Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/835995
Chicago cruising. INSIDER TIP: As the only company that partners with the Chicago Architecture Foundation on its river tour, CFL's docents are hands down the best in town. 112 E. Wacker Dr., 847-358-1330; cruisechicago.com DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY Explore the history and culture of America's black communities in diverse exhibits like "Freedom, Resistance, and the Journey Toward Equality" and "A Slow Walk to Greatness: The Harold Washington Story," as well as works by notables such as Henry Ossawa Tanner and Archibald Motley Jr. 740 E. 56th Pl., 773-947-0600; dusablemuseum.org ESCAPEHOUSE CHICAGO The escape-room craze hits River North with this high-tech attraction, where teams role-play as spies or Secret Service agents as they solve puzzles and work together to emerge victorious in under 60 minutes. 54 E. Ontario St., 312-981-6633; escapehousechicago.com FIELD MUSEUM This natural history nerve center is beloved for its world-famous resident T. rex fossil SUE, as well as dynamic exhibitions and the new interactive Grainger Science Hub. Currently on view is "Specimens: Unlocking the Secrets of Life," an examination of the importance of some of the museum's more than 30 million specimens. 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-922- 9410; fieldmuseum.org GREEN MILL This century-old nightclub was a favorite of the Al Capone set and still attracts jazzheads from around the world for performances by Patricia Barber and the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra. INSIDER TIP: The Uptown Poetry Slam (Sundays, 7 – 10 pm) is a rollicking celebration of the spoken word, hosted with lacerating wit by slam poetry legend Marc Kelly Smith. 4802 N. Broadway, 773-878- 5552; greenmilljazz.com HARRIS THEATER From hosting performances of world music and international dance to serving as home to local companies like Hubbard Street Dance and Chicago Opera Theater, this sleek, subterranean Millennium Park oasis has evolved into one of the city's most compelling cultural venues. 203 E. Randolph St., 312-334-7777; harristheaterchicago.org MILLENNIUM PARK From expansive lawns and an extraordinary live-music venue to a duo of crowd-pleasing public art installations in Anish Kapoor's iconic Cloud Gate ("The Bean") and Jaume Plensa's Crown Fountain, this 25-acre playground has become the epicenter of downtown Chicago. INSIDER TIP: Stroll across Frank Gehry's sinuous bridge toward the lake to discover the kid-tastic Maggie Daley Park, with climbing walls and slides aplenty. 201 E. Randolph St., 312-742-1168; millenniumpark.org MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, this institution celebrates innovation with interactive exhibits that explore green energy, space travel, future tech, and more. INSIDER TIP: On a scale of 1 to 10, the baby chick hatchery scores an 11 for cuteness, eliciting "oohs" and "aahs" from all ages. 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., 773-684-1414; msichicago.org NAVY PIER Chicago's number-one attraction, with more than 9 million visitors a year, recently celebrated its centen- nial with an extensive redesign, including a new all-weather Ferris wheel that soars a towering 196 feet. 600 E. Grand Ave., 800-595-7437; navypier.com THALIA HALL A Pilsen landmark, this refurbished complex boasts the hot spots Dusek's, Punch House, and Tack Room, as well as an eponymous concert hall that embraces the neighborhood's bohemian spirit with an array of entertainment, from Janeane Garofalo to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. 1807 S. Allport St., 312- 526-3851; thaliahallchicago.com UNITED CENTER The nation's largest arena, this West Side landmark is home to the Bulls and Blackhawks and hosts more than 200 events each year, from concerts by the likes of Madonna and U2 to Disney on Ice and the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. From July 21 through September 3, the facility's parking lot hosts Luzia, the lastest over-the-top spectacle from Cirque du Soleil. 1901 W. Madison St., 312-455-4500; unitedcenter.com ‒ Secret Source ‒ LUKE STOIOFF AND DAVID REKHSON WHO: Founders/Principals of Chicago's DineAmic Hospitality Group (dineamicgroup.com). HOME 'HOOD: River North. rekhson: "I love how centrally located it is, as well as the never-ending abundance of great restaurants, nightlife, and things to do." stoioff: "It's in the heart of downtown but still has a neighborhood feel." GO-TO HANGOUT: stoioff: "If I'm not at one of our places, I like to go to Erie Café (536 W. Erie St., 312-266-2300; eriecafe.com). It's a block away from my home, and they have outstanding lamb chops with mint jelly." HIDDEN GEM: rekhson: "Greektown." stoioff: "The unofficial dog park at Milton Lee Olive Park (500 N. Lake Shore Dr.), near Navy Pier—it's a huge open field blocked by trees where I take my dog, Jarvis, to run at top speed." FAVE ARCHITECTURE: rekhson: "I'm a big fan of the new Chicago River Walk (chicagoriverwalk.us). It's amazing how that area has totally transformed into a beautiful part of the downtown landscape." stoioff: " The Crain Communications Building (150 N. Michigan Ave.). One of my favorite childhood movies is Adventures in Babysitting, which features it; every time I pass it I reference the movie to whoever will listen to me." SUMMER LOVE: stoioff: "We're really looking forward to opening our newest venue, Barrio (65 W. Kinzie St.; barriochicago.com)!" 136 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM The SOURCE: SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORGE GERA