Chicago, IL area

[UNCTEP]

At the end of the month I'm visiting the Chicago area for a week (wife has family there, I believe they live in an area called Buffalo Grove?). Anyone from the area have a list of "must visit" photos spots?

Also will be driving to Stillwater, MN for a wedding during the trip - if anyone knows any good spots in that area/along the way I'd be all ears...

[jdryan3]

I love the Shedd Aquarium. Given most of the 'exhibits' are behind glass, flash doesn't work. So a monopod with a fast lens with high ISO works. Lotta junk shots at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll get some great keepers.

[dlscott56]

Sheds is great, there are lots of small parks along the lake driving north of the city off Lake Shore Drive. They're not bad places to take some shots of the city from a little distance. The John Hancock building observatory can be good. Rush street at night has a lot of activity. Some great jazz bars also. The ferris wheel at Navy Pier at night is cool also.

[grimace]

I might be able to point you to a few locations near Stillwater.

Willow State Park is just 10 to 15 minutes from Stillwater. Below, is a picture of one of the falls.

http://Adam.smugmug.com/photos/47130141-L.jpg

Also, Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI is a 30 minute drive north from Stillwater (on the WI side). If barns and farmland shots are your thing there are plenty of them as well.

Feel free to send me an e-mail or PM for other locations within the area.

[David_S85]

At the end of the month I'm visiting the Chicago area for a week (wife has family there, I believe they live in an area called Buffalo Grove?). Anyone from the area have a list of "must visit" photos spots?

Also will be driving to Stillwater, MN for a wedding during the trip - if anyone knows any good spots in that area/along the way I'd be all ears...

What type of subjects would you be interested in shooting? Nature? Landscapes? Architecture?

[Richard]

I love the Shedd Aquarium.

If you go to the Shedd, you should also walk out towards the Adler Planetarium to take the classic Chicago skyline panorama shot. Bring a tripod. Another popular location is Millennium Park, downtown. Cloudgate (The Bean) and the Crown Fountain offer lots of photo possibilities.

Cheers,

[davemj98]

Observation deck, Sears Tower

[UNCTEP]

What type of subjects would you be interested in shooting? Nature? Landscapes? Architecture?

I'm open to anything really, but going to a city as large as Chicago I think I'd like to try to stick to urban/cityscapes. I'm certainly going to check into the locations mentioned for the skyline photos. Is the fountain mentioned the one from the opening credits of Married with Children? For some reason I always thought that was Chicago... but could be wrong.

I've just learned that the drive to Stillwater probably isn't going to give much time for going off-course for photo spots. But, we'll certainly be on the lookout for anything that's not too far off the beaten path.

Thanks everyone for the tips - if anything else springs into your mind let me know!

[David_S85]

Buckingham Fountain is the Married With Children opening credits fountain. Also, the Bundy House in the opening credits (once yellow) is up near Buffalo Grove. It's marked on Google Earth Communities - Deerfield I think. AFAIK, it is still there.

As far as the city goes, I can't be too much help, as I hardly ever go there myself. And when I do, it isn't with my photo gear. What others have mentioned in the city is good though. You almost can't go wrong within a couple miles from the Loop area. Just walk around. Plenty to see. Adler Planetarium area is good for views back towards the city.

Chicago Botanical Gardens (not in Chicago) is on the north shore, somewhat nearby. You could spend a day or more walking around that. The Frank Lloyd Wright Historical District is in Oak Park, if you like architecture (I do, but just not FLW). Interesting historical stuff though.

[Mike Lane]

Go on a tour of the splendid campus of my alma mater, Illinois Institute of Technology. You'll see the stunning work of Mies Van Der Rohe. Things like this:

http://www.ecotectureblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/image0021.jpg

and this:

http://www.stateuniversity.com/assets/logo/image/891/large/IITTower-001.jpg


I know, you're saying to yourself, "Wow that's some amazing architecture!" Oh I know. Those buildings and so many more spectacularly boring other ones will be at your fingertips. :rolleyes

Just stay north of 35th street okay? Also stay south of 31st Street.

Seriously though, I don't know much about photography in Chicago since I didn't have a camera back then. What I can tell you is where to eat. First, find a burrito joint. There is one pretty close to IIT if you're planning on venturing that far south (which I wouldn't unless you know where you're going). Ask a native, Chicago has awesome burritos. Then for dinner the first night go to Giordano's (http://www.giordanos.com/main.php). On the second day for lunch go get more pizza but this time from Connie's (http://www.conniespizza.com/). Then for dinner head to Ed Debevics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_debevics) for a fun night out. But don't have dessert at Ed's, instead go to Zephyr (http://www.zephyricecream.com/). In fact, you may just want to skip Ed's and go straight to Zephyr's.

:thumb

[Shima]

The Shedd is great if you want sea life... if you want animals, Brookfield Zoo is a fun place to go.
http://shima.smugmug.com/Nature/325400

[beacazil]

Buffalo Grove is one of the north-west suburbs. Nice little town with lots of green and open land to the north.

I'd hop on the METRA train ("North Central Line") and explore the city. The train ends at Union Station and you may find yourself using the camera even before you leave the station. Here a few hints what to do from there: ttp://metrarail.com/Travel/Union_Station.pdf (http://www.dgrin.com/metrarail.com/Travel/Union_Station.pdf).

I personally love the city at and after sunset. On days without overcast, you have these deep blue skies and all the city lights.

[gluwater]

Go on a tour of the splendid campus of my alma mater, Illinois Institute of Technology. You'll see the stunning work of Mies Van Der Rohe. Things like this:

and this:

I know, you're saying to yourself, "Wow that's some amazing architecture!" Oh I know. Those buildings and so many more spectacularly boring other ones will be at your fingertips. :rolleyes

Just stay north of 35th street okay? Also stay south of 31st Street.

Seriously though, I don't know much about photography in Chicago since I didn't have a camera back then. What I can tell you is where to eat. First, find a burrito joint. There is one pretty close to IIT if you're planning on venturing that far south (which I wouldn't unless you know where you're going). Ask a native, Chicago has awesome burritos. Then for dinner the first night go to Giordano's (http://www.giordanos.com/main.php). On the second day for lunch go get more pizza but this time from Connie's (http://www.conniespizza.com/). Then for dinner head to Ed Debevics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_debevics) for a fun night out. But don't have dessert at Ed's, instead go to Zephyr (http://www.zephyricecream.com/). In fact, you may just want to skip Ed's and go straight to Zephyr's.

:thumb Mike, I never knew you were so versed in Chicago. Some good info here. Especially about the food. You can find any kind of food. If you like BBQ than go to Fat Willys (http://www.fatwillysribshack.com/) you'd be surprised how good Chicago BBQ can be and they are the best in the city. For good Mexican food go to El Jardin Cafe (http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3735114/chicago_il/el_jardin_cafe.html) in Wrigleyville. While your there you'll have plenty of interesting people to see and Wrigley Field to shoot. There are tons of trendy bars and restaurant up and down Clark in the area. If you want Chicago Style pizza check out Mikes suggestions or go to Gino's East (http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/gino_p1.shtml?L+scstore+csbl0291ginosffa020a0+1185 622563), you won't be disappointed. For breakfast there's nothing better than Ann Sathers (http://annsather.com/restaurants/locations.shtml), the Belmont location is down the street from Wrigleyville and has free parking which is a huge plus if you're driving. And I can't forget about Chicago's awsome steak houses. Personally one of my favorites is Wildfire (http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/second_level/locations/locations.htm), it's decently priced and the martini bar is a huge plus. Another very popular one is the Chicago Chop House (http://www.chicagochophouse.com/dinnermenu.htm). Now that I've gotten the food out of the way, a couple suggestions for photography. Start out at the Field Museum or Soldier field and walk your way down the lakefront to the Shedd and take your skyline shot as rsinmadrid mentioned. Then move on to Grant park and Buckingham fountain. Keep moving and you'll make it to Millenium Park and now you'r in the heart of the skyscrapers. The rest is up to you.

Now if you have time check out the museums, they are all world class. If you'll be here for a couple days you can should get a Chicago City pass (http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html) which will save you a ton of money and time in ticket lines. It's good at the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Hancock Observatory. It's also good for 9 days. Shima mentioned the Brookfield Zoo, great choice. You can take the Metra from Union Station to the Zoo stop in Brookfield and it is within walking distance. There is also Lincoln Park Zoo in the city but I think Brookfield is much nicer. Lincoln Park zoo is free and Brookfield Zoo charges admission. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Have fun.

[Richard]

A bit off-topic, perhaps, but if you like painting from the first half of the 20th century, you should make it a point to visit Chicago's Art Institute. It's right next to Millennium Park, downtown. It's a world-class collection. If it's not out on loan, you can see Edward Hopper's Nighthawks there, one of my all-time favorite paintings. Last time I was there (a couple of years ago) they did allow shooting (no flash or tripod), so you also have the possibility of getting some interesting shots of people trying to make sense of abstract art. Lots of fun.

Regards,

[Mike Lane]

Mike, I never knew you were so versed in Chicago. Some good info here. Especially about the food. Well I did go to IIT for 4 years. But that was nearly a decade ago :yikes:rutt

[UNCTEP]

Thanks to everyone who suggested spots to hang out, eat, and take photos. Our trip went well. The first day we went to the top of the Hancock building, and toured Navy Pier. 2nd day - Museum of Science and Industry, which was really cool. Had about 10 people with us, all cousins of my wife (most of which were under 10yrs old), so we didn't try to accomplish much else. Next night we went to Millenium park and visited the Cloud sculpture, Buckingham Fountain and finally walked to the Shedd Aquarium to get some night photos of the skyline with Lake Michigan in the foreground as suggested. Our last venture into the city included one of the touristy river tours of downtown and onto the lake, which was fun, but if anyone ever goes on these - WEAR SUNSCREEN. We didn't even think about it and got scorched. We ate at Gino's East - my first sampling of true Chicago-stlye pizze, which was amazing. We ate at other places that we found along the way - all in all it was a great trip and I think we'll be going back again, hopefully in the near future.

Thanks again to all!

[David_S85]

That all sounds like you had a great visit. You did more in the city than I have done in the past 10 years!