The Chicago Traveler

Fall has arrived, and that means the kids are back in school learning about all their favorite subjects. If your children, your teens, or even you yourself have a curiosity for all things science, a great opportunity awaits you right here in Chicago.
Science Chicago: Life’s a Lab is a year-long celebration of science and learning that will appeal to people of all ages. More than 100 public and private institutions are hosting events where Chicagoans can explore and discover how the world around them works. After all, science isn’t just in a textbook; it’s in action every day.
The festival covers …read more

Comments Off

I am often amazed at how advanced our technology is. I remember when I bought my first portable cassette player. Now, I have a 3.5-inch (88.9-mm) device that holds thousands of songs. Fold-out maps and compasses have been replaced by GPS. And I can easily carry dozens of books with me wherever I go all in one gadget.
And the marvels don’t end there. We are constantly learning and adapting, and our gadgets are getting more and more advanced. If you want a glimpse into the future today, the Museum of Science and Industry has a new exhibit, Fast Forward.
The exhibit …read more

Comments Off

Being an English major and eventually a writer and blogger, I have always had a fascination with words: how we use them, how we understand them,, etc. Sure, we Americans all speak English, but are we all saying the same thing?
I was shocked when I learned that many of the words I grew up with as a Chicagoan were not used by everyone in the U.S. Or, at least, not always in the same way. I touched on this a bit in my post about Chicago highways. Rather than call our local expressways by their route numbers, we refer to …read more

5 Comments

• The African Festival of the Arts is Chicago’s largest neighborhood festival, featuring three music stages, ethnic cuisine, and more than 300 vendors selling everything from fine art to skin care products. Presentations include book discussions and dance workshops. (Aug 29 – Sept 1)
• The 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival is the city’s longest-running lakefront music festival and features local, national, and international performers on several stages. (Aug 28-31)
• Get your fill of pierogi, Polish sausage, and sauerkraut at the Taste of Polonia, where you can listen to live bands play everything from rock to polka. (Aug 29 – Sept …read more

1 Comment

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

• Celebrate with more than 35 music and dance acts at the Caribbean Festival at Union Park. The festival features traditional food, art, a talent show, and more. (Aug 8-10)
• The 51st annual Gold Coast Art Fair displays work from over 350 artists along with food and wine vendors, music, and sculpting demonstrations. On Saturday, Ted Allen from the Food Network will lead a cooking demo and wine discussion. (Aug 8-10)
• You can see singer Deana Martin and the cast of Jersey Boys at the second annual Taylor Street Festa Italiana. Sample food from a dozen local restaurants and play …read more

Comments Off

To all our U.S. readers, happy Fourth! If you want to celebrate without the traditional explosions and fireworks, here are a few other options…
• Continuing from yesterday’s festivities, the Fourth of July Celebration at Citizen Bar features a $25 drink package (along with a free burger before 1 p.m.) and a bags tournament. (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.)
• Are you a fan of anime? Break out your costumes for J-Pop Night, a Japanese pop dance party at darkroom. ($5 after 11 p.m., 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.)
• Blu Coral, a contemporary sushi lounge, offers a special patriotic menu. Dinner specials …read more

1 Comment

• Meet other cyclists at the Daley Plaza for the Bike to Work Rally, which includes live music, free t-shirts, and raffle prizes. (June 13)
• Celebrate Puerto Rican culture at the Fiesta Puertorriquenas in Humboldt Park, featuring crafts, food, live music, and dancing. The festival’s high point is the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Saturday along Columbus Drive, from Balbo Drive to Monroe Street. (June 12-15)
• Festa Pasta Vino is an annual celebration of Italian food, family, and culture, featuring authentic cuisine from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, parades, and live music. (June 12-15)
• Meet paranormal radio show host Edward Shanahan, …read more

1 Comment

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