Posted by Poet on May 16, 2005, at 0:15:05
In reply to Re: 3rd-5th, posted by Dr. Bob on May 15, 2005, at 21:53:11
From a Chicago insider that I thought I would pass on.
Spoc sent me this on babblemail and I thought it was well worth posting.Millenium Park is indeed beautiful,
and convenient to plenty of other things of interest. That's a more
"citified" area. I think people get the most well-rounded picture of Chicago
if they see not only that type of thing, but also the gorgeous,
bustling but more neighborhoody areas to the north a bit. So I also wanted to
suggest, maybe for the second day, the area in Lincoln Park around Cafe
Brauer (sp?).Don't know if you've been there lately, but it is a beautiful building that has a restaurant, and (in summer) concessions and tables outside,
that overlook a lovely pond. It even has foot-paddle boats you can rent cheaply, that are shaped like big swans. Then, to one side is the
famous Lincoln Park Zoo; to another side is an atrium or whatever you call it like Dinah was talking about; all around is gorgeous landscaping and gardens; and straight ahead is the lakefront and beach where you could all walk and see one of the best of the city beaches (which also has
some restaurants now, including a cute one atop the North Ave. Beach "boathouse"). SO many things to do/see, such a pretty area, and totally
"no pressure" as Dinah suggests. (And also, various areas to duck into for cover in case of rain.)Outside this area of the zoo/park are plenty more restaurants and cafes. (And if you walked around those neighborhoods, you would get to see
some historic brownstones and quaint streets that you would never see in "downtown proper.") But just for your reference, to walk from the part
of Lincoln Park I am talking about to the Art Institute and Millenium Park area would take about 30 to 45 minutes (buses, cabs and trains are
of course also readily available). But even better, in less than half that time if you walk south on what would be Lake Shore Drive leading
into Mich Ave, you would also pass the area to which you referred -- where Water Tower,
Ghiradelli, etc. are.Feel free to post this if you think anyone might want to hear about it. There are tons of good maps available, including walking maps. I also accidentally came across a listing of some other hostel-type accomodations (I do hope no one is still thinking about staying at the U of
C's... Not a convenient area or pretty/inviting, outside the University grounds.I've always wanted to do a swan paddle boat, anybody else?
Poet
poster:Poet
thread:5509
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050417/msgs/498364.html