While you're in the neighborhood

I hope you spent (or will spend) some time at the Chicago Cultural Center taking the free tour, enjoying the free performances and wandering the galleries viewing the artwork presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. (see DCASE Part I 1/8/2016 post). While you are in the neighborhood let me tell you what else there is to do and see that is free for all. These sites are best explored on foot. How long this walk takes depends on your pace and how much time you spend enjoying the sites along the way. So, let’s explore; follow me.
 
From the Chicago Cultural Center walk across Michigan Avenue on Randolph Street and you will find a series of parks that run about ½ mile (0.8 km) east from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive and south along the Lakefront about 1½ miles (2.4 km) to Roosevelt Road.

As you walk east on Randolph Street the first public space is Millennium Park. I told you about the free Chicago Greeter tours of the park in the summer (see Chicago Greeter 1/1/2016 post) and later I will take you on a virtual tour and tell you about other free programs in the park, but for now, let me just say you’ll want to come back and spend some time in Millennium Park.

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​Just east of Millennium Park is the Maggie Daley Park. If you have children ages 1 to12 you will want to visit this amazing 3 acre “playgarden”. This outdoor space includes theme-based play spaces including The Sea, The Watering Hole, The Harbor, Enchanted Forest, Wave Lawn and Slide Crater. Signs are posted to identify the appropriate ages for each space.
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But there are things in the park for those who are older too. In the winter months you can enjoy a spin around the 1/2 mile long (0.8 Km) Skating Ribbon. It is free if you have your own skates, but skate rental is available on site for a fee.  During the summer bring a snack or meal and enjoy dining alfresco in the Picnic Grove.
 
From spring through fall you can play on the tennis courts, miniature golf course and 2 climbing walls, but there is a fee associated with these park features.

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Continuing east beyond Maggie Daley Park  is the Cancer Survivors Garden.

This peaceful space has scenic views of the lake to the east and south along Lake Shore Drive. The gardens represent “healing, acceptance, support and celebration”. Kiosks with inspirational sayings are placed throughout the space,
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Now walk south. In front of you at Monroe Street are the more than 300 acres of Grant Park considered Chicago’s front yard.


Grant Park extends from Monroe Street on the north to Roosevelt Road on the South and from Michigan Avenue on the west to Lake Shore Drive on the east.


Columbus Drive is the main artery running north and south and bisecting the park.


Turn right (west) on Monroe Street and Butler Field and the Patrillo Band Shell will be on your left. This space is home of many music festivals. Turn left (south) on Columbus Drive. Many of the city’s parades are held along Columbus Drive and it is the heart of the Taste of Chicago a foodies dream held every July. (More on these events in later posts.)
 
Just inside the northwest corner of Bulter Field are 2 large curved walls of metal. Named Reading Cones by Richard Serra and placed here in 1990.
 
Continue walking south on Columbus Drive. On your right is the back of the Art Institute of Chicago  (More about this at the end of our tour.) and right next door is the School of the Art Institute. (SAIC).   At the end of the Fall, Winter and Summer terms, student artists often show their masterpieces in exhibits that are free and open to the public. Other SAIC exhibit spaces can be found throughout the downtown area. Check their website for dates and locations of these and other free public events.
 
Just south of the SAIC you will find the Seated Lincoln statue by Augustus Saitn-Gaudens. Given to the city by John Crerar it was placed in the North President’s Court in 1926.
 
On the east side of Columbus Drive at Congress Parkway is Buckingham Fountain donated by Kate Buckingham as a memorial to her brother Clarence who died during World War I. From spring through fall you will see it in all its glory. Every hour on the hour the center jet forces water 150’ in the air. My favorite time to see the fountain is from dusk until 11 PM (23:00) when you will see a light, music and water display every hour on the hour.
 
Both on the north and south sides of the fountain are beautiful Rose Gardens that bloom throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.
 
Continuing south is Hutchinson Field home to 12 baseball/softball diamonds.  Did you know softball was invented in Chicago in 1887?
 
Opposite the diamonds, on the west side of Columbus Drive, are volleyball and tennis courts.
 
At the south end of Grant Park at Roosevelt Road stands the statue of Christopher Columbus. This bronze, by Carl Brioschi was given by the Italian-American Community of Illinois and dedicated in 1933 during the Columbian Exposition, the 2nd World’s Fair held in Chicago.
 
Here, if you wish, you can follow the signs to the Museum Campus.  Lots to see there for free, but for now let’s skip that detour. I promise I’ll tell you about it in a later post. Instead, turn right (west) on Roosevelt Road toward Michigan Avenue. To your right is a 3 acre Skate Park for skateboarders.
 
As you approach Michigan Avenue you can’t miss the large torsos and legs of the art installation Agora by Magdalena Abakanowicz. Agora is Greek for “meeting place”. Who do you suppose the torsos are meeting?
 
At Michigan Avenue, turn right (north). Currently a public exhibit called Statue Stories Chicago* is being held across the city. If you find a red, white and blue Statutes Store Chicago* sign, swipe your smartphone at the QR symbol and wait for the sculpture to call you back and tell you what it are thinking. Six of these “talking” pieces are along this stretch of Michigan Avenue. See if you can spot all of them.
 
Heading north just past Agora Is the Rosenberg Fountain* donated by Joseph Rosenberg of San Francisco, CA. The sculptor is by Fanz Machtl and was installed in 1993.

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Keep an eye out for the Mississippi Blues Trail Marker.  This is the 77th in a series and stands as a reminder of the thousands of migrants who left the south for the promise of a better life in "Sweet Home Chicago". It stands near  the former site for the Illinois Central train station and marks the end of their journey.
 
​Perched on a hill to your right is the General John Logan Monument. The General fought in the Mexican-American War and Civil War and served as State Senator, Congressman and US Senator from Illinois. The artists are August Saint-Gaudens and Alexander Phimster Proctor.
 
Keep you eye out for the bust of Aaron Montgomery Ward*. Ward is credited with creating the first mail order catalogue business, the equivalent today of ecommerce. Chicagoans owe him a huge debt of gratitude as he single handedly fought to keep our lakefront “Forever Open, Clear and Free”. Today we have about 30 miles (about 48 km) of lakefront property open to the public. The Aaron Montgomery Ward Garden offers a shaded place to rest and relax.
 
Just north is a garden with a water feature and another restful space.
 
North of Balboa Drive stands The Muse or Spirit of Music* by Albin Polasek.  She faces The Spirit of Music Garden. In the summer a temporary pavilion is installed here and free dance lesson are given followed by dancing to the music of a live band. SummerDance has been held here every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday since 1996. Come with your dance partner, meet someone new or just come and enjoy the music and watch the dancers learn to swing, waltz, cha-cha-cha, rumba or the featured ethnic dance. SummerDance is also offered every Thursday at five different neighborhood parks. Check the website for all times, dates and locations.
 
Most streets running through Grant Park boast decorative obelisks creating a grand entry upon your arrival in Grant Park and Congress Parkway is the best example. In addition, the entrance is flanked by 2 grand bronze figures of proud Native Americans. The Bowman and The Spearman were created by the artist Ivan Mestrovic and have stood at Park’s main entrance since 1928
 
In the Congress Parkway Triangle Garden stands Daphne by Dessa Kirk.  During the warm growing seasons, the vines and flowers planted in the garden grow up around her creating her living skirt.
 
Immediately to the north and south of Congress Parkway stand a smaller park and courtyard each with an Eagle Fountain by Frederick Cleveland Hibbard.
 
At Van Buren Street is a French Metro inspired entrance to the METRA train station.
 
North of Van Buren Street is Dame Elisabeth Frink’s bust of Sir Georg Solti, music director of the Chicago Symphony from 1969 to 1991.

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​The building you see ahead of you on your right is the Art Institute of Chicago. The building was erected in 1893 as part of the Columbian Exposition the 1st World’s Fair held in Chicago. In 2015 it was voted the best museum in the world on TripAdvisor. There is an admission fee, but there is a lot to see for free. 
 
Children under 14 are always admitted to the Museum for free.  There are plenty of free brochures located near the entrances to enhance your visit. These include maps, gallery guides, museum highlights and scavenger hunts. In addition, there are apps you can download for free. A Closer Look in the Art Institute of Chicago is available for iOS devices and Art Institute Tours can be used on both IPhones and Androids.

If you are an Illinois resident and have a valid State ID, admission is free every Thursday night from 5 PM to 8 PM. Also, for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customers, your debit or credit card and your photo ID get you free admission on the first full weekend each month.

 Outside the Museum, take your time discovering the Beaux Art architecture. Does it look like an ancient Greek or Roman structure?  How many artists’ names are carved near the top of the building? 
 
If you come during the spring, summer or fall, you can wander through the South* and North Sculpture Gardens. While the gardens are closed in the winter months, you can still look in and see the sculptures and fountain.
 
Take a picture with the 2 lions* that guard the main entrance to the Museum. These larger-than-life bronzes by Edward Kemeys have flanked the grand staircase since 1894 and have become icons of the city. They are referred to by their poses “On the prowl” and “Stand in an attitude of defiance”. Can you tell which is which? At Christmastime a ceremony is held to adorn the lions with holiday wreaths around their necks and when our professional sport teams are in the playoffs the lions proudly wear the hats/helmets of our Chicago teams.
 
Walk up the grand staircase and through the main entrance to enjoy the beauty of the building’s interior. Imagine what visitors to the World’s Fair would have thought felt in this grand space. On the far right of the entrance is a gift shop. It’s free to browse.
 
Back outside, walk north past the Museum. Turn right (east) on Monroe Street and walk up to the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. It was designed by Renzo Piano and is the latest addition to the Museum. It features skylights and large windows that provide natural light in the galleries. The roof is topped by louvers Piano called his “flying carpet”.
 
As you can enter the Modern Wing you are standing in Griffin Court where you can usually see a few pieces of art displayed. To your left of the entrance is the Ryan Learning Center where families will find spaces to explore, places to participate in daily and seasonal activities and see child-centered exhibits all for free.  Activities and exhibits designed for children can be found on www.artic.edu/kids
 
For example, “Materials Inside and Out” is an ongoing interactive activity allowing you to manipulate materials and discover your inner architect. The Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery encourages exploration of art through touch. The David and Marilyn Fatt Vitale Family Orientation Room is a space to play or relax and enjoy a picture book together. Visit the Curious Corner online at http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/CC/ the interactive page on their website helping families learn about works in the collection using computer games.
 
Teens can find age-appropriate activities on the Art Institute website www.artic.edu/learns/teens and by following the Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
 
To the right of the entrance of the Modern Wing is the gift shop. Take a walk through to see a modern take on design. Past the gift shop, turn right and walk past the coat check room. Take the elevator up to The Bluhm Family Terrace a rooftop sculpture garden. It is open to the public unless there is a private event. From here you get a unique view of Millennium Park and part of the Chicago skyline.
 
From the sculpture garden cross Monroe Street on the Nichols Bridgeway. Half way over stop and look to your right for a bird’s eye view of Lake Michigan.
 
You are now back at Millennium Park where you started. You can explore on your own or come back in a few weeks when I’ll take you on a virtual tour. (There is talking sculpture in Millennium Park. Did you find all 6* along Michigan Avenue?)

​Whether you stay in Millennium Park or come back later, you won’t want to go too far because next week I’ll showcase even more fun places to go and see in the neighborhood for free. 
 
 
All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.
 
 
If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com
 
 
Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com


Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll.  Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.
 
Next week we are staying in the neighborhood for even more free things to see and do that are free for all.  How about taking that detour with me to the Museum Campus?  

​Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!