a small trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River into one of the nation’s largest cities, and it wasn’t about to stop. Over the next 20 years, it would quadruple in population, amazing the rest of the world with its ability to repeatedly reinvent itself. And it still hasn’t stopped. Today, Chicago has become a global city, a thriving center of international trade and commerce, and a place where people of every nationality come to pursue the American dream. The City of Chicago covers an area of 60,000 hectares and sits 176 meters (578 feet) above sea level on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. At 190 km wide and 495 km long, its the 5th largest body of fresh water in the world. The city is traversed by the Chicago and Calumet rivers. Chicago’s extensive parklands, including 3,000 hectares of city parks attract an estimated 86 million visitors annually. As a multicultural city that thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods, Chicago today embodies the values of America’s heartland-integrity, hard work and community and reflects the ideals in the social fabric of its 77 distinct neighborhoods. Chicago is recognized across the United States as a very passionate sports town.

History Chicago’s first permanent resident a trader named Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a free black man from Haiti who came in the late 1770’s. In 1795 US Gov’t built Fort Dearborn, which was attacked in the war of 1812 and burned down by Native American allies of the British rebuilt after the war and demolished in 1857. Incorporated as a city in 1837, Chicago was ideally situated to take advantage of trading possibilities by the nation’s westward expansion. 50% of US Freight passes through as well as being home to the nation’s busiest aviation center with O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Nicknames The White City, The Windy City, The City of Big Shoulders, The Second City, The City that Works Population 2,695,598 residents Events The Great Fire of 1871 Hosts The World’s Fair 1893 Chicago River reversed in 1900 St. Valentines day Massacre Feburary 1929 Sears Tower construction completed1973

“My first day in Chicago, September 4, 1983. I set foot in this city, and just walking down the street, it was like roots, like the motherland. I knew I belonged here.” - Oprah Winfrey 10

Statistics State: County: City:

Illinois (IL) Cook County Chicago

Coordinates: 41:50:13N 87:41:06W Altitude: 177m / 583ft

Time zone:

Central Standard Time (CST) UTC-6

Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, with a population of nearly three million people. Males: 1,308,072 (48.5%) Females: 1,387,526 (51.5%) Median resident age: 32.9 years Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the seat of Cook County. It stretches for 22 mi along the southwest shore of Lake Michigan in the northeast part of the state. Land area: 227 sq mi. (588 sq km); Alt.: Highest, 672 ft.; lowest, 578.5 ft. Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 22.4째 F; July, 75.1째 F

Windy City Welcome

Airports O’ Hare International Airport Is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop. It is the primary airport serving the Chicago area. Prior to 2005, O’Hare was the world’s busiest airport in regards to takeoffs and landings. Prior to 1998, O’Hare was the busiest airport in the world in terms of the number of passengers. It is operated by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation. Most of O’Hare Airport is in Cook County, but a section of the southwest part of the airport is in DuPage County. The Cook County portion is located within a section of the city of Chicago contiguously connected to the rest of the city via a narrow strip of land about 200 feet (61 m) wide, running along Foster Ave. from the Des Plaines River to the airport.[ The airport is named after Edward O’Hare, the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II Midway International Airport Originally named Chicago Air Park, Midway Airport was built on a 320-acre (1.3 km2) plot in 1923 with one cinder runway that primarily served airmail services. In 1926, the city leased the airport for commercial purposes. The airport was designated as Chicago Municipal Airport on December 12, 1927. By 1928 the airfield had twelve hangars and four runways, lit for night operations. In 1969 reconstruction began at the airport adding three new concourses and in 1968 the city invested $10 million in renovation funds. Southwest Airlines is the largest airline serving Midway with 225 daily flights, Midway is also Southwest’s largest city. During the 1950s, before the rise of O’Hare, Midway was the world’s busiest airport and one of the hubs of the U.S. airline system.

Getting Around Shoreline Water Taxi Delight in Chicago’s vibrant history, famous architecture and breathtaking skyline on a variety of cruise and tour products. Shoreline offers classic Skyline Tours on Lake Michigan, guided Architecture Cruises on the Chicago River, dramatic Fireworks Cruises, guided River Ride/ City Walk Architecture Tours and special events such as our popular Brew Cruises and Wine Tasting Cruises. Shoreline Water Taxis make fast, fun connections between Chicago’s major touring destinations including Navy Pier, the Michigan Avenue Bridge, Willis Tower/Union Station and Chicago’s Museum Campus.

“L” Train Today’s ‘L’ system has eight rapid transit routes and consists of 144 stations over approximately 242.2 miles of track. Parts of the ‘L’ run above ground, in subway tunnels and tubes, as well as at grade or in expressway medians. Two routes--the Red and Blue Lines--operate 24 hours, every day. The nickname ‘L’ is short for “elevated,” a reference to the all-elevated beginnings of the system (even though, as just mentioned, parts of the system today are at or below ground). Free transfer between all ‘L’ routes is available at designated locations (see route guides or maps for free transfer locations).

The Loop

The Heart of Dowtown Chicago Chicago’s central business district is nicknamed the ‘Loop’ because of the elevated ‘El’ train tracks that loop around the city center. Amid the skyscrapers and office buildings is the city’s famed Theater District comprising the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, Bank of America Theater and the Chicago Theatre, whose glittering marquee is one of the city’s most recognizable icons. The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago. It is the seat of government for Chicago and Cook County, as well as the historic theater and shopping district (including State Street). As established in social research done by the University of Chicago in the 1920s, the Loop is a defined community area of Chicago. Chicago’s central business district community area is bounded on the west and north by the Chicago River, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by Roosevelt Road, although the commercial core has expanded into adjacent community areas. The community area includes Grant Park and one of the largest art museums in the United States, the Art Institute of Chicago. Other major cultural institutions that call this area home include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Goodman Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet, the central public Harold Washington Library, and the Chicago Cultural Center. In what is now the Loop Community Area, on the southern banks of the Chicago River, near today’s Michigan Avenue Bridge, the U.S. Army erected Fort Dearborn in 1803. It was the first settlement in the area sponsored by the United States.

Grant Park Grant Park is Chicago’s lakefront jewel and the city’s front yard. The 319 acre park features carefully landscaped formal gardens modeled after those at Versailles, and was an integral part of Chicago city planner Daniel Burnham’s vision of an expansive open lakefront that “by right belongs to the people.” Grant Park is home to some of Chicago’s most popular attractions, including Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute of Chicago, and hosts free public programs throughout the year, such as Summerdance at the Spirit of Music Garden, and ice skating at Daley Bicentennial Plaza.

Buckingham Fountain

Cloud Gate

A Chicago landmark in the center of Grant Park. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world. Built in a rococo wedding cake style and inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, it is meant to allegorically represent Lake Michigan. It operates from April to October, with regular water shows and evening colorlight shows. During the winter, the fountain is decorated with festival lights.

Anish Karpoor’s Cloud Gate (better known as “The Bean”) has quickly become one of Chicago’s most recognizable landmarks. At over 110 tons, the stainless steel structure is one of the largest outdoor sculptures in the world. Its polished, reflective surface and skyline background make for a perfect picture opportunity for you and your family.

Millennium Park You might never guess that Millennium Park, recipient of the 2009 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, was once an industrial wasteland transformed into a world-class public park. In fact, from the 1850s until 1997, the land that is now occupied by Millennium Park was controlled by the Illinois Central Railroad. Visionary Chicago leader Daniel Burnham considered the railroad’s control of the area to be so untouchable that he developed the Grant Park portion of his 1909 “Plan for Chicago” around it. Thus, the area, which was covered with unsightly railroad tracks and parking lots, remained blight on Chicago’s lakefront throughout the 20th century. What is now Millennium Park was first conceived in late 1997 with Mayor Richard M. Daley’s vision of turning the area into a new public space for residents of Chicago. The original plan called for a 16-acre park

Art Institute of Chicago The Art Institute of Chicago was founded as both a museum and school for the fine arts in 1879. Its first collections consisting primarily of plaster casts, the Art Institute found its permanent home in 1893, when it moved into a building, constructed jointly with the city of Chicago for the World’s Columbian Exposition, at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street. That building, its entry flanked by the two famous bronze lions, remains the “front door” of the museum even today. The permanent collection has grown from plaster casts to nearly 300,000 works of art in fields ranging from Chinese bronzes to contemporary design and from textiles to installation art. Together, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the museum of the Art Institute of Chicago are now internationally recognized as two of the leading finearts institutions in the United States.

Chicago Theater District Known for its phenomenal theater offerings, Chicago sets the stage with record-breaking Broadway shows and award-winning regional theater. Highly respected for both the diversity and quality of its theater offerings, Chicago is known for producing highly creative works performed by top-caliber talent. The city’s theatrical diversity is evident in the sheer quantity of live productions that abound, from record-breaking Broadway shows and award-winning regional plays to experimental storefront and edgy fringe theater performances. Brightly lit marquees along Dearborn and Randolph Streets mark an area in the Loop famously known as the Theater District. Within the span of four city blocks are such magnificently restored venues as the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, The Chicago Theatre, Bank of America Theatre and Goodman Theatre. Not far from the Loop Theater District is the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, which is housed in a landmark building designed by famed architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.

“The Second City (Chicago) ranks second to none -- Broadway most definitely included -- when it comes to the quality of its theatrical offerings.” - As quoted from the Wall St. Journal

Beaches

Chicago’s Shorline Chicago boasts 26 miles of shoreline, 33 beaches and an over 19mile long bike path. While most cities build industrially all the way up to their respective lakefronts, Chicago’s remains an open playground to the public. We’re proud to boast wildlife sanctuaries, golf courses and, of course, beautiful beaches along our celebrated shores. Montrose Beach

North Avenue Beach

The largest beach in Chicago is a favorite for dog lovers as it contains one of only a pair of Park District-run dog beaches. A fenced off section on the beach’s northern end is open to playful pups who are free to run without a leash once inside the contained area. The location’s beach house was designed by EV Buchsbaum and, unfortunately, lost the east wing to a fire in the 1950s. Although the east wing was never rebuilt, the house has been remodeled recently with a 3,000-square-foot patio deck and a full service restaurant. Chicago’s July 4th fireworks are held in three locations throughout the city.

Widely considered Chicago’s trademark beach, North Avenue is conveniently located just north of Downtown Chicago in the picturesque neighborhood of Lincoln Park. Boasting a seven million dollar beach house and the immensely popular Castaways bar, it’s a favorite amongst locals and visitors. The beach hosts international volleyball tournaments like Volleywood and the AVP Chicago open. It’s also a popular vantage point for the always exciting Chicago Air and Water Show.

Loyola Park In 1909 the North Shore District concentrated its resources on purchasing beachfront real estate and developing a boating basin known as North Shore Park. Less than ten years later the District had acquired nine more acres of lakeshore property, built a small fieldhouse and provided public game rooms. The popularity of the park quickly sky rocketed, bringing droves to the beach in the summer months and filling the ice with skaters in the winter. In the mid-1930s the Chicago Park District took control of the property and held a contest to choose a new name for the area. Neighborhood residents favored the name Loyola Park, an ode to nearby Loyola University. Over the next half century Loyola Park grew to over 20 acres in size. Today, it’s a central hub for a series of street-end beaches in Rogers Park.

63rd Street Beach Located in Jackson Park, 63rd Street Beach is one of Chicago’s oldest and most storied parks. The designers of New York City’s Central Park, Olmsted and Vaux, planned Jackson Park in 1871. By 1888, an area made from granite bricks extended the lakefront, creating a paved beach. In 1899, when Chicago’s innovative Drainage Canal began diverting sewage to other locations, the lakefront became a common sport for public bathing. They were simpler times. By the early 1900s community planners extended the beach’s sand area by ten acres. An elaborate bathing pavilion was constructed in 1919 and is better known today as the historic 63rd Street Beach House, a celebrated landmark of the area.

“Nor is it out of character that Chicago’s grandest achievement- a largely manmade arc of lakefront parks and beaches - began as a mistake, from waste thrown into Lake Michigan - a 75-year-old dump.” -Pat Colander 29

Chicago Eats

Windy City Dishes Usually every major city is known to have its respective culinary specialty, Chicago being no exception. In the windy city where much of our specialty fare is considered fun, yet not the healthiest of food choices. Chicago natives tend to find comfort in food as we endure about four months of cold weather on top of season after season of heart break from our sports teams. Italian Beef Sandwich. This sandwich cries out “I am Chicago” as it is very difficult to find in most other American cities. The slow cooked seasoned beef is served on Italian bread with choice of cheese, peppers, and the occasional spoonful of hot jardinière. Some request the sandwich be served “wet” as the sandwich is dunked in a tasty broth prior to being served. This delectable item can be found at such establishments as Luke’s Italian Beef on the corner of Wells and Jackson. Deep Dish Pizza. What makes pizza Chicago style? Well first of all the pizza has a deeper crust and it is served in a round cast iron cake/skillet pan. The thick rich pizza dough tends to have a buttery rich flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Some notable places to grab some outstanding Chicago style pizza would be at Gino’s East or Giordano’s. Pizza locations throughout the Chicago land area also tend to use a quality Italian sausage on many of their pizzas which also distinguishes themselves from others. Chicago Style Hot Dog. The Chicago hot dog has criteria to live by! The dog has to be all beef, usually Vienna or Best Kosher brand. The hot dog is usually steamed or boiled and placed in bun that is also steamed. The toppings are as follows, pickle relish, diced onions, sliced tomatoes, and pickle spear. The final topping consists of mustard, celery salt and sport peppers. A true Chicago hot dog does not bear the burden of ketchup. Try Portillo’s hot dogs located in numerous parts of the Chicago metropolitan area. Steak. Chicago boasts some really darn good steak and chop houses. Take a brief stroll down north river district and you will find some good quality steak houses as Gibson’s, Morton’s, and Harry Carays. There are so many quality steak houses to choose from. This is often a good idea if you plan on taking in a show or sporting event, plan your day or evening accordingly by including a visit for nice filet or strip steak. Deli Sandwiches. There are some great delicatessens in Chicago such as Manny’s on the west side. The corned beef on rye is out of this world and will be enough to feed you for lunch and then a meal afterwards. The other house specialty here is the accompaniment of potato pancakes which are truly delicious. Another quality deli in chicagoland is Augustino’s rock and roll deli. Not only does the deli provide stellar cold deli sandwiches, but they also serve pretty darn good Italian beef as well.

Places to Eat The Berghoff Herman and his three brothers, Henry, Hubert and Gustav, started brewing Berghoff’s Beer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1887. Herman wanted to expand the market for the family’s beer and to do so he sold beer at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893.[1] The popularity of the beer inspired Herman to open a cafe to showcase Berghoff’s Dortmunder-style beer which it sold for a nickel. Sandwiches were offered for free. The bar remained open even through the prohibition period by selling a near beer (which is now sold as Berghoff’s Root Beer) and Bergo Soda Pop and became a full-service restaurant.[2] After prohibition was repealed in 1933, The Berghoff was issued Liquor License No. 1 The Berghoff restaurant, at 17 West Adams Street, near the center of the Chicago Loop, was opened in 1898. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Gibson’s Steakhouse

Lou Malnati’s is a prototypical Chicago style pizza. A thin crust of pizza dough is laid in a seasoned deep-dish pizza pan and raised up on the sides.[7] The ingredients are placed on a Chicago style deep-dish pizza in the opposite order of a thin crust pizza. The first ingredient is thick slices of mozzarella cheese that are placed directly on the dough. Then additional ingredients like mushrooms, onions and sausage are spread on top of the cheese. The pizza is then topped with a tomato sauce made with whole chunks of tomatoes. A “Lou-Mal” pie uses a “sausage patty,” a single patty of Italian sausage below the layer of tomato chunks or sauce, as opposed to the more traditional crumbled sausage.

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has been the pinnacle of Gold Coast dining for over 2 decades. Housed in the space made famous by Mr. Kelley’s, where Streisand and Sinatra performed, and later occupied by 70’s and 80’s hot spot Sweetwater, Gibsons continues the star studded tradition with a nightly procession of the famous and powerful. You can trace our history pictorially throughout the restaurant where autographed photographs of athletes, politicians, movie stars, rock stars, entertainers of all kinds, and of course the diehard Gibsons “locals” appear. The locals are the heart and soul of Gibsons, some of them enjoying the food, service, and party atmosphere 3 – 4 times a week. They are family, recognized and pampered from everyone in the establishment, beginning with owners Steve Lombardo and Hugo Ralli.

Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli came into being shortly after World War II, when the Raskin brothers split up so that Jack could open his own restaurant on Roosevelt Road near the open-air market area known as Maxwell Street. The restaurant property Jack bought had been originally named Sunny’s. So rather than tear down the old sign and get a whole new one, Jack named it after his teenage son, Emanuel (or Manny, to family and friends), saving money by simply buying two letters and replacing the “Su” in Sunny’s with “Ma.” It was a shoestring operation at first, with Manny serving as the cook (he had learned by watching his uncle). The address changed a few times, and then in 1964 Manny’s moved to its current spot on Jefferson Street. Ken remembers his father saying, “I know what the people around here want, and I’m the only one left who can do it.”

Portillo’s Hot Dogs

Al’s Beef

The first Portillo’s hot dog stand known as “The Dog House” opened in 1963 on North Avenue in Villa Park. Owner and founder Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a 6’ x 12’ trailer without a bathroom or running water. To get the water he needed, he ran 250 feet of garden hose from a nearby building into the trailer. By 1966, “The Dog House” was a success and was ready for a new look. After it was remodeled, it was renamed “Portillo’s” and over the years has grown into a successful multi-state operation.

Al’s Beef is totally dedicated to preserving what this country has come to recognize as a true food icon. When the History Channel produced their 2-hour “History of Food in America” documentary, Al’s Beef was the only Chicago restaurant featured. When Gourmet magazine decided to do a story on the new Italian beef sensation, it was Al’s Beef that was featured in a 4-page spread. And when Travel and Leisure magazine ran their “Top 10 Sandwiches in America”… you guessed it, it was Al’s Beef that was picked. In March of 2008, Esquire Magazine named the Al’s Italian Beef sandwich as one of “the Best Sandwiches in America.” It’s these and so many more awards and recognitions that have kept us focused on the tradition: keeping our eye on the beef. We have a lot to be proud of and a great legacy to grow and preserve.

“The Chicago hot dog is probably the healthiest of the variants because of the abundance of toppings belonging to the fruit and vegetable classification”. -Foodie at the Taste of Chicago 35

Sports

Windy City Sports Chicago is a town of sports fans. The city has a handful of professional leagues that get fans riled up and rooting for the home team! There are also lots of community athletic clubs, so Chicago residents can participate in the fun as well. Whether you’re watching or playing, sports are an integral part of life in Chicago. Many of Chicago’s sports teams have won championships in their respective leagues. But the tables can turn from one year to the next, so you never know when a winning season will happen. Countless sports legends have called Chicago home over the years, including basketball phenom Michael Jordan. During the baseball season the town is split in two. The South Side sides with the White Sox and the North Side cozies up with the Cubs. The Cubs represent the National League and play at Wrigley Field while the White Sox roll with the American League at U.S. Cellular Field. The NFL’s Chicago Bears take to the gridiron at Solider Field and the basketball arena showcases the NBA’s Chicago Bulls at their home, the United Center. For hockey you can watch the NHL Blackhawks, also at the United Center, or the minor-league Chicago Wolves, who play at Allstate Arena. There are also numerous college sports teams in the area, as well as horse racing and auto races in the suburbs.

“A Chicago alderman once confessed he needed physical exercise but didn’t like jogging, because in that sport you couldn’t hit anyone.” -Andrew H. Malcolm 38

Windy City Teams Chicago Bears “Da Bears” are a hometown team with heart that Chicagoans support steadfastly through thick and thin. After an exciting run in the 2006-2007 season where the Bears ended up at the Super Bowl, football enthusiasts have had a taste of the glory and are pining for more. Once September rolls around, you can count on fans to religiously crowd into their respective game-watching spots every Sunday-be it a friend’s living room, a sports bar or a seat in Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears are more than a professional sports team to this town. around here they’re an institution that unites people from all walks of life for the love of the game. No matter what the weather is like outside-and unfortunately during football season the temps tend to fall below freezing on many occasions-you’ll see groups of Chicago Bears fans tailgating. Chicago Bulls No other Chicago sports team has had quite the worldwide recognition and farreaching fan base that the Chicago Bulls has garnered in the course of their long history of basketball greats and NBA titles. Michael Jordan, probably the best-known contemporary of the sport, played for the Bulls a total of 14 years and helped them take home six championships. It was common for Jordan to lead the team in points scored and the six-foot, six-inch shooting guard became famous for his signature flying slam-dunk which later became the logo for the athlete’s line of Air Jordan basketball shoes. Jordan wasn’t the only shining star that caught the attention of fans, though, Scottie Pippen was also a legendary player who spent 12 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and got used to having his name in lights with an MVP and many All-Star awards by the time his #33 jersey was retired. The days of Jordan and Pippen are over-a golden era followed by some rocky years.

Chicago Blackhawks During the winter months NHL fans turn their attention to the ice to root for the city’s pro hockey team-the Chicago Blackhawks. Perhaps the underdogs of Chicago sports, the Blackhawks have faced some disappointing seasons in recent years with losing records and not even a shot at making it to the playoffs. New changes to the lineup and the coaching staff may give this team the boost it needs to shake the slump. Chicago Cubs & White Sox It’s nearly impossible to mention the Chicago Cubs without an image of Wrigley Field coming to mind. As much a Chicago landmark as the Wrigley Building in downtown, the Cubs’ iconic ballpark has resisted the age of modernity and high-tech jumbotron scoreboards to maintain a traditional charm and ageless appeal that has drawn Cubs fans to the north side for almost a century. With their stadium positioned in the aptly named neighborhood of Wrigleyville. Sox fans live in the southern stretches of the city. This divide makes for a heated rivalry between Chicagoans when it comes to their preferred ball club-a rivalry that culminates every year at the Crosstown Classic where the Chicago White Sox play the Chicago Cubs. the White Sox play at U.S. Cellular Field, situated in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Chicago’s south side.

Lakes & Rivers

Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake by surface area and the sixth largest freshwater lake in the world. Because Lake Michigan is joined to Lake Huron at the Straits of Mackinac, they are considered one lake hydrologically. Many rivers and streams flow into Lake Michigan, and the major tributaries are the Fox-Wolf, the Grand and the Kalamazoo. There is a diversion from the lake into the Mississippi River basin through the Illinois Waterway at the Chicago River. Lake Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cul-de-sac formation means that water entering the lake circulates slowly and remains for a long time (retention) before it leaves the basin through the Straits of Mackinac. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. The other four Great Lakes are shared by the US and Canada. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area The Chicago city waterfront is composed of parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments. Where there are no beaches or marinas, then stone or concrete revetments protect the shoreline from erosion. The Chicago lakefront is quite walkable as one can stroll past parks, beaches, and marinas for about 24 miles from the city southern limits with Lake Michigan to its northern city limits point.

Chicago River Flowing through downtown Chicago, the river that bears the name of the city has an interesting history. Once a corridor of commercial activity, the river has been transformed into a recreational area with sightseeing boats and kayaks. Along the banks are pedestrian friendly promenades lined with café’s and eateries. The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that runs through the eponymous city, including its center (the Chicago Loop). Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley waterways. In the 19th century through civil engineering, the flow of the river was reversed to head toward the Mississippi River basin, away from Lake Michigan, into which it previously emptied. This was done for reasons of sanitation. The river is also noted for the local custom of dyeing it green on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day. As part of a more than fifty-year-old Chicago tradition, the Chicago River is dyed green in observance of St. Patrick’s Day. The actual event does not necessarily occur on St. Patrick’s Day and is scheduled for the Saturday of the closest weekend. The dye takes days to dissipate. The tradition of dyeing the river green arose by accident when some plumbers used fluorescein dye to trace sources of illegal pollution discharges.

Navy Pier

Historic Navy Pier® is Chicago’s lakefront playground. And it’s the Midwest’s #1 tourist and leisure destination, attracting more than 8.6 million visitors a year. Navy Pier is the place where all of Chicagoland and tourists from around the world have come together since 1995 to enjoy the beauty and the thrills of a day on Lake Michigan. From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats, Navy Pier has it all - in a location unlike any other! There’s so much to do in our 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions. Take a ride on our 15-story tall Ferris wheel. Catch a movie at the IMAX® Theatre. Visit three floors of hands-on fun at the Chicago Children’s Museum inside the Family Pavilion. Experience any one of the cruise boat rides departing from Navy Pier’s South Dock. Or just kick back and enjoy the incredible feats of talented chinese acrobats in Cirque Shanghai at the Pepsi Skyline Stage or groove to the sounds of live music at the Bud Light Stage at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. Navy Pier also offers dining opportunities as diverse as Chicago itself. Dine at one of the fine restaurants or sample a variety of tastes.

Chicago River Highlights

Centennial Fountain The Centennial Fountain, located at a plaza on the River Esplanade, was built in 1989 to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Chicago River. The fountain, which is officially known as the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain, consists of a waterfall and a semicircular cascade. During summer months, at the hour for ten minutes, the fountain shoots a large water arc into the river. Riverwalk In 1999 Chicago’s mayor Richard M. Daley initiated a project to turn Chicago’s riverfront - at that time mostly inaccessible to the public - into a public walkway known as the Riverwalk. The first completed section, on the south bank of the river between State Street and Lake Michigan opened in 2009. Several café’s line the popular walkway and you can find attractions such as boat cruises and water taxis along the way. First opened to traffic in 1920, the beautiful Michigan Avenue Bridge connects Chicago’s north and south and accommodates thousands of cars and foot passengers each day.

Metropolis

Chicago Architecture

John Hancock Observeratory

Chicago’s skyline is one of the world’s tallest and easily ranks among its most magnificent. It boasts three of America’s five tallest buildings and, if you include its antenna, the massive Sears Tower remains the second tallest skyscraper in the world. In the late 19th century, Chicago’s downtown was an ideal location for architects of ambition; the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 had literally gutted the downtown area, creating a relentless drive to re-build and ample space in which to do it. The architecture of Chicago has influenced and reflected the history of American architecture. The city of Chicago, Illinois features prominent buildings in a variety of styles by many important architects.

John Hancock Observatory At 1,000ft above the Magnificent Mile, John Hancock Observatory delivers the full sensory experience! Be amazed by the stunning views spanning 4 states after riding in North America’s fastest elevator. Stimulate the mind with our FREE multimedia Sky Tour, as Lookingglass co-founder David Schwimmer takes you through Chicago’s history and hotspots. Tour comes in both kids and adult versions. Adult version available in English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese, & Spanish. Feel why Chicago’s called the Windy City on our open-air Skywalk. Check out the USA’s first interactive telescopes with live, day and night views. Let our complimentary concierge plan out the rest of your visit while you sit down to relax in our Lavazza Espression Cafe.

The Rookery

Willis Tower

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s financial district, The Rookery was built to be a prestigious business environment. The building enjoys an unrivaled history in Chicago and has proven, throughout generations, to be a place of bold progress and great success.

Willis Tower (formerly named and still commonly referred to as Sears Tower) is a 108-story, 1,451-foot skyscraper in downtown Chicago area known as the loop. At the time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the seventh-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The skyscraper is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago, and over one million people visit its observation deck each year. The Skydeck, opened on June 22, 1974. Located on the 103rd floor of the tower, it is 1,353 feet above Tourists can experience how the building sways on a windy day. They can see far over the plains of Illinois and across Lake Michigan to Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin on a clear day. Elevators take tourists to the top in about 60 seconds.

With The Rookery, architects Daniel Burnham and John Root created an architectural masterpiece that is one of the greatest surviving examples of the early commercial skyscrapers. Its stately façade is unmatched in architectural detailing and is complemented by a rich and inviting environment within the building, highlighted by incredible architectural features including the mesmerizing oriel staircase and stunning light court. Set in the heart of Chicago’s financial district, at 209 South LaSalle Street, Daniel Burnham and John Root’s Rookery Building is a Chicago landmark.

Unity Temple

Monadnock

At the turn of the 20th century, Oak Park was a community of about 12,500 residents situated along the streetcar lines west of Chicago. The up-and-coming community had recently won political independence from its neighbors and was open to innovative, daring architecture. Wright had established his home and studio in Oak Park (just a few blocks from Unity Temple) and many of his early works were created here. He had lived in Oak Park for over 15 years by the time he designed Unity Temple. After Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unitarian Universalist church burned down following a lightning strike in 1905, the congregation asked Wright to design a replacement. The project was not without its challenges: Wright had a small budget of just $40,000 and a noisy corner lot. But the gifted architect rose to the occasion, and the unique new church was dedicated in 1909.

The Monadnock Building is a skyscraper located at 53 West Jackson Boulevard in the south Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. The north half of the building was designed by the firm of Burnham & Root and built in 1891. The tallest commercial iron frame building with a load-bearing masonry exterior wall ever constructed, it employed the first portal system of wind bracing in America. Its decorative staircases represent the first structural use of aluminum in building construction. The south half, constructed in 1893, was designed by Holabird & Roche and is similar in color and profile to the original, but the design is more traditionally ornate. When completed, it was the largest office building in the world. The success of the building was the catalyst for an important new business center at the southern end of the Loop.

Robie House

Tribune Tower

The Robie House on the University of Chicago campus is considered one of the most important buildings in American architecture. It was created by Frank Lloyd Wright for his client Frederick C. Robie, a forward-thinking businessman. Designed in Wright’s Oak Park studio in 1908 and completed in 1910, the building is both a masterpiece of the Prairie style and renowned as a forerunner of modernism in architecture. Tours of the site offer both a first-hand experience of its amazingly contemporary spaces and the current restoration work that is returning the house to its original appearance.

The Tribune Tower is a neo-Gothic building located at 435 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the home of the Chicago Tribune and Tribune Company. WGN Radio (720 kHz) broadcasts from the building, with ground-level studios overlooking nearby Pioneer Court and Michigan Avenue. CNN’s Chicago bureau is located in the building. It is listed as a Chicago Landmark and is a contributing property to the Michigan–Wacker Historic District.

“It is the most perfect presentation of nineteenth-century individualistic industrialism I have ever seen. Chicago is one hoarse cry for discipline.” -H. G. Wells 53

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago. She outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them.â&#x20AC;? - Mark Twain, 1883

CHICAGO A Travelers Guide To The City of Chicago Designed and Compiled By: Marcus Binion