The Chicago Traveler

I’ve mentioned before how small bits of Paris occasionally pop up here in Chicago. This includes the entrance to the Metra Van Buren Street Station on Michigan Avenue (across from the Auditorium Building). It is a replica of a Paris subway entrance designed by Hector Guimard. The entrance was given to Chicago by the city of Paris in 2001.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Atelier Teee, swanksalot, jima
Metra Van Buren Street StationPublic trans: Bus # 1, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 14, 26, X28, 126, 145, 147, 148, 151Metra Electric Line (Van Buren)

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The Chicago Traveler and all of us here at b5media send our thoughts and well-wishes to all those along the Gulf coast who have been affected by Hurricane Ike.
I also want to extend my sympathies to many in the Chicagoland area. The hurricane’s residual effects brought two days of steady, pouring rain. Rivers and creeks overflowed their banks, and many communities were flooded. Streets, cars, and hundreds of homes were submerged in several feet of water. Families were encouraged to evacuate their homes and take shelter in locations designated by the American Red Cross.

In Northbrook and Prospect Heights, firefighters had …read more

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If you’re scheduling a trip to Chicago and haven’t planned a trip to Millennium Park, you’re definitely missing out. The fact that it opened in July 2004 (not 2000) and was three times more expensive than anyone had planned just goes to show how much work went into this state-of-the-art attraction.
Oh sure, it may seem simple, comprised mostly of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, and Crown Fountain. But each one of those features is nothing like anything you’ve seen before. This northern section of Grant Park is a showcase for postmodern architecture, featuring a bandshell with curving planes of …read more

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Try to describe Crown Fountain to anyone who hasn’t been there, and you may be at a loss. While looking at it, the concept seems very simple: two 50-foot (15-m) towers facing each over a reflecting pool. But if you take a closer look, you’ll notice there is a lot going on with this project that skillfully combines art, technology, architecture, and water.
Opened to the public in July of 2004, Crown Fountain is like none other. Not only is this artwork interactive, but it is constantly changing. Each of the towers is made of over 10,000 5- by 10- by …read more

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One of the most interesting and unique attractions in Chicago is Cloud Gate, otherwise known as “The Bean.” Sculptor Anish Kapoor created this work of art, giving visitors a unique panoramic view of Chicago’s skyline reaching for the clouds above. “The Bean” is made of 168 polished stainless steel plates seamlessly welded together. It stands 33 feet (10 m) high, 66 feet (20 m) long, and 42 feet (13 m) wide.
Like many of Chicago’s attractions, this sculpture came with a bit of controversy. From 2002 through 2004, the plates which comprise Cloud Gate were made in Oakland, California and were …read more

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People 65 years old or over can ride free on Chicago’s public transportation starting today. The free ride programs include the CTA, Metra, and Pace systems which serve Chicago and its surrounding counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will).
Back in January, legislators agreed to a sales and real-estate-transfer tax hike to help bail out the financially struggling CTA. However, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich wouldn’t sign it unless a provision was added: seniors ride for free.
Seniors must have the Senior Reduced Fare Card to take advantage of the free transit. Those who already have a Card are automatically registered. Seniors who …read more

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Today’s tip is tucked away behind the famous Chicago Theatre, which is why it’s called the Backstage Bistro. An extension of the Illinois Institute of Art’s culinary department (and around the corner from America’s Dog), the Backstage Bistro is a 40-seat restaurant that is only open for lunch and dinner, during school sessions. Everything is prepared by culinary students, hard at work on the other side of a glass wall that looks into the kitchen. Students also operate the front end of the restaurant. The servers are incredibly friendly, albeit a bit nervous, but they really are dedicated to keeping …read more

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Once again, your expertise and observation skills have been called upon. You arrive at the scene: a cozy, peaceful neighborhood in the suburbs. But the serenity of this street has been compromised by the flashing lights of several emergency vehicles. They’ve been called to this horrible sight: a car has ran right through a house’s living room window. The driver is slumped over with his seatbelt on, his car door closed. Looking around the mess of a room, you find drops of blood and a questionable stain. Further investigation reveals shoeprints and handprints… of blood? Pizza sauce? Is this the …read more

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