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I like the Art Institute so much that I have been a card-carrying member for years. I enjoy seeing every major exhibition, but it is always a treat to revisit its acclaimed selection of works, from...
I like the Art Institute so much that I have been a card-carrying member for years. I enjoy seeing every major exhibition, but it is always a treat to revisit its acclaimed selection of works, from French to Italian to American to Asian artists covering so many periods and styles. I look forward to the new building addition under construction designed by architect Renzo Piano.
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The Field Museum is one of the Big Three of the Museum Campus, just north of Soldier Field. The Field has been living off its mega-shows like the recent Pompeii exhibition, with King Tut on deck for...
The Field Museum is one of the Big Three of the Museum Campus, just north of Soldier Field. The Field has been living off its mega-shows like the recent Pompeii exhibition, with King Tut on deck for a busy summer in 2006. This neoclassical building houses lots of other exhibits too, so feel free to wander around and explore but don’t get too lost or you will be locked in with some scary-looking artifacts.
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The Chicago Cultural Center is a great introduction for someone new to the city. You can stop in for some free pamphlets, and check out some cultural things like art exhibits, local tours, and free...
The Chicago Cultural Center is a great introduction for someone new to the city. You can stop in for some free pamphlets, and check out some cultural things like art exhibits, local tours, and free musical performances. The interiors are beautiful and it is worthwhile to wander around and see some of the grand details.
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The Museum of Contemporary Art resides in a minimalist building on Chicago Avenue. I attended a Friday night opening for the Andy Warhol exhibit and it was wall-to-wall people. Some came to see art,...
The Museum of Contemporary Art resides in a minimalist building on Chicago Avenue. I attended a Friday night opening for the Andy Warhol exhibit and it was wall-to-wall people. Some came to see art, and some came to be seen. The First Friday events draw a good crowd, and there are free snacks and a cash bar. The free admission policy on Tuesdays is great.
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Pita Express is in a deep corner on the lower level food court at the Thompson Center. This is probably the best ethnic food choice at that food court. They have good and filling daily specials...
Pita Express is in a deep corner on the lower level food court at the Thompson Center. This is probably the best ethnic food choice at that food court. They have good and filling daily specials featuring lamb with a side (something like couscous or greens). The turkey shawerma and turkery burger are good as well. You can always count on snappy service here.
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Mambo Grill is a quietly hip restaurant, if you can have a label like that. They emphasize dishes with Latin and Caribbean influences, although the flavors are generally not too spicy. I like the...
Mambo Grill is a quietly hip restaurant, if you can have a label like that. They emphasize dishes with Latin and Caribbean influences, although the flavors are generally not too spicy. I like the empanadas, sandwiches, chicken dishes, and the desserts are rather rich. The drinks and the cool music mix are plusses too.
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The Hilton and Towers is a nice older hotel with lavish public areas that seem to be busy all the time. It is a large complex, so you may have to switch elevators if you are on a high floor and get...
The Hilton and Towers is a nice older hotel with lavish public areas that seem to be busy all the time. It is a large complex, so you may have to switch elevators if you are on a high floor and get on the wrong elevator bank. The rooms are decent enough, and the views facing east are spectacular so ask for that side.
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The Westin River North is a calm and cool hotel located along the north side of the Chicago River. Once you adjust your eyes to the dark color schemes of the hotel, you will enjoy the comforts like...
The Westin River North is a calm and cool hotel located along the north side of the Chicago River. Once you adjust your eyes to the dark color schemes of the hotel, you will enjoy the comforts like the cushy beds and the soothing lobby area. They changed the hotel restaurant again recently, with an awful brown awning color on the exterior.
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I have enjoyed several stays at the Renaissance, a very elegant property just a block north of the Chicago Theater. The lobby is not overly extravagant, so you may actually feel comfortable...
I have enjoyed several stays at the Renaissance, a very elegant property just a block north of the Chicago Theater. The lobby is not overly extravagant, so you may actually feel comfortable lingering a bit here. The rooms are quite nice and comfortable. The fourth floor has an indoor pool and small workout room.
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I have stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott several times and it functions nicely as an apartment-style property for business travelers. Each of the rooms is like a studio apartment, with a large...
I have stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott several times and it functions nicely as an apartment-style property for business travelers. Each of the rooms is like a studio apartment, with a large kitchen and sofabed. You can enjoy your free breakfast buffet in the main lounge and read your free copy of USA Today.
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