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(More customer reviews)I grew up in central Illinois, and Chicago was always "the city." It's one of my favorite places to visit for professional conferences and even for vacations. This guide does a nice job in relatively few pages of outlining what to see, what to do, where to eat, etc. I (as one might guess) would have some different recommendations, but this little volume does a good, solid job.
One of the cool things about Chicago is its buildings. Many historically important architectural gems are around, and most enjoyable to explore (e.g., early skyscrapers, Beaux Arts [e.g., the glorious Art Institute], Art Deco [e.g., Chicago Board of Trade], and so on)
One nice feature of this volume is a series of day trips, to take in Chicago's sites over a one to three day period. I like the one day itinerary a lot, beginning with the architectural gems in the Loop area, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, to the Magnificent Mile (and the Hancock Observatory--I find it grand, but I'm scared by heights and talk about approach avoidance when I'm at the observation level!), to the wonderful Field Museum, to Wrigley Field (and the cursed Cubs--maybe this year??), and ending at Buddy Guy's Legends, with other steps in between. Such a one day trip would be exhausting--but what a wonderful introduction to Chicago!
There's the usual suggestion regarding hotels (I might add to the list the Hyatt Regency on the river on Wacker Drive; its nice steak house, Stetson's, features large steaks and big, crunchy chunks of broccoli). Then, the listing of restaurants. Chicago is a grand venue for good eating. Fine steakhouses, nice Italian, and so on. Many good international restaurants. Go to Greektown, sit down at The Parthenon, watch the flaming saganaki (did I misspell this?), and order some good Greek food.
The cultural life of Chicago is a strong point. The Art Institute, as already mentioned, is a gem. The Lyric Opera provides major league talent in its home, the Art Deco Civic Opera House. Then, one of the world's great orchestras--the Chicago Symphony--in its Michigan Avenue home. And on it goes.
There is a nice foldout map, made of heavy duty material that lays out Chicago's heart nicely. It does not cover the entire city, but it does provide useful coverage of many of the sites and areas that visitors would want.
So, I'm convinced. Next time I visit Chicago, I'll take this little volume and the map to help me identify what I'm going to do. . . .
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Frommer's. The best trips start here.Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.* Everything you need to know about the city, from deep-dish pizza and architecture to shopping and jazz clubs. Plus, detailed maps and info on Chicago's neighborhoods.* Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.* Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.* Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
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