Now that the media frenzy surrounding then-president-elect Barack Obama’s every move has died down, planners may be wondering what’s in store for the “Windy City” come springtime. As winter’s chill subsides and leaves return to the trees, planners may want to turn their sights toward Chicago’s Lake Michigan shore.
The city has always made an effort to democratize access to the lake, and its shore is dotted with exercise paths, beaches and cultural facilities that make excellent use of the intersection of one of the world’s largest lakes and one its biggest cities. While first-time visitors may think of Chicago as landlocked, the blue immenseness of Lake Michigan may cause them to reconsider.
It’s possible to mistake Lake Michigan for the Pacific or Atlantic on a particularly calm day, which makes the Shedd Aquarium (312.939.2438; www.sheddaquarium.org) a good choice for events. Located at the south end of Grant Park next to the lake, the Shedd offers a host of exhibits, including Waters of the World’s 90 marine habitats, the 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef, the flooded forest of Amazon Rising, the coral- and shark-endowed Wild Reef, and the digital 3-D projection capabilities of Phelps Auditorium. The aquarium can host events for up to 1,200 people, making maximum use of these colorful exhibits. In addition, its oceanarium will reopen in June following a major renovation and expansion, marking the return of large species such as dolphins and beluga whales to the facility.
Near the Shedd at the end of a park-like peninsula is the Adler Planetarium (312.922.7827; www.adlerplanetarium.org), which has excellent views of the city skyline as well as the sky. Its exhibits create an ideal setting for inspiring wonder and curiosity. Events for up to 1,000 can be held at Galileo’s Cafe, the Sundial Terrace or the Sky Theater planetarium, to mention a few potential spaces. The planetarium’s mid-level also offers classrooms and a boardroom for smaller or more education-focused gatherings.
The 800-pound gorilla of Chicago’s coast, however, is Navy Pier (312.595.7437; www.navypier.com) directly east of the Magnificent Mile. This 50-acre facility juts out into Lake Michigan and is a combination of small-scale amusement park, shopping district, dining hub and stepping-off point for cruises onto Lake Michigan. Its relative compactness allows visitors to experience everything from a 15-story Ferris wheel to the Chicago Children’s Museum, and from an IMAX theater to live music shows without having to go too far. It’s also a souvenir-hunter’s paradise, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day the Pier offers twice-weekly fireworks shows—made all the more beautiful by that amazing backdrop of the lake and city skyline.
