My mother keeps a diary and always has. And then, On New Year's Day, she throws it away and begins a new one. She has been doing it for as long as I've known her. I don't see her point. This is my first diary and I'm feeling like I did when I was 9 and she gave me my first (and last) diary. I'm nervous, but here goes.
With YearlyKos approaching, I thought others would like to be aware of a couple of other events going on in & around town in Chicago during the week of YearlyKos. Included are a couple of Festivals, tours, a concert, a ball game and stores. Each event will feature a link to the respective website and also the mileage from the Hyatt-McCormick Place Hotel to each individual destination.
I hope this guide comes in handy for those too busy to browse. I have never been to any of these places below, so please let me know if any are worth the trip. This Diary is dedicated to the folks at http://www.FIREDOGLAKE, and to kick off, let's start with SCOOTER renting in Chicago, below the fold.
WINDY CITY SCOOTER AND BICYCLE RENTING COMPANY:::::::::EVERYDAY
6.53 MILES
http://www.windycityvespa.com/
Chicago's premier scooter and bicycle rental company featuring Vespa brand motorscooters! Discover Chicago from a different angle. Helmets and locks included. Private guided tours are available by reservation. Call ahead--phone information at the link.
ART EXHIBIT/FESTIVAL LOLLAPALOOZA:::::::::AUGUST 3-5
3.16 MILES
http://www.lollapalooza.com
In addition to music across a vast musical landscape, the event includes a Chicago art exhibit, Festival food from local favorite eateries, a family-friendly area called Kidzapalooza, and Mindfield, an interactive, technology-infused attraction.
LOLLAPALOOZA band schedule and a clip from each band. http://www.lollapalooza.com/...
FESTIVAL-RETRO ON ROSCOE::::::::::::AUGUST 4th & 5th
8.7 MILES
http://www.starevents.com/...
Chicago´s ultimate street festival. Retro features Chicago´s top talent and entertainment on three (3) main stages. Artisans, antique vendors, and cool merchants will provide a shopping experience that is second to none. Local restaurants fill the venue with summertime samplings and tasty treats.
WRIGLEY FIELD-METS VS. CUBS::::::::AUGUST 3-5
9.52 MILES
http://www.choosechicago.com/...
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
The Friendly Confines, on the north side is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues. The ivy-lined outfield walls, man-operated scoreboard and the bleacher bums rallying the team to victory, makes catching a game a must stop for any sports fan. No cocktail weenies, just good ole' hot dogs here! UPDATE BY READER SARA IN CHICAGO, WHO SAYS "If you go by the field first thing in the morning, you may be able to get a ticket or two directly from the box office. Otherwise, check Craig's list or go through an agent to get tickets. The area known as Wrigleyville - and the famous field itself - is one of the liveliest in the city.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S FREDERICK C. ROBIE HOUSE:::::::::EVERYDAY
5.22 MILES
http://www.wrightplus.org
Tours by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust offer both a first-hand experience of its amazingly contemporary spaces and the current restoration work that is returning the house to its original magnificence.
SEGWAY PARK ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE TOUR:::::::::EVERYDAY
2.59 MILES
http://www.mysegwayexperience.com/...
This tour includes training on the use of the Segway Human Transporter by the expert staff of SEGWAY Experience of Chicago. Let the Chicago Architecture Foundation and SEGWAY Experience of Chicago be your guides to Chicago's amazing lakefront architecture. This is a 2 1/2 hour tour, including training, at $80.00 per person.
FIELD MUSEUM
2.41 MILES
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
Discover Sue, the largest and most complete Trex ever found! At The Field Museum, you can get a bug's-eye view in Underground Adventure, descend into an Egyptian tomb, watch a glowing lava flow, come nose-to-nose with the man-eating lions of Tsavo, and walk among dinosaurs in our new, renovated dinosaur hall - Evolving Planet. Daily 9am-5pm, last admission at 4pm. Adults $12
NAVY PIER
3.56 MILES
http://www.navypier.com/...
Navy Pier consists of more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions of every kind. Some of the highlights include: a 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, carousel, bike rentals, boat cruises and a children's museum
NAVY PIER FIREWORK SHOW
3.56 MILES
At the Navy Pier, attend a Spectacular Firework Show presented by Pepsi:::::::::AUGUST 4TH
SEARS TOOWER
4.38 MILES
http://www.the-skydeck.com/
The Sears Tower Skydeck observation deck on the 103rd floor of the tower is 412 m (1,353 ft) above ground and is a famous tourist attraction. Tourists can experience how the building sways on a windy day. They can see far over the plains of Illinois and across Lake Michigan to Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin on a clear day. It takes about 45 seconds to soar to the top in either of two special elevators.
COOL GLOBES ART PROJECT
1.85 MILES
RECOMMENDED BY READER MADAME DEFARGE
http://www.coolglobes.org/...
The City of Chicago is hosting CoolGlobes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet, an innovative public art project of 124 extraordinary globes designed to create awareness and inspire practical solutions to global warming. Solutions that we can put into practice every day...at home, on the job and in school. CoolGlobes is on display along Chicago's lakefront from June-September 2007.
The CoolGlobes exhibit will be on display begining June 1, 2007 through September, along Chicago’s lakefront from The Field Museum campus, north to Balbo Drive and at Navy Pier.
ONLINE GUIDE TO CHICAGO ART EVENTS::::::::::AUG 1-5
RECOMMENDED BY READER COSMIC DEBRIS
PDF WARNING AT THE LINK
http://www.fileden.com/...
The ArtKos group, which is hosting an Arts Entertainment night Thursday after the keynote speeches, made this pdf guide of all kinds of arts events. Print versions will be available at the event, but Cosmic Debris thought to share it here for anyone interested. Great Stuff here, ladies & gents.
ADLER PLANETARIUM
2.31 MILES
RECOMMENDED BY READER CHOPPY CURSO:
Browse here for Shows & Exhibit times
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/...
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
4.97 MILES
RECOMMENDED BY READER CHOPPY CURSO:
Browse here for Exhibits' show times
http://www.msichicago.org/...
ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
LA SCAROLA & ERIE CAFE RECOMMENDED BY READER NANCELOT who says "Both are old restaurants, owned by Italian families, and the food is wonderful. These are a bit off the popular path, patronized by locals. Of course, Chicago has a million Italian restaurants, but these are two of my favorites, and anyone I've taken or sent there has been very pleased."
ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
LA SCAROLA
4.69 MILES
Food & Wine Magazine, 2002, says "...families & local celebrities sit elbow to elbow at this lively storefront for no-nonsense dishes in gigante portions." Open 7 days a week for dinner, and weekdays for lunch
Browse the Dinner Menu and more here:
http://www.lascarola.com/...
ERIE CAFE
5.74 MILES
Reservations: 312-266-2300
Located along the North Branch of the Chicago River on Erie Street, The Erie Caf� serves prime aged steaks, chops and house specialties in a classic club-like environment. Serving Lunch& dinners.
Browse the Dinner Menu and more here:
http://www.eriecafe.com/
SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
CANAL STREET FLEA MARKET:::::::::::AUGUST 5TH- 7 AM TO 2 PM
4-1/2 MILES
CHINATOWN
STORES-FOOD-GIFT STORES
2.0 MILES
THE 900 SHOPS (WoooooooHoooooo)
3.59
http://www.shop900.com
Anchoring the chic north end of Michigan Avenue, The 900 Shops features six levels of shopping at Bloomingdale's, MaxMara, Gucci, Coach, Marina Rinaldi, Ethel's Chocolate Lounge, Preggers, The Silk Trading Co. and 60 other exclusive retailers.
MACY'S ON STATE STREET
2.67 miles