Chi-cow-go

Dairy Foods, Oct 15, 1999 by Donna Berry

Besides the city's 400 cows, Chicago is packed with things to see, places to go

With the close of World Wide Food Expo, Chicago bids farewell to its summer of cows (see sidebar). Make sure you see them and everything else the Windy City has to offer.

There are ways to learn about Chicago, but only one way to really know it--experience it yourself! With its multi-cultural and talented population, Chicago is "The American City," says Mayor Richard M. Daley.

With autumn being one of the city's quieter seasons, it's the perfect time to stroll through its many downtown cultures. You can browse for fine art in River North, hunt for antiques in West Lakeview, boutique shop on Oak Street, drink on Rush Street, start your holiday shopping on State Street and laugh at Second City in Old Town.

If you are willing to venture out a bit further, you will learn why Chicago is the Great American Melting Pot. For starters, Chicago is a crossroads, where railroad meets runway. With most business travelers flying these days, you probably arrived at one of the city's two major airports--the south side's Midway or the north's O'Hare. However, your trip to the big city won't be complete unless you take a ride on the El or subway.

The El (elevated train) was introduced to Chicago in 1893 when the city hosted the World's Columbian Exposition. The El circles the city's central business district, which is referred to as "the Loop." You can use this form of rapid transit to experience the city's more than 100 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and flair.

It is within many of these neighborhoods that you will often find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant featuring some of the best-tasting ethnic cuisine in the country. You can nosh on pierogi, gyros, lasagna, won ton, bratwurst, tofu, sushi, tamales and blintzes. But of course, many of these foods are also available at restaurants throughout downtown. And you cannot leave Chicago without experiencing a real Chicago tradition by trying one of the city's famous ketchup-free hot dogs or deep-dish pizzas. (For a list of recommended restaurants, see page 28).

The other real must before you leave the Windy City is a stroll down Dock Street on Navy Pier. Once a decaying slab of concrete, Navy Pier now boasts a 150-ft Ferris wheel, gardens, shops, restaurants and a great view of the city's skyline. It's also the departure point for a number of boat tours, including lunch and dinner cruises.

If time permits, try to visit one of the city's many museums and architectural attractions. A year ago, the Museum Campus opened along the lakefront, providing a family-friendly park atmosphere conveniently joining the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History.

In the Loop, the country's tallest building, the Sears Tower; stands 1,450 feet tall. On North Michigan Avenue, you can see Illinois, Indiana and Michigan from the 94th floor observatory deck of the John Hancock Center.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers an array of guided tours by foot, bike and bus. An architectural boat cruise, traversing both the north and south branches of the Chicago River, shows bridge houses and Loop skyscrapers from a vantage point unfamiliar to most Chicagoans.

And if you are endeared to sports, the Blackhawks play the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. Neither the Bears nor the Bulls have games in town during WWFE.

If you don't have time to take advantage of the many adventures Chicago has to offer, you must make time one morning before the show to stroll the many miles of paths along Lake Michigan. It will make you want to return to the city soon, for pleasure next time.