What to see and do in.....Chicago

Nursing, Oct 2003

Visitors to Chicago experience a virtual explosion of cultural activity, civic pride, and multicultural expression. From stunning architecture and world-famous museums to lakefront parks and vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, Chicago offers a range of attractions that keeps visitors coming back again and again.

History

Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a fur trader of French-African descent from Santo Domingo (now Haiti), built the first permanent settlement in 1779 on the shores of Lake Michigan, named "Checaugou," an Indian name for the wild onions that flourished there.

In 1833, the Town of Chicago (population, 350) was incorporated. From this beginning, Chicago grew rapidly. In 1837, the town of 4,170 was incorporated as a city. In 1848, the 100-mile Illinois and Michigan Canal was completed, connecting Chicago with the Mississippi River. The same year, the first locomotive arrived from the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad. This access to transportation played a key role in the development of the Chicago Union stockyards and in Chicago's growth; within 3 years, the population tripled.

In 1871, though, much of Chicago was decimated by fire. Citizens watched as the Great Chicago Fire destroyed $200 million worth of property and seized the opportunity to plan and rebuild the entire city. Chicago's undiminished potential for growth fueled her recovery.

In 1893, Chicago played host to the World's Columbian Exposition, which attracted more than 27 million visitors. To provide transportation to the fair, the Chicago Transit Authority introduced the first elevated ("L") trains, encircling the city's central business district, known as "the Loop." As a result, even today, Chicago is an extremely easy city to explore, as all of the city's neighborhoods are easy to access by public transportation.

Architecture

From historic landmark buildings to contemporary technologic masterpieces, Chicago is home to unique and innovative designs that have shaped American architectural style. The world's first skyscraper-the Home Insurance Building-was built in Chicago in 1885. Although it no longer exists, this building triggered the start of Chicago's reputation as a living museum of architecture, thanks to architects such as Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and many others.

Daniel Burnham, creator of the famous Chicago Plan of 1909, helped chart the city's future with his unobstructed lakefront design, citywide system of parks, and green belt of forest preserves. The Hotel Burnham-formerly the Historic Reliance Building and one of Chicago's most significant architectural landmarks-is a premier example of Burnham's architectural style, known as the Chicago Style.

Chicago now boasts three of the world's tallest buildings. See the city, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding area from the Sears Tower (1,450 feet) or AON Center (1,136 feet) and view Chicago at night from the John Hancock Center (1,127 feet). Chicago is also home to one of the world's largest fountains, Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park, and one of the largest and last of the free zoos, Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago also features the only river in the world that flows backward: Engineers reversed the Chicago River's flow in 1900 for sanitary purposes.

To fully appreciate Chicago's design, take one of many guided tours, including narrated bus tours and river cruises. For a more detailed look, try one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's many walking or bus tours, which are conducted by knowledgeable guides.

Museums

Chicago is world known for its diverse museums, which offer everything from Chicago history, modern art, African-American culture, and astronomy to natural history. The Art Institute of Chicago is one the world's leading art museums, with a renowned collection of works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, and others. Visitors can study classics, such as "Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte" by Seurat, as well as later masterpieces, such as "Nighthawks" by Hopper and "Inventions of the Monsters" by Dali. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Photography and the Terra Museum of American Art, which features works by such American artists as Whistler, Cassatt, Sargent, and Wyeth.

The Museum of Science and Industry offers tours of a full-scale working coal mine, a captured German submarine, and a pulsating, 16-foot model of the human heart. You can blast off in a simulated space shuttle ride and view the Apollo 8 spacecraft at the museum's Henry Crown Space Center. The John G. Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium offers the world's largest indoor collection of aquatic mammals, reptiles, and fish.

Dining

A city of neighborhoods, Chicago has thousands of restaurants serving culinary delights to suit every taste and budget. Best known for steak, ribs, and deep-dish pan pizza, Chicago offers award-winning restaurants and world-renowned chefs. Whether craving Chicago-style hot dogs or haute cuisine, calamari or curry, pierogies or Pad Thai, you'll find a restaurant to your liking. Chinatown, Greektown, West Rogers Park (Jewish), Pilsen (Mexican), West Town (Polish, Ukrainian), and the Near West Side (Italian) offer tastes from around the world at reasonable prices.