The Chicago Traveler

While this sculpture is absolutely fascinating, I had a difficult time finding much information on it. Miss Chicago stands 39 feet tall (12 m) and was completed in 1975 by artist Joan Miró.
The more I read about the artist, however, the more fascinated I became. The Spanish-born painter and sculptor received international acclaim for his work in Surrealism. He was actually one of the very first artists to represent this unconventional genre, undoing previously established techniques in art. Not only did he want to take art away from the critics and politics, but he wanted to take it beyond the …read more

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• 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

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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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• Save up to 80% on high-end jeans at The Warehouse Sale, located on the second floor of Navy Pier. At least 20 denim designer labels are available for men and women. Come early and RSVP at http://www.thewarehousesale.com/. (Apr 18-19)
• Spring brings new fashions and accessories to Ultimate Girls’ Night Out. Hosted by Sheque, the ladies-only event at Le Passage & The Drawing Room includes three hours of beauty services, chocolate, Barefoot wine, Rain vodka martinis, and champagne. Beauty services include manicures, massages, makeovers, and eyebrow waxing. Half of all proceeds benefit the International Center of Deafness and the Arts. …read more

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The Chicago Board of Trade Building has towered over the LaSalle Street “canyon” since its completion in 1930. With 44 floors and standing at 605 feet (184 m), it was Chicago’s tallest building from 1930 until 1965 (when it was surpassed by the Daley Center). It has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1978 and is now the primary trading venue for the CME Group (the merger of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange).
Known for its art deco architecture, sculptures, and stone carving, the building is a popular attraction for both tourists and filmmakers. …read more

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A huge 90-foot-tall (27-meter) “tree,” made up of more than 130 individual Balsam Firs, is the centerpiece for the 94th Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Musical entertainment begins at 4:30 p.m., lighting at 5:00 p.m. (Nov 23)
The Sparrow, an award-winning musical, is back by popular demand at the Apollo Theater for an extended run. The story follows a small-town teenage girl with telekinetic powers. (Nov 14-Dec 31)
Matt Wertz, a singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN, and Dave Barnes, a rock and r&b artist, will be together at the House of Blues. (Nov 23)
The most audience participative improv show in …read more

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On the corner of Wabash Avenue and Wacker Drive, just a couple blocks southwest of the Tribune Tower, stands a testament to the fact that people of different backgrounds had to come together to help our nation come into existence.
In this memorial along the Chicago River, George Washington, in his Revolutionary War uniform, shakes hands with English-born Robert Morris on his right and Polish-Jewish emigrant Hyam Salomon on his left. Morris, who actually was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Salomon gave their financial support to assure victory in the American Revolution, raising thousands of dollars …read more

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It’s impossible to talk about Chicago attractions without talking about Navy Pier. It’s the place to go when you can think of absolutely nothing else to do. There’s always something going on there.
This 3,000-foot attraction on the shoreline of Lake Michigan was originally opened to the public in 1916. It was known as “Municipal Pier #2″ (#1 was never built), and it was both a shipping and entertainment area. And while it experienced a “golden era” of success, its popularity declined in the ’30s, due to the introduction of cars, the opening of movie theatres, and the lack of shipping …read more

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