A must visit is the landmark Chicago Cultural Center and its inspiring interior including an impressive Tiffany designed dome (the largest Tiffany Dome in the world). Today this “block” is home to a modern shopping mall which adjoins the Pedway (an underground pedestrian walkway, connecting a number of businesses and blocks). The Temple Building or “skyscraper church” is one of the tallest churches in the world – it’s original home was a log cabin!įor 16 years a block downtown sat empty, Block 37 – an eyesore in this urban jungle.
Original flagship store of Marshall FieldsThankful for the 98% of time we spent indoors on this windy cold day we explored some of Chicago’s interiors including the original flagship Marshall Field’s department store (now owned by Macy’s). It was a much different sized town then than now.
The ‘L’, Chicago’s raised public transit system, is one of the best ways to explore the city. If you just look at this one building you can imagine how this part of Chicago looked many years ago – all the buildings were this size, small and only one or two stories high. Tours range from eight to 30 minutes and include flyovers of Lake Michigan, the city skyline, and Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, including the Willis Tower, the Chicago River, Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium, and Soldier Field. Now in their third generation of ownership, this restaurant is a downtown Chicago institution. And that being the desire to remain in its location regardless of the incredible amounts of money probably offered to the family to sell the property during the 1970’s when the next door neighbor (now a huge skyscraper) wanted to purchase as much land as possible in this area for development. This tiny two story building is sandwiched between and surrounded by vertical behemoths – visibly indicating the defining character of its ownership. On a recent balmy winter’s day (by balmy I mean a high of 34 degrees Fahrenheit or 1 Celcius) we found ourselves looking at selective videos on iPads and standing on the ground floor of the Chase Tower building looking out at one of Chicago’s true ‘holdouts’ “Italian Village”, the oldest continuously operating Italian restaurant in the city. She offers both public and private walking tours. Not only is her love for this city evident but so is her storytelling ability. Such is the case of a tour with world traveler, Founder, Executive Director and Tour Guide of Chicago Detours, Amanda Scotese. About 20 scenes and original stories are told throughout the tour.Owner, Amanda leading our tourWhen you really know something and are passionate about sharing it with others – in this case the intricacies and stories of downtown Chicago, its history and its architecture – your enthusiasm and knowledge is contagious – and what looks like the mundane becomes intriguing. Hidden gems of Chicago neighborhood life include Simon's of Andersonville, the CTA Holiday Train, the history of Kwanzaa in Chicago, the Mexican La Posada tradition of Chicago and the Toys for Tots massive motorcycle parade that crosses the South and North Sides. Sites include The Palmer House to view the lobby decorations, Macy’s on State Street to gaze at the window displays and a visit to the Walnut Room’s Great Tree, a glimpse of the Magnificent Mile’s Lights Festival, Art on theMART and more.
Viewers are welcome to dress in their best holiday outfits and participate in a “Reindeer Disco Party,” storytelling, a holiday décor contest and more themed activities. Voted “Best Tour of Chicago” by the Chicago Reader in 2019, Chicago Detours presents an interactive virtual event, taking viewers down “Great State Street” using Google Maps 360 Street View to see the city’s most beloved holiday landmarks and hidden gems, all while telling the historical stories that celebrate Chicago’s festive spirit.
0 kommentar(er)
