Chicago, Land of the Free

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

Chicago, IL–The Windy City could be called the Land of the Free this summer. Free music, free museum and attractions admissions, free dance shows, free festivals. OK, no free lunch, but with all the other free things happening in Chicago this summer, you can spring for [...]

Buckingham Fountain Open!

Chicago, IL–Buckingham Fountain in Chicago’s Grant Park makes its spring splash! One more reason to love this city. Did you know it’s one of the largest fountains in the world and runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.? Light and music shows lasting 20 minutes begin at dusk, with the last show at 10 p.m.. Buckingham Fountain [...]

Loving the Luggage

IT O 2 rollaboard bag by Landor and Hawa

Chicago, IL–It was all about the luggage at the Travel Goods Show last week. Manufacturers heard airline passengers and adapted their bags to fit multiple airline requirements. Huge bags are out, because airlines weigh baggage religiously and charge for anything over 50 pounds. [...]

Illinois Glacier

Highwood, IL–Where is Illinois like Switzerland or Alaska?  Along the icy shore of Ft. Sheridan Forest Preserve, and Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, where a shelf of icy looks like the edge of Alaska’s Glacier Bay, and deep fissures in the ice-covered sand appear to be crevasses.  If you’ve ever hiked a glacier, you will recognize its [...]

World’s Coolest Bus Stop

Lyric Opera Bus Stop on Madison St.

Chicago, IL–Lyric Opera of Chicago has the coolest bus stop in Chicago, possibly the coolest in the world. You’ll find it at Madison and Wacker. You have to admit, it’s an elegant way to wait for a bus.

[...]

Acorns Galore This Fall

Chicago, IL–Crunch, crunch, crunch.  The sound of fall leaves underfoot?  Maybe, but probably a lot of acorns, too.

You may have noticed an abundance of acorns this fall.  It’s not because the squirrels can’t keep up.  Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL  reports that this is a natural phenomenon called a mast year.  The warm, dry [...]

Ah, Asado Coffee

Stirring a fresh cup

Chicago, IL–It may be the best cup of coffee in Chicago.  At Asado Coffee Company at 1432 Irving Park Road, the menu is pretty simple: cup of coffee regular or iced for $3, a few espresso drinks from $2 to $4. That’s it.  Watch as the barista slowly stirs the fresh-roasted and ground beans in a drip filter, rendering that [...]

Dam Good Kayaking on Skokie Lagoons

Glencoe, IL–What a treat! Record rainfall covered the Skokie Lagoons dams, making it easy to access all ponds without portaging.  I paddled from the Tower Road boat launch down to the Willow Road dam first.  Cormorants fished in their usual spot at the far south pond.  A great blue heron eyed me from his perch [...]

The Skirt is Off!

When the temperature hits 90° plus, it’s time to ditch the spray skirt.  Head out early, keep to the shadows, and paddle out in the Skokie Lagoons on a hot July day.

Lots of fishermen: a baker’s dozen of blue herons doing their goofy, loping head forward walk in the shallows, a family of mallards, a tern [...]

Tulips on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

Tulips bloom on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Photo by Laurie Borman

Chicago, IL–It’s tulip time on the Magnificent Mile.  Hundreds of bulbs have already burst into bloom, and views are free.  Beginning May 7, a gorgeous floral carpet of more than 6,000 live tulips and other flowers will climb the stairs from the John Hancock [...]

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes