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skating in Chicago

Chicago Travel Mini Guide

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chicago city view, USA


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Why Travel to Chicago?
It's the all original skyscraper city with lots of attitude and an excellent live music scene, especially blues and Jazz.

Downside:
- It can be tough crime wise, with a gangster element since before Capone.
- The weather may be extreme, grey wet and windy, freezing or boiling the butt.

When to Travel to Chicago:
Best: May-October.

Worst: November-April
, though good for indoor culture.

Length of stay not inc. flights:
Minimum worthwhile: one day for a view from Sears and a museum or two.
Recommended: three days, add some shopping or museums and some music at a festival.

Main Attractions:
The Loop***
the center of the city has an elevated railway running round it, hence the name.
Get a lofty view from the famous Sears Tower observation deck, and check out the displays at the Chicago Cultural Center.
The money men will also allow you in to see the magnificently decorated Chicago Board of Trade Building.
Try also the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

Central Lakeside Parks***
east of the loop are two parks, Grant Park with the impressive Buckingham Fountain, and the new Millennium Park, containing the superb Art Institute of Chicago.
Further south is the Museum Campus with the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Astronomy museum, and the Field Museum of Natural History.

Short Trips:
Oak Park
for the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio plus buildings.

Arts and Culture:
Classical Music and Dance -
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Symphony Center; the Lyric Opera of Chicago at the Civic Opera House, and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.
Theater -
several excellent companies at the Auditorium Theater, Apollo Theater, Chicago Theater, LaSalle Bank Theater, Cadillac Palace Theater and Oriental Theater.

Cuisine:
The city has hundreds of restaurants to suit all tastes throughout its central districts and a reputation for good quality and reasonable prices.

Nightlife and Entertainment:
Live Music - in bars and lounges throughout the city, superb for blues and jazz in particular.
Clubs - there are dozens of clubs of all kinds, from loungey hangouts to raveup venues.

Main Festivals and Events:
17th March, St Patrick's Day Parade.
June, 1st w/e, Blues Festival.
June, 2nd w/e, Gospel Festival.
June, last w/e, Country Music Festival.
4th July, Independence Day.
July, last w/e, Latin Music Festival.
September, first w/e, Jazz Festival
.

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