Things to do...
The dollar is weak right now, so we are hoping that this makes a trip to the U.S. more affordable for our European relatives. If you are thinking of visiting Chicago and one or more other city, inquire with the airlines about “See America” airfares which may only be purchased in conjunction with an overseas ticket. These special tickets permit you to travel to more than one city at a much discounted rate.
For Chicago Events & Tour Information:
Chicago Convention and Visitor's Bureau, www.choosechicago.com
Time Out Chicago Magazine, http://www.timeout.com/chicago/index.jsp
[Search the site for a short article about “The Bar Method,” an exercise business that Carl Diehl is involved with!]
Learn About Chicago Blues and Millennium Park –for free!
See pictures and listen on line or enjoy free tours you can download in several languages, (Mandarin, English, German, Japanese and Spanish)! The Blues tour is narrated by Buddy Guy.
http://www.downloadchicagotours.com/
Popular Chicago Museums:
The Art Institute of Chicago is world renown for its diverse collections, exhibited in several connected buildings, the oldest of which is from 1892. On May 16, 2009, the museum will inaugurate the newest hall, the Modern Wing. This building is a technological wonder designed by Renzo Piano and will offer great views over Millennium Park . www.artic.edu/aic
Arts, Crafts Chicago
November 8, 2009 - January 31, 2010
The first Arts and Crafts exhibition mounted at the museum in more than 30 years, Arts, Crafts Chicago will present designs by the movement's most notable practitioners, from William Morris and Charles Robert Ashbee to Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Modern Wing - Opening May 16, 2009
Matisse and the Methods of Modern Construction
March 20, 2008 - June 6, 2010
Matisse's most demanding, experimental and enigmatic works explored through 100 examples of his paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints.
The Field Museum of Natural History has extensive exhibits of dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, native Indian people, animals and plants, etc. www.fieldmuseum.org
Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship
March 2009 – October 2009
Follow the slave ship Whydah-the most advanced vessel of her day-and her capture by Sam Bellamy and his pirate crew. In 1717 it sank off the coast of Cape Cod packed with plunder and lay undiscovered until 1984. It is the first authenticated pirate ship ever found.
Water: H2O – Life
June 19, 2009 – September 20, 2009
The exhibition illuminates one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century: humanity's sustainable management and use of the life-giving, but finite, resource – water. Examining the most compelling challenges that people and ecosystems around the globe face with respect to water quality and availability, the exhibition will present the comprehensive story of water from scientific cultural, and environmental points of view while also celebrating the beauty and inspiration humans have found in water.
Museum of Science and Industry was patterned after the Deutsches Museum in Munich . It has exhibits about all types of technology with many hand-on exhibits. www.msichicago.org
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
World-Premiere April 30, 2009 – September 7, 2009
Enjoy an up-close and personal look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that appeared throughout the Harry Potter™ films. These authentic artifacts will be displayed in elaborate settings inspired by locations from Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry including the Gryffindor™ common room, Hagrid's hut and the Great Hall. Guests will also get their first glimpse at items from the next film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™, which is scheduled to open in theaters on July 17, 2009.
Adler Planetarium is the place to study the stars and learn about other planets. www.adlerplanetarium.org
The Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium have thousands of fish or all sizes, some reptiles, reproduction habitats (bayou, coral reef, etc), and large aquatic mammals (dolphins, beluga whales, otters, etc.). www.sheddaquarium.org
Enjoy the collections of artifacts at the Chicago History Museum . http://www.chicagohs.org/
Information and Reading:
There are many German connections in Chicago . You can see some information at this website of the Goethe Institute : http://www.goethe.de/INS/us/chi/ges/ztg/en2966878.htm
A Timeline of Chicago History
http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/chihist.html
If you are interested in Landmark Architecture in Chicago - http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/Architects/Architects.html
More about the Chicago 1893 World's Fair “The Columbian Exposition”
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/WCE/title.html
For a listing of movies and television shows made in Chicago :
Using this Google Earth software to see some fascinating satellite and 360 degree views of famous Chicago sites.
For Kids:
Children's Museum at Navy Pier: http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
See also: http://www.navypier.com/about/about_us.html
Visit the FREE Lincoln Park Zoo http://www.lpzoo.com/
Six Flags Great America Amusement Park , Gurnee , IL (about one hour away by car)
http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx
Travel Related Information for Foreigners:
For information by the Transportation Security Administration about traveling to the U.S. : http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm
U.S. Government website for VISA information : http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
U.S. Government Customs website: Read the “Top 10 Travel's Tips” and the “Know Before You Go” if you have questions about what can be brought into the U.S. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
For information about electricity all over the world : Note the U.S. uses TYPE A & B, while most of Europe uses Type C! http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs
World Time: http://www.worldtime.com/ or Time and Date http://www.timeanddate.com/ have information about the time zone differences between different parts of the world.
For converting measurements of any kind: http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/area
For finding out the current exchange rates and printing currency converters, using any two currencies! http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet
United States Information:
See America has information about all the states of the U.S. It shows links for German, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese language information. http://www.seeamerica.org/stateguide.jsp
American History website: http://www.ushistory.org/
Area Activities to enjoy if you stay longer:
Visit Oak Park to see home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright plus 20+ homes and a church designed by this American master architect. Oak Park is easily reached by public transportation. www.oprf.com/flw
Interested in Abraham Lincoln ? Take a trip downstate (a five-hour drive by car or a ride on an AMTRAK train) to Springfield , Illinois , to see the State Capital http://www.springfield.il.us/ , and many sites related to Abraham Lincoln, including the state-of-the art Abraham Lincoln Library. http://www.alplm.org/home.html
Shopping Downtown:
There are plenty of shopping malls and stores downtown Chicago, with more than 200 shops in just the Water Tower Place and the The 900 Shops (Bloomingdale's Mall) which are near each other on North Michigan Avenue, a great street for shopping and strolling which is also known as the “Magnificent Mile.” www.shop watertower .com and http://www.shop900.com/shops/bloomingdales-in-chicago.asp
On State Street you can find the huge Macy's department store in a building that is seven stories high and occupies a whole block. This store was started by the Field family and once called Marshall Field's. www.visitmacyschicago.com
In the same area you can find Filene's Basement, Nordstrom's Rack, Loehman's, and Marshall 's—all discount shops. http://www.chicagoneighborhoods.cc/shopping/statest.html
Outlet Mall Shopping (away from Downtown):
There are several outlet malls in the greater Chicago area. The largest is in Gurnee , IL , which is only accessible by car. The Aurora mall can be reached by public transportation (train to bus). Or talk to Amy, Donna or Caron about getting to Aurora …it is not too far from their suburban houses!
Gurnee Mills
23 million shoppers every year call Gurnee Mills the "Best in the Midwest!" Join them and save up to 70% everyday at over 200 retailers including Off 5th - Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Nike Factory Outlet, Bass Pro Shops and more! Regular Mall Hours : Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Premium Outlets in Aurora
Find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Elie Tahari, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sony, Theory and more. West of Chicago in Aurora , IL . www.premiumoutlets.com/chicago/