Chicago: City by the Lake
The Midwestern city of Chicago was once the gateway to the frontier and later became the railway hub of the country. Today Chicago is a world class city with a rich cultural heritage and filled with many sites for travellers. From museums and art galleries to restaurants and theatres there are many exciting prospects to entice people to pay a visit. The following article highlights a few ways visitors might enjoy the Windy City.
Chicago is home to some world class museums. The Field Museum of Natural History lies in walking distance from Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. While it is possible to visit all three in a day, a single day could be devoted to each. Large dinosaur fossils greet visitors to the Field Museum that also features many travelling exhibits such as King Tut and recently Jackie Kennedy's wardrobe while she was First Lady. The Adler Planetarium sits right off Lake Michigan and is the ideal place to observe planets and stars. The Shedd Aquarium recently added sharks to its splendid collection of sea creatures and its dolphin pool is unsurpassed in beauty as it looks out over the Great Lake beyond.
There are many other museums and also botanical gardens in the area. To the south on the grounds of the University of Chicago resides the prestigious Oriental Institute and its fine collections of Babylonian, Assyrian and Egyptian antiquities. Many visitors also flock to the Art Institute of Chicago to view its famous galleries. After enjoying all the art and history housed by the city, stroll through the newly renovated Grant Park which sits off the lake and enjoy one of the many festivals or fairs put on there.
Michigan Avenue, known downtown as the Magnificent Mile, is home to Chicago's premier place of shopping. Water Tower Place features some of the best stores the city has to offer. And, if you decide to prolong your stay in Chicago, there are many fine and historic hotels located in the heart of the city where evening entertainment in the form of fine restaurants and theatres are within walking distance.
Finally, if your taste leans toward sports, Chicago is home to both the Cubs and the White Sox so be sure to take in an afternoon game or two and mix with the locals who are generally quite proud of their fair city - and with good reason. Chicago is a wonderful city to visit and has many sites and activities for the entire family to enjoy.
