Chicago Things to Do Tips by willy_wonka

chicago's buildings

for modern architecture on a grand scale, chicago is your city! some really cool buildings wonderfully designed, nice open spaces and parklands... chicago is just an amazing city that will have you staring upwards alot of the time!

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Millennium Park: a wonderful park

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

north west corner of mil. park

some of the most beautifully landscaped parks in the world can be found in chicago. i was very impressed with millenium park. it is just stunning, with beautiful wide walkways, interesting sculptures and 'street art' and great places to sit and chill out. very popular during the lunch break for many of the nearby office workers. i spent many a time in millenium park catching my breath, sitting in the shade, trying to relax after all the walking i was doing.

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Address: Randolph St & Michigan Ave
Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Things To Do: crazier architecture...

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

park

in millenium park you will come across some even more 'ambitious' art and architecture. like the gehry hall, with its twisting metallic shapes. this building was amazing, i stopped and stared from different angles for what felt like eternity!

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Grant Park / Buckingham Fountain: buckingham fountain

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

fountain

one of the icons of chicago is the buckingham fountain, located near the shores of lake michigan in grant park.

day or night, this fountain is beautiful and amazing. i especially liked it at night when all was quiet, and the spray would light up with different colors.

of course, buckingham fountain has my own personal memories which will always make this place special to me! ;-)

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Phone: 312-742-7529
Address: 500 S Lake Shore Dr
Directions: east of the Loop
Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/

Lake Michigan & Lincoln Park: the lake

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

lake michigan

what a magnificent perfect day i had when strolling around chicago! i came to the lake's shore, that is lake michigan by the way, and sat and enjoyed some quiet time. seeing the beautiful boats drive past, people watching, relaxing and soaking it all in, trying to make sense of what is happening to me on this epic adventure.

by night the lake in summer was magic, with shimmering lights of the buildings reflecting on the water. there were fireworks at navy pier, and i got to kick back and watch the spectacular show.

it was special, until the police on bikes whizzed by and told us to hand in our beers because we weren't allowed to drink in public! lol. just my luck!

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Architecture & Art (outdoor): the coolest fountain ever!

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

it squirts out water!

this would have to be one of the best fountains i've ever seen in my life! i sat for ages just watching the children play, get wet and shriek with laughter.

the fountain is made of glass, and displays images of people from chicago. the children are splashing in the puddles when all of a sudden, from the "mouth" of the person, a jet of water sprays out, soaking anyone nearby. it sure surprised a few of the kids! after that, from the top of the structure, huge amounts of water rain down on anyone nearby, then it stops, silent again, for another 5 minutes or so.

so of course, the children think the fountain has stopped, and go nearby again, when all of a sudden, the process is repeated and they get drenched again!

i, along with many of the mothers, were having a chat and laughing at the children. it was pleasant talking to the local mothers, telling me about life in chicago, with the kids!

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Directions: south west corner of millenium park

Art Institute of Chicago: art art art!

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

the art institute building

the art institute of chicago has a superb collection of all the big name artists. i just so happened to pop in on a tuesday, which turns out to be FREE.

yes, entry is usually $12 i think, but on tuesdays if you go in it is free. definitely worth keeping that in mind when visiting chicago. i had no idea, but when i arrived and saw it, i was happy, being the scungy cheap traveller that i am!

but anyway, the collection was amazing, the building is just gorgeous, and being a huge fan of art galleries, i was having a grand old time!

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Phone: 312-443-3600
Address: 111 S Michigan Avenue
Directions: East Loop, on Grant Park
Website: http://www.artic.edu

Sears Tower: mighty sears...

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

the view from sears tower

the sears tower is another iconic symbol of chicago. this huge structure is one of the tallest buildings in the world, and for a reasonable price, you can get to the top and explore chicago from above.

having been in other tall buildings, like the empire state in new york, i was pleasantly surprised that there was no line to enter. that was a blessing, seeing it was so hot and waiting in line would have been a nightmare!

the views from above are just awesome, and its from here that you see just how huge chicago is, as well as lake michigan! that lake is like an ocean, its so huge!

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Things To Do: the picasso @ the daley centre.

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

picasso!!!

chicago's piece of picasso paradise is located outside of the daley centre. this huge sculpture, by picasso, is pretty cool. by lunchtime though, the sculpture is overrun with office workers scrambling for a seat to eat lunch in the outdoors.

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Things To Do: water tower

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Updated by willy_wonka

on Jul 19, 2005

historic water tower