Chicago
Thrills & Chills
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
Print this Page
Email this Page
|
WRIGLEYVILLE. Chicago's eclectic Boystown neighborhood is where Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville meet. No matter the night or season, there's plenty of action at Halsted and Addison from street partiers, superb Euro-inspired bistros, wine bars, gay nightclubs, and cabaret shows. Unique shops offer everything from costumes to sex toys. Hosting a wide array of concerts and festivals year-round, the neighborhood knows no such thing as a quiet day.
RIVER NORTH. Voted one of America's ten creepiest tours, Chicago Hauntings covers the city's most famed ghost stories with extensive details and stops at the "haunted" areas. Paranormal experts who have appeared on TLC, The History Channel, and The Discovery Channel lead the way, bringing guests in-depth information along with lots of folklore. Several tour options are available for all age groups.
MUSEUM CAMPUS. Field Museum offers one of America's most extensive Egyptian collections, complete with numerous mummies and intricately detailed coffins. Information-rich plaques adorn the exhibit that explains processes related to the eerie, ancient phenomenon of mummification. Exhibits are ever-changing, but major pieces are a permanent fixture. Plus, the museum boutique offers plenty of gifts that let you take the mummy memories home.
Flagship partner of umbrella organization Great American Balloon Company, Windy City BalloonPort operates from Norge Ski Jump, just north of Chicago. The company has offered tours for more than 30 years and touts itself as one of the oldest and safest ballooning companies in the country. Fun for families of all ages, balloon rides conclude with a champagne toast for adults. Various trip options are available from sunrise to sunset.
THE LOOP. A new event for the city, Looptopia is an all-night party aimed at all ages. Featuring art installations, music concerts, circus acts, and parades, it brought in twice as many visitors than predicted during its first year. In affiliation with the Chicago Loop Alliance, the event celebrates the revival of Chicago's Loop as a clean and safe place to live, work, and play.
THE LOOP. A tradition that originated with Marshall Field's has now been taken over by Macy's. Each year, families line up on State Street to see the elaborate, holiday-inspired window exhibits in all of Macy's windows. Different themes are announced each year and are brought to life by decorations and mechanical figures. Tours of the exhibits occur every Saturday at 11am during November and December; groups are also invited inside for a viewing of the famed Walnut Room's "Great Tree," a spectacle of lights and ornaments.
STREETERVILLE. Navy Pier is easily recognizable from the countless movies it has been featured in and from its distinctive presence jutting into Lake Michigan from the city center. Here you can wine and dine, visit the multiplex and IMAX theater, ride a gigantic ferris wheel, watch circus acts, and catch fireworks displays. The latter, set to music, run from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturday evenings at 10:15pm.
STREETERVILLE. Appropriate for both adults and young ones, the "Seadog" speedboat offers a more thrilling ride than the average boat tour – think more than 2000 horsepower, and you've got the idea. Cruise at higher speeds for a 30-minute lake tour, or opt for a slower, 75-minute architecture tour. All options include fast-paced music as you jet around Lake Michigan, along with a hosted summary of Chicago fun-facts.
THE LOOP. Looming over the city skyline, the Sears Tower stands tall and dark at 1454 feet, or 110 stories. It ranks as the tallest building in North America and is the world's third tallest. Home to many business and retail spaces, the building has a steady line-up of tourists waiting to jet up the elevator for a true bird's eye view of Chicago (up to 50 miles on a clear day). The Skydeck observatory hosts the most tourists of any attraction in the entire city and offers various tour options throughout the year.
GURNEE. One of the country's largest theme parks, Great America offers high-adventure thrill rides, family shows, and plenty of options for younger children. Live stage acts include cover bands, famed original groups like The Wiggles, and even a magician or two. The water park is growing larger every year to keep locals from heading out of state to keep cool during the summer months. Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
Click here to share it »
(
(
