(ARA) – Chicago, America’s “second city,” is one of the country’s top destinations for fans of architecture and art. Its museums are world renowned and chock full of treasures like Seraut’s “La Grande Jatte” and Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” Whether you’re a fan of art on the walls or the architecture that surrounds the art, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Chicago.
Making Chicago even more attractive is the fact that it is one of the best travel deals in the country. Prices are reasonable, particularly when stacked against other destinations like New York and Los Angeles, and the city’s amenities are just as impressive.
Chicago’s “L” trains make getting around the city a snap, and even provide a unique vantage point for viewing the city’s line-up of impressive buildings. Another great way to take in the sights is on board a boat tour on the Chicago river that gives you a narrated guide to the city’s most significant buildings. Of course, some of Chicago’s remarkable homes are a bit further outside of downtown, so rental cars can be a good idea, too.
For an extra close-up view of the city’s great architecture, you can choose from a wide selection of Chicago hotels that are housed in noteworthy buildings, some of which are on the National Historic Register. Here are just a few of Chicago’s architectural highlights that you won’t want to miss.
* Willis Tower – This landmark is probably better known by its former name, Sears Tower. When it was built in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, and though it has lost that title to other ambitious projects, it is currently the tallest building in the United States and fifth tallest in the world. The observation deck on the 103rd floor is a popular attraction, and on a not-uncommon windy day, you can feel the building swaying.
* Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park – In the verdant suburban neighborhood of Oak Park, you can tour homes designed by perhaps the most influential American architect of all time. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust operates the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, as well as the famous Robie House, a masterpiece of Prairie style architecture.
* The Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower – These two buildings, located across Michigan Avenue from one another, date from a time when the concept of a skyscraper was in its infancy. Built in 1920 and 1925 respectively, they exhibit the more grandiose, ornate style that looked to the heritage of Europe’s famous building styles of the era before modernism.
To get started planning your trip to Chicago, your first step should be to visit Web sites like Travelocity.com to book airline tickets, hotels and rental cars. By bundling all these necessary elements into a vacation package, you’ll often save a lot of money.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
