sharkman53

I am going to Chicago in early October, I am looking for shooting locations and photo opportunities. I would appreciate some help. This is my first time visiting the city, so I am looking for ideas.
Thanks in advance.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Well, since Chicago is the shooting capitol of the US, you shouldn't have a hard time finding locations.... :roll:

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

city hall has the picasso sculpture also another sculpture called the bean (cause it looks loike a giant silver jelly bean) great chinatown and greektown, lake shore drive, the former sears tower where you can see 4 states on a clear day, navy pier, shedds aquarium, natural history museum, the museum of science and industry with the captured german u-boat the u-505. downtown is real safe as you can't spit in chicago without seeing a cop. On the site of where mrs o'leary had her barn with the cow that started the great chicago fire is the HQ of the chicago fire dept and they have a sculpture of said cow. chicago pd has a museum that includes the old electric chair from Jo;;iet as well as part of the wall from the valentine's day massacre. visit wrigley field if your a cubs fan, soilder field if you are a bears fan. I would contact the city of chicago's website, im sure they have a visitors guide. There are a ton of things to do, plenty of fabolous restaurants, from the porter house ( from whom we get the cut of steak by the same name, to pizza uno ( the home of the origional chicago deep dish pizza) to Ed debreviack's(spo?) a classic 50's style dinner where the waitstaff are intentionaly funny rude like don rickles. As ol frank said " My kind of town chicago is..." Have fun

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

double posted again. rats You also need to try a viena beef hot dog done chicago style. I also recomend this old dive of a bar called blues chicago with some really good blues musicians.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The Water Tower on Michigan Ave. and the fountain in Grant Park would be two that I can think of. The Museum of Natural History is a great trip, it's always had dinosaurs, but now they have Sue, a T-Rex. If you get a photo of Sue, please post it. You may want to get a shot of the L, and you may get something in Greek Town if you go there to eat....I ate at one place that had a lamb roasting in the window. Good food, too!! Don't forget the lions in front of the Chicago Institute of Art.

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

As Frankie Boy Sang "Chicago" my kinda town....so much to see and do......hope you post your results

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Believe it or not, it's where we took our honeymoon. We had a room in the Congress Hotel overlooking the fountain in Grant Park. As I recall I was distracted and didn't take any photos on that trip.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

There is a huge Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. You should be able to get some great shots from there. Also if the charter boats are still running go out on the lake and you can get some awesome shots of the skyline. It's the finest in the world. Although I'm very prejustice,..I live here.

Also check out the Museum Campus off of Lake Shore Drive south of the Loop(downtown). Soldier Field, The Adler Planatarium, The Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. Also the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue is great also. Better bring lots of batteries and memory chips. Be sure to "cab" it. Parking can be tough at times. If I may be of any "insider" info drop me a PM and I'd be glad to steer you to the right places.

Welcome to Chicago!

Here's a shot from last year. It's not that sharp though.

cherylpeters Loc: Kentucky

Dont forget Oprah! lol

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

Oh man, I would so love to visit Chicago. I am a massive fan of the Dresden Files and that's got me all keen to visit. Pity I am on the other side of the world.

ggttc Loc: TN

What he said....so much stuff to do!

As a native of Chicago I would suggest taking a look at some of the hundreds of tours available to narrow down your interests...much easier than cruising on your own since finding a parking place downtown is a once in a lifetime event.

And dont miss out of the food...try as they might NO ONE can duplicate a Chicago hot dog...or you could try Everest...where the appetizer plate is $325.

Have fun!

jfrrn117 Loc: chicago

Consider taking a walking tour or boat tour, either will provide great shots. Museum campus is also wonderful. Make sure you have good walking shoes! Enjoy, it's a wonderful city!- Judy

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

Careful.....Chicago is literally becoming the shooting Capitol! 37 shooting deaths in Chicago in August alone...they have strict gun control and no concealed carry? Rules only apply to the law abiding and then leaves them defenseless!

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL

http://www.mortonarb.org/

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Now that you have heard from the tourists and the city does have a lot of great tourist spots, I will recommend some off-beat things.

Visit the campus of The University of Chicago. Wonderful Gothic architecture. You will not believe you are in Chicago. Time your visit for the daily noon-time carillon concert at Rockefeller Chapel. You can go up to the carillon loft but then you also to the top of the Chapel for a wonderful panoramic view of the area plus close ups of the gargoyles. And across the street from Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Robie House. And, finally, rest your feet in the absolutely charming and peaceful Bond Chapel.

Go to the "Maxwell Street" market on Sunday morning. No longer on Maxwell Street but close to it, it is a great place to take pictures of the eclectic whether people or things.

The city has two wonderful conservatories: Lincoln Park and Garfield Park. The former is in the lakefront zoo. The zoo is, well, a zoo and not that photogenic unless you like your animals in zoos. While both conservatories have great flowers and the buildings are contemporaries of each other, I prefer the more out-of-the-way Garfield Park. Across the street from the Zoo is the Noterbart Museum that has a great collection of live butterflies. A photographer's delight.

If you like photographing neighborhoods and old homes, walk thru Hyde Park where The University of Chicago is or the side streets near the Lincoln Park Zoo. Try the neighborhood restaurants, especially the ethnic ones.

Try the photogenic Art Institute of Chicago. Ho-hum photo displays. Down the block is Columbia College that has good photo shows. Take the walking tour of the Loop with http://www.aiachicago.org/sightseeing_in_chicago/architecturalTours.asp. Wonderful historic architecture.

A great place is the chess pavilion just south of North Avenue and the beach. More eclectic shots plus a fabulous panorama of the north side of downtime. Bring your tripod with bubble level to capture the view.

Sun rises to the east over the lake. It is late enough in October that you can get out to a lake front park for a great view. Forget about sunsets in Chicago unless you like a lot of city clutter in them. Avoid the big commercial restaurants for the more interesting and affordable local ones. If you like theater, then take in a play at one of the wonderful neighbor theaters. Buy your half-price tickets downtown.

Enjoy your stay in the city and ignore those paranoid comments above from people who do not know the city. Sure, the city has its problems but these locations are the safest in the city and as safe as any other American city. However, use common sense and avoid unnecessary risks as you would anywhere.

From Rockefeller Chapel, The University of Chicago