]]> http://www.chicagovacationstoday.com/chestnut-mountain-resort-galena-illinois/feed/ 0 http://www.chicagovacationstoday.com/go-bananas/ http://www.chicagovacationstoday.com/go-bananas/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:47:51 +0000 Leo http://www.chicagovacationstoday.com/?p=744

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel Chicago

Navy Pier is undoubtedly one of the most important attractions and signature landmarks of this city. History of Navy Pier started in early 1900. Built in 1916, this impressive 3,300 foot long pier is today a bustling entertainment venue offering a combination of carnivals, rides and attractions, food court, boat dock etc.

There is so much to do and see that it is easy to get confused and lost in this bright and colorful wonderland. If you are visiting Navy Pier, then your first stop should definitely be the Pier Park. Situated on the upper deck, this landscaped area features a Navy Pier Ferris wheel, a charming musical carousel, a traditional swing and even an 18-hole miniature golf course. The seven minute ride on the 150-foot high Ferris wheel will not only provide you with an exhilarating experience but it will also allow you to enjoy unmatched views of the Chicago skyline and the Michigan Lake.

Made out of 36-hand painted animals, the Musical Carousel recreates the magic of the golden age of 1920s and gives your children a chance to experience the glory of a bygone era. While your kids enjoy the exciting rides, you can always play a game of golf at the miniature golf course.

If golf doesn’t interest you, then a visit to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a must. Here you can get to see more than 150 stained-glass windows that are displayed against illuminated cases. The museum is truly remarkable and features works by Frank Lloyd Wright, John LaFarge and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Chicago Children’s Museum is situated right on the Pier and offers a blend of interactive exhibits thereby encouraging children to learn in an entertaining and a fun filled environment.

More fun and adventure await you at the Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze and Transporter FX. You get to enjoy a truly exhilarating experience as you twist and turn and navigate your way through the 4000 sq ft of the exciting Funhouse Maze. Alternately, you can notch up your thrill level at the Transporter FX. Here you can enjoy high-speed ride to the Antartica, the Moon, Wild Africa or even choose to race in the Grand Prix. Whatever option you may pick, you are guaranteed to feel the thrill and excitement of the ride.

After all the exciting rides, you can opt for a guided tour of the lakefront on a Segway. The Segway-authorized touring company conducts tours that start from Navy Pier and heads north, passing through the beautiful Gold Coast neighborhood and reaching the historic Drake hotel.

Besides the various interesting rides and tours, the Pier also offers immense possibilities for dining and shopping. The food court in the Family Pavilion is open year round where you can sample an array of delectable delights. You can also try out any one of the popular restaurants such as the Billy Goat Tavern, Bubba Gump, Dock Street Café and Harry Caray’s Tavern.

Shopping is always fun on a full stomach and Navy Pier offers quite a few interesting options where you can spend to your heart’s content. It is one of the best places to take back home a little souvenir as a memento of your unforgettable experience.

Finally after a day of fun, thrill and adventure, the best way to round up your visit to Navy Pier is to watch the magnificent display of fireworks. A sight so amazing, it will surely stay with you forever.

Navy Pier Park Chicago Tickets Discount & Coupons:

FREE Access With Go Chicago Card

Cost without the go Chicago card:

• Adult $15.00, Child $15.00

Operation Hours:

• April-October: Hours change seasonally.
• Closed on thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 800-595-PIER
www.navypier.com

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Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

Situated in Jackson Park in Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry is considered to be one of the most popular museums in the world. It is in the neighborhood of Hyde Park and Lake Michigan and is regarded as the best in interactive museums. The museum boasts over 2,000 exhibits and it is advisable to reserve a day at least in order to see most of them.

One of the oldest exhibits is an interactive Coal Mine, which first made an appearance in 1934. Over a period of time, various advanced mining techniques have been incorporated, however, the highlight is undoubtedly a simulated tour down into the dark and unknown interiors of a coalmine. It transports you to an era when workers had to go down hundreds of feet with hardly any security and safety features. Another popular exhibit is a German submarine, U-505 that has been in the museum since 1954. It was captured in 1944 and it depicts the reality of a claustrophobic life under the sea.

The Transportation Zone features exhibits on land and air transportation. It has the world famous 999 Empire State Express, which was the first to achieve a speed of 100 miles per hour. It also has two World War II planes and the first diesel powered train.

At the exhibit ‘All Aboard the Silver Streak’ visitors get to enjoy a guided tour on one of America’s first diesel-electric passenger train, famously known as Pioneer Zephyr. Apart from this, the other interesting exhibit, Transportation Gallery allows you to discover fascinating aspects of various modes of transport such as the trains, airplanes and cars. You get the chance to board the engine of the Empire State Express 999 or observe the functioning of an actually United Airlines Boeing 727.

Yet another interactive exhibits is the Genetics and the Baby Chicken Hatchery, which shows how genetics alter animal and human development. At the hatchery you will get to see chicks come out of their shells and take their first steps and even get to learn about cloning and how genetic engineering can make frogs’ eyes glow.

From the scientific lab move onto something more charming like the Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle, a fascinating reminiscent of a fairytale wonderland. This miniature palace will surely charm you with its impressive range of tiny treasures that includes murals and paintings, chandeliers ensconced with diamonds, emeralds and pearls, ancient statues and the tiniest bible dating back to 1840. Any kid who visits this place is really going to have his or her hands full for an entire day and would want to come back again for more.

A recent addition to the museum is the Henry Crown Space Center. It consists of a five story OMNIMAX Theater, which shows the story of space exploration in detail along with a space-shuttle experience. It also flaunts the Apollo 8 spacecraft, which was the first one to orbit the moon. This is truly once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed at any cost.

Last but not the least is the Yesterday’s Mainstreet, which is based on a street from the beginning of the last century. It has old fashioned fixtures, fire hydrants and several shops that started some huge Chicago businesses like the Jewel Tea Company, Berghoff’s Restaurant, Dr John B Murphy, Commonwealth Edison, Nickelodeon Cinema and many others.

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is designed to fire your imagination and take you on a truly unique and an unforgettable journey.
Museum of Science and Industry Chicago Tickets Discount & Coupons:

FREE Access With Go Chicago Card

Cost without the go Chicago card:

• Adult $20.00, Child $14.00

Operation Hours:

• Monday-Saturday, 9:30 am-4:00 pm;
• Sunday, 11:00 am-4:00 pm;
• Closed on Christmas Day

Museum of Science and Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-684-1414
www.msichicago.org

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Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art

Chicago has always been synonymous with art, culture and architecture. It is home to a number of world-renowned attractions, museums and galleries. Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago is known globally for enjoying a prominent place on the Chicago cultural circuit. Art aficionados will find the museum particularly interesting considering it houses a number of fascinating exhibits. The museum was founded in 1967 and is known to contain thousands of objects of post World War II visual art.

Situated in downtown Chicago, the museum is housed within a building that was designed by Josef Paul Kleihues. Though the exteriors may not look very bright, but as you step inside, you will be greeted with a warm, welcoming and a colorful ambience. The two storey central corridor, elliptical staircases, three floors of exhibition spaces and the glass-walled atrium overlooking Lake Michigan make up for the dull exteriors.

Boasting 45,000 sq ft of gallery space, an auditorium and a sculpture garden, the museum does have much to display in terms of artistic expressions.

The museum does impress even the most discerning of art lovers with its extensive collection of visual art from 1945 to the present. Works by Chicago based artists are predominantly showcased and the various expressions contain a strong influence of surrealism, pop art and conceptual photography. At any given time only a small percentage of collection works are on view and can be found at any one of the exhibitions.

The museum offers a number of tours including free daily tours, special curator’s tours, private guided tours and self-guided tours. The curator’s tours are held on certain dates and it is advisable to check with the museum well in advance. The free tours conducted daily lasts for about 45 minutes and they begin in the second floor lobby. However, these free tours do adhere to specific timings. For example on Tuesdays it is held at 1, 2 and 6pm while from Wednesdays to Fridays it takes place only at 1pm. On Saturdays and Sundays it is conducted at 12, 1, 2 and 3pm. If you are traveling in a group you can always opt for a private guided tour.

It is also known for offering exciting opportunities for the complete family through carrying out special family programs and activities. For example every second Saturday, the museum host Family Days, where families are invited to learn about art through hands-on activities. For adults, regular art workshops are conducted, where individuals get an opportunity to focus on various aspects of artistic learning under the guidance of an accomplished artiste.

First Fridays are special where visitors can buy a ticket and get to enjoy live entertainment and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres. Besides, the exhibition, dance performances, plays and film festivals are also regularly hosted at the auditorium and tickets can be easily purchased online. With so much to do and see, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago truly embodies the essence of all art forms and showcases it in the most entertaining and engaging manner.

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Tickets Discount & Coupons:

FREE Access With Go Chicago Card

Cost without the go Chicago card:

• Adult $12.00, Child $7.00

Operation Hours:

• Tuesday, 10:00 am-8:00 pm;
• Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm.
• Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving day, Christmas Day and New year’s day.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-280-2660
www.mcachicago.org

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Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago IL

Situated within a lush green park north of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. This delightful little oasis found in the midst of the city’s soaring skyscrapers offers free admission to the park and is a delight for nature lovers. Boasting an impressive array of animal habitats of even the most rare species, stunning zoological gardens and exciting rides for the kids, the zoo is an ideal family attraction. The gardens at the park are truly beautiful covered in a carpet of verdant lawns and colorful blooms set against a backdrop of charming Georgian brick buildings and modern structures.

When was Lincoln Park zoo built? – The zoo was first started in 1868

Why was the Lincoln Park zoo in Chicago built? – The zoo was started with gift of two swans. It kept on growing for public entertainment.

Who was Lincoln Park zoo named after? – Zoo was named after Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln Park Zoo History: The zoo was founded in 1868. Two swans received as a gift in 1868 were first birds of the zoo. During 1874 new bear cub was introduced to the zoo. From then and now numbers of animals are growing at the zoo. For detailed history of Lincoln Park zoo, Click Here

A good place to start at is the Regenstein African Journey where the four habitats are home to some of the most magnificent creatures of the African jungles. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippopotamus, African wild dog and many more other wonderful animals will give you a chance to see them from close quarters.

Your next stop should be the state-of-the-art Regenstein Centre for Africa Apes. This place is absolutely unique and unlike anything that you may have seen. Occupying a living space of 29000 sq. ft. this $26 million centre is clustered with dozens of trees and almost 5,000 feet of artificial vines inhabited by chimpanzees and gorillas. The Kovler Gorilla Bamboo Forest, the Strangler Fig Forest and the Dry Riverbed Valley make up the three habitats.

Those who enjoy watching the activities of the furry creatures can make their way to the McCormick Bear Habitat, which is home to all kinds of bears including the Andean Bear, Malayan Sun Bear and Polar Bear.  The 266,000-gallon pool and underwater viewing windows allow you to even watch the polar bears from really close quarters.

Birds are always a delightful spectacle and at the Lincoln Park Zoo, there is a special McCormick Bird House, which is filled with the twitters of all kinds of exotic birds. An assortment of birds from the tropics, forests, savannahs and seashores present a pretty picture that reside within their respective habitats. Some of the popular species include Mandarin duck, piping plover, tawny frogmouth, scarlet ibis, snowy egret, Nicobar pigeon, red knot etc. The Regenstein Birds of Prey also contains some of the most exotic species including European white stork, snowy owl, cinereous vulture and bald eagle.

Kovler Penguin and Seabird House also amuses and delights with its diverse range of aquatic birds that are housed within the zoo’s 18,000gallon temperature controlled pool. Here you get a chance to come face to face with king penguin, rockhopper penguin, common murre, razorbill and tufted puffin.

A visit to the zoo is incomplete without meeting the king of the jungle and you can do exactly that at the Kovler Lion House. Situated in the heart of the zoo, you can hear the roars of the Afghan leopard, Amur leopard, African lion, puma, snow leopard and jaguar.

Some of the other interesting exhibits include the Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond and Antelope and Zebra Area. Besides the various habitats, the zoo also offers two exciting rides for your little ones. Your child can hop onto the LPZoo Children’s Train Ride or enjoy a merry-go-round ride on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel. With so much to see and do, it isn’t surprising that the zoo is a favorite with both the locals and the tourists too.

Lincoln Park Zoo Timeline / Operation Hours:

• April–May – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Memorial Day–Labor Day : Weekdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Weekends 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
• September–October – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• November–March – 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (312) 742-2000
www.lpzoo.org

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