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The Chicago Traveler

July 14th, 2008

120 North LaSalle Breaks the Mold

The building at 120 North LaSalle is a fascinating structure to look at from any angle. Down the street from the Bilandic Building, the façade consists of two shades of granite, forming horizontal stripes. Three projecting rectangular grids surround the structure: one over the entrance, one emerging from the façade, and one over the side […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

July 9th, 2008

Spoil Yourself to Some Decadent Drinks

Like everyone else, you’ve probably been more conscious about where and how you spend your dollar. You’ve scrimped and saved, pinched every penny, and clipped every coupon. But every once in a while, you need to spoil yourself and splurge a bit. Here are just a couple places with incredible libations for jaw-dropping prices.
One of […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 26th, 2008

Taste of Chicago 2008: Taste’s Better Every Year

It’s that time of year again. The Taste of Chicago is an annual food festival, where dozens of restaurants from across the city gather along Columbus Drive. Millions of locals and tourists sample hundreds of dishes from every cuisine imaginable, from hot dogs to ravioli to veggie gyros to pad thai to empanadas to omelets… […]

By Matt B -- 5 comments

June 25th, 2008

Paint the Town Orange

Near the busy intersection of Clark Street and Belmont Avenue, a long line forms on the sidewalk every weekend. The space is small and the wait can be long, but devoted patrons don’t let that stop them from lining up in front of one eclectic restaurant every week. Inside, the exposed brick and high ceilings, […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

June 23rd, 2008

Auditorium Building Settles into History

The Auditorium Building of Roosevelt University, completed in 1890, is the oldest (surviving) high-rise in Chicago. It is both a Chicago Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
Several of Chicago’s biggest historical and architectural names were involved with the construction of this structure. Ferdinand Peck, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist, was a founding member of the […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

June 9th, 2008

Seventeenth Church Attracts the Masses

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 […]

By Matt B -- 4 comments

June 2nd, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre

The Cadillac Palace Theatre, another beautiful piece of Chicago’s historic Theater District, first opened its doors in October of 1926. Although the theatre may not look like much on the outside, it more than makes up for that inside. Visitors then and now saw breathtaking design inspired by the palaces of Fontainebleau and Versailles, both […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

May 26th, 2008

Sears Tower Stands Above All

Welcome to The Chicago Traveler’s 500th post! For this milestone, it’s time to feature Chicago’s claim to fame, the Sears Tower.

In a city known for its architecture, this is the cream of the crop. Constructed like nine square columns, the building reaches a height of 1451 feet (442 m) and 110 stories with 104 elevators. […]

By Matt B -- 9 comments

May 24th, 2008

Potter’s Secret Chamber

A little over a month ago, the Palmer House Hilton opened Potter’s, a sophisticated bar and lounge. It’s named after Potter Palmer, the Palmer House founder, and replicates the style and elegance of the 1920s with a modern, sleek look.
Located inside the hotel, Potter’s is open to the public, but not many people outside of […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

May 23rd, 2008

Cal’s Liquors Is Straight Up

Usually, liquor stores with a bar attached are, well, a bit sleazy. But that’s certainly not the case with Cal’s Liquors.
Don’t misunderstand me. This is a dive bar in every sense of the words. The tables are a couple decades old, the whole place could use a good scrub-down, and the atmosphere has a grimy, […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments