Located at 1000 Lake Cook Road, the Chicago Botanic Garden (like the Garfield Park Conservatory) is another place that dwelled on the "Oh, we'll have to check that out sometime" list (although we almost made it up there when they had some of the Chupungwu sculptures) for far too long. Thanks to a request and a generous donation from JG (thanks again!), we were encouraged to finally check it out. Now we're kicking ourselves for not having gone years earlier as the verdant and immaculately kept grounds are something akin to paradise. Open year-round (the Japanese Gardens are supposed to be quite stunning in the winter) and with free admission (although parking is quite pricey), the Chicago Botanic Gardens will be a regular haunt in the future.
Known as "Chicago's Front Yard," this 300-plus acre park is home to tons of fabulous sculpture (shown in the Sculpture Gallery) and Buckingham Fountain (in a Gallery of its own), but also boasts some of the most beautiful landscaping and flower beds you'll find anywhere in the world. Only a few pix now, but more on the way, as soon as we figure out what the heck we did with a particular file containing said photos (Hey we've got thousands, nobody's perfect!). If not, you'll just have to wait until we have time to get down there and take some more. ;)
A Pessimist might say that it was 4 years late, but an Optimist would consider it 996 years early! Originally slated for a year 2000 opening (hence its name), Millennium Park was plagued by delays and cost overruns as the plans for it kept evolving and expanding. It became quite an embarrassment for the city (especially the Mayor) as the chorus of carping and sniping from critics, wags, and pundits (Oh my!) began reaching a crescendo in the spring of 2004. Until, that is, it opened later that summer and Chicagoans were finally able to view the wonders that had been created in the former rail yard. Millennium Park's quirky blend of imaginative landscaping, unique architecture and stunning sculpture wowed virtually everyone who visited. The naysayers were forced to grudgingly shut their capacious pie-holes as the park instantly became a worldwide sensation. NEW! Download an official mp3 audio tour.
We'll admit it, the Garfield Park Conservatory languished on our list of "Oh, that sounds cool we'll have to go there sometime" places for several years until the Dale Chihuly show back in the early "aughts." But once we experienced the botanical wonderland inside the Jens Jensen designed greenhouses, we became regular visitors.
Named Municipal Pier when it was completed in 1916, it was built as part of a compromise with the Army Corps of Engineers (who objected to sacrificing so much potential docking space to turn the Lakefront into parkland as per the 1909 Plan of Chicago) and featured both commercial and recreational aspects. It was rededicated as Navy Pier in honor of sailors when Soldier Field opened in 1926 and was even used for naval training exercises during World War II. It fell into disuse and disrepair in the later part of the 20th Century until it received a massive rehab and retooling in the 1990's. Now it is Illinois' biggest tourist attraction, with more than 8 million annual visitors.
Originally the South Shore Country Club, it was one of the city's most posh back in the early 20th Century. It fell into disrepair when the members fled the South Side in the 50's, and the extensive grounds and golf course were purchased by the Chicago Park district in 1974. This hauntingly beautiful and elegant place gives off a Great Gatsby/To the Lighthouse/Brideshead Revisited kind of vibe that you could cut with a chainsaw. Includes a beach, tennis courts, stables and a riding arena (the stables are now used by the Chicago Mounted Police), even an outdoor stage (used when the Center hosts its annual Jazz Festival, whose lineup often rivals that of the big fest in Grant Park).
Formerly known as the Wolf Lake Conservation Area and now officially called the William W. Powers State Fish and Wildlife Area, Wolf Lake is a 580-acre state park with a 419 acre lake that straddles the Illinois and Indiana state line. It's also the only state park in the boundaries of Chicago, and offers fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Great picnic spots!
