IGSA @ UIC

Chicago

Welcome to Chicago....

The information in this section has been compiled from the following websites. The information provided here is not claimed to be complete in all details. We have tried to provide enough information about Chicago to get a head start in learning about this beautiful city and to get acquainted with the basic facilities.

www.ci.chi.il.us City of Chicago website
www.state.il.us Illinois State website
www.transitchicago.com CTA website
www.pacebus.com Pace bus website
www.metrarail.com Metra Railway website
www.chicagoairports.com Airports of Chicago website

Here are some of the interesting facts about Chicago..

1. Chicago's Famous Firsts...

        Chicago produced the first...
        Steel frame skyscraper
        Stainless steel building
        Electric iron and cooking range
        Grain reaper
        Reactor to produce electricity from atomic energy
        Cafeteria
        Window envelope
        Co-educational public high school
        Railroad sleeping car
        The bifocal contact lens
        The winding watch
        The bowling tournament
        First McDonalds

2. Wondering why Chicago is called 'The Windy City'. You might say what is there to wonder about it!! Most people think that Chicago is so called due to gusty chilling winds during winter. Here is the real reason .. The title "Windy City" was given to Chicago by New York Sun editor Charles Dana in 1893. He was tired of hearing long-winded politicians boasting about the wonders of the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago the same year. But did you know that the top of the Sears Towers can swing 27 inches on either side. It has never swung that much but it can withstand it. i remember losing 2 caps walking near the lake on a windy day.

3. Chicago is home to the first totally fire-proof hotel, the Palmer House Hilton at State and Monroe Streets.

4. The first 'Ferris Wheel' made its debut in Chicago in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition in Navy Pier.

5. Hugh Hefner started "Playboy" magazine in 1953. The first issue sold for fifty cents and featured Marilyn Monroe. Hip Hip Hurray...! They still have the HQ in chicago.

6. The term "Jazz" was coined in Chicago in 1914. The city's native musicians included band leader Benny Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa.

7. Founded in 1848, The Chicago Board of Trade is the world's oldest and largest futures and options exchange.

8. The world's largest gum manufacturer, William Wrigley, Jr. Company, produces more than 20 million packages a day. It was also the first U.S. manufacturer to give its employees Saturdays and Sundays off of work.

Find out more about Chicagos City Life in Chicago Life - A Users Guide for Students.

Getting Around

You can get the city by using the CTA, Pace or Metra. Pace and Metra serves suburbs and CTA covers the city of chicago. Its really convenient in a way. If you want to drive make sure you get directions from google or mapquest. By the way all you guys if you are interested go over to google maps and type in one of the address of the university or for example the address of medical district city apartments (901 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607) then click on satellite on the right corner to actually see an aerial photo of the place. You can for example type in some other address on campus and see the directions..

Attractions

1. Buckingham Fountain
Grant Park, Congress Pkwy. and Columbus Drive
312-742-7529
The popular landmark and tourist attraction operates May 1 to October 1. Visitors can enjoy a dazzling light and water show,
which runs from dusk to 11pm

2. Sears Tower Sky deck
233 S. Wacker Dr. (enter at Jackson Blvd.)
312-875-9696
Since 1974 this soaring structure has been the world's tallest building. Take one of the 100 elevators to the Sky deck Observatory on the 103rd floor for a spectacular view of the city. Open daily: March-September 9 am-11 pm; October-February 9 am-10 pm. Adults $8, Senior Citizens $6, Children 5-12 $5, Children under 4 free. Family Pass $20.

3. John Hancock Observatory (1,127 feet)
875 N. Michigan Ave.
312-751-3681; 888-875-VIEW
This Michigan Avenue giant was built in 1970 with a dramatic cross-bracing, framing system. Although it is 327 feet lower than the Sears Tower, the observation deck provides a stunning view of the lake and city. One floor above the observation deck on the 95th floor, is the Signature Room, a perfect place for a cocktail and a second-to-none view of the sunset. The 94th-floor observatory, more than 1,000 feet above Chicago, features an outside Skywalk, the Midwest's highest open-air experience; Windows on Chicago, which takes you on a virtual reality tour of more than 80 city sites; Sound scope 3-D "talking" telescopes that speak in four languages and create startling real sound effects; a Chicago history wall; and a theme park- style ticketing area that recreates the construction of the John Hancock Center. Open daily 9 am-midnight. Admission: Adults $8.50, seniors (62+) and children ages 5-12 $6, children 4 and under free.

4. Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
312/595-PIER, outside Chicago call 800/595-PIER
Chicago landmark with over 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions of every kind. Enjoy the Ferris Wheel and Carousel. Visit the Chicago Children's Museum, Skyline Stage and Joe's Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium. The 3,000 foot pier was the only one of several proposed commercial piers in the 1909 Burnham Plan which was actually constructed. Since it was built in 1916, it has been through numerous incarnations both military and commercial, and after a multimillion dollar refurbishment it stands today as one of Chicago's premiere entertainment and convention destinations.

5. The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago 60603
312-443-3600
Discover forty centuries of human creativity at The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world's leading museums. From ancient Chinese bronzes to the latest work by today's artists; from Rembrandt paintings to African wood carvings, the collections include some of the finest art ever produced. On display are paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, photographs, Asian art, art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, textiles, decorative arts, and architectural fragments and drawings.

6. Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 60605
312-922-STAR
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum opened in 1930 as the first Planetarium in the western hemisphere. Its mission is to be the leading center for interpreting the exploration of the universe. A $40 million expansion and renovation campaign scheduled to open in two phases in 1999, will fuel the imagination of museum visitors with state-of-the-art computer technology in the world's first Star Rider theater, while showcasing the Adler's renowned collection of historical astronomy artifacts.

7. The Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 60605
312-922-9410
The Field Museum is an international center for public learning and scientific study of the world's diverse environments and cultures. At the home of Sue, the world's largest and most complete T rex, visitors can watch as her bones are prepared for exhibition in May, 2000. Exciting music, dance, theater performances, films and speakers highlight special exhibitions and programs throughout the year. Weekends are filled with family activities and tours.

8. Museum of Science and Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 60637
773-684-1414
Come visit Chicago's world famous original hands on museum. From long-time favorites to dazzling high-tech exhibits, visitors can explore the ever-changing adventure of the Museum of Science and Industry.

9. Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 60605
312-939-2438
Water your imagination at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, a mesmerizing introduction to aquatic life from around the world. From awe-inspiring whales, frolicking sea otters and lively penguins to streamlined sharks and exotic eels, Shedd Aquarium is home to a myriad of fascinating, colorful aquatic animals. the global collection includes more than 8,000 aquatic animals representing more than 650 species

10. Lincoln Park Zoo
Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Parkway (2400 north)
312-742-2000
Chicago is home to the nation's oldest free public zoo and one of the last free zoos in the country. Visit the newly renovated Kovler Sea Lion Pool, a traditional meeting place for generations of zoo visitors and home to harbor seals and gray seals and California sea lions. Shop on the wild side at the Wild Things! retail store and enjoy the Big Cats Cafe, a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Kovler Lion House outdoor lion and tiger habitats. There is a children's petting zoo, a recreation of a Midwest farm, plus "Conservation Station," an interactive environmental learning center. The zoo is located on the lake-front bike trail in one of Chicago's most popular parks. The Lincoln Park conservatory is next door and is also free!

11. Brookfield Zoo
8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
708-485-2200
Brookfield Zoo, located in the western suburbs fourteen miles west of downtown, is home to animals representing more than 400 species. This magnificent collection inhabits nearly 20 naturalistic exhibits within the zoo's 216 acres. Brookfield Zoo exhibits this collection for the enjoyment and education of the world. It is a leader in international conservation efforts and a conservation center for the local region. Its permanent exhibits include: Habitat Africa!, a five-acre savannah exhibit that highlights Africa's diverse wildlife; The Swamp, featuring the wonders of wetlands, and The Living Coast, featuring Humboldt penguins, green sea turtles, small sharks, vampire bats and free flying birds.

Expect some links and photos of these places on the igsa blog.

Airports

Chicago has two airports O'Hare and Midway. Both are well connected by CTA. O hare handles most international flights and midway caters mostly to domestic flights.
For more details, visit chicagoairports.com

Religious Places

Chicago has 2 big temples, ample churches and a few mosques.
The temples are at Le Mont and in Aurora. There is also a temple dedicated by the ISKCON.

Restaurants

There are ample restaurants that caters to a wide variety of cuisines in Chicago. Devon has some good places to eat good Indian food. Taylor Street, which is on campus have nice places like Tuscany, Rosebud, Pompeii and Mario's Italian Lemonade. Here are the places to eat around UIC.

Travel

Most of us book flight tickets online in orbitz.com, travelocity.com, expedia.com for travel inside the US. For travel to india, a lot of travel agents (in Devon and a few in New Jersey) might offer you better prices for tickets. As a rough guide it might cost 1000-1500$ for a return ticket to india from Chicago. Most economic way for travel to shorter distances would be to rent cars again online in the sites mentioned. You could use cabs or taxis but they tend to be costly. AMTRAK and GreyHound provide rail/bus links to most cities in US.

Related Links
UIC Visiting City of Chicago
UIC Portfolio
UIC Virtual Tour
Chicago Life - A User's Guide for Students