The Stay-At-Home Tourist

| Monday, March 22, 2004

Spring break may be synonymous with sunny skies and sand in your toes, but not everyone can or chooses to spend their time off in a tropical environment surrounded by partying college kids. So if you're one of the many who will be spending spring break right here in the region, there are many places and events that can provide some fun, even if it's not 80 degrees.

There probably are attractions that you've long wanted to see, but have put it off, so why not play tourist right here? Pretend for the week that you're from out of town, ready to hit some of the large, well-know attractions, peruse some of the smaller, lesser-known gems, shop ‘til you drop and eat ‘til you pop. 

Here's a small list to get you started. You can also contact one of the area tourism offices for more information on sites in the area.

 

CHICAGO

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a must see for out-of-towners, but even for those who don't live far, it's a place that you can visit often and still find something new.  This weekend, you can catch the last days of the 10th Annual Chicago Flower and Garden Show, which runs through Sunday and includes 25 themed gardens, lectures by gardening experts and demonstrations by master gardeners.  For information visit www.chicagoflower.com or call (312) 321-0077.

 

Even if you've been to Navy Pier a hundred times, it's hard to tire of riding the Ferris wheel, viewing a movie at the IMAX theater or taking a sightseeing, lunch or dinner cruise on Lake Michigan.  If you've got little ones in tow, they'll love the hands-on exhibits at the Chicago Children's Museum.  And even if you're not a sightseer, the eateries alone make it worth the trip -- there's the Billy Goat Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company & Market, Riva, Joe's Be-Bop Café or the futuristic atmosphere at the Pier's McDonald's. For more information on Navy Pier, call (312) 595-PIER or visit www.navypier.com

 

Water Tower & Water Tower Place

Built in 1869, the Water Tower was one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  Check out the amazing limestone structure and then head over to Water Tower Place to do some serious shopping.  Shop Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's and more than 100 specialty stores on eight levels, including Banana Republic, Jacadi, Abercrombie & Fitch, Godiva Chocalatier and Department 56.  Complete your shopping spree with a taste of Thai Chicken Pizza at the California Pizza Kitchen. For more information call (312) 440-3165 or visit www.shopwatertower.com

 

Eat like a tourist

Chicago can claim many unusual and one-of-kind restaurants that visitors to the city shouldn't miss.  Enjoy a meal in the Italian steakhouse that showcases the career of one of Chicago's all-time favorite sports announcers, Harry Caray's Restaurant, 33 W. Kinzie St., (312) 828-0966. Have an old-fashioned burger, some fried chicken or a slice of meatloaf with a Green River at Ed Debevic's, 640 N. Wells St., (312) 664-1707, a nostalgic diner where meals are served up by a sassy and entertaining wait staff.  The Original Gino's East, 633 N. Wells St., (312) 988-4200 is probably the only place in the city where you can enjoy a slice of filling deep-dish pizza pie while leaving your mark, literally.  Don't forget to bring a marker and sign your name on the wall!

 

Sears Tower Sky Deck

There's nothing like seeing the city from 1,353 feet above the ground in the sky deck of the Sears Tower.  Learn some of the history of the massive structure, which opened in the Windy City in 1973 after three years of construction. If you're visiting on a clear day, you can see four states from the sky deck -- Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. And don't forget to bring some gum to chew on the way up to keep your ears from popping! The elevator ride to the top can cover 1,600 feet per minute.  For more information, call (312) 875-9696 or visit www.the-skydeck.com.  Tickets can be purchased online.

 

 Ethnic Neighborhoods

Take a little time to visit some of the ethnic neighborhoods in the Chicago melting pot.  Once you enter the gateway into Chinatown, you're transported to a different place. Pick up a souvenir at one of the many gift shops, select sweets at a Chinese bakery, visit the Chinatown firehouse, and sample some Dim sum at the original Three Happiness, 209 W. Cermak Road, (312) 842-1964 or other authentic eateries.  For more information, call the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce (312) 326-5320. 

 Greek Town is another interesting ethnic neighborhood where you can visit shops and enjoy a lively meal at some of the Greek eateries along Halsted Street, such as the Greek Islands, 200 S Halsted St., (312) 782-9855 and the Parthenon, 314 S. Halsted St., (312) 726-2407.

The highlight of the Pilsen neighborhood is the Mexican Fine Arts Museum, 1401 W 18th St., (312) 738-1503, which is surrounded by Mexican restaurants and grocery stores, including Nuevo Leon, 1515 W 18th St., (312) 421-1517.

 

 

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Hoosier Bat Company Factory Tour

If you'd like to plan an outing closer to home, visit the Hoosier Bat Co., 4511 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, (219) 531-1006.  Tour the factory where major league bats are made for players such as Frank Thomas. Free tours are conducted weekday mornings, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, and products can be purchased in the company's gift shop.  It is strongly recommended that you call at least one day in advance to reserve a spot on the tour.

 

Casinos

Plenty of excitement awaits you at Northwest Indiana's casinos.  Whether you prefer the slots or are a serious poker player, you'll find plenty of opportunities to play your game 24 hours a day at one of the Lake County casinos.

Each of the casinos has occasional entertainment and several dining options.  Harrah's East Chicago Casino, (800) eHARRAH, offers a French Bistro, a coffee shop and two casual eateries.  The Majestic Star in Gary, (888) 2B-LUCKY, also has many options for those who work up an appetite in the gaming areas, including KoKo Taylor's Blues Café, where you can sample Southern specialties such as Mississippi Delta Crawfish Gumbo, Dirty Rice and Black-Eyed Peas. Since the Trump Casino in Gary, (888) 21-TRUMP, has a hotel next to it, you can turn your visit to the casino into an overnight getaway. Hammond's Horseshoe Casino, (866) 711-SHOE, features more than 2,000 slots machines, 47 table games and the Jack Binion Steak House.

 

Antique Shops

Spend the day browsing through antique shops in Chesterton, Valparaiso and surrounding communities.  You'll find everything from furniture to collectibles to toys to jewelry at places like the Schoolhouse Shop & Antiques, 278 E. 1500 North, Chesterton, (219) 926-1551 or www.schoolhouseshop.com. There also is Yesterday's Treasures Antique Mall, 700 Broadway, Chesterton, (219) 926-2268 and the Old Country Barn, 147 E. 50 South, Valparaiso, (219) 477-6629. 

 

For more information on attractions, events or hotel packages, contact these tourism offices:

* Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, (877) CHICAGO, www.877chicago.com

* Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, (888) 895-8233, www.visitchicagosouthland.com

* Lake Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) ALL-LAKE, www.alllake.org For more information on attractions, events or hotel packages, contact these tourism offices:
* Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, (877) CHICAGO, www.877chicago.com
* Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, (888) 895-8233, www.visitchicagosouthland.com
* Lake Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) ALL-LAKE, www.alllake.org