Chicago Stories and Tips

Quote: One of the Southern traditions for New Year ’s Day is to have black-eyed peas for good luck in the new year. On those rare New Years Day when I am actually at home, always it is hoppin johns (seasoned black-eyed peas and rice…

Quote: Chicago is not only a great place for humans in the summer, it’s also a pretty good place for dogs. There’s nothing better than getting outdoors when the weather is nice and spending a little time with your pooch. In Chicago, there are plenty of…

Quote: Illinois has long been known as the "Land of Lincoln," but with the new president in town, making a journey to Chicago can take on new meaning. When Barack Obama was elected November 4, 2008, he was serving as the junior Senator from Illinois.Neighborhood HangoutsWith…

Quote: I have now seen elegant and ornate furnishings. I've seen a bright green shimmering sari. I've heard a Georgian accent. I've smelled the perfumes of 500 women mingled together in one room. I've been told numerous times I look younger than I am. I've seen…

Quote: In 1871, Chicago's Great Fire burned most of Chicago's existing buildings, and the rebuilding of the city resulted in some architectural masterpieces. We had heard about the art scattered between the buildings, too, and were anxious to find it. Here's the route we took for…

Quote: A stroll down State St. in the Loop reveals many interesting and striking buildings, several of which were the forerunners of the glass and steel giants that now grace the Downtown area. The first on the list for today’s sightseeing is the Carson, Pirie &…

Quote: This wonderful attraction sits within the campus that also houses the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. We’d taken the # 146 bus from Downtown which deposited us within 100 yards of the main entrance. The planetarium juts out…

Quote: This was another taste of local flavour that time hadn’t permitted back last Autumn so on yet another sizzling morning, we set off across town to experience this open-air cornucopia of sounds, smells and flavours from one of the city’s largest ethnic markets.The original market…

Quote: As a kid, I never knew what was ‘magnificent’ about this mile of Michigan Avenue. Our family expeditions to Chicago always revolved around visiting museums, and not shopping. Plus, the similar alliteration of ‘Merchandise Mart’ always had me confusing the two. As we talked through…

Quote: Having spent the night an hour outside Chicago after outrunning the ice storm, we easily made it to the Field before the 9am opening. As we walked up the steps to the imposing entrance (think National Archives), flanked on each side by hundreds of yards…