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Festival

Wells Street Art Festival

This is known as one of the best art fairs. Exhibitors and potential buyers attend this event from all over the nation. Diverse pieces of fine art, from ceramics to oil paintings are displayed. Date: July 27, 2008 Address: Sidewalks: Superior, State, Wabash & Chicago Time: 9am–5pm

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Overview & visitor information

Wells Street Art Festival

This is known as one of the best art fairs. Exhibitors and potential buyers attend this event from all over the nation. Diverse pieces of fine art, from ceramics to oil paintings are displayed. Date: July 27, 2008 Address: Sidewalks: Superior, State, Wabash & Chicago Time: 9am–5pm

More festivals in Chicago

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Plaza Garibaldi?

Activity

A Mexican Cultural Festival with food, music, dancing and rodeo. Date: October 5, 2008 Address: California Health Park 2700 S. Rockwell Time: Noon-9:00pm

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Winter Celebration in Lights

Activity

All through the first week of January, interactive events take place in the Elizabeth Mores Genus Children’s Garden. Beautiful plants can be viewed in the largest glass greenhouse in the US, along with holiday lights that celebrate the continuation of winter. Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue. Call (312) 746-5100 for more information.

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Around the Coyote Winter Festival

Activity

Works of over 400 artists, including art performances, are on view at the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, during the first week of February. This event is sponsored by the resident artists. Call (312) 744-2400 for more information

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Auto Show

Activity

An auto show that’s seen 101 editions continues to delight Chicagoans with its rich and varied collection of contemporary cars. Hundreds of the latest production cars and trucks are showcased here. McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lakeshore Drive, for two weeks in the middle of February. Call (312) 791-7000 for more information.

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Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

Activity

Teams come out to compete at building a machine that takes an allotted number of steps (20 or more) to complete a certain task. The machine designed should use the most complex process to complete a simple task. This event is hosted by the Chicago Children’s Museum. Located at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Avenue, in the middle of February. Call (312) 527-1000 for more information.

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Chicago Bike Show

Activity

Check out the annual bike show where bike manufacturers and bike clubs come together in one location. Located at the Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, usually held at the end of March. Call (312) 595-PIER for more information.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Activity

The entire Irish community of Chicago turns out in large numbers to join the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Visitors to the city cannot help but be drawn to the festivities and join in the fun at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For the past 40 years, the Chicago River has turned green in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The parade begins at noon on Dearborn Street, between Wacker and Van Buren, then down the State Street Mall. Held on March 17. Call (312) 744-3315 for more information.

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Art Chicago

Activity

A visual extravaganza, this annual Art Fair is a showcase of contemporary and modern art. Visitors to this event get to witness 200 international galleries. This event is usually held in the middle of May. Located at Festival Hall, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue. Call (312) 587-3300 for more information.

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Comedy Festival

Activity

Laughter is indeed the best medicine as you will get to know when you experience loads of it at the Comedy Festival held in the last weekend in May. Comedians from all over the world make you laugh till your sides ache, as they entertain you with improv, stand-up and sketches. This festival concurrently goes on at several venues including the Vic Theater, Chicago Theatre and the Apollo Theater. Call (847) 304-6624 for more information.

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Memorial Day Parade

Activity

A special day is set aside to honor the country’s veterans. The festivities begin with a ceremony at the Logan Memorial (Grant Park, Michigan and 9th St.) at 11 AM. Then follows the parade, which commences at noon on Columbus Drive, between Balbo and Monroe Streets. Call (312) 744-5648 for more information.

More places in Chicago

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Magnificent Mile

Tower

The Magnificent Mile is Chicago's answer to the Champs Elysees. This tower-lined stretch of Michigan Avenue runs from the Loop to the Gold Coast, Chicago's ritziest neighborhood. It is home to luxury retailers, upscale department stores, extravagant condos, and fine dining. Development began in the 1920s after the Michigan Avenue Bridge was constructed across the Chicago River.

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Northwestern University

Education

Sharing Chicago's northern border along Lake Michigan is the pleasant suburb of Evanston, home to Northwestern University. Northwestern was founded in the 1850s by Methodists on land purchased by John Evans, for whom the surrounding town is named. Today it's one of America's most prestigious universities and a member of the Big Ten Conference.

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Astor Street

Street

Astor Street is located in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast district, the city's most opulent neighborhood. It is one of the most expensive addresses in the United States outside New York City. Most of the buildings were built during a sixty year period beginning in the 1880s. Astor Street was named a historic landmark in 1975 for its magnificent architecture.

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Wicker Park

Park

Wicker Park is located northwest of the Loop, on the west side of the Kennedy Expressway. It was built up after the Great Chicago Fire, as displaced residents and immigrants from Scandinavia and Germany streamed in. A lot of the original architecture remains. The John Rapp House at 1407 North Hoyne Street, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 1121 Levvitt Street were both designed by architect Louis Sullivan, known as the father of modern architecture.

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Chicago History Museum

Museum

The Chicago History Museum is one of the oldest institutions in Chicago, founded in 1856. The original building and collection was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. The current building was built as a public service during the Great Depression in 1932. The original facade is a magnificent Neo-Georgian structure. The newer addition is a modern glass and steel structure.

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United Center

monument

The United Center is the Chicago home of the Bulls basketball team and the Blackhawks ice-hockey team. The arena opened in 1994 and also hosts concerts and other events.

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Oak Park

Park

Oak Park is a suburb just to the northwest of Chicago. After the Great Chicago Fire the area grew rapidly because of its location along the railroad. In 1902 it was incorporated, becoming independent from the town of Cicero. Today it is one of Chicago's nicest suburbs, with broad tree lined streets and large older homes.

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Wrigley Field

Building

Wrigley Field is the historic home of the Chicago Cubs, known for its ivy-covered outfield walls and traditional ballpark setting. It opened in 1914.

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Smart Museum of Art

Museum

The Smart Museum of Art is named for David and Alfred Smart, the founders of Esquire Magazine and the museum's benefactor. It was founded in 1974 and is the art museum of the University of Chicago. There are more than 8,000 works on display, split into four different collections: Asian Art, Contemporary Art, European Art, and Modern Art and Design.

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ISAC Museum (formerly Oriental Institute Museum)

Museum

The ISAC Museum is the museum of the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia and North Africa. Its collections explore the archaeology and history of these regions.

More restaurants in Chicago

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Yolk

Yolk is the place to go in Chicago for breakfast. It serves traditional American diner food -- bacon and eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, etc. -- and does it better than most. The atmosphere and decor is trendy, but laid back. Be aware that the portions are huge. A great value.

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Volare

Volare is a traditional Italian restaurant, one of Chicago's finest. There are a variety of pasta and meat dishes available, and the portions are generous. You're going to need a reservation to get in, as this is a popular restaurant. It can get pretty packed during peak hours, almost too much so. The tables are very close together. Don't let that turn you off, though, as this is definitely one of Chicago's best restaurants.

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Shaw's Crab House

Being a thousand miles from the nearest ocean, Chicago is not necessarily known for its seafood, but Shaw's Crab House is one of the city's best seafood restaurants. There's a wide variety of fish available, plus an interesting sushi menu. The decor and atmosphere is ornate, a throwback to the Chicago of old. The service is decent, though nothing spectacular.

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Alinea

Foodies will not want to miss this unique dining experience. Chef Grant Achatz has used gastronomy to create one of the world's best restaurants. Each meal consists of twenty fixed miniature courses, each with its own fanciful presentation. The Black Truffle Explosion is legendary. If you have the money -- it'll set you back around $200 per diner -- definitely check it out. Alinea pushes the limits of what food can be.

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Everest

This restaurant is one of the finest restaurants in the nation. It is located on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange. The moment you enter this restaurant, you get transported back to an era of old-fashioned French aristocracy of the 1920’s. In contrast is the strikingly modern and impressive view of Chicago, courtesy the full-wall windows on the western side of the restaurant. Said to give the finest total dining experience, the restaurant also has a rather impressive wine list.

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Grand Café Lux

When the grandeur and luxury of European cafes blends with the practicalities and spirit of an all-American restaurant, what you get is the ultimate in fine dining experience. Café Grand Lux is an unusual eating place where global cuisine is served in elegant yet relaxed surroundings. Savor flavors from a wide and varied selection ranging from Thai, Malaysian and Caribbean, to classic American and European specialties. A hallmark of the Grand Lux experience is the on-site bakery where your chosen dessert whether it be Molten Chocolate Cake or warm Rustic apple pie, will be baked to order.

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Shanghai Terrace 

This is an award winning restaurant where guests can enjoy a four, eight or fifteen course meal. It includes spas as well as guest rooms. Cuisine: Chinese Address: 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue) Chicago, Illinois 60611 -2508, USA Phone: (312) 337 2888 Website: www.chicago.peninsula.com

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Signature Room

Located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Tower, this restaurant gives guests a breathtaking view of the magnificent mile. It also includes extraordinary food and beverages.

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Atwood Café

Located right in the heart of Chicago’s Central business District, this restaurant offers a cozy intimacy. Enjoy dining in the vibrant dining room with a view of the bustling Chicago streets. Cuisine: American – serves contemporary American “comfort foods.” Address: 1 W. Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 Phone: (312) 368-1900 Website:www.atwoodcafe.com

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Bon Apetito!

Cuisine: Italian Address: 2600 Navy Blvd Intersection of Patriot and Navy,Glenview, IL 60026 Phone: (847) 724-8400 www.bestitalianusa.com