Illinois Travel Guide
Chicago
Compared to Chicago most other towns in the state pale into insignificance. It is one of the largest cities in the US and economically one of the most important. Three quarters of the population of Illinois live within its sphere of influence. Many more from other states in the Mid West look to Chicago as 'the' place to go to for culture and entertainment; it is the regional leader.
Although it only became a town proper in 1836, due to the new canals, linking the lakes to the outside world and then the railroad, Chicago grew rapidly. In 1857 the first steel mill opened and the population ballooned. The great fire of 1871 devastated the city centre and made thousands homeless but this allowed a chance for considerable urban improvement and industrial development.
Chicago does have a darker reputation. The city workers grew militant and became organised from the mid-point of the 19th century. This led to a prolonged period of industrial unrest and strikes which were often 'controlled' by the spilling of blood. This period of unrest ran alongside one of corruption at all levels, this famously reached giddy heights with prohibition in the 1920's. Despite this, the city continued to grow and to prosper. This was on the back of a philosophy that fortunes could be made for those prepared to work. Recent years have seen decline in the traditional heavy industries but typically these have been replaced by businesses that are more modern. For example Chicago is a world centre for commodity trading.
The background to the city's history are the people. Over the years thousands have been drawn to Chicago as a land of opportunity. The ethnic mix includes East Europeans, Irish, Italian and Chinese. Chicago was also a magnet for Blacks from the South who arrived in droves after the civil war. This all combines to give the city an extra dimension and buzz.
Where to Go and What to See
Art Institute of Chicago
A world class museum that has high quality exhibits in nearly every department. Particularly noteworthy are the Impressionist and Post Impressionist sections, the 20th century American and European galleries and the sections dealing with photography and architecture.
Lincoln Park
The largest and the best of Chicago's several lakeside parks, this is a green and leafy escape from the city outside. It has many quiet corners and the usual choices with regard to walking, running, cycling or just casually strolling.
One of the chief attractions of the park is the Chicago Historical Society, which gives a down to earth view of the city's history. The park also is home to Lincoln Park Zoo, notable for its work with Gorillas.
The Blues
'The blues' have deep roots in Chicago, brought here by the waves of black immigrants from the South, the blues were changed into a distinctive style that spoke of the struggle of the blacks to come to terms with urban life. This was guitarist Muddy Waters 'Urban Blues'. The tradition continues today and aficionados of this unique musical genre can find it still being played all over the city. The closest the visitor gets to a blues museum is Willie Dixons Blues Heaven but then, it's not the kind of thing that can be contained in a museum.
Field Museum of Natural History
A varied and interesting collection that includes an Egyptian burial chamber and an extensive dinosaur collection including 'Sue'. Sue hails from the badlands of Dakota and is the most complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex ever to be unearthed. Nearby is the Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium. One part claims to be the worlds largest indoor Aquarium and the other is a replica Alaskan coastline.
'The Field' is just one of many museums that are to be found in Chicago. Others that are worth a look include the International Museum of Surgical Science, the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Du Sable Museum of African American History. With museums, it is very much a case of 'take your pick'.
Famous Folk
Ernest Hemmingway was born in Chicago and for true fans there is a collection of memorabilia at the Oak Park and River Forest Historical Society. More significantly (in Chicago terms at least) Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked for twenty years in Chicago. The young architect cut his teeth on a number of projects that bear his inimitable hallmark before moving on to much bigger things. It is possible to tour the house he deigned and built for himself plus several of his other works (houses) that are still standing. Muhammad Ali lived in Chicago for twenty years and it is still possible to see the Biograph Theatre where the FBI shot John Dillinger in 1934. There is also the Jane Addams Hull House devoted to the life works of the Nobel Peace Prize winning social justice campaigner.
Sears Tower
Testimony to the financial power and enterprise that drives Chicago on, is this quarter of a mile high building. This was, until recently the world's tallest building and the views from the 103rd floor 'Skydeck' observation deck are tremendous. The Sears Tower is a working building served by over 100 elevators, two of these offer a stomach-churning trip from groundfloor to Skydeck in just a minute. Chicago is the home of the skyscraper (some of the 1890's originals can still be seen) and the skyline is certainly memorable. All of this speaks of a bustling business district and two of the highlights are the Chicago Board of Trade (remember 'Sell Pork Bellies!' ?) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Both are worth a visit to see naked capitalism in its most raw form.
Eating, Drinking and Sleeping
Rooms can be hard to find if your visit coincides with one of the many conventions the city attracts, so book in advance if possible. Prices tend to be very reasonable at all levels.
Chicago has truly great nightlife with a massive amount of choice. It has world class music from small smoky blues clubs to stadium rock, comedy clubs of world renown plus theatre of the highest order.
Chicago's reputation as the boozy town of speakeasy's and gangsters is long gone, except the boozy bit. There are many superb watering holes in Chicago with bars of all sorts.
The ethnic make up of the city is reflected in the diversity of the cuisine on offer, prices are reasonable and the quality generally high. For something traditional try a rack of barbecue ribs - or any vast quantity of beef - that is a reminder of the days when Chicago was the countries meatpacking capital.
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