With the arrival of the first day of spring, many blooming activities will be arriving including the beautiful display of tulips up and down Michigan Avenue. In just a few weeks, a colorful display will line Michigan Avenue with various colors of tulips and daffodils. Besides Michigan Avenue, there are several different blooming places to see flora.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a short bus or taxi ride from the hotel and is open daily from 9am – 5pm. There are four different display houses full of ferns, orchids and other various floral displays. Admission is free and adjacent to the Zoo which is free as well.
The Garfield Park Observatory is west of the hotel a few short miles and has a variety of spring floral displays through May. Azaleas and hydrangeas are plentiful with lilies starting to bloom right before Mother’s Day. The Conservatory is also free, open every day and was recently seen in Vince Vaughan’s newest movie, “The Dilemma”.
Further north is the amazingly beautiful Chicago Botanic Gardens. Witch Hazel, aconite and snowdrops are all in bloom and with the milder weather, there is more time to linger outside. With the recent occurrences in Japan, there is a “wish” tree where visitors can express their hopes and wishes for the people of Japan by writing a note and placing on a branch of the tree near the rose garden. Admission is also free and the park is open daily at 8:00am and stays open until sunset.
The various gardens around the city will be coming alive in the next few weeks, so make sure and get out with camera in tow and enjoy the beauty of Chicago.
Enjoy!
Jeff
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
It’s that time of year again!
Chicago is positively obsessed with St. Patrick’s Day and with the weekend coming up, here are some of many activities surrounding the holiday. Besides the wide assortment of Irish pubs in town there are many activities going on, so pull out your shamrock covered shirts and get ready to drink some green beer.
One of the most popular if not THE most popular events of the day, which is celebrated on Saturday, March 12 this year, is the dyeing of the river. Each year, green dye is placed in the river to start the festivities. At 10:00 am the dyeing begins between Columbus and Wabash. It is quite a sight, but remember, there is no standing on the bridges, so make sure and claim a space along the river walk on either side of the river.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts shortly after at noon. The beginning of the parade is at Balbo and Columbus with a viewing stand near Buckingham Fountain. The parade is the largest in Chicago with numerous floats, bands, politicians and bag-pipers.
If you want to stick with the green theme after the dyeing of the river, check out a couple of local restaurants for some good old Irish fare. Corn beef and cabbage can be had at the Mity Nice Grill just three blocks from us. Although it’s known for its German food, the Berghoff will be serving up all sorts of Irish specials as well as music. For something different, try Chen’s up on N. Clark for a twist on eating Irish.
Of course, if you want to join in on the drinking festivities, there are several Irish pubs within walking distance including Dublin’s, Timothy O’Toole’s, The Kerryman, and D4 just to name a few.
Enjoy!
Jeff
One of the most popular if not THE most popular events of the day, which is celebrated on Saturday, March 12 this year, is the dyeing of the river. Each year, green dye is placed in the river to start the festivities. At 10:00 am the dyeing begins between Columbus and Wabash. It is quite a sight, but remember, there is no standing on the bridges, so make sure and claim a space along the river walk on either side of the river.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts shortly after at noon. The beginning of the parade is at Balbo and Columbus with a viewing stand near Buckingham Fountain. The parade is the largest in Chicago with numerous floats, bands, politicians and bag-pipers.
If you want to stick with the green theme after the dyeing of the river, check out a couple of local restaurants for some good old Irish fare. Corn beef and cabbage can be had at the Mity Nice Grill just three blocks from us. Although it’s known for its German food, the Berghoff will be serving up all sorts of Irish specials as well as music. For something different, try Chen’s up on N. Clark for a twist on eating Irish.
Of course, if you want to join in on the drinking festivities, there are several Irish pubs within walking distance including Dublin’s, Timothy O’Toole’s, The Kerryman, and D4 just to name a few.
Enjoy!
Jeff
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Working!
A new musical has opened in Chicago in the New Broadway Playhouse which is just three blocks from the hotel. Locals and previous visitors will know the Playhouse as the former Drury Lane Theater located in the Watertower Place. With plenty of eating options around the theater, it would make a nice outing for someone looking for something a little different.
Working is a musical based of the writings of Chicago’s own Studs Terkel. It is based on interviews he held with everyday working people from a flight attendant to a construction manager. Although most of the interviews were done several years ago, the production has been updated for a more current feel. Almost everyone will be able to connect with one of the many characters portrayed throughout the one act show.
The talent is some of the best Chicago has to offer with three men and three women playing all the parts. The production is such that all of the crew members “working” are involved and shown throughout the scene and costume changes.
This show may not be for everyone and the language depicts several of the working class members. The music is a mixture of well-known song writers from “Wicked”s own Stephen Schwartz to James Taylor. The theater is one of my favorites because it is a little smaller and there is not really a bad seat in the house.
Enjoy!
Jeff
Working is a musical based of the writings of Chicago’s own Studs Terkel. It is based on interviews he held with everyday working people from a flight attendant to a construction manager. Although most of the interviews were done several years ago, the production has been updated for a more current feel. Almost everyone will be able to connect with one of the many characters portrayed throughout the one act show.
The talent is some of the best Chicago has to offer with three men and three women playing all the parts. The production is such that all of the crew members “working” are involved and shown throughout the scene and costume changes.
This show may not be for everyone and the language depicts several of the working class members. The music is a mixture of well-known song writers from “Wicked”s own Stephen Schwartz to James Taylor. The theater is one of my favorites because it is a little smaller and there is not really a bad seat in the house.
Enjoy!
Jeff
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