Chicago is a multi-cultured city, the largest city in the state of Illinois, and the largest in the Midwest. With a population of nearly 3 million people, Chicago is the third-most populated city in the United States.
Today, Chicago boasts a rich diversity of cultural offerings: major league sports teams (Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox), a financial district anchored by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, located at the foot of LaSalle Street in the Chicago Board of Trade Building, the shopping of the Magnificent Mile, and a blossoming Theatre district. The city’s waterfront allure and nightlife has attracted residents and tourists alike.
Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago’s eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States’ third-largest convention destination, making it the most suitable destination for the upcoming conference.
Taste of Chicago Festival
The City of Chicago welcomes the 29th annual Taste of Chicago June 26 – July 5, 2009. Each day more than 70 local restaurateurs offer a delicious combination of ethnic items, family favorites, exotic and Chicago specialties feeding more than 3 million people in Grant Park, in downtown Chicago.
Plenty of free entertainment is available to amuse you before, during and after your dining experience. Music from internationally known talent such as Stevie Wonder and Bonnie Raitt is at the Petrillo Music Shell. See cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs such as Art Smith.
Local musicians take center stage at the Taste Stage located at the south end of Taste and international fare performs at the Buckingham Fountain where you’ll also find a market selling wares from around the world.
Dates:
Jun 26, 2009 - Jul 5, 2009
Hours:
11 am - 9 pm; Friday, July 3, 11 am - 9:30 pm; Sunday, July 5, 11 am - 6 pm
Location:
Grant Park
Jackson Blvd. & Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60604
Enjoy Chicago without Spending a Dime
There are lots of world-famous attractions in Chicago that cost money and they’re worth every penny. But you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets to enjoy a host of wonderful experiences, because so many of them will cost you absolutely nothing! It’s part of what makes Chicago a great town.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street | 312-744-6630As one of the most comprehensive free arts showcases in the United States, the Chicago Cultural Center is a landmark building providing visitors a great place to start their journey in our great city. Expect to find exciting daily programming covering a wide range of the performing, visual, and literary arts. From an extensive visitor center to admission-free exhibitions, this beautiful jewel of Chicago is a must-see!
The building's most notable features are its spectacular stained-glass domes. The 38-foot dome in the Preston Bradley Hall in the south end of the building is the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, valued at an estimated $35 million. In the north end of the building, the stained-glass dome in the G.A.R. Rotunda was executed in an intricate Renaissance pattern.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark Street |312-742-2000Come to Lincoln Park Zoo, the wildest spot in Chicago
, where in the shadow of skyscrapers, you can see gorillas climb trees, sea lions frolic in their pool, and lions roar in the open air to no one in particular. Best of all, this wonderful zoo is open every day of the year and always free!
Garfield Park and Lincoln Park Conservatories
300 N. Central Park Avenue | 312-746-5100One of the largest gardens under glass in the nation, Garfield Park Conservatory features five permanent collections, an indoor children's garden, outdoor gardens and five annual flower shows. Admission and parking are free.
Also free are the peaceful and enchanting gardens in the Lincoln Park Conservatory in the heart of Lincoln Park, adjacent to the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Why not let a friendly local show you around? You can make a reservation and a Chicago Greeter will gladly take you on a tour of the city. More than 100 Chicago Greeter volunteers speak 13 different languages. The Chicago Greeter registration system matches greeters with visitors based on language and interest. This service is entirely free! To reserve a Chicago Greeter, visit www.chicagogreeter.com or call 312-744-8000.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive | 312-939-2438On Community Discount Days, general admission is free and packages including Wild Reef are available at a discounted rate. Shedd's 52 discount days a year take advantage of civic and school holidays to make family visits more convenient. For more information on Community Discount Days, visit
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html.
Museum of Science & Industry
5700 S. Lakeshore Drive | 773-684-1414 Be sure to check out the Museum of Science & Industry’s Free Day Schedule. On Free Days, general admission is free and omnimax tickets are available at a discounted rate. For more information on Free Days, visit
http://www.msichicago.org/visit-the-museum/museum-info/admission/free-days/.
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive | 312-922-9410The Field Museum is offering 52 days a year when general admission is FREE! The Field Museum offers FREE general admission on the second Monday of each month. For more information, visit
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/free_days.htm.
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive | 312-922-7827Don’t miss Discount Days at Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum. Charter One Discount Days at the Adler are made possible by the generous support of the Charter One Foundation. On Discount Days, museum admission is free. For a list of Discount Days, visit
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/plan/#2009discountdays.