Lake Michigan is one of Chicago’s greatest recreational assets and anyone can take advantage of it. You do not need an expensive yacht. Jet skis can be rented from a company called Chicago Jet Ski Rentals. They are located in 31st Street Harbor on Dock J. They offer an early week special of $59 … Continue reading Enjoy Lake Michigan with a Jet Ski Rental
The good news? The Chicago Air & Water Show will take place in some form this year. The bad news? There will not be much to it. The City of Chicago is billing it as “reimagined.” But that is not much of a head fake. The program will be one hour long and only feature … Continue reading 2021 Chicago Air and Water Show to be Abbreviated
As warm weather approaches be sure to take advantage of Chicago’s lakefront. It is free for all. Relaxing by the water on a nice day beats sitting inside any way you look at it. © 2021 practicalchicago.com
Change is inevitable. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad. But as Chicago has morphed from an industrial city to one full of sanitized restaurants, chain stores and condominiums over the past forty years authentic experiences have become harder to find. Chris’s Billiards, at 4637 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Jefferson Park, is one … Continue reading Chris’s Billiards: A Chicago Classic
The Garfield Park Conservatory is an urban oasis. It was constructed between 1906 and 1907, and opened to the public in 1908. It was intended as “the largest publicly owned conservatory under one roof in the world,” and replaced three smaller greenhouses in Humboldt, Douglas and Garfield Parks. It was designed by Chicago’s West Park … Continue reading Escape the Midwest at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Looking for an exciting place to be for the New Year’s Eve countdown? It does not get any better than the fireworks on the Chicago Riverwalk. Chicago’s government definitely knows how to put on a great show. It tends to be cold on New Year’s Eve. But that really is not an issue. You can … Continue reading Happy New Year from Practical Chicago
The Palmer House lobby is a great place to relax. It has comfortable furniture and a low key setting. But most of all it provides a rich classic Chicago setting. The building has a long history. It is the third Palmer House hotel built in Downtown Chicago and opened in 1925. It was designed by … Continue reading Enjoy After Work Drinks at the Palmer House
It is amazing how Western Avenue transforms for the South Side Irish Parade. Normally it is a busy, wide main street like so many others in the city. But when it closes for the parade it takes on a close-knit community feel. The street is lined with large crowds. Many of the people know each … Continue reading Experience the South Side Irish Parade
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has an excellent museum in it. But you cannot easily tell from the outside. Staff at the FRB of Chicago’s Money Museum say this is because the bank will not allow any external signage. The musuem has something for everyone. For people interested in history there are many interesting … Continue reading Chicago’s Hidden Museum
It is nice when a tradition carries on. Traditions make a community feel solid. The Berghoff, located at 17 West Adams Street, was first opened in 1898. After Prohibition was repealed in 1933 it was issued Chicago liquor license number 1. It is still going strong today. Anyone new to town should put the Berghoff … Continue reading Berghoff Bar: Take Part in a 100 Year-Old Tradition