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CHICAGO – THE HEART OF AMERICA AND THE WINDY CITYFour days/three nights
11-14 October, 2024
$1149 (accommodation in a double room)
$1399 (accommodation in a single room)
Included: Transport and excursion services; Three nights' hotel stay, visit to Skydeck Chicago and an hour and a half architectural cruise on the Chicago River.
Departure 7:00, Yummy Market Plaza (Major Mackenzie & Dufferin, Vaughan)
Stops at intersections with Bathurst St. 7:40 – Bathurst Sheppard
Luggage: one suitcase for two people/carry-on suitcase for one person
416-722-9043 ⧫647-673-7775 ⧫ [email protected]
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is often called the Heart of America and the "Windy City." Chicago enjoys a worldwide reputation as a center for architecture and the arts, where architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright and artists such as Picasso and Chagall made their mark. The Art Institute of Chicago boasts one of the most comprehensive and interesting collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, and its stunning skyscrapers built in the late 19th and 20th centuries are recognizable throughout the world. The city is known for its stunning 25-kilometre lakefront promenade, legendary jazz festivals and music events, sports arenas, world-class museums and many other attractions.
During the two days you spend with us in Chicago, you will fully appreciate its merits and get great pleasure from your stay. Climb to the highest observation deck in the United States, from where you can see several American states at once, take a fascinating architectural cruise along the river, stroll along first-class embankments and parks, see many of the iconic sights of Chicago...
Day 1
7:00 am Departure from Toronto. Crossing the border in Sarnia. Duty free shop, shopping and lunch
Stops along the way
8:00 pm Approximate time of arrival at the hotel
Day 2
We'll start this day with a visit to the legendary Skydeck Chicago. It is located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (many in Chicago still call it the Sears Tower) and was the world's tallest building for nearly 25 years. Now the Willis Tower is the second tallest building in the United States; The observation deck is located at an altitude of 412.4 m and is the highest in the country. In clear weather, you can see a breathtaking panorama of Lake Michigan for tens of kilometers, the plains of Illinois, the states of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
After viewing Chicago from above, we'll take a guided architectural cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River. We will see dozens of unique skyscrapers, landmarks and hidden gems of the city, and hear the stories associated with them.
Let's visit Millennium Park in the center of downtown Chicago with its stunning architecture, sculptures and landscaping. This is a 21st century project costing nearly half a billion dollars. “Cloud Gate” is the main attraction of the park and at the same time the most recognizable and photographed sculpture in the city, weighing 110 tons. Although it was called "Bean" due to its shape, it is believed that its image was inspired by the appearance of a drop of mercury. Made from stainless steel, the sculpture's perfectly polished surface reflects its surroundings, including the buildings, sky and tourists passing through its central arch. Another of Millennium Park's many unique attractions is the stunning interactive video sculpture Crown Fountain. Let us also note the bizarre curved stainless steel bridge and Jay Pritzker pavilion designed by the brilliant architect Frank Gary.
Next stop is Museum Campus Park, which offers beautiful views of downtown. The park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to three famous city museums: Shedd Aquarium (the world's first and at one time largest land-based aquarium with a permanent collection of saltwater fish), and the Field Museum of Natural History, one of the largest museums of its kind in the world, and the Adler Planetarium is the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. In the park you will see many sculptures by world famous sculptors, including Henry Moore. The Soldier Field football stadium is also located here.
The grandiose Buckingham Fountain is considered the “entrance gate” of the city and is one of the largest fountains in the world. Made from Georgia pink marble in Rococo style. In its composition, the fountain symbolizes Lake Michigan, and the 4 groups of horses represent the states surrounding this lake: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. The fountain has 134 jets; the height of the central vertical jet reaches 150 feet. At dusk, the fountain hosts very spectacular light shows.
Navy Pier - an area of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, museums and specialty shops
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free time in downtown Chicago.
8:00 pm Departure to the hotel
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel
Let's start that day with a visit to the greenhouse and botanical gardens in Lincoln Park. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a Victorian glass building built in the late nineteenth century. It houses four pavilions with exotic plants from around the world, including rare species of orchids.
Lincoln Park also has a wonderful city zoo, which we will visit. It is home to hundreds of animals from around the world, including endangered species and species extinct in the wild.
The United Center is home to the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the NBA's Chicago Bulls. Near the east side of the stadium is a statue of Michael Jordan, also known as "The Spirit" (and sometimes referred to as the Spirit of Michael Jordan). The 12-foot sculpture of Michael Jordan stands on a 5-foot black granite base. This is a meeting place for fans of the Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago Picasso (often simply Picasso) is an untitled monumental sculpture by Pablo Picasso in Daley Plaza. The steel sculpture was unveiled in 1967. It is 50 feet tall and weighs 147 tons. This Cubist sculpture was the first major piece of public art in downtown Chicago and has become a famous landmark.
Marc Chagall's mosaic piece "The Four Seasons" is located in the lobby of the 60-story Chase Tower skyscraper. The mosaic consists of thousands of inlaid tiles in more than 250 colors, depicting six scenes from Chicago life. The mosaic features a vocabulary of images based on the artist's Russian-Jewish heritage and found in his surrealist paintings, such as birds, fish, flowers, the sun and couples in love. Chagall argued that “the seasons represent human life, both physical and spiritual, at its different ages.” The design for this mosaic was created in Chagall's studio in France, transferred to full-size panels, and installed in Chicago with the help of an experienced local craftsman.
Water Tower Place is a large urban mixed-use development that includes a shopping center, hotel, theater and condominiums in a 74-story skyscraper.
The Chicago Cultural Center is one of Chicago's biggest attractions. The building, opened in 1897, was used by the mayor of Chicago for official receptions of presidents, royalty, diplomats and other public figures. The Center is now one of the most frequently visited venues in the city, with numerous free events featuring live music, dance and theater performances, film screenings, exhibitions and lectures. The Preston Bradley Auditorium, located on the south side of the building, offers live music performances and the world's largest Tiffany stained glass dome, measuring 38 feet in radius and featuring approximately 30,000 pieces of zodiac signs.
The famous Magnificent Mile is a section of Michigan Avenue in the city center. This is Chicago's largest shopping district, home to high-end shops, restaurants, museums and hotels. Commercial rents on the Magnificent Mile are some of the most expensive in the United States. The area is home to many famous skyscrapers, such as 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center). Landmarks along the Magnificent Mile include the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Chicago Water Tower, and the Allerton, Drake, and International hotels.
Free time in downtown Chicago.
8:00 PM Transfer to hotel
Day 4
8:00 AM Departure from Chicago to Toronto via scenic route
Stops along the way
Border crossing. Duty-Free.
8:30 pm Estimated time of arrival in Toronto
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Chicago, 13739 Mary Dr, Orland Park, IL 60462-1371, United States,Orland Park, Illinois
