Rediscover Chicago this August!

August in Chicago has a charm all its own. The exuberance of Independence Day has passed and thoughts are turning already to the end of summer, but don’t write August off yet. There is still a lot of fun to be had and a lot of sunshine to be enjoyed! Let us give you a peek at this month’s exciting Highlights!

Celebrate Chicago’s history! 100 years ago, architect Daniel Burnham unveiled his now famous Plan of Chicago. This plan was revolutionary in that it envisioned a public lakefront and stressed the importance of parks, highways and systematic streets. This year, dozens of events and exhibits have been planned that celebrate the Centennial of Burnham’s Plan of Chicago.

One of these exhibits is a pair of Millennium Park Pavilions that have been designed by renowned architects Zaha Hadid and Ben van Berkel. The pavilion by Hadid, with its domed, smooth shape, resembles a spaceship that belongs many miles above our planet, yet its fabric construction evokes a tent that is tethered firmly to the Earth. In this way, it inspires its onlookers to look to the future while remembering the past; a message that Burnham himself would have espoused. A film is displayed on the wall of the structure, making the pavilion interactive with its visitors.

The pavilion by Ben van Berkel is also an inspiring work of art. Made of wood and steel, it draws different reactions from individuals who view it. Does it resemble an airplane or a shard of glass? It is contemporary in the varied responses it draws from the crowd. A light show plays upon the structure in response to the number of people standing on its floor; thus the audience becomes part of the art.

Be sure to see these stunning pavilions soon, as they will be dismantled in October and their materials will be recycled. The pavilions are only two of the hundreds of  events, projects and exhibits that have been planned for the Centennial. A complete Centennial schedule is available online.

One of these events is The Legacy of Daniel Burnham, Architect and City Planner. This three-day Study Tour is offered from Aug 7th-9th at the Society of Architectural Historians and includes lectures and tours about Burnham’s Plan of Chicago. It will comprehensively study the Plan of Chicago from different perspectives, such as “imagined and realized” and “seen and unseen”. Several scholars will be on hand to share their expertise on the subject. The tours will be a chance for participants to get firsthand information about Burnham’s buildings, by inspecting them personally. Clips from the documentary, “Make No Little Plans”, will be shown, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. A visit to Burnham’s grave and a sunset architectural tour will also be included.

Also offered during the Centennial are two new tours that focus on aspects of Burnham’s career.

• The Chicago Architecture Foundation features the Daniel Burnham: Architect, Planner, Leader Walking Tour. You can visit actual buildings that Burnham designed and learn how he contributed to an era that will always be known for giving birth to the modern skyscraper. This month the tour is offered on August 9th and 21st from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Upcoming dates are: September 6th, September 18th, October 4th and October 16th.
• Chicago Neighborhood Tours has a new bus tour called Make Big Plans: Burnham Centennial. Visit Burnham’s grave, see Jackson Park, Burnham Park and other sites, and learn of Burnham’s revolutionary vision for the future of the Windy City. This month the tour is offered on August 8th from 10 am-2:30 pm. The tour is also offered on September 12th.

Tour Chicago in a whole new way! Summer is a great time to take a tour of Chicago. By foot, by bus, by bike and even by Segway, you get to see the city from a unique angle. This year there is some exciting news on the tours scene. Tour companies are launching brand new bus tours, walking tours and even a fun audio tour for kids. With such exciting new options, even those who know the city well will be delighted by this crop of fresh tours!

Chicago Neighborhood Tours is offering several new bus tours. These half-day tours depart from the Chicago Cultural Center at 77 E. Randolph Street and are offered only once in August. No further dates have been announced. A couple of notable ones are:

• Art Around Town: Chicago is studded with world-class art. Paintings, sculptures and much more can be found in buildings, in parks and in public spaces all over the city. See how enriching the art scene really is in the Windy City! August 7th, 10 am-1 pm.
   
• Albany Park: This is one of Chicago’s many diverse communities. In fact, it boasts more international residents than any other neighborhood in the city! Visit the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and view wildlife at North Park Village. Even stop at the famous Superdawg for a Chicago-style hot dog! August 15th, 10 am-2:30 pm.
   
• Land of Lincoln: Illinois is the Land of Lincoln, and many people know that the legendary President lived in Springfield, Illinois at the time he was elected to the nation’s highest office. Yet this is not the whole story. Learn more about Lincoln and his life in Illinois by visiting several monuments related to this famous figure. Also view the Chicago History Museum’s Lincoln exhibit and the site of his speech during the 1860 presidential campaign. August 1st, 10 am-2:30 pm.

Kids now have a special tour that is designed with them in mind! The Chicago For Kids Audio Tour is a great online tour that takes kids to eight different destinations around Chicago, featuring dynamic lessons along the way. Kids will learn all about Millennium Park, the “L”, the Chicago Cultural Center, North Avenue Beach and much more. The tour is led by a spunky, animated pre-teen with lots of energy, and there are several pictures to go with each destination; the result is a tour that is captivating and very, very fun.

Once kids have virtually visited each location, they can further explore the site by playing games; these are meant to help them learn even more about each place. These games include “Garfield Conservatory Bug Hunt”, “Grab Chicago Adventure on the L” and “North Avenue Beach Volleyball”, to name a few. Once they’ve had their fill of these, the fun just keeps coming. There are interviews with well-known Chicagoans and a page on the site that helps kids find other websites with information about Chicago, with links to other audio tours as well. And best of all, the entire site is absolutely free to use!

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has unveiled several new walking tours. They include:

• Palmer House Hilton: This building is a historical landmark. And with its recent $170 million restorations, it is more glamorous than ever. Learn about the building’s architecture, see its guest rooms and its ballrooms and see the beautiful ceiling that was painted by an artist who worked on the Sistine Chapel! August 1st, 10:30 am-11:30 am. Upcoming dates are: October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th.
   
• River North: Transformation of a Neighborhood: This is your chance to learn how River North became the dynamic, artistic neighborhood it is today. What was once an industrial area is now one of the city’s most popular places to live and dine. The architecture of this neighborhood will also be explored on the tour; River North features some of Chicago’s most stunning buildings. August 19th, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Upcoming dates are: September 26th, October 25th.
   
• Sculpture in Lincoln Park: Lincoln Park is one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Besides being home to beaches, parks, a Conservatory and the zoo, it is resplendent with sculptures that honor figures from the past. View Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and many more, and learn the history of each statue as well. August 7th, 10:00 am-11:45 am. Upcoming dates are: September 11th, September 27th, October 9th, October 18th.

What’s making a splash at the Shedd? Where can you find aquatic animals, jazz music and magic galore? The Shedd Aquarium, of course! It opened in 1930 as the world’s largest aquarium. Today this marine wonderland is still one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. Visit and see why; the Shedd has some big things planned for the summer!!

The Shedd has recently unveiled its newly renovated Oceanarium; this enormous amphitheatre is iconic of the Shedd; driving along the lakeshore, it has always been instantly recognizable for its size and beauty. And now that it’s reopened, it’s better than ever! Many of the exhibits have been expanded and new animals have been added as well. See dolphins, sea lions, beluga whales and much more.

Also be sure to check out the Polar Play Zone. This is a great place for kids to use their imaginations and get a glimpse of life on the North and South Poles. They can wear a penguin suit, sit in a submarine and actually touch a sea star, as well as participate in several other activities.

For even younger children, the Shedd offers a program that is specifically designed for toddlers: the Tots on Tuesdays series. Every Tuesday, preschoolers can learn through activities that include crafts, Story Time, hands-on time with live animals and much more. This is the perfect way to introduce your little one to the fascinating undersea world!

Have you been to the aquarium a few times and are ready for a more in-depth, unique glimpse of this marine wonderland? Look no further than the Shedd’s Behind-the-Scenes Tours! A guide will show you several aspects of the animals’ lives, from their healthcare to their nutrition to their breeding. You’ll even get to go behind the galleries, to get a view of the animals that the general public doesn’t see. Make your reservation today; the animals are waiting to meet you!

With all this talk about animals, it’s easy to forget that the Shedd is about more than just marine life. Every summer, it becomes the city’s favorite jazz venue as Jazzin’ at the Shedd returns; dance to the music as you look out onto the city’s skyline. It’s a party every time. This event has become a favorite for jazz enthusiasts and anyone else who is looking for a fun night! With the lake and the skyline as your backdrop, dance your Thursday nights away on either the North Terrace or the Caribbean Reef. This summer, jazz greats such as Soulio, the Tom Fitzgerald Quartet and Alejandro Urzagaste are scheduled to play live.

Make Your Summer More Affordable! Chicago is home to countless attractions, dozens of museums and hundreds of restaurants. How do you choose? A great way to get ideas is by checking out the dozens of discount coupons and special savings that are available for attractions around the city. Chicago Traveler makes it easy to access these coupons. By seeing some of the most popular options, you will be inspired. And by seeing how much you can save with these coupons, you will be thrilled!

Here are some examples of the great savings available with these Chicago coupons:

• Attractions, such as a Buy One, Get One Free Admission to the Amazing Funhouse Maze at Navy Pier
• Dining, such as a 15% discount on your entire bill at the China Grill
• Entertainment offers include: complementary admission to the Sears Skydeck with purchase of a ticket to Blue Man Group,  2-for-1 tickets for any downtown walking tour on Mon - Thu, or 2-for-1 tickets on the Chicago Water Taxi.
• Museums, such as $2 off admission to the Chicago History Museum
• Shopping, such as an extra 15% off your purchase at Filene’s Basement

To see all available coupons, please click here.

Chicago Highlights is a monthly publication of Chicago Traveler written by Zahra Ink - Chicago Writing Services, for more issues, see the Chicago Highlights Archive.