THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO
Must-See Attractions in Downtown Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue
• World-renowned collection, especially its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
• Spectacular new wing, designed by Renzo Piano, opened May 2009.
• Dining: Garden Café (self-service), Lower level, indoor/outdoor, 11am-4pm.
Terzo Piano, top of the new wing. Lunch, 11am-3pm. Dinner, Thurs. evening.
• Hours: Mon-Wed, 10:30am-5:00pm; Thurs-Fri, 10:30am-9:00pm; Sat-Sun, 10:00am-5:00pm
• Admission: $18.00; Children, Students & Seniors, $12.00.
• Delightful 24-acre park featuring Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate (a 110-ton elliptical, highly polished stainless steel sculpture that reflects the Chicago skyline), the interactive Crown Fountain (two glass block towers that spew water onto frolicking children below), a Frank Gehry-designed concert pavilion and 925-foot-long stainless steel bridge, the Lurie Garden, and a Renzo Piano-designed bridge linking the park to the Art Institute's new wing.
• Events: Concert: "etudes4violin&electronix" with DBR and DJ Elan Vytal. 6:30-8:00pm.
On Stage At Noon: concerts, open rehearsals every day. 12:00-1:00pm
• Dining: The Plaza at Park Grill—casual outdoor restaurant (tacos, burgers, salads, desserts)
Park Café—take-away food, including picnic bags ($15.00)
Park Grill—indoor restaurant. Contemporary American food. (312-521-7275)
• Another picnic option: Buy a sandwich at one of the take-away restaurants across Michigan Avenue from the park: Caffe Baci (20 N. Michigan); Cosi (116 S. Michigan); Au Bon Pain (122 S. Michigan); Corner Bakery (224 S. Michigan).
• A 90- minute tour of world-class architecture along the Chicago River.
• Narrated by Chicago Architecture Foundation docents.
• Location: Southeast corner of Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Arrive 20 minutes before scheduled departure for check-in and boarding,
• Reservations recommended. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster (1-800-982-2787) or in person at the Chicago Architecture Foundation shop (224 S. Michigan).
• The CAF offers a variety of architectural walking tours. Tours include "Historic Downtown: Rise of the Skyscraper," "Modern Skyscrapers," and "Historic Downtown: Treasures." Visit the CAF website for a complete listing.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
• Former home of the Chicago Public Library.
• Spectacular Tiffany dome and ornate mosaic designs (Preston Bradley Hall)
• Multiple art exhibitions. Visitor Information Center.
• Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Museum Campus
• Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Museum Campus
• Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Museum Campus
• Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.
• Spertus Museum, 610 S. Michigan Ave. Striking façade. Art and artifacts of Jewish history.
• Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Ferris wheel; entertainment; restaurants; people-watching.
• Macy's (formerly Marshall Field's), 111 N. State St.
• Magnificent Mile, world-class shopping. Michigan Avenue, north of the Chicago River
* Atwood Café, 1 W. Washington St. (312-368-1900) Contemporary American comfort food
* Custom House, 550 S. Dearborn. (312-523-0200) American/Contemporary.
* Trattoria #10, 10 N. Dearborn. (312-984-1718) Inventive pastas, fresh fish, veal, beef.
Rhapsody, 65 E. Adams (312-786-9911) Contemporary, global influences.
Italian Village, 71 W. Monroe (312-332-7005) Traditional Italian. (2nd floor)
Vivere, 71 W. Monroe (312-332-4040) "New" Italian fine dining (Ground level)
Catch 35, 35 W. Wacker Drive. (312-346-3500) Seafood and steaks.
Russian Tea Time, 77 E. Adams St. Russian, Slavic and Jewish classics.
The Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave. (312-372-4243) High-end gastro-pub.
Bennigan's, 150 S. Michigan Ave. Classic bar food.
Tavern at the Park, 130 E. Randolph St. (312-552-0070) Casual eatery.
Aria, 200 N. Columbus Drive (Fairmont Hotel) (312-444-9494) Globally-influenced.
(Several of these restaurants are featured in the Special Values '09 brochure in your conference packet. Present a "special values card" from the brochure and receive a free dessert or other bonus with your meal.)
ISSID 2009