AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 10 - Wicker Park

The "heart of Wicker Park" -
Damen, North Ave, and Milwaukee Ave intersection

Experience the sights, sounds and diversity in the old and new that has attracted such a wide variety of shop owners, art galleries, theaters, restaurants, clubs and bars to this unique area.

Taking a walk through this neighborhood and the adjacent Bucktown is like strolling through a work of art. The lighting of the streets, cafes, window shopping, neon signs, the movement of the elevated trains, the accelerating pace of urban change – all these add up to more than idle spectacle. Explore the area through its restaurants and shops, its history and architecture and churches, and its inhabitants. There truly is something for everyone in this quirky, artsy and forward-looking community. But don't take it from a resident, check it out for yourself.

Take the #3 Bus from McCormick Place to Jackson and Michigan. Walk to the blue line at Jackson and Dearborn (2 blocks). Take the Blue Line towards O'Hare Airport and get off at Damen.

Murals; record, book and comic stores; people watching -
you will always find something worth checking out in Wicker Park.

AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 9 - Lincoln Park Zoo

A favorite spot for the budget conscious individual, Lincoln Park Zoo is a completely free, open to everyone, easy to access city zoo. You might think a free zoo would have little more than a few goats and a peacock; but this one surpasses any expectations. While it is one of the oldest zoos in the country, it is also one of the most modern, with state of the art habitats and top-of-their-field veterinarians and zookeepers. Its design complements yet contrasts the city so that a visit is a bit of an escape; lions, primates, zebras and exotic birds are just a few of the many attractive and thoughtful exhibits. More than anything else, the Lincoln Park Zoo seeks to educate its visitors about conservation, science and animals and use its inhabitants as ambassadors for the voiceless many they represent.

Take Bus #3 from McCormick Place to Randolph and Michigan. Transfer to Bus # 151 which heads straight to the zoo.

What is it about visiting a zoo that brings out the kid in us?
Maybe its the wonder and beauty inspired by its permanent residents.

AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 8 - Water Taxi

A water taxi putters past the Field Museum.

Take a water taxi from museum park to Navy Pier. One of Chicago’s most visited tourist attractions, Navy Pier offers great views of the city, a boardwalk, shopping and dining, a ferris wheel, and is the home to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children's Museum, and WBEZ, Chicago's public radio station. While all of these attractions are worth checking out, the journey to the pier is possibly the highlight when it is made by water taxi, starting from Museum Campus. Museum Campus Chicago is a 57-acre Lake Michigan lakefront park that surrounds three of the city's most notable museums, all dedicated to the natural sciences: the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History. The dock at the campus is a short 1.5 mile taxi or bus ride from McCormick Place. Shoreline Sightseeing offers water taxi boat rides between docks at Museum Campus and Navy Pier. This half-day trip is truly an experience - taking in views of the city from beyond the shore of Lake Michigan while boating amidst cool freshwater spray are worth the trip alone.... Umm, can you tell that we love our city yet?

To get to Museum Campus by bus, take Bus #3 that stops in front of McCormick place and get off at Roosevelt and Michigan. Then transfer to Bus #146 that will take you the last 5 minutes to the museums. Once there, a water taxi ticket can be purchased for $7. Water taxis leave every 20 minutes.

Navy Pier is lots of fun in the summertime. Beer garden, food vendors and live music sound ok?

AAC's Top 10 List: No. 7 - Chicago Pride Fest

It's all about GLBT pride at Chicago Pride Fest! Slated to be held June 22-23, 2012 - immediately before Chicago's iconic Pride Parade on June 24 – this festive two-day event marks the first official party of summer. Hosted by the Northalsted Business Alliance,this crowd-pleasing gay and lesbian celebration of community pride showcases an eclectic lineup of arts and crafts, food and other vendors. It also features entertainment on two stages with one dedicated to some of Chicago's fine performers in the gay community. Since this event celebrates the unique identity of the individual, anyone and everyone is invited to attend. If you plan to be in Chicago in the days following NCVS, this event is inescapable as hints of the hilarity on Halsted can be spotted citywide.

Public transportation is encouraged as the best way to get to the festival. The CTA Red Line "L" (Belmont, Addison stops) or Brown Line "L" (Belmont) are conveniently located just a few blocks from the festival. For routes, directions and connections, call 773.836.7000 or visit www.transitchicago.com.

The Chicago Pride Parade attracts about 500,000 attendees

AAC's Top 10 List: No. 6 - Chinatown

Chicago is a city composed of small towns, each a neighborhood with a distinct identity and history. Chinatown may be one of the most colorful and varied neighborhoods of the more than 77 within city limits. It isn't as large, noisy, or touristy as the Chinatowns in NYC or San Francisco, but it is home to a vibrant community of Chinese Chicagoans. Visit this lively community when you are in town for the Conference - it's within walking distance of McCormick Place and offers excellent dim sum and other dining options. If a full meal isn't what you're looking for, wander the streets to see how the Chinese influence blends with the local architecture, peek into a shop or two, and order a delectable bubble tea smoothie with tapioca balls. Then walk over to Ping Tom Park (pictured below) that borders the river and enjoy the view of the loop.

Tom Ming Park is a gem on the edge of Chinatown. It sits along the river where visitors can view the vacant warehouses across the street or glance further upstream to catch a peak of the Willis Tower - depending on your aesthetics.

A view towards the gate of Chinatown.

AAC's Top 10 List: No. 5 - The Signature Lounge (John Hancock Center)

Located on the 96th story of the John Hancock Center - one of Chicago's best known skyscrapers and great examples of modernist architecture - the Signature Lounge offers the finest nighttime bird's view of Chicago and surrounding area that can be found outside of an airplane. For the cost of a (moderately overpriced) cocktail, take in the stunning view, avoid the lines and price tag of the Willis Tower or Hancock Center observation decks, and fight vertigo with your first firmly gripping a tasty beverage. There isn't a bad seat in the house with floor to ceiling windows and the bar in the center of the room. AAC members love to take visitors to this memorable spot - we are mesmerized every time.

Located in Streeterville at 875 N Michigan Ave. Take the #3 bus all the way up Michigan from McCormick Place.

The John Hancock Center has the city's best view of the loop
because it is situated to the north of it. 

AAC's Top 10 List: No 4 - Chicago Cultural Center

One of Chicago's beautiful historic landmarks, the Chicago Cultural Center building was the city's first public library when it was built in 1897. It now houses more than 800 free cultural programs a year, including lectures, film screenings, music, theater and dance, and art exhibitions. Those conference goers staying in Chicago until Friday, June 22 can catch a Chicago Gospel Music Festival performance at the Center - and we dare you to find a greater concentration of Chicago-centric culture than that! If you won't be in town long enough, stop by to take in an ongoing exhibition or program, like Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection, which explores the iconography of death across cultures and centuries. It's the perfect balance for visitors having just a little too much fun.

The magnificent Tiffany glass dome in Preston Hall at the
Chicago Cultural Center is worth a peak alone.

AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 3 - Taste of Randolph Street

Chicagoans highly anticipate summertime after seemingly endless winters. Many locals associate summer with sauntering through a neighborhood street festival. The diversity of our city’s neighborhoods are showcased by a line-up of street festivals throughout the summer. Taste of Randolph Street is one of the most popular and it is taking place during the pre-con weekend! Situated along one of the most famous restaurant corridors, the fest features street-friendly tastes from many hip restaurants, unique shopping, and an incredible line-up of live music - all for $10. Check out the music line up and other offerings, as well as directions and transportation options, at the Taste of Randolph Street's website.

A view of Randolph Street, with Chicagoans and visitors alike
enjoying summertime, during a past fest.

AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 2 - Portillo's Hot Dogs

One of the best ways to experience Chicago is through its food culture. Chicago has international status as a restaurant destination city, but much of the culinary inspiration that the city provides can be traced back to the Chicago-style hot dog. Get to know the flavor of our city at Portillo's, a street-food style restaurant long-loved by many and a must for every visitor. Visit the River North location at 100 W Ontario Street to taste the flavor profile shaped by Chicago tradition.

Chicago Style Dog - Relish, hot pepper, onion, yellow mustard,
tomato, celery salt - and don't forget the pickle - on a poppyseed bun.

Free Pre-Conference Event

AmeriCorps Alums Pre-Conference - Sunday, June 17, 2012, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM McCormick Place West, Room W179A -- FREE
AmeriCorps Alums, in partnership with the AmeriCorps Alums Chicago chapter and AmeriCorps networks in the Chicago area, is convening alumni of all AmeriCorps programs to share stories of service, network with Alums from Chicago and across the country, and determine how the national organization AmeriCorps Alums can best support continued engagement and life after AmeriCorps.   

This event is free and open to conference attendees and local Chicago-land alumni of all AmeriCorps programs. PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE USING LINKS BELOW

The Pre-Conference event includes a reception, hosted by the Peace Corps, where AmeriCorps Alums and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers can connect and celebrate a shared commitment to service.  The reception location is within walking distance from the conference center: Weather Mark Tavern 1503 South Michigan Avenue  Chicago, IL 60605 (www.weathermarktavern.com/)

Conference attendees please pre-register for session (SID 3002) here: http://pol.expoplanner.com/?do=reg.flow&event_id=4

Local AmeriCorps alumni (Chicago AmeriCorps Alums Chapter members, as well as alumni of any AmeriCorps program encouraged to attend) please register here: http://www.americorpsalums.org/event/ACAlumsNCVSPreCon 

Top Three Things to Know Before Visiting Chicago

Top Three Things Before Visiting Chicago



1. Learn about the CTA - Chicago Transit Authority (http://www.transitchicago.com/):

We love our mass transit in Chicago, and the CTA's website is an excellent reference for getting around the city. Check the site for directions, maps and schedules of trains and busses, and even estimated arrival times. You can also download apps to your phone for arrival times when you're out on the town. We like for iPhone and for Androids.



2. Find out more about Chicago at Explore Chicago (http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en.html):

A great source of general info about the city, different neighborhoods, and sights you should check out. Chicago also has a great selection of summer festivals. If your travels extend through either weekend, just type "festivals" into the search field for some options!



3. Keep updated on AmeriCorps Alums Chicago:
Follow our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/americorpsalumschicago?ref=ts) and check our blog (http://americorpsalumschicago.blogspot.com/) for updates about all the events we're planning during the conference. Plus, check us out in the coming days for our top ten favorite things to do in Chicago.


Welcome to Chicago! Hope to see you at the conference!



AmeriCorps Alums Chicago

AAC's Chicago Top 10 List: No. 1 - Millennium Park

In anticipation of the upcoming National Conference on Volunteering and Service, hosted in Chicago from June 18 - 20,  AmeriCorps Alums Chicago provides our own take on the top 10 things to check out while in the Second City. Visit our blog or Facebook page each of the 10 days leading up to the conference to find great things to do to experience Chicago after or between conference sessions!

1. Millennium Park - At the heart of the city, Millennium Park provides a green and cultural oasis to city residents and visitors alike. Discover a state-of-the-art collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provide the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, tours, and family activities. Downtown Sound, the highly anticipated free Monday night concert series, features musicians throughout the summer. Check out indie rocker groups Cloud Cult and Judson Claiborne on Monday, June 18.

Take the #3 bus from McCormick Place up Michigan avenue. Get off when you see the park on your right.

 

Cloudgate, dubbed "The Bean", in Millennium Park

The Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park hosts concerts and events all summer

Volunteering at NCVS - Extended

Fellow Alums--good news!  The opportunity to volunteer with the National Conference on Volunteering and Service has been extended until the end of this week.  You can still sign up to be a volunteer leader for the following shifs:

6/17-
5:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m.

6/18-
5:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.

6/19-
5:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.

6/20-
5:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.

You'll still get the same awesome benefits:

- Attend conference sessions on the day you volunteer
- Network with non-profit leaders from all over
- Being part of this exciting and energizing event

Come join us, and spread the word to other alums!  Remember to sign up as a Volunteer Leader, and as an AmeriCorps Alum.

Look forward to seeing you there!