Archive for
2007
December 7th, 2007 by shannon b
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Q. We will be Chicago on the 27th of December for a total of 3 nights; please, can you give some suggestion of night time events?
A. Lisa, good question! After you’re done using your during the day, what should you do fill up those winter nights? To open this question up a bit for all of our Go Chicago Card customers in town during the holidays, I’ve decided to give a list of fun things to do every night during the week of Christmas including the three days that you’re in town.
Sunday, December 23rd
It’s a Wonderful White Christmas
It’s time to warm up those vocal cords and make sure your peepers are top of the line because it’s . White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life are the perfect Christmas-time movies to get in the mood for the season. Plus, it’s the perfect haunt after an early evening of at one of the many rinks in Chicago that are open between November 24th and February 28th.
Monday, December 24th
The Four Seasons Is Nuts
While you may or may not be able to afford to sleep over at the , everyone can afford their served between 5pm & 7pm in the Seasons Lounge. Also feel free to wash down those holiday treats with the Four Season’s Kahlua-inspired Ebenezer’s Eggnog ($13). So go on! Dress up with a little holiday flair and enjoy the finer things in life, well at least until December 25th.
Wednesday, December 25th
Light Up A Life
If you can tear your family away from their new toys long enough to take a leisurely winter drive, you’ll get the chance to head on over to the and enjoy the a 1.6 mile course featuring millions of lights with holiday themes. Your admission fee goes directly to , a non-profit Illinois human service agency whose goal is to illuminate the lives of adults and children affected by mental disabilities. The best part is that you can give back to the Illinois community 9 pm daily (10 pm on Fridays) until January 1, 2007. Admission is $10 a car.
Thursday December 26
Winter Wonderful
After the chaos of gift-giving has subsided make your way over to Navy Pier for , where you can ice skate and enjoy inflatable games. If you have little ones, they’ll enjoy the Carousel Rides while you wander past the hundreds of decorated trees with your family and friends. Admission starts at $15. Open 10 am - 8 pm until January 6, 2008.
Friday, December 27th, 2007
Warm Up In The Jungle
If you’ve never seen , now is the time to gaze upon high-flying aerialists, contortionists, and acrobats who leap out of what could be a Tarzan dream. Fly with them through this enchanted world of vines and strongmen at the at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 28th, 2007
Lions and Tigers and Lights, Oh My!
It may be a jungle out there but at the it’s a jungle, savannah, ocean, and forest. At , spot your favorite zoo animals in this stunning visual display which will have you wild with excitement. This incredible visual menagerie can be seen from 5 pm-9 pm, Friday & Saturday until January 9, 2007.
Want to see some real animals? Roar with laughter at The when the sketch comedy group Koko turns us all into laughing hyenas. Show starts at 8 pm!
Sunday, December 29th, 2007
Jam Out With Andy
You never know who will stop in for a quick jam session at . Jam sessions are a well-known tradition in Jazz music used to search for artistic expression in a casual, energetic environment. Andy’s Jazz session is a favorite hangout of professionals as well as newbies looking to break into the scene through this loose and exciting form of expression. For $5, you can kick back on a leisurely Sunday, enjoy Andy’s comfort-food packed menu and listen to this . Starts at 7:30 pm every Sunday night.
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December 6th, 2007 by jamie a
If you’ve got a knack for naming pets, this could be your biggest challenge yet! A baby beluga, the newest addition to the Shedd Aquarium, is in need of a name. To join in the fun, enter the up until December 9th for your chance to win.
If you’re the lucky winner, you not only have the joy of naming the cute baby beluga, but you also win a one-year Shedd membership and a Trainer for a Day Session for four.
Read the heartwarming and see incredibly adorable baby pictures that will help you come up with your winning name. And in case you’re wondering, Shannon and I are suggesting
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December 5th, 2007 by jamie a
Wednesday, December 5 (6-9 pm)
Have caramel corn and peppermint truffles or some Ruth & Phil’s gourmet ice cream at . There will also be gingerbread houses, champagne, and award-winning coffee to taste whole you pick up gifts for family, friends, or co-workers!
Saturday, December 8 - Sunday, December 9 (12- 8 pm)
The is back in Chicago with over 100 craft vendors, food, and DJs to fulfill all your independent crafter shopping needs. Find all your special someones unique and wonderful gifts this holiday season with the help of the fair.
Sunday, December 9 (1 - 3:30 pm)
Bring your furry friend to the return of the at the Anti-Cruelty Society. See a special blessing for all of the animals in the shelter and have a great time at the holiday bazaar with your pet.
Sunday, December 9 (7 pm)
starts its opening night on Sunday with the film California Dreamin’ (Endless) by Cristian Mungiu, a Cannes Film Festival winner. The festival continues until December 12 with more feature films and short films by many acclaimed Romanian directors.
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December 4th, 2007 by shannon b
Q.) We are traveling to Chicago this Thanksgiving Weekend, what attractions do you recommend?
A.) Hi Pam! Unfortunately, you caught us here at at a time when we were all gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday. I apologize that we were too late to answer you question about what attractions to see in Chicago on Thanksgiving weekend, but we thought it might be nice to write a response about what Go Chicago Card travelers should do if they’re in town for the Christmas holiday weekend.
Shedd Aquarium
If you’re in Chicago around Christmas, make sure you venture down to Lake Shore Drive to oggle the Shedd Aquarium’s newest holiday gift to marine biologists everywhere:
According to , “this marble octagon building is filled with thousands of denizens of river, lake, and sea. The only problem with the Shedd is its steep admission price.” Fortunately for you, the Shedd’s much-desired All Access Pass is included in the cost of your Go Chicago Card. For more details on making the most of your Chicago visit, check out ChicagoTraveler’s .
Sears Tower Skydeck
Many travelers making their first visit to Chicago want to know which attraction is better: John Hancock Building or Sears Tower. Well, if you could take off work and travel for weeks at a time, you’d probably be happy visiting both. Each attraction has its perks. For example, the John Hancock offers something that the Sears Tower can not… a view of the Sears Tower. But in the end, who can pass up looking out about one of the world’s most influential cities from in the world’s tallest building?
Take in Chicago’s awe-inspiring views with the SkyDeck’s high powered telescopes. On a clear day, not only can you see four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan) but you’ll really understand what a powerful city Chicago really is as you gaze out upon 40 miles of Chicago streets, outstanding bodies of water, and the rolling beautiful of Chicago’s surrounding suburbs.
And unlike many other Chicago attractions which are closed Christmas day, the Skydeck is open 365 days a year which means all your relatives are free to spread their yuletide cheer from way up above!
Field Museum
Indiana Jones movies seem to come to life in this world-renowned museum featuring over 6 acres of exhibits including the Field’s famous Egyptian Mummies, “Sue” the Field’s in-house T-Rex and the latest exhibit, which takes a look at the past, present & future of life all the way from the single-celled organism to when dinosaurs walked the earth to the latest human evolutionary developments.
Museum of Science & Industry
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry had a new temporary exhibit which should not only get you in the mood to continue your travels throughout the US and beyond but it should also strum up some holiday spirit as well! The exhibit features decorates trees from around the world in what the museum is calling a “dazzling forest of trees and displays lovingly created by the citizens of Chicago.”
The museum also presently houses the much beloved Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit (runs until January 2008) and the infamous U-505 Submarine, a real WWI & WWII German Submarine which significantly altered the outcome of WWII when special code breaking documents were discovered on board by Allied troops.
Whatever your pleasure, one can easily spend a whole day (warm & safe from Chicago’s frigid winter) while perusing these outstanding exhibits.
What Christmas trip would be complete without a visit to ? Spend an afternoon at Chicago’s iconic department store Marshall Fields or swing by Burberry (where you can buy a designer scarf to mask your neck from winter weather) or just pop for some holiday-decoration therapy at Crate and Barrel, home to hundreds of Christmas-themed home & cooking gifts. Your family will thank you for your generosity and perhaps you’ll find a little gift for yourself along the way?
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December 3rd, 2007 by susan j
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‘Tis the season for list making to mark the end of 2007. Children everywhere are hard at work on their wish lists for Santa. The New York Times recently released its list of . And there are plenty of travel-related lists floating around the blogosphere, too. Here are a couple of my faves…
IgoUgo’s is a virtual who’s who of travel blogging. I read several of the blogs listed daily, but a few of them were new discoveries that I’ll add to my bookmarks.
Frommer’s includes some exotic locales like Tokyo and Zurich and a few home grown gems like Asheville, North Carolina and Portland, Maine.
Times Online’s is neatly arranged by networking, multimedia, and so on. I’m still working my way through this one, and it looks like there’s some good ones!
Lonely Planet’s offers some offbeat suggestions for the adventurous explorer.
Travel + Leisure’s is a comprehensive list of the world’s best hotels, spas, cruises, and more.
Thanks to Liz at for a few of these links!
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November 30th, 2007 by jamie a
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Until all of Chicago becomes wireless as hinted at by , here’s a list of wi-fi hotspots to help keep you stay connected while you travel.
As far as hotels go, there’s quite the variety. The offer free wireless, as well as and . If you’re up for meeting new faces, there’s also which welcomes guests of all ages.
For brunch, sandwiches, salads, or coffee, there’s the (featured in the film Stranger Than Fiction with Will Ferrell), with great espresso shots, and with a menu full of exotic Mediterranean flavors and signature smoothies.
If you like to have a couple drinks while you catch up on emails, Chicago also has a wide assortment of pubs that provide free wi-fi. There’s which shows all Great Britain’s football games and serves traditional Irish pub fare and tasty appetizers like Guinness BBQ Wings. At the , you can sample the finest Chicago-crafted ales and lagers with over 10 handcrafted brews on tap every day.
Finish up your day with a visit to a genuine soda-fountain for a shake, float, or a build-you-own sundae. At the , you can savor the only handmade hard-pack ice cream in Chicago all while surfing the ‘net.
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November 29th, 2007 by jamie a
November 22 - December 24
In its 12th year, the brings the traditional German Christmas market to families in Chicago. A favorite of locals, it’s become a Chicago institution to take part in the unique holiday shopping, German food and drinks, and all the holiday entertainment.
November 30 - December 24
Lend a hand to the this season by participating in their leading up to the holidays. The foundation raises awareness and grants wishes for terminally ill adults, much like the Make a Wish Foundation does for children.
Friday, November 30 (7 pm)
For one night only, join the Chicago Art Department for the first ever showing of featuring photography from the 1970s San Francisco Bay Area Scene by Larry Schorr.
Saturday, December 1 (7 pm)
Join the as they celebrate 50 years in Chi-town. At the historic Auditorium Theater, this event features acts like Jeff Tweedy and Bela Fleck and will benefit the school’s education, scholarship, performance, and outreach programs.
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November 28th, 2007 by jamie a
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While you’re touring around the great city of Chicago during this chilly time of year, check out this list of coffee shops to stop in while you’re out and about.
If you’re visiting the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, or the Field Museum, we’d recommend stopping in to the . Cozy up with specialty drinks like the Caramel High Rise, Mint Condition, and the Turtle Mocha. If you’d like some lunch, they also have delicious roasted chicken sandwiches on multi-grain rolls or a turkey cherry pasta salad.
After a stroll through or the Art Institute of Chicago, awaits with a tempting cup o’ joe. Voted by locals as their favorite in the city, it’s great to know that this is also a Chicago-based business. Drink it black or indulge yourself with a delicious mocha or their seasonal “celebration blend.” You can even have your lunchtime break here and enjoy some of their delicious paninis or salads.
Visit the in Lincoln Park and then head over to for a delicious treat. A cute little independently run coffee shop, order an orange coffee and a smoked salmon salad to fill your hungry belly. It’s the type of place to sit in a rocking chair and relax for awhile while you read the local paper.
If you’re in the area, be sure and stop in to the in the basement of Swift Hall where all proceeds benefit the Divinity School and its students. For just $1, you can enjoy a 16 oz. cup of regular or fair trade coffee. Espresso is also $1, and if you stop in on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 10:30 - 11:30 am, you can score a latte or a cappuccino for a dollar as well! (Any other time, they’re only $2) Grab a boxed lunch catered by other local businesses for only $5.25 and join in the intellectually stimulating conversation in this quaint little spot.
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November 26th, 2007 by susan j
This week we’re hosting the on the Go Chicago Card Blog. If you aren’t familiar with the idea of a blog carnival, then this will be a great opportunity to discover some new travel blogs and see what’s happening in other cities around the world (no plane ticket required). We’ll start with some posts about US destinations and then move further afield…
Mary Jo at blogged about her
wrote about the , offering coffee recommendations in Salem, Massachusetts.
Jon at discussed up the women’s suffrage movement in the US and suggested a visit to the in Washington, DC.
Speaking of museums, Jamie at the wrote about the .
And now, for some blog posts from around the world…
Andrew at submitted a post about describing the various options for a Mediterranean getaway. Sounds like we could all use a little sun this time of year!
wrote about in Mauritius.
described the from Bangkok, Thailand.
Carol at chronicled her recent and compares Lisbon’s cleanliness and eco-consciousness to that of the United States.
Alex’s post about on offered a taste of the holidays down under in Brisbane, Australia.
shared . Great ideas!
offered some tips on .
Sheila at the wrote about .
Kristie at wrote about .
Tomas Dinges at Chile From Within posted about the attack of the new bus system in Santiago, Chile.
Thank you to everyone who contributed blog posts and to last week’s hosts, . Next week’s Carnival will be hosted by , so check it out!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
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November 20th, 2007 by susan j
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This year the Air Transport Association predicts that , which is a 4 percent increase over last year. If you’re flying this Thanksgiving, then you’ll want to consult . Today and tomorrow, Travelocity’s Thanksgiving Tack Force will hit 10 of the country’s largest airports to offer frequent updates. As of this writing, there were .
You can even set up so you’ll know the status of your flight and security wait times before you arrive at the airport. Also check out Peter Greenberg’s . Here’s wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
