"Upon opening on July 16, 2004, Chicago's Millennium Park was hailed as one of the world's most important millennium projects. Timothy Gilfoyle's biography of this phenomenal undertaking begins over a hundred years ago - when the site of the park was still part of Lake Michigan - and takes readers right up to the present day. Drawing on the author's comprehensive understanding of Chicago history, interviews with planners, artists, and public officials; and careful documentation of the park's financing and construction, Millennium Park is a thoroughly readable and illustrated testament to the park, the city, and all those attempting to think and act on a global scale. And underlying this history are revelations about the globalization of art, the use of culture as an engine of economic expansion, and the nature of political and philanthropic power."--BOOK JACKET.
Since it opened in 2004, Millennium Park has become an essential destination for visitors to and residents of Chicago, second only to Navy Pier. As with many of Chicago’s architectural and artistic marvels, how the park came to be is a story of outsize ambition, luck, political maneuvering, and turning obstacles into opportunities. Cheryl Kent’s lavishly illustrated book is the best general introduction to the park’s history and each of its attractions. Each chapter describes a conceptual, design, and construction process that defied the odds. From Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate (affectionately called “the Bean”) to Frank Gehry’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, projects that could have been modest and conventional instead blossomed into trophy pieces to rival Picasso’s sculpture in Daley Plaza. In every case, the story of how that transformation occurred shows individuals who invested themselves in the spirit of the enterprise and accomplished more than they ever thought they could. Its millions of visitors attest to Millennium Park’s enduring appeal. Cheryl Kent’s book will be both an essential guide to the park and a keepsake for those who have enjoyed its unique attractions.
Enhanced by 140 images, a documentary chronicle of Chicago's parks profiles thirty-one of the city's finest spaces--both contemporary and historical-along with detailed vignettes and captions to trace their development.
Moon Chicago reveals the Windy City's perfect mix of cosmopolitan culture and Midwestern charm. Explore the City: Navigate by neighborhood or by activity with color-coded maps, or follow turn-by-turn directions for a self-guided neighborhood walk See the Sights: Relax with the manta rays at Shedd Aquarium, listen to live music at Millenium Park, or take in some modern sculpture at the Art Institute. Venture onto the glass skydeck of the 110-story Willis Tower, or take a river tour of Chicago's historic architecture. Ride the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, cheer on the Cubs at Wrigley Field, or grab a picnic basket, kick off your shoes, and watch the waves on Lake Michigan Get a Taste of the City: Sample Chicago beef at a classic steakhouse, grab a gourmet hot dog, or pick from dozens of high-end farm-to-table restaurants (but don't forget to try the deep-dish pizza!) Bars and Nightlife: Kick back at an authentic speakeasy before taking in a jazz show, or visit the famous Second City improv comedy club, where many of Saturday Night Live's stars got their start Trusted Advice: Local journalist and world traveler Rebecca Holland shares the secrets of her favorite city Itineraries and Day Trips: All accessible by bus, train, or public transit, including "A Winter Day in Chicago," "Chicago with Kids," and a week-long "Best of Chicago" plan Expert Tips: The best views, people-watching spots, romantic places, international cuisine, and more, plus advice for LGBTQ visitors, families with children, travelers with disabilities, and international visitors Maps and Tools: Background information on Chicago's history and culture, as well as full-color photos and an easy-to-read foldout map to use on the go With Moon Chicago's practical tips, unique experiences, and local know-how, you can plan your trip your way. Looking to experience more world-class cities? Try Moon Seattle or Moon Washington DC. Is Chicago just the first stop on a bigger adventure? Check out Moon Route 66 Road Trip.
Chicago, is a perfect blend of big-city sophistication and small-town hospitality, with its good-humoured warmth, gleaming skyscrapers, outstanding museums and vibrant art scene. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you'll find your way around Chicago with absolute ease. Our regularly updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of Chicago into helpful lists of ten - from our own selected highlights to the best architecture, restaurants, blues and jazz joints, and of course, shopping destinations. You'll discover: • Seven easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a week • Detailed Top 10 lists of Chicago's must-sees, including comprehensive descriptions of the Willis Tower and Its Views, The Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, the Navy Pier, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park • Chicago's most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, going out and sightseeing • Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip - including movie locations, fun for kids, hidden gems off the beaten path and things to do for free • A laminated pull-out map of Chicago and its environs, plus five full-color neighborhood maps • Street-smart advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe • A lightweight format perfect for your pocket or bag when you're on the move DK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 2002. Looking for more on Chicago's culture, history and attractions? Try DK Eyewitness Chicago.
On November 4, 2008, when president-elect Barack Obama celebrated his victory with more than one hundred thousand supporters in Chicago, everyone knew where to meet. Long considered the showplace and cultural center of Chicago, Grant Park has been the site of tragedy and tension, as well as success and joy. In addition to serving as the staging grounds for Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession through the city, the park has been the setting for civil rights protests and the 1968 Democratic National Convention demonstrations. The faithful attended the open-air mass of Pope John Paul II in Grant Park, and fans gathered there to cheer for the Chicago Bulls after their championship wins. The long park overlooking the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan has played an active part in Chicago and U. S. history. In 1836, only three years after Chicago was founded, Chicagoans set aside the first narrow shoreline as public ground and declared it “forever open, clear, and free. . . .” Chicago historian and author Dennis H. Cremin reveals that despite such intent, the transformation of Grant Park to the spectacular park it is more than 175 years later was a gradual process, at first fraught with a lack of funding and organization, and later challenged by erosion, the railroads, automobiles, and a continued battle between original intent and conceptions of progress. Throughout the book, Cremin shows that while Grant Park’s landscape and uses have changed throughout its rocky history, the public ground continues to serve “as a display case for the city and a calling card to visitors.” Amply illustrated with maps and images from throughout Chicago’s history, Grant Park shows readers how Chicago’s “front yard” developed into one of the finest urban parks in the country today. 2014 Illinois State Historical Society Book of the Year
""Chicago's Fabulous Fountains" presents in words and pictures many of the more than one hundred outdoor public fountains in Chicago, informing readers about their origin and place in the city"--
Sports fans nationwide know Soldier Field as the home of the Chicago Bears. For decades its signature columns provided an iconic backdrop for gridiron matches. But few realize that the stadium has been much more than that. Soldier Field: A Stadium and Its City explores how this amphitheater evolved from a public war memorial into a majestic arena that helped define Chicago. Chicago Tribune staff writer Liam Ford led the reporting on the stadium’s controversial 2003 renovation—and simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history. As he tells it, the tale of Soldier Field truly is the story of Chicago, filled with political intrigue and civic pride. Designed by Holabird and Roche, Soldier Field arose through a serendipitous combination of local tax dollars, City Beautiful boosterism, and the machinations of Mayor “Big Bill” Thompson. The result was a stadium that stood at the center of Chicago’s political, cultural, and sporting life for nearly sixty years before the arrival of Walter Payton and William “The Refrigerator” Perry. Ford describes it all in the voice of a seasoned reporter: the high school football games, track and field contests, rodeos, and even NASCAR races. Photographs, including many from the Chicago Park District’s own collections, capture these remarkable scenes: the swelling crowds at ethnic festivals, Catholic masses, and political rallies. Few remember that Soldier Field hosted Billy Graham and Martin Luther King Jr., Judy Garland and Johnny Cash—as well as Grateful Dead’s final show. Soldier Field captures the dramatic history of Chicago’s stadium on the lake and will captivate sports fans and historians alike.
