Chicago is primarily associated with gangsters, but that era has passed. The modern city is perfect for tourism: a clean beach on Lake Michigan, a water taxi on the Chicago River, sparkling skyscrapers, a special Chicago pizza and unusual museums. Welcome to the tourist Chicago! In this article you will learn about the free attractions of this city.
1. Millennium Park is located in Dauntown (business central) Chicago. The entrance is free, but there is something to see! The park works from 6 am to 11 pm.
In the series, you could see a curved mirror sculpture of a strange shape, similar to a bob. Officially, it is called cloud gate (Cloud Gate),
And the inhabitants simply call her Bob (Bean). In the polished surface, the surrounding skyscrapers and the square are bizarrely distorted, which constantly attracts attention, so this sculpture has become one of the symbols of Chicago.
Nearby is a very unusual Crown Founin fountain. There is no splendor of Peterhof fountains in it, but the idea of the Catalan master Jaume Plensa is really impressive: on two 15-meter columns composed of small cubes, pixel images are obtained-one huge male face, on the other-female. The faces are frowning, then smile, and periodically release streams of water from the mouth, so children like to splash here.
Modern sculptures are also exhibited in the park, a bridge with a view of the lake, garden and a large green field with an open stage – Jay Pritzker Pavilion, invented by the architect Frank Geri. About 7,000 people can accommodate this field! There are many events, including free music festivals.
Also in the park there is a Millennium monument-a copy of the Kolonnada in the Greek style, which was in the same place in the first half of the twentieth century, but was destroyed due to weather conditions.
On the pedestal of the monument, the names of 115 sponsors were written, who donated at least a million dollars each for the construction of the millennium of the park.
2. Michigan-Avenue, which runs along the millennium of the park, is in itself a landmark. It is called the magnificent mile (Magnificent Mile) due to the abundance of beautiful buildings, shops (460!),
restaurants, hotels. The view of the Chicago river with turquoise water and passing vessels makes you forget about the bustle and noise of the city.
On this Avenue there is another symbol of Chicago – the water tower (Chicago Water Tower),
Built in 1869 from large limestone blocks and so similar to a medieval castle. Inside it is the free gallery City Gallery, representing the work of local photographers and artists (the gallery works from 10:00 to 18:30).
The Nordstrom department store is very popular from stores, as well as its outlets – Nordstrom Rack; There are several in Chicago, we advise you to look.
3. The entrance to the Lincoln Park Zoo zoo is free, but here they are happy to take donations. This is one of the oldest American zoos, founded in 1868, in which 1,200 animals representing 230 species are placed on 14 hectares. Here you will find pink flamingos, terrible in the appearance of reptiles, monkeys, including Japanese macaques, pipes, cute dwarf hippos, fluffy alpacians and many others. The most remarkable of plants is the old oak planted in 1830.
Public life also boils: the annual United Run marathon is held here, they organize competitions of photographs, singing, parties, yoga lessons, and nights in tents. Awesome place!
A trip on a small train and carousel are available from the attractions. As a souvenir in a local store, you can buy a soft toy (many different animals),
Jewelry, manually or T -shirt with an emblem of the zoo. They didn’t forget about food either – there are 6 cafes to choose from.
Also, on the schedule, the following opportunities are proposed: touch animals, see a lesson with gorillas and chimpanzees, see how the seals train.
The usual time of work: from 10:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.
Zoo site:
4. Highway Lake Shore Drive is also noteworthy: as you can see from the name, it adjoins the Lake Michigan and passes along the beaches, parks, museums and the same Lincoln zoo. It is divided into northern (North) and southern part (South).
We strongly recommend that you walk along the shore on foot or ride a bicycle (there are sufficiently asphalt paths). You will see the rows of yachts ringing with gear in the wind, flocks of gulls and Canadian geese and much more, except perhaps the opposite shore; After all, Lake Michigan is the largest of the great lakes in the United States, its area is 57.75 thousand km2, and the depth reaches 281 m. Its name comes from the Indian word Mishigami, which translates as “big water”.
Do not forget to look at the beach – although Chicago seems to be a northern cold city, palm trees grow there and you can sunbathe! The combination of opposites is stunning: the power of nature – if you become a face to the lake –
transparent water, sand; And the greatness of man – if you turn to the city – skyscrapers, autobahns, etc. Only the water temperature can upset, but there are still more pluses; If you like to relax actively – do not hesitate to join the Americans playing volleyball or Frisby.
5. If you want to move somewhere from the center of Chicago, go to Tyuna Town. You can get there, for example, by water taxi (Water Taxi). A ticket for the whole day with an unlimited number of trips costs $ 8.
Naturally, many Chinese live in this area, so this is the best place to try a variety of Chinese dishes, buy national clothes, therapeutic potions and souvenirs. Authenticity is guaranteed! In the fish market, attention is attracted by large clumsy lobsters and huge shrimp; It is also worth looking there.
Everything here is strikingly different from the “American” chicago: no skyscrapers, roofs of houses in the Chinese style, an abundance of red, signs with hieroglyphs, Chinese jewelry. If you’re lucky, you will become a spectator of the march in the national style, on which a dragon is carried along the streets.
Come, Chicago will surprise you more than once!
Convenient hotel reservation service – Onetwotrip.
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