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About Chicago

Chicago is a bustling, energetic city that never stops regardless of the season. It’s a destination with world–class cultural attractions, diverse neighborhoods, and architectural wonders. Chicago is known for its critically acclaimed restaurants, renowned museums, first–class shopping, adventurous nightlife, and thriving theater scene.

Performing Arts

Chicago’s theater industry pushes the envelope with compelling, cutting–edge performances in historic buildings with state–of–the–art stages. The Chicago Theatre, Goodman Theatre, the LaSalle Bank Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theater, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, and the Ford Center have made visiting downtown a definite must for theater lovers. Cultural landmarks like the Steppenwolf and The Second City weave themselves into Chicago neighborhoods, solidifying Chicago’s reputation as a world–class theater destination.

Restaurants

Once in Chicago, visitors never have to worry about finding a place to eat. Chicago features thousands of restaurants that offer culinary favorites to satisfy every taste, budget, and mood. Whether the preference is Chicago-style hot dogs or mouth–watering burgers, fried clams or smoked ostrich, pierogi or pizza, Chicago has it all. Ethnic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Greektown, West Rogers Park (famous Indian cuisine), and Pilsen (delicious Mexican fare) are among those offering tempting tastes from around the world. Soul food, Italian, Chinese, French, Japanese, Asian, and Spanish cuisines can also be found. Chicago is also proud to be the home of award–winning restaurants and chefs, as well as the original source of deep–dish pizza—one of Chicago’s most important contributions to the 20th century culinary scene.

Museums

Chicago is famous for its diverse collection of museums, covering Chicago history, art, African–American culture, astronomy, natural history, and much more. Those visiting Chicago should plan on spending time at Chicago–s Museum Campus. The scenic park conveniently joins the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, the Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History with easy access to all three locations. Shedd Aquarium offers one of the world–s largest exhibits of more than 8,000 aquatic mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish. After exploring the oceans, attendees can gaze up at the heavens in the nearby Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. The Field Museum offers exciting displays of mummies, Egyptian tombs, and Native American artifacts. It is also the permanent home of Sue, the world’s largest and best–preserved Tyrannosaurus rex. Other Chicago museums include the Chicago History Museum (the city’s oldest cultural institution), McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum (Chicago’s newest museum), the Museum of Science and Industry, the DuSable Museum of African–American History, the Art Institute of Chicago (one of the world’s leading art museums), the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Photography. Your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Attractions

Chicago is also home to a variety of spectacular attractions and architecture, including Navy Pier, the city’s lakefront playground and the state’s most popular tourist destination, offering visitors familyoriented activities. Navy Pier boasts the 150–foot–high Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Wave Swinger ride in Pier Park, a 3–D Time Escape ride, a variety of restaurants, and the famed Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Chicago’s newest global icon is Millennium Park, which opened in 2004. The 24.5–acre park has instantly become a Chicago landmark. It contains an outdoor performing arts pavilion, indoor year–round theater, restaurant, ice–skating rink, contemporary garden, public art, fountains, landscaped walkways, and green spaces. Other Chicago attractions not to miss include Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, the Hancock Observatory, the Sears Tower Skydeck, and the breath–taking Chicago lakefront.

Shopping

Shop for an hour or shop till you drop. From the novices to the experts, all shoppers will relish the world–class shopping just a few blocks from the hotel. A shopping spree must include a visit to the famed Magnificent Mile, which runs along Michigan Avenue from Oak Street south to the Chicago River. Amidst department store giants, such as Macy’s—the city’s newest addition—Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s, are hundreds of specialty shops and boutiques offering goods from around the world. Oak Street, just west of Michigan Avenue, is a luxury boutique shopper’s dream. Ample shopping can also be found at Westfield North Bridge, Water Tower Place, the 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops, Chicago Place Shopping Center, Navy Pier, and The Shops at the Mart, located at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

Architecture

Visitors from around the world come to Chicago, the birthplace of the modern building, to admire its architectural marvels. From historic landmark buildings to contemporary technological masterpieces, Chicago is built with the unique and innovative designs that have shaped American architecture. The city is a living museum of architecture. Chicago is home to the world’s first skyscraper. Chicago has three of the world’s 10 tallest buildings, including the Sears Tower, which opened in 1974. To learn more about Chicago’s acclaimed architecture, the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers more than 50 walking or bus tours conducted by knowledgeable guides. An architectural boat cruise on the Chicago River, as well as self–guided, taped walking tours, are also available.