Seussical Chicago

Following my theme of creative writing, I’ve decided to partially translate Dr. Seuss's One Fish Two Fish into suggestions for a guest of the Windy City.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Black Fish, Blue Fish, Old Fish, New Fish
This one has a little star, this one has a little car.
Say! what a lot of fish there are.

Obviously this would translate into the John J. Shedd Aquarium. This is one of the largest aquariums in the United States and consists of an oceanarium, wild reef exhibit, Caribbean reef, Amazon exhibit, and many more fish and mammals from all around the world. They have a new show opening on Oct. 16th called “Fantasea” which features dolphins, whales and penguins. It is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and weekends until 6 p.m. The aquarium is discounted Oct. 16-22 as well as every Monday and Tuesday thru November 30th. Here you can find any size, shape, age, design, and color fish but none driving a car – although that would be funny.

Some are red and some are blue. Some are old and some are new.

When wandering downtown I’m sure you’ll notice a white and blue flag with four red stars – this is the City of Chicago flag. It has been changed over the years, but the 3 White stripes represent the North, West, and South Side of the city; the 2 blue stripes represent Lake Michigan/North Branch of the Chicago River and the South Branch of the Chicago River; the 4 Red stars on the center represent Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893; and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933.

Some are sad and some are glad, and some are very, very, bad.
Why are they sad and glad and bad? I don’t know, go ask your dad.

Chicago can never get away from its shady past. During the Prohibition Era Chicago became a hub of criminal activity and vice. The Untouchable Tour is an excellent way to find out more information about the hot spots and hits spots from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Also, the Chicago Haunting tour takes you around the city to all the haunted areas, many of them stemming from the violent acts of that era. Lastly, Graceland Cemetery is a short taxi ride from the hotel and they have self guided tours that focus on Chicago’s great architects and their influence, the city’s turbulent history, its powerful and inventive citizens, and the Cemetery’s natural beauty. Mobsters, murderers, ghosts and ghouls – best let dad take care of that.

Some are thin and some are fat. The fat one has a little hat.
From there to here, here to there, funny things are everywhere.

My best interpretation of this would be the city's comedy clubs. For the best stand up head to Zanies in Old Town – they have host celebrities and locals alike for many years. For improv, take a short taxi ride to IO (Improve Olympic) in Wriggleyville. Lastly, Chicago’s main comedy troupe is Second City. Their main stage show is called “America: All Better!” which is a follow up to the election and packed full of social and political satire.

Here are some who like to run. They run in the hot, hot sun.

The hotel is located one block from Oak Street Beach and a run/jog/bike path along the lakefront.

Oh me! Oh my!
Oh me! Oh my!
What a lot of funny things go by.

Two blocks away from the hotel is Rush Street which holds several restaurants and also is the main nightlife hub. So, if you like to people watch, that is best place to do it. Also, the Blueman Group performs every week at the Briar Street theatre – their show is packed full of crazy things, even toilet paper.

Some have two feet and some have four.
Some have six feet and some have more.
Where do they come from?
I can’t say.
But I bet they have come a long, long way.

Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free every day and excellent to view animals from all over the world. Lions, tigers, monkeys, polar bears, rhinos, giraffes - oh my! After the zoo head to the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum to bird watch, check out turtles and snakes, and walk through a butterfly haven with over 300 species flying around.

We see them come. We see them go.
Some are fast and some are slow.
Some are high and some are low.

This describes the public transit perfectly. We have elevated trains, subways and buses that take you throughout the city. A single one-way ride is $2.25 (exact change). You can also purchase one, three, five or seven day passes which allow you unlimited rides for that time period. The trains and buses can take you to every Chicago attraction, neighborhood, and event. For maps and more transit information, stop by the Concierge Desk.

Not one of them is like another
Don’t ask us why,
Go ask your mother.

Every trip to the Windy City is different from the next. Please contact myself, Paul, Sheryl or Kathy at the Concierge Desk via email or phone and we can build a custom itinerary for your stay – and you don’t have to ask your mother (unless you are under 18).

It Tastest Like...

Beginning Note – None of the following taste like chicken.

It is always fun to try something new – even if it is a spin off of something else. There are many breakfast spots around the hotel that take pride in creating interesting dishes for their patrons. The majority of these dishes are made to taste like something else; the rest are classic dishes but done in a unique way.

The first place is Orange, which is best described as a fine dining breakfast restaurant. I know that it sounds like an oxymoron, but it is a casual place. They have a dish called Chai Tea French Toast. It is baked chai tea infused french toast stuffed with ricotta cheese served over a chai tea latte reduction and topped with honey and caramelized apples. It tastes like a mix of a Starbucks chai latte and apple french toast – good stuff.

Next is the Bongo Room, which is the choice breakfast place for all those hipsters in Wicker Park. It is a unique menu blended with an urban/rustic atmosphere. They serve what has become my new favorite breakfast item, Berry and Banana Cheesecake Flapjacks. Imagine fresh banana pancakes with graham cracker crumbs topped with warm vanilla creme and three berry coulis served with fresh bananas. Yes, it tastes like a melted New York Cheesecake on top of pancakes – sweet, heavenly pancakes.

The Crepe and Coffee Palace in Lincoln Park is a casual coffeehouse that specializes in North African and Mediterranean cuisine made with fresh and often organic ingredients. They have over 30 different crepes to choice from, but their signature crepe is the best. It is called the Crepe Palace - go figure. It is a crepe with Algerian compote (raisins, pears and rose water) with pistachio ice cream. I honestly can’t describe the taste, but it is really good and ice cream for breakfast is fun.

Close to the hotel is the Oak Tree restaurant on the 6th floor of the 900 N. Michigan Shopping Mall. This casual American café serves everything from sandwiches to fresh fruit and granola, and all the classic breakfast items. My favorite dish is the Baltic Eggs Benedict. It is house cured salmon with hollandaise sauce and salmon caviar. It tastes so good but has a treacherous end…

Lastly, there is Tempo Café – a 24hour diner about 4 blocks away from the hotel. This restaurant is a great place for late night (early morning) diners as well as lunch and dinner. Their Poor Man's Skillet is a skillet full of hash browns, ham, green pepper, and onion, topped with melted american, mozzarella, cheddar and swiss, then topped with three eggs. It is the perfect name (and price) for those looking to eat after spending all their money on a night out. It tastes a bit greasy but oh so good.

Hungry Yet?