Nearly three million people call Chicago home and for good reason. The Chicago sparkling gem, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers uneven entertainment, shopping and cultural events. For those who just visit, a stay in a luxury hotel in Chicago and a tour of the Chicago River provide a taste of life in this Midwest.
How to get half the fun
Chicago's famous water taxi gives passengers and tourists the opportunity to avoid traffic by seeing the city from a completely new perspective. Travel from Chinatown to Michigan Avenue, where the Magnificent Mile offers shopping, five-star cuisine and the opportunity to see and see in one of the most famous shopping areas of the world.
In China Tan, you can learn about the history of Chinese immigration to the United States through a walk through this unique area. Along the way, you will see the Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago, a beautiful replica of Beijing’s famous landmark, one of three outside of China. The wall depicts nine large and more than 500 small dragons and is considered a source of luck.
The next stop in your water taxi is Madison Avenue, where music lovers will have the opportunity to see one of the great opera companies in the world perform such classic operas as Macbeth, Carmen and Midsummer Night's Dream. Founded in 1954, Lyric Opera welcomed world-class performers from Placido Domingo to Luciano Pavarotti and today enjoys nearly 100% of the possibilities for each of more than 80 annual performances, making it one of the most successful operas in the world.
Just two blocks to the south is the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower), the tallest building in the western hemisphere, and the only one that has a glass viewing platform. If you dare, you get an idea of Chicago, which you never thought about when you went to this glass cube, which hangs on 103 floors above the street.
The next step is North LaSalle Street, where a short walk will take you to Merchandise Mart, the largest commercial building in the world. Every year, more than three million visitors discover the 25 floors of retail space, which contain luxury items, as well as high-quality home furnishings and design. If you are buying a gift or building a house, Merchandise Mart is a great place to start.
Shoot down your water taxi on Michigan Avenue, and you will instantly find yourself immersed in the sky of the buyer. Exclusive boutiques of the Magnificent Mile line, the heart of downtown Chicago. Luxurious hotel rooms, five-star restaurants and excellent shops await you as you wander around the wide boulevard in the city center. The border river to the south and the world famous Oak Street Beach in the north, the Magnificent Mile is one attraction in Chicago that you don’t want to miss.
Chicago’s central location makes it an ideal place for business meetings, vacations or even long weekends. An eclectic mix of art, culture and entertainment means that everyone will find something they love in Chicago. If you prefer a black tie dinner or relaxing on the beach, you can find it in downtown Chicago. Hotel accommodations are abundant and easy public transportation makes your trip useless, even in the lively city center.
By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved
