Located in the heart of the United States, Chicago is the place where people come to do business. The city remains one of the most visited US destinations for business travel. Chicago is the center of the nation’s rail and interstate highway systems, making it easily accessible on the road and rails for millions. Chicago’s biggest transportation advantage is its air service. Chicago is more convenient and affordable to fly to and from than many other destinations in the country.
Once you get to Chicago, you will find getting around Chicago couldn’t be simpler. You can fly in and ride to downtown quickly, safely and easily on the rapid transit rail lines for less than $2. Or, if you prefer you can take one of the 6,700 cabs.
Chicago runs generally in a north-south direction, with Lake Michigan forming its eastern edge and the Chicago River flowing through downtown. Two areas make up Chicago’s central downtown: The Loop, so named for the elevated train circling this business and cultural district; and the famed Magnificent Mile, a one-mile stretch of North Michigan Avenue north of the river. Both areas offer numerous attractions and ample shopping.
Chicago offers 29 miles of beautiful shoreline lined with things to do. There are 22 miles of bike paths, 22 public beaches with lifeguards, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, 200 public golf courses, the Magnificent Mile with 460 shops on just eight city blocks, over 5,000 restaurants, ranging from the finest French cuisine and legendary steakhouses to ethnic fare from around the globe, world-famous Chicago pizza, 200 live theaters, the home of the blues and a mecca for jazz, Chicago moves to a beat unlike any other American city. AHLA hopes you will join us in Chicago for the Annual Meeting and our 40th Anniversary Celebration and that you will take some time to enjoy Chicago’s architecture, museums, cultural activities, sporting events, shopping and nightlife.
For those of you who prefer to set your own itinerary and explore Chicago on your own, you are encouraged to contact the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau at www.choosechicago.com. Below are a few of the activities you may be interested in seeing while you are in Chicago. Attendees are encouraged to contact these sites directly for more information on schedules and pricing.
www.adlerplanetarium.orgOpened in 1930 as the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Adler fuels the imagination of its visitors with all new exhibits, state-of-the-art computer technology in the world's finest StarRider Theater, while showcasing a renowned collection of historical astronomy artifacts.
www.americangirl.comTake your seats; the show is about to begin! Let the magic of the costumes, songs, and stories take you on a marvelous journey. You'll explore the lives of American girls past and present, or the adventures of your favorite Bitty Bunch characters. Join us for a day at the Theater you'll never forget!
www.blueman.comThe intimate setting at Briar Street Theatre, the current home of the Blue Man Group, makes every seat in the house the best. After purchasing your ticket at the box office (if not online), take advantage of the parking lot located right next to the theater. If you're willing to cough up twelve Washingtons, the convenience-factor makes it worthwhile. Even if you don't need to powder your nose, take a trip to the bathroom to hear the percussive "Bathroom Song" playing over the speakers. In case you've forgotten where you are for a minute, the chorus of people on the recording yelling, "Bathroom! Bathroom!" will surely remind you.
www.chicagobotanic.orgExplore a world-renowned garden right in Chicago's backyard. This 385-acre living museum features 23 specialty gardens and three natural areas set on a series of islands and lakes. The garden is always in bloom.
www.chichildrensmuseum.orgChicago Children's Museum presents My Museum, its newest permanent exhibit that celebrates the unique imagination and experiences of every child. The new exhibit offers visitors, both young and old, opportunities to express themselves and to explore diverse perspectives through hands-on activities using a variety of creative materials and techniques. This dynamic exhibit will provide all children the opportunity to leave their own mark for others to discover and explore. My Museum will inspire visitors to see themselves and the world around them in a whole new way
www.citypass.comCityPass is the ticket to the most popular attractions in Chicago at a 50% savings—plus, you won't wait in long ticket lines! With a leisurely nine days to use all of the tickets, you can see everything on a weekend break or take your time to visit our world famous attractions! It's a great way to visit Chicago. Adults only $49.50 and Youth $39, includes tickets to 5 famous attractions: Museum of Science & Industry, The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Hancock Observatory. available at www.citypass.com or at the ticket window of any of our attractions.
www.fieldmuseum.orgDiscover Sue, the largest and most complete T. Rex ever found! Shrink to the size of a bug and go on an Underground Adventure, descend into an Eqyptian Pharaoh's tomb, watch a glowing lava flow, be dazzled by sparkin gems, come nose-to-nose with the man-eating lions of Tsavo.
www.wrightplus.orgThis complex served as Wright's private residence, studio and architectural laboratory during the first 20 years of his career from 1889-1909.
www.unitytemple-utrf.orgFrank Lloyd Wright received the commission to design Unity Temple in 1905 after the original church burned to the ground. This architectural masterpiece and National Historic Landmark was Wright's first public common and remains the last surviving public building from his golden Prairie period.
www.gochicagocard.comGo Chicago Card is an all-inclusive visitor pass which gets you unlimited admission to over 25 attractions for one low price. Enjoy the ultimate in freedom, choice, flexibility and value in the city. Chicago has dozens of great attractions! The Go Chicago Card has something for everyone! Get free admission to Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, a 2-day Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Pass, Sky line Cruise, Architectural walking tours and MORE! The card also includes FREE day trips such as the North Shore Tour and the South Side Tour. You'll also get savings of up to 20% on shopping and dining throughout the city. For one price, Go Chicago Card gives visitors unlimited sightseeing with FREE admission to over 25 attractions, over $500 in value and savings at shops and restaurants and a full-color pocket guidebook to the city.
www.lpzoo.orgEach of the main exhibit areas—bear, wolf, beaver and otter—offers the chance for children to learn about the animals' lives and homes through play and discovery. One of the interactive and popular parts of this new permanent Children's Zoo is the Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure (pictured right) which soars 20 feet into the air, evoking the feeling of ascending into a forest canopy. Layers of "leaves" are made from curved pieces of poplar plywood that resemble magical flying carpets.
www.millenniumpark.orgMillennium Park is a stunning 24.5-acre landscaping, arts and architecture treasure located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the North and Monroe Street to the South. Highlights include the Frank Gehry designed by Jay Pritzker pavillon for musical events; The Harris Theater for Musuc and dance' the 110-ton stainless steel
Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor.
www.msichicago.orgGuests will have their choice of investigating three different crime scenes and will have to identify evidence at the scene. Then, guided by investigators from the CBS series "CSI" along with their real-life forensic science counterparts, guests will begin their scientific investigation by going into a firearms lab where they match shell casings, a realistic autopsy room where a forensic pathologist is explaining "liver mortis," a toxicology lab where a victim's blood is tested for venomous toxins, as well many other hands-on experiences set in exciting visual environments that "CSI" fans will recognize.
www.navypier.comHistoric Navy Pier® is Chicago's lakefront playground. And it's the Midwest's #1 tourist and leisure destination, attracting more than 8.6 million visitors a year.
Navy Pier is the place where all of Chicagoland and tourists from around the world have come together since 1995 to enjoy the beauty and the thrills of a day on Lake Michigan. From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats Navy Pier has it all—in a location unlike any other!
There's so much to do in our 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions.
Take a ride on our 15-story tall McDonald's® Ferris wheel. Catch a movie at the IMAX® Theatre. Visit three floors of hands-on fun at the Chicago Children's Museum inside the Family Pavilion. Experience any one of the cruise boat rides departing from Navy Pier's South Dock. Or just kick back and enjoy your favorite form of entertainment—dancers, acrobats, theater, blues, jazz, or rock 'n roll at the Pepsi Skyline Stage.
Navy Pier also offers dining opportunities as diverse as Chicago itself. Dine at one of the fine restaurants or sample a variety of great tastes to be found at the food court in the Family Pavilion. You can find everything from bikes to books and from souvenirs to sunglasses at the retail shops in the Family Pavilion open year-round. Don't forget about the free entertainment on Dock Street during the summer and open-air ice skating during the winter.
www.skydeck.comBest view of Chicago from one of the world's tallest buildings.
www.sheddaquarium.orgSee all the Shedd has to offer with an All Access Pass, which includes the original aquarium building, Wild Reef, Amazon Rising and the Oceanrium.
www.hancockobservatory.comExperience Chicago's best views spanning up to 80 miles and four states! Featuring Chicago's highest open-air Skywalk.
The Cadillac Palace Theatre
www.broadwayinchicago.comThe Color Purple is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who—through love—finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, The Color Purple is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life.
Ford Center for Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre
www.broadwayinchicago.comLong before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.