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Voir la Version Francaise
You have just arrived in the Windy City and not too sure where to start to get to know
Chicago…although it pretty much depends when you arrive, whether winter or summer, there are still
some MUSTSEE for both periods!
HIGH RISES
I would start with the two famous high rises of the City: The John Hancock center (96 floors) and the
Sears tower (110 floors). The latter being the tallest building in US at the moment – soon to be
overthrown by the Chicago Spire (to be completed in 2011), which will still be the tallest building in
the US!
Both towers have observatories at the top so you can definitely walk in and go straight to the top. I
would recommend the John Hancock tower, although slightly smaller, the observatory is more fun if
you have kids and otherwise, you can just go to the signature bar on the 95th floor and have a drink,
which would be as much as the price of the observatory entrance without the drink. If you are a
woman, know that the ladies restroom at the bar has the best view of the entire tower.
CHICAGO PARKS
After the high rises, Chicago Parks are the second major attractions – even during winter time you
can still enjoy the famous “Bean” in Millenium Park as well as Buckingham fountain in Grant Park. If
you are there during Christmas time, you would have nothing to envy to New York as the Millenium
Park has its own ice skating rink! Summer time is even more wonderful at the park: The Crown
fountain in Millenium makes that all kids and even adults are running around trying to avoid water
sprays from the fountain.
Another famous park is Lincoln Park with the Zoo, one of the last free Zoos in the US and considering
its size and diversity, this is pretty impressive. However I would not recommend the park during winter
time as most of the animals in the zoo cannot be seen. But if you are in the area of Lincoln Park, I
would recommend walking to old town, where you can find pretty good restaurants (Bistro Margot for
instance) and bars.
MICHIGAN AVENUE
The last mandatory stop is definitely Michigan Avenue – not quite like the Champs Elysee but not far
for every Chicagoans that know Paris! You can spend time in the many department stores of
Michigan such as Nordstrom, Water Tower and Bloomingdale's if you cannot stand the winter cold
anymore. Or just walk along the Magnificent Mile (the other name for Michigan avenue) if the weather
permits it and enjoy the different live bands and other attractions of Michigan along with both luxury
and affordable shops.
After the MUSTSEE, you have plenty of other attractions whether winter or summer.
MUSEUMS AND VISITS
Winter time is probably best for inside attractions. I would recommend the Shedd aquarium first,
which is a nice place to spend a day or an afternoon easily. In the same area, you will find some
other museums such as the Art institute or the field Museum. The Art institute is definitely interesting,
but I would not recommend the field museum, which is the Natural History Museum and has limited
interest. If you have some time, the Museum of Science and Industry in the south of Chicago is also
ok (buses go directly there from downtown Chicago). This museum opens on Thanksgiving Day and
offers an interesting exhibit called “Christmas around the world” worth the trip.
SPORTS
Sports during winter time are also nice entertainments. Winter sports in Chicago are mainly basket
ball and American football. Now if you think you can endure sitting in the cold during more than 3
hours, American football is for you. Otherwise, as for myself, I would rather enjoy a Bulls Game in the
warmth of the United Center. Basket ball games are fun even if you are not a fan of the sport – the
impressive 20,000 people stadium, the national anthem at the beginning of the game (as for any
sports game in the US), the different games to entertain the audience including a donut race are
awesome. Besides you can even get a free hamburger from McDo if the Bulls win and make it over
100 points: you will know that when an American will jump on your knees so excited by the news.
MUSIC
If you like going out, another specialty of Chicago is Blues and Jazz bars – Green Mill is a famous jazz
bar once owned by Al Capone. But arrive early if you would like to find some seatings since this is a
crowded place. If you are interesting in Gospel, the House of Blues Gospel Brunch is well known in
Chicago. This is only on Sunday morning and they have different hours for shows – the later one
around 12:30 is probably the best as there is no show afterwards and it lasts a little longer than the
previous ones.
SUMMER
Now summer time is probably the best season of all. If you are wishing to be in the south of France
near the Mediterranean Sea, you will love Chicago. Lake Michigan and the parks along the lake
whether Millennium, Grant or Lincoln park are fantastic places to spend the summer. Although water
may not be as warm as the sea, you can spend time on Chicago beaches: North beach is probably
the most exciting one with the “Boat” that displays music all day long and where you can see and
even play beach volley. Depending on where you live downtown Chicago, there is always a beach
next to your place, Oak beach, Ohio street beach….
Summer is also the season of all festivals: music festivals, films festivals, blues festival, the famous
‘taste of Chicago’…the main music festival being Lollapalooza in August. Prices are pretty expensive
but bands are usually worth the ticket price.
This is also time to discover some of Chicago neighborhood in-depth: Specific guided tours are
offered to discover specific areas such as Ukrainian village, Little Italy, Hyde Park. If you enjoy a
French guided tour, you can also have the opportunity to spend time with an inhabitant French
speaking of Chicago who would spend time with you and show you the city (see our list of helpful
websites). There are also a multitude of tours whether walking, by trolleys (some are free), bike or
boats. The architectural boat tour on the river and on the lake provides a nice overview of the city and
of the variety of its high rises.
Summer time is also baseball season! The City is divided between Cubs and White Sox fans…you
will need to pick one team. Cubs are funnier to watch and most people go there to have a good time
rather than following the game. Cubs have not won the “World Series” for a century but Wrigley field is
absolutely packed during the summer! If you go to a Cubs game, remember not to eat and drink
before the game as this is one of the major attractions and do not forget to practice the songs
beforehand (see our list of helpful websites, which will provide the lyrics!).
This was a quick overview of what’s to see in Chicago…but the best way to discover the city is
through the city life. Here are two good websites that will let always let you know what is happening:
http://chicago.metromix.com/
http://chicago.citysearch.com/
Below are additional websites, which will give you a good start to discover Chicago. But know there
are much more to see!!
You have just arrived in the Windy City and not too sure where to start to get to know
Chicago…although it pretty much depends when you arrive, whether winter or summer, there are still
some MUSTSEE for both periods!
HIGH RISES
I would start with the two famous high rises of the City: The John Hancock center (96 floors) and the
Sears tower (110 floors). The latter being the tallest building in US at the moment – soon to be
overthrown by the Chicago Spire (to be completed in 2011), which will still be the tallest building in
the US!
Both towers have observatories at the top so you can definitely walk in and go straight to the top. I
would recommend the John Hancock tower, although slightly smaller, the observatory is more fun if
you have kids and otherwise, you can just go to the signature bar on the 95th floor and have a drink,
which would be as much as the price of the observatory entrance without the drink. If you are a
woman, know that the ladies restroom at the bar has the best view of the entire tower.
CHICAGO PARKS
After the high rises, Chicago Parks are the second major attractions – even during winter time you
can still enjoy the famous “Bean” in Millenium Park as well as Buckingham fountain in Grant Park. If
you are there during Christmas time, you would have nothing to envy to New York as the Millenium
Park has its own ice skating rink! Summer time is even more wonderful at the park: The Crown
fountain in Millenium makes that all kids and even adults are running around trying to avoid water
sprays from the fountain.
Another famous park is Lincoln Park with the Zoo, one of the last free Zoos in the US and considering
its size and diversity, this is pretty impressive. However I would not recommend the park during winter
time as most of the animals in the zoo cannot be seen. But if you are in the area of Lincoln Park, I
would recommend walking to old town, where you can find pretty good restaurants (Bistro Margot for
instance) and bars.
MICHIGAN AVENUE
The last mandatory stop is definitely Michigan Avenue – not quite like the Champs Elysee but not far
for every Chicagoans that know Paris! You can spend time in the many department stores of
Michigan such as Nordstrom, Water Tower and Bloomingdale's if you cannot stand the winter cold
anymore. Or just walk along the Magnificent Mile (the other name for Michigan avenue) if the weather
permits it and enjoy the different live bands and other attractions of Michigan along with both luxury
and affordable shops.
After the MUSTSEE, you have plenty of other attractions whether winter or summer.
MUSEUMS AND VISITS
Winter time is probably best for inside attractions. I would recommend the Shedd aquarium first,
which is a nice place to spend a day or an afternoon easily. In the same area, you will find some
other museums such as the Art institute or the field Museum. The Art institute is definitely interesting,
but I would not recommend the field museum, which is the Natural History Museum and has limited
interest. If you have some time, the Museum of Science and Industry in the south of Chicago is also
ok (buses go directly there from downtown Chicago). This museum opens on Thanksgiving Day and
offers an interesting exhibit called “Christmas around the world” worth the trip.
SPORTS
Sports during winter time are also nice entertainments. Winter sports in Chicago are mainly basket
ball and American football. Now if you think you can endure sitting in the cold during more than 3
hours, American football is for you. Otherwise, as for myself, I would rather enjoy a Bulls Game in the
warmth of the United Center. Basket ball games are fun even if you are not a fan of the sport – the
impressive 20,000 people stadium, the national anthem at the beginning of the game (as for any
sports game in the US), the different games to entertain the audience including a donut race are
awesome. Besides you can even get a free hamburger from McDo if the Bulls win and make it over
100 points: you will know that when an American will jump on your knees so excited by the news.
MUSIC
If you like going out, another specialty of Chicago is Blues and Jazz bars – Green Mill is a famous jazz
bar once owned by Al Capone. But arrive early if you would like to find some seatings since this is a
crowded place. If you are interesting in Gospel, the House of Blues Gospel Brunch is well known in
Chicago. This is only on Sunday morning and they have different hours for shows – the later one
around 12:30 is probably the best as there is no show afterwards and it lasts a little longer than the
previous ones.
SUMMER
Now summer time is probably the best season of all. If you are wishing to be in the south of France
near the Mediterranean Sea, you will love Chicago. Lake Michigan and the parks along the lake
whether Millennium, Grant or Lincoln park are fantastic places to spend the summer. Although water
may not be as warm as the sea, you can spend time on Chicago beaches: North beach is probably
the most exciting one with the “Boat” that displays music all day long and where you can see and
even play beach volley. Depending on where you live downtown Chicago, there is always a beach
next to your place, Oak beach, Ohio street beach….
Summer is also the season of all festivals: music festivals, films festivals, blues festival, the famous
‘taste of Chicago’…the main music festival being Lollapalooza in August. Prices are pretty expensive
but bands are usually worth the ticket price.
This is also time to discover some of Chicago neighborhood in-depth: Specific guided tours are
offered to discover specific areas such as Ukrainian village, Little Italy, Hyde Park. If you enjoy a
French guided tour, you can also have the opportunity to spend time with an inhabitant French
speaking of Chicago who would spend time with you and show you the city (see our list of helpful
websites). There are also a multitude of tours whether walking, by trolleys (some are free), bike or
boats. The architectural boat tour on the river and on the lake provides a nice overview of the city and
of the variety of its high rises.
Summer time is also baseball season! The City is divided between Cubs and White Sox fans…you
will need to pick one team. Cubs are funnier to watch and most people go there to have a good time
rather than following the game. Cubs have not won the “World Series” for a century but Wrigley field is
absolutely packed during the summer! If you go to a Cubs game, remember not to eat and drink
before the game as this is one of the major attractions and do not forget to practice the songs
beforehand (see our list of helpful websites, which will provide the lyrics!).
This was a quick overview of what’s to see in Chicago…but the best way to discover the city is
through the city life. Here are two good websites that will let always let you know what is happening:
http://chicago.metromix.com/
http://chicago.citysearch.com/
Below are additional websites, which will give you a good start to discover Chicago. But know there
are much more to see!!
