Downtown chicago activities

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The third largest city in the United States offers beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, fine dining, an enthusiastic sports scene, a myriad of cultural activities, and, of course, deep-dish pizza. To enjoy everything Chicago has to offer, plan your visit during the summer months, when the city comes alive with outdoor festivals and you can take full advantage of Lake Michigan's beach and water activities.

1. Millennium Park

   • Millennium Park offers an eye-catching blend of art and architectural forms.

     One of the highlights of any trip to Chicago is a visit to Millennium Park. This 24.5-acre park features works from some of the world's most renowned architects, artists and landscape designers. Famous architect Frank Gerhy designed the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The brushed stainless steel outdoor concert pavilion rises to a height of 120 feet, and a state-of-the-art sound system brings crisp sound to audiences of up to 11,000 people. During the warmer months there are free concerts where you can bring a picnic.

     The Crown Fountain is a unique multimedia display. Two 50-foot towers project images of real Chicago citizens--and the water spouts out of their mouths. The Cloud Gate is a 110-ton elliptical sculpture whose mirror surface reflects the images of onlookers in a variety of different perspectives. Both of these works are huge hits with children and adults alike.

   Chicago Architecture Tour

   • A Chicago River cruise offers close-up views of Chicago's diverse architecture.

     The city of Chicago is a living museum of great modern architecture featuring some of the most distinguished architects of the19th and 20th centuries, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, and more than a dozen architectural styles, from Gothic Revival to Beaux Arts to Art Deco.

     A great way to appreciate the architecture and skyline of Chicago is take a Chicago architecture tour. These narrated cruises take you along the Chicago River and give you an overview of the history of the city and its buildings and allow you beautiful views of the city and its historic landmarks. The Chicago Architecture Foundation runs one of the best architectural river tours.

   Chicago Cultural Center

   • Built in 1857 as a public library, the Chicago Cultural Center remains one of the city's most beautiful buildings. The interior features rare imported marbles, antique brass and mosaics made of mother of pearl and Favrile glass. One of its most stunning attractions is the recently restored glass dome, designed by Tiffany. The largest art glass dome in the world, its approximately 30,000 glass pieces cover more than1,000 square feet.

     The Cultural Center hosts more than 800 free cultural programs each year, from lectures and panels to dance performances to art exhibitions and more. See their website for the latest schedule (see resources).

   Art Institute of Chicago

   • The Art Institute of Chicago is home to the third largest permanent art collection in the country, featuring more than 260,000 works of art and artifacts from around the world, including collections of African-American art, European painting and sculpture, art and objects from the Silk Road, and Indian art of the Americas.

     In May 2009, the museum unveiled its Modern Wing, which showcases art, architecture and photography from the 20th century in three floors of light-bathed galleries.

Source: www.ehow.com

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