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Chicago
Chicago is a huge metropolis at the heart of America and a bustling city, which is home to over three million people and high-rise sky scrapers that seem to rise from the waters of Lake Michigan. Once a gangster's hang-out synonymous with infamous names such as Al Capone and Bonny and Clyde, the 'windy city' today has a squeaky-clean reputation as an international business and commercial capital boasting an eclectic mix of architecture, world-class theatre, art exhibitions, and super-enthusiastic sportsmanship.
Chicago has a rich and vivid history and is known as a durable city after surviving the Great Fire of 1871, the then became home to a massive influx of immigrants in the 20th century, who brought with them a determined spirit infusing the city with ethnic diversity and the unmistakable sound of Chicago-style blues music. Chicagoans have built a city that is to be reckoned with, boasting soaring skyscrapers including the Sears Tower (one of the tallest in the world); thriving ethnic neighbourhoods; a lakefront business district, the re-energised downtown; unbeatable shopping along the famed Michigan Avenue; and top-class sports teams.
Chicago is also known as the windy city for a reason, the weather in the city changes from breezy to freezing and at it's very worst has intense gales, due to the geographical location. It is possible to ignore the weather though, when getting caught up in the myriad of things to do, see and experience in this Midwestern metropolis - there are 30 excellent museums alone.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Guarded by a pair of magnificent golden lions the Art Institute in the Chicago is home to one of the world's greatest art collections. Works on show date from 3,000 BC through to the present, including a renowned collection of Impressionist art featuring numerous Monet paintings. The Institute has it all, from Japanese ukiyo-e prints and ancient Egyptian bronzes to masterpieces of 20th century sculpture. Exhibits include paintings and drawings, photographs, textiles, sculpture and architectural works. The Institute has two restaurants, one set in a garden, as well as a gift shop.
Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue; Telephone: (312) 443 3600; Website: www.artic.edu; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm (until 8pm on Thursdays), weekends 10am to 5pm; Admission: A donation of $12 (adults) and $7 (children) is suggested; entrance is free on Tuesdays
The Field Museum
The amazing Field Museum in Chicago houses the biggest and most complete fossil from the Tyrannosaurus Rex, who is names 'Sue'. The dinosaur came to rest here after being unearthed in South Dakota when the Museum bought her remains for more than $8-million. Sue is just one of the draw cards at the museum which offers other marvels like getting a bug's eye view in an underground adventure; descending into an Egyptian tomb; watching a glowing lava flow; and getting up close and personal with the man-eating lions of Tsavo. The museum specialises in interactive and diorama-type exhibits across its nine acres of exhibition space.
Address: 1400 S. Lakeshore Drive; Telephone: (312) 922 9410; Website: www.fmnh.org; Transport: From downtown, take CTA bus #146, which stops along Michigan Avenue north of the river and on State Street south of the river. This will drop you off right across the street from the Museum. The free trolley system connects the Museum Campus with many downtown tourist destinations and train stations; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm; last admission at 4pm; Admission: Various ticket package options are offered ranging from $19 to $25 for adults with concessions available
Lincoln Park
The biggest park in Chicago is Lincoln Park, which follows the banks of Lake Michigan for several miles and begins at North Avenue. It contains several attractions, bathing beaches, a botanical conservatory, golf course, grassy meadows, formal gardens and sports fields. The standing statue of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, holds pride of place. His sitting Lincoln is in Chicago's other famous park, Grant Park. The most popular attraction within the park is the Lincoln Park Zoo, which not only houses hundreds of exotic animals in natural habitats, but offers experiences like paddle boat rides, a virtual safari trip, and the Endangered Species Carousel with 48 artisan-crafted wooden animals that accommodates up to 50 riders at a time.
Address: 2001 N. Clark Street (zoo); Telephone: (312) 742 2000 (zoo); Website: www.lpzoo.com; Transport: CTA bus routes 151 or 156 both serve the zoo. A free trolley service is available linking the different Park attractions; Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm, weekends until 7pm (summer); daily 9am to 5pm (November to March); Admission: There is no admission charge to the zoo
The Shedd Aquarium
Dating back to 1930, when it was opened, the Shedd Aquarium is one of the cities best-known attractions and the biggest indoor aquarium in the world. The octagonal marble building houses more than 8,000 river, lake and sea creatures. The main attraction is the Caribbean Coral Reef exhibit and other marine habitat exhibits like a recreation of the Amazon basin and a 'Seahorse Symphony'. The aquarium also features an indoor saltwater Oceanarium housing marine mammals where dolphin shows are scheduled daily.
Telephone: (312) 939 2426; Website: www.sheddaquarium.org; Opening time: Memorial Day to Labor Day open daily 9am to 6pm, Thursdays 9am to 10pm (16 June to 1 September); Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and weekends 9am to 6pm (winter); Admission: $23 (adults), $16 (children 3-11)
