GUIDES

Chicago Guide

Chicago - Out and About

Chicago with its 2,800,000 inhabitants is the largest city in Illinois, USA. The city, with a surface area of over 25km2, lies at the extreme south-western point of lake Michigan, at the mouth of the rivers Chicago and Calumet.

The Loop is the most interesting and characteristic zone of the city. It is Chicago’s business centre and is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the east, the Chicago river to the north and west and Congress Parkway to the south. The Loop is home to Chicago’s major firms and industries and houses the city’s tallest skyscrapers, some of which are of great architectural importance: the First National Bank Building and Sears Tower which, at 443metres, is the world’s second tallest building.

Lake Shore Drive winds its way along the shore of Lake Michigan. It stretches for 20km, from Lincoln Park in the north to Jackson Park in the south, passing over an impressive bridge, which spans the mouth of the Chicago river. This wonderful road is flanked by marbled buildings on one side and a series of flowerbeds and parks on the other. Some of Chicago’s most important cultural institutes are located along Lake Shore Drive. They include: the Museum of Science and Industry on south side; the Field Museum of Natural History; the Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute of Chicago, all of which are located in Grant Park.

The Art Institute is famous above all for its collection of French Impressionist art and the American Gothic art of Grant Wood. Chicago is the American and world capital of modern architecture and houses America’s first and now famous school of architecture. Chicago’s architectural culture is centred around the experiences of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. The characteristics of this architectural movement are clearly evident in Praire House, “organically” designed in order to merge with the natural surroundings.

The Praire Avenue District houses some of the most elegant limestone and brick buildings, which have been restored and are now held in great consideration as authentic masterpieces of the 19th century. The Glencoe District , to the north of the city, is one of the oldest and richest suburbs in America.

Chicago possesses many large parks, including Jefferson, Washington, Hyde, Morgan and Kuburn. The city, an important cultural centre, boasts over 100 further education university and post-university institutions: University of Chicago (1890), the North Western University (1851), Loyola University and the Public Library, which contains 1.5 million volumes. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1891, is amongst one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world.

Chicago has always been characterised by dimly-lit and smoky jazz bars, featuring blues singers and musicians from the deep south. To obtain detailed information regarding the jazz scene, call at B.L.U.E.S. in North Halsted or at Checkerboard Lounge in South-side. Chicago is served by over 20 rail links and three airports of which the international airport O’Hare is the busiest in the world. The subway provides an easy and comfortable way to visit the city.

Chicago - Not to be missed

Oak Park District, situated to the west of the Chicago ring road, is easily reached by the overland subway (elevator) which runs to Lake Street CTA.

Having arrived at Oak Park Avenue, the visitor should walk one block north to Lake Street and for two blocks west to Kenilworth Avenue, the suburb where Hemingway grew up and where F.L.Wright lived and worked during the first years of his career. The largest collection of his work is made up of the 25 buildings located here. Wright’s studio home ( 1889) is perhaps the best expression of his genius. The principal F.L.Wright buildings are: Walter Gale, 1031 Chicago Avenue, William H. Winslow at 515 Auvergne Place, Mrs. Thomas Gale, at 6 Elizabeth Court, Lake Shore Drive Apartments, 860-80 North Lake Shore drive. A map of the area is indispensable.

It is possible to obtain a breath-taking view of the city and Lake Michigan from the terraces of the skyscrapers Board of Trade Building, Tribune Tower, Prudential Building and Marina City. The Marina City Skyscraper, built between 1964/5, with its unusual cylindrical shape, is of particular interest.

The city centre often hosts open-air sculpture exhibition, featuring great artists such as Holdenburg, Calder, Picasso and Mirò.

Chicago - Walks and tours

The Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore are located east of Chicago, a few kilometres beyond the Indiana border (a 60- minute car drive).

These two neighbouring parks allow the visitor to admire: beautiful sand dunes, which vary from 3 to 20 mt. heights and stretch for over 3 km.; sandy beaches; forest lakes; swamps and prairies. Long Grove, situated 60 km. north-west of Chicago, is an old village that has maintained intact the atmosphere of the 19th century. The village’s old wooden houses and covered bridges are famous for having been featured in the film “The bridges of Madison Country”. It is an ideal place for shopping, with numerous little shops that sell a little of everything, from antiques and chocolates to clothes and souvenirs. Starved Rock State Park, situated 80 minutes by car, west of the city, is one of the most popular attractions around Chicago.

The park has over 16 miles of paths and trails, which pass amongst rock formations, small canyons, thundering torrents and panoramic view points, from where it is possible to admire the Illinois river and its valley.

Chicago - The traveller's notebook

Currency : US Dollar, sub-divided into 100 cents

Electric supply: 110/120 volts, 60 hertz

Climate : continental

Opening hours : Shops are usually open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am. until 6 pm.; the large shopping centres until 8. Banks are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am. until 3 pm.

Telephones : Telephone code : 312

Disclaimer: the above information is provided 'as is' and Hostelsclub accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.

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