jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Greetings all... I will be escorting a high school photography class on a tour through several cities next week. We will visit St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville heading back to Tennessee afterwards.

I am specifically looking for areas in the downtown Chicago area, or any other SAFE Chicago, and Indianapolis areas to take the students. I googled "The Bean" in downtown Chicago area. Can anyone offer GPS locations for other interesting places to shoot. I will be driving a school bus and will need to park it somewhere.

Thanks in advance

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Safe area is Michigan Avenue by the Art Institute. Great park to the left and gardens to the right. I would also suggest the Museum of Contemporary photography. No charge to get in. It is a 3 block walk south of the Art Institute.museum-of-contemporary-photography http://www.mocp.org/
It is part of Columbia College Parking is available by the Art Institute..

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would also consider the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Amazing place for photography. It is in Glencoe, IL a suburb of Chicago. In the event of rain, they have excellent green houses with various themes.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

There are many things to do in Indianapolis but the best photo ops might be found downtown at the "Circle" and in Speedway at The Speedway. Call IMS and tell them who you are and what you want. In the time frame you mention the Speedway will be coming alive and the activity that may be very photogenic. For what it is worth, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is NOT in Indianapolis, it is in Speedway, IN. If you are interested send me a PM and I can give you a phone number.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Call the Police Department of each of these cities and they will be happy to assist you in the safe areas. They can tell you the where not to go. Especially if you are first time tourists to their city.

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

You'll have to plan well ahead to find out where to park that bus in the vicinity of the bean in Chicago. Plenty of places to park cars (although expensive) but not sure where to park the bus. There are always buses parked on the surrounding side streets, but always crowded in the area of Millennium Park where the bean is.

On the other hand, if you do visit that area, you can spend all day and then some, photographing a lot of different subjects all within a two or three block area.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

GREAT... thanks everyone for the insight. I am fairly familiar with the St. Louis area but not Chicago, and Indianapolis. Thanks so much I will start my search for parking lots. I have also booked an afternoon, and evening boat tour. I thought that would be a good way for the students (and myself) to get some good architecture shots.

Curios... is there a skyscraper in Chicago, or Indianapolis that has an observation deck for day or night shots?

Thanks again.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

We have two. John Hancock http://johnhancockcenterchicago.com/ and Willis Tower http://www.willistower.com/

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for the quick response... I will begin my search.

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

And don't forget one of the world's very best art museum is half-a-block away from the Bean.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

That area sounds very rich in opportunities...

Much appreciation

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

The Navy Pier would be a good place for photo opportunities, as well as something the HS kids would enjoy. It is also walking distance from the Bean. Good luck. Gary http://www.chicagotraveler.com/guide-to-chicago-navy-pier.htm&

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

As for downtown Chicago, all the touristy places have been mentioned. Good for the ooh's and ah's. The Art Institute is wonderful and a must see. Surrounding Millennium Park and nearby Navy Pier are great for tourists. However, The University of Chicago's quad offers great Gothic architecture, the famed Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, the extraordinary Oriental Institute and the highlight of it all, Rockefeller Chapel. I say highlight because if you catch the daily noon carillon concert, you get to climb to the very top of the Chapel for a surprisingly great view of the city. If you are lucky, the peregrines will salute you with a fly-by.

Although the Chicago Botanical Garden is wonderful for plant photography, it is out of the way. Closer charms are the conservatories at Lincoln Park and Garfield Park. The former is next to the excellent zoo and farm but is short on parking. The latter is a little further away but has ample and close parking as well as the photogenic lagoon nearby.

And while in Chicago, enjoy Vienna hotdogs and Giordano's pizza.

If you would like more information or even want me to be your guide, contact me privately.

Erkibler

Check out the Museum of Transportation in suburban St. Louis. It's off the beaten path and should be much less crowded than the more popular attractions. There are many old trains, cars, etc. when I was there, 40 years ago, you could go into the old train cars and engines.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I used to delight in the following. You might want to check it out.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/