Archive for the ‘Chicago’ Category

The Attraction of Chicago

Monday, October 27th, 2008

The Windy City is filled with a host of activities for the adventurous tourist. The Adler Planetarium serves as both a planetarium as well as a museum of astronomy. The facility opened in 1930 and was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Today it offers new exhibits regularly, state-of-the-art facilities, and hosts around 35,000 feet of exhibits.

The Planetarium offers interactivities of all kinds for visitors of all ages. There are ancient astronomy tools as well as exhibit galleries and rare books.

The Buckingham Fountain is another attraction that offers history as well as beauty. This fountain was constructed in 1927 and remains an architectural beauty for the city. One of the largest fountains in the world, the Buckingham Fountain pumps over 41,000 gallons of water per hour.

There are four sea horses on each side of the fountain and they were added with purpose. They represent the four states that surround Lake Michigan. The fountain operates from April first through November first.

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most prominent individuals in Chicago history. This architect started a revolution in his field through his unique and progressive design. His home and studio are now a museum. The home was not always a museum. By the time it was found to be of value, it required a massive restoration. The project to return the home to its 1909 condition required 30 architects and 80 contractors. This monolithic restoration resulted in an attraction with a great history and value.

The Magnificent Mile in Chicago is noted for its shopping and retail. This part of Chicago offers visitors over 3 million square feet of shopping. This equates the current count of 460 shops, over 270 restaurants, over 50 hotels, several fascinating museums. This stretch alone welcomes millions of visitors every year.

Six Flags of America is another Chicago attraction with a variety of activities. The park offers the usual thrilling rides and live entertainment. Food lovers will also enjoy the wide variety of culinary treats found through Six Flags and Chicago. The unique blend of ethnicities and cultural interests has created a edible history and flavor that is uniquely Chicago.

Chicago offers visitors a rich experience in both history and variety for tourists. Most of the features are open year-round and offer twice as many features during the holiday season.

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More than Luxury

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

When you stay in Chicago you will be given four distinct types of hotels. The first is the Contemporary variety. These hotels are more urban and minimalist. The modern design of each hotel offers a unique perspective and unconventional amenities.

Traditional hotels are living examples of history. They are opulent and grand echoing back to the traditional American hotel era. Hardwood and stained glass are staple features that were also used in historic hotels of yesterday.

Boutique hotels are designed on a much smaller scale. The lack of size translate to greater personal service and more attention to each guest. These hotels offer the same quality amenities as the larger upscale lodgings, but in a way that provides for the needs of each guest.

Luxury hotels are in a class of their own. They are constructed with the finest materials and use only the highest quality goods and services for their clients. Such hotels commonly offer granite or marble bathrooms throughout, solid wood cabinetry, pillow-top mattresses with down comforters, and luxury sheets, just to name a few of the amenities.

The Hotel Allegro is a fine example of the Contemporary Hotel. The designer wanted to maintain the Art Deco structure of the original, but to incorporate much modern art. The resulting style has made this hotel one of the most noted in the city. Guests are treated to a complimentary wine hour and much live music.

The Seneca hotel is the most known Traditional Hotel. This facility is located close to shopping and entertainment. The majority of the rooms are suites. This hotel offers guests everything necessary for a relaxing stay. There are on-premises restaurants, a fitness center, spa, and even valet parking outside.

One of the most celebrated Boutique Hotels in Chicago is the Talbott Hotel. This hotel is in a prime location and is small enough to make guests welcome. The Talbott is considered a “hideaway” oasis hotel with luxurious lodgings and attention to every detail.

The Hotel Monaco is a grand Luxury Hotel. The Monaco offers a fine experience with the best surroundings possible. The best location welcomes visitors and provides the easiest access to major attractions. The French-Deco décor is inviting as well as beautiful and surrounds each guest with color and rich interior design.

There is a tremendous variety of accommodations in Chicago. These are certain to make your stay in the “Windy City” a memory that will last you a lifetime.

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Chicago’s History

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Chicago is the largest city in the Midwestern United States by population. This Illinois city has over 17,000 historical landmarks throughout. Chicago, known as “the windy city, is around 228 square miles in size, but the history is far larger. Chicago history is rich and fascinating in that there are two parts.

In 1871, a massive fire hit the city and destroyed over 17,000 structures. The homeless population after the destruction soared to a staggering 100,000. At the time Chicago only had a population of 300,000. The city’s history was divided after the Great Chicago Fire. The two distinct eras of Chicago history became “before the fire” and “after the fire.”

Tours are available to explore these landmarks. Tourists can visit such locations as: Site of Fort Dearborn, Iglehart House, Groesbeck House, Rosehill Cemetery, the Hitchcock House, Clarke House, Stephan A. Douglas Tomb, Jane Addams Hull-House, and St. Ignatius College Prep Building just to name a few.

Chicago has, perhaps, the greatest collection of “world” recognitions. From the tallest structure, the Sears Tower, to the world’s largest free petting zoo, and even the world’s largest public library, there are attractions to suit any taste.

These aren’t the only acknowledgements. Chicago is home to the world’s largest free food festival. It also holds the world’s largest art museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art. Shedd Aquarium is the world’s largest aquarium. Chicago also offers the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass Dome, largest stand-alone theater, and world’s busiest airport.

The Millennium Park is a highlight of Chicago art and culture. Tourists can download an audio tour for their trip and explore the area as the guide takes you through the unique features. An audio tour gives you the information you enjoy from a tour, but allows you to travel at your own pace.

The Chicago Water Tower is a celebrated monument in the city and an educational stop on any tour of the city. This tower was built in the late 1860s and is one of the few structures that survived the Great Fire. The Clarke House is the oldest residence dating back to 1836. This is also another survivor of the Great Fire.

Your visit to Chicago can take on any theme you like. The city offers as many cultural attractions as the larger cities. The fascinating history and attention to the preservation of heritage makes it a notable location for history buffs.

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