The Chicago Traveler

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I make a monthly trip to visit family in southwestern Michigan. The trip usually takes about three hours, and I pass through several small towns along the way. In fact, in that rural area, it is not uncommon for us to visit one town to go grocery shopping, another town for dining out, and yet another to go see a movie! Of course, all the towns are within a few minutes of each other, so driving from town to town is much like driving to different neighborhoods here in Chicago.

One road that we …read more

3 Comments

Gas prices are finally beginning to drop a bit. Summer’s almost over, so it’s time to get out of the house and go on a little road trip. From the beaches to the views, the Beverly Shores and Indiana Dunes area is the perfect getaway if you’re looking for a quick break from the routine. Located just 50 miles (80 km) around the lake, this family-friendly escape has great beaches and cool attractions.
If your eyes are always on the skies, take a gander at the Indiana Aviation Museum. There are nine former military aircraft in the museum, and all of …read more

2 Comments

As a kid, I enjoyed playing with construction toys and putting things together. Steel Tec, K’nex, Lincoln Logs: I loved them all. (Trivia Tangent: Did you know Lincoln Logs were invented by John Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright?) But perhaps the most globally popular construction toys of all are LEGO bricks. And now, there is a place in Chicagoland completely dedicated to all things LEGO: LEGOLand!
The LEGOLand Discovery Center opened its doors last Thursday and is the only one of its kind in the United States. This 30,000-square-foot (2800-square-meter) indoor attraction combines LEGO models and construction areas …read more

3 Comments

While Chicago’s architecture is incredible in terms of shapes and sizes, it doesn’t always offer much in the way of color. Most of these giants of steel and glass are some shade of black or gray. Standing out from the crowd in a unique red dress is the CNA Plaza.

While the building only stands 44 stories tall at 601 feet high (183 m), it takes on a prominent role in Chicago’s skyline. And in case you’re wondering, the 1972 structure also has a red interior as well, including the columns and lobby escalators.
Near the Harold Washington Library and the Auditorium …read more

2 Comments

If you are familiar with U.S. politics, you may have heard about decisions being made in a “smoke-filled room.” This usually refers to a secret political gathering, suggesting that a group of economically- or politically-powerful individuals are meeting privately (perhaps while smoking cigars?) to make an impacting decision without regard to the public’s wants. That term actually originated right here in Chicago in 1920 at the Blackstone Hotel.
The 290-foot (88 m), 21-story building was completed in 1910 and is considered a Chicago Landmark and a National Historic Place. It is named after Timothy Blackstone, the founding president of the Union …read more

5 Comments

Navy Pier is a major tourist attraction in Chicago, offering a multitude of activities, including shopping, live music, virtual rides, restaurants, and cruises. You can even take in a bit of theatrical culture at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
This non-profit, professional theatre company was founded in 1986, when it performed on the roof of the Red Lion Pub. In 1999, it moved to its current two-venue facility at Navy Pier, which includes the 500-seat Jentes Family Auditorium (where the audience sits around three sides of the stage) and the 200-seat Carl & Marilynn Thoma Theater (a black box space).
I’m a big …read more

1 Comment

Some people may be surprised to learn that this modern, strange-looking building (across from the George Washington Memorial) surrounded by incredible skyscrapers is actually a Church: the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, to be exact.
Encircled by tall, rectangular towers, this concrete structure’s round design makes it really stand out from the River North crowd. The church does not try to compete with its architectural neighbors though. Rather, its “soft” appearance makes it appear more inviting and welcoming, just as a religious venue should. Inside, green gardens and peaceful fountains provide an escape from the traffic and pavement of the city.
The …read more

4 Comments

The Chicago Lantern Building at 191 North Wacker may not be quite as famous as its next-door neighbor, 333 Wacker Drive, but it holds its own in the downtown neighborhood. This 516-foot tall (157 m) skyscraper with 37 floors borders the Chicago River, and the building’s bluish-green glass complements the waters below. At the very top of the building, the glass is white and, at night, is illuminated by bright lights, creating a brilliant icing to top this glass-and-steel cake.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex, Antre, crowbert
191 North Wacker Dr
Public trans: Bus # 11, 124, 125, 157
Pink/Green Line train (Clinton)

Comments Off

The city of Chicago features numerous impressive buildings designed by famous architects. Even if you’ve never studied the field, you may have heard of prominent names like Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Stuart Cohen, or “the Chicago Seven.” Every Monday, The Chicago Traveler features at least one attractive piece of architecture in the Windy City. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is also passionate about educating the public on the incredible design that graces our city.
CAF offers over 80 tours, from downtown to suburbia, from a healthy walk to a comfy bus ride. Among the …read more

2 Comments

Earlier today, I wrote about Chicago’s architectural icon, the Sears Tower. I feel it necessary now to write about its older, shorter brother, the John Hancock Center.

It amazes me just how many tourists confuse the two. To me, the Sears Tower and John Hancock look nothing alike. Whereas the Sears Tower is made of nine square columns, the John Hancock is a single tower gripped by a series of cross braces. It is the third-tallest skyscraper in Chicago (following the Sears Tower and the Aon Center) and the fifth-tallest in the country. At the tip of its antennas, it stands …read more

11 Comments