The Friendship Force of Chicago chapter has members throughout the city itself and in our beautiful suburban communities.
Home hosts are drawn from all areas and look forward to showing you not only the major tourist sites of the downtown
and lakefront area but also the many diverse city neighborhoods where we live and the lovely smaller towns and villages in
the surrounding areas, our suburbs.
A typical exchange will include both a welcome and farewell party and two to three days of hosted sightseeing in the
city and surrounding suburbs for the entire group or sometimes smaller groups with particular interests.
Beyond
that home and day hosts are available to help you plan additional activities. But plenty of time is always left open
so that you and your new friends from Chicago and its suburbs can get to know each other in a relaxed setting and to learn
first hand what every day life is like.
Whether your home hosts live right in the center of town or in our surrounding
suburbs, they along with our day hosts are committed to providing our guests with a full range of activities. Chicago
enjoys an excellent public transportation system within the city as well as inexpensive commuter rail service to the surrounding
suburbs. Our suburban hosts go out of their way to drive our guests around and into the city itself.
So
our club should really be called Chicagoland!
The following information might be helpful in considering an exchange. Our
inbound exchange directors will work closely with your outbound directors to plan your time.
INBOUND EXCHANGE KEY POINTS: We offer up to six night home stay exchanges. Or you can
consider a shorter layover of 4 nights. Or if your club wants to do Chicago as a commercial extension staying in hotels
but want some local friends to show you the sights and help you plan an itinerary, contact us as well. We don't offer
home hosting for independent travelers not coming as part of an officially sanctioned Friendship Force Exchange!
We typically offer one, sometimes
two, weeks of inbounds.
The best times in terms of weather are May through September, with June, July, and August the peak of our summer months
when we have many, many free outdoor concerts and street fairs, our gardens are in bloom, and a cruise on the lake and river
is delightful.
While our club has over 50 household members, our home hosting ranks are much smaller and many home hosts have very
small apartments, so we can comfortable commit to groups as small as 15 and up to about 20, depending on the mix of solo travelers
to those able to share a double bed.
While we can provide a week exchange with home hosting within the standard $100 fee, that would involve
ambassadors covering cost of lunches during outing days and some local transportation costs. Exchange Directors wishing
to include some of the major attractions, lunches, extras, are encouraged to work with our ED in the very early stages of
the planning process. We typically do airport pick ups and drop offs by home or day hosts.
With its excellent public transportation, Chicago is a good
place for those wanting some independent days during an exchange week. We do not typically plan more than 2 full days
of all group activities due to the logistics of travel within our geographic area but do try to have home or day hosts available
for activities of interest to individual or small groups the other days. If your club wants more of a fully escorted
week with common activities, let us know and we can discuss the costs of an all inclusive vs. a la carte option.
Chicago is at almost sea level and
relatively flat city. We do LOTS AND LOTS OF WALKING AND USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. It is important that all
ambassadors be physically fit, able to climb up to 2 flights of stairs, walk several miles at a slower pace, stand for up
to an hour, to enjoy a typical exchange.
Any special needs must be agreed to well in advance.
All of our current households who host are non smoking and
all public buildings, bars, restaurants, etc. in our area are non smoking.
We typically do not accommodate minors in a normal club to
club exchange.
LOCAL SIGHTS AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
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some information that should help inbound directors plan a visit to Chicagoland. While Friendship Force is not about
sightseeing Chicago does boast a wide array of world class attractions that you can explore independently or with day hosts,
when available.
To help you plan your trip please check out some of this information.
Hours, fees, free days, etc. do change from time to time. These links are provided merely to help you get a preview of what
you might want to include in your Chicagoland exchange.
For a good taste of all the great fun things to do and see visit www.explorechicago.org, the city's offical website.
You will find a wealth of information, and be sure to check both the photo gallery links and the UTube links. Great
videos!
Click here to get to explorechicago
The Big Museums: Three are located in what is called Museum Campus which is located
along the lakefront just south of loop/ downtown and is accessible by car or city bus, free trolley during summer. Home
to Acquarium, Planetarium and Field (Natural History Museum). Fab views of city.
Seasonal water taxi to Navy Pier. Allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours for each museum. Food service in all three. No
regular free days; senior discounts at 65+. Parking is in lots and $12. Always check sites for times and rates.
Peak times might require advance tix for Acquarium or special exh at Field; otherwise just show up.
Museum of Science and Industry is in Hyde Park, about 20 to 30 minutes by bus south of downtown.
Art Institute is right downtown on the lakefront, easiest access.
Chicago Historical Society is a small museum in Lincoln Park (close to
zoo) that is a great introduction to city history.
We haven't updated hours or prices recently, but
this will give you an idea.
Also many of our members have memberships in these Museums that allow
them to take guests so we can often arrange for free entry.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
is free on Tuesdays and the Chicago History Museum free on Mondays. The Art Institute has free evenings year round
on Thursdays and in the summer Thursdays and Fridays are free. Lincoln Park Zoo in the heart of the city is free all
the time.
For exchanges from April to October we typically do a river/lake cruise out of the exchange
fee. We often do a full day tour of the city using a public transportation pass that allows us to visit the Mexican
Community, Chinatown and other diverse neighborhoods.
Architecture buffs will enjoy the city that
invented the skyscraper and close in suburb Oak Park was home to Frank Lloyd Wright.
MOVE OVER MICHAEL
JORDAN AND OPRAH, OUR NEWEST CLAIM TO FAME IS PRESIDENT OBAMA WHOSE CHICAGO HOME IS IN HYDE PARK, WHERE THE UNIVERSITY OF
CHICAGO, AND THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY ARE LOCATED, 15 MINUTES SOUTH OF THE CENTRALBUSINESS DISTRICT.
One
of the largest roof gardens in the world, and one of the most magnificent free public spaces, Millennium Park, a 24.5 acre
(99,000 square meter) public park in the heart of downtown Chicago is the home of a 13,000 person outdoor music pavilion that
is home to the only remaining free classical music series in the US, many world music, jazz concerts; the iconic Cloud Gate,
a three story, 110 ton steel scupture by Anish Kapoor whose highly polished surface reflects the sky, the skyline and its
many visitors; two 50 ft. high towers whose LED surfaces showcase the faces of Chicagoland's many diverse citizens and whose
images spew a stream of water every five minutes to the delight of children of all ages' the Lurie Garden, 2.5 acres of horticultual
beauty.
Click here for Millennium Park Website
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What's special about this attraction
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website, address, phone
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click for links where noted
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Field Museum
Museum Campus
Lakefront south of central business district Accessible by bus
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typically 9 to 5 last tix sold at 4 but you need a couple hours to get $ worth
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No reg free days, regular adminssion $10 adults, $7 senior; special exh surchage prices vary so
check
all in about $25/ 22 but many
of our members have guest privieges
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Sue the dinosaur, many special exhibits, wonderful Native American artifacts, check site for more
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1400 South Lake Shore Drive
312-922-0410
www.fieldmuseum.org
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to the site
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Shedd Acquarium
Museum Campus
Lakefront south of loop
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9 to 5 winter weekdays
to 6 weekends
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all access pass $23/ $16 sr. gets you into
shark and reef and dolphins
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Dolphin show (check website for hours), fabulous coral reef exhibit with walk through shart tank, regular exhibits lackluster
so get all access.
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www.sheddacq.org
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To go to website of Shedd Acquarium click here
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Adler Planetarium
Museum Campus
Lakefront s of Loop
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9:30 to 4:30 M-F; open 9 S and S
check site for shows as that is the reason
to visit
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w 2 shows $18/ $17 sr; with one show $13/ $12
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some general exhibits but the shows are the draw
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www.adlerplanterium.org
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to the site
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Museum of Science and Industry
located in Hyde Park, President Obama's neighborhood, home to the U. of Chicago, south of downtown but accessible
via public transportation
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9:30 to 4 M to Sat; 11 to 4 sundays
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$9.75 plus tax/ $7.50 srs over 62
surcharge for some special exh
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A submarine, a coal mine, an amazing model train exhibit, and a fairytale dollhouse plus all the science you can imagine,
huge museum but pace yourselves and combine with tour of rest of Hyde Park for a full day
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www.msichicago.org
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click here for site
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Chicago Historical Society
in Lincoln Park just north of downtown
easy access by bus
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M to Sat 9:30 to 4:30, Sun 12 to 5
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$5/ $3 seniors Free on Mondays
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A small jewel of a museum with lots of chicago history
some special exhs. Great to combine with trip to zoo and Lincoln Park.
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www.chicagohs.org
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to the site
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The Art Insitute
111 S. Michigan Ave
Lakefront right in Loop
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M to F 10:30 to 4:30, S and S
10 to 5
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Prices going up this spring but free evenings on Thursdays Many of our members can take
guests for free NEW MODERN WING OPENS MID MAY 2009
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Absolutely world class, surcharge for some spec exh, major Impressionist collection, free gallery talks
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312-443-3600 (recorded info) web site is www.artic.edu/aic
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Milleniaum Park
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CLICK HERE FOR MILLENNIUM PARK
www.milleniumpark.org check it out on wikipedia
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The Great Outdoors: Chicago's lakefront is a model of early urban
planning and boasts 30 miles of beach, park, bike and jogging paths fronting Lake Michigan. Grant Park is
the major downtown park and now boasts the magnificent Millenium Park where summer brings free
classical concerts by the Grant Park orchestra and jazz and world music concerts. August brings the internaionally renowed
Jazz Festival and earlier in the summer, blues, gospel and Latin music fests in the old bandshell. Visit the historic
Buckingham Fountain in the warm weather. The wonderful Cloudgate Sculpture (nicknamed the Bean
because it is shaped like a kidney bean) has been an iconic emblem of the city.
You can stroll, jog,
or bike for miles along the lakefront without car traffic. Follow the lakefront path north to lovely Lincoln
Park, home to wonderful Gardens, the Chicago Historical Society, Lincoln Park zoo--free
and open every day, small but lovely with new great ape house--the Conservatory (free) and the Peggy Notebart museum, a small
nature museum. Walk along the boat harbors, around the lagoons, rent a paddle boat in the zoo lagoon, and enjoy wonderful
views.
The Skyline and Architecture Galore: Chicago is home of the
modern skyscaper, Frank Lloyd Wright, lots of outdoor sculptures, etc. The Chicago Architectural Foundation
is worth a brief visit just to see their gift shop and it offers many wonderful walking, boat, bus tours. All their volunteer
docents have been thoroughly trained and are extremely knowledgeable. Check out their web site.
But our own members include some who are
very knowledgeable about the city, its history and its architecture. We always do free walking tours on our exchanges and
can, with notice, arrange for helper translators to bridge the language gap
One
of most popular activities is a day long tour of our many ethnic neighborhoods using public transportation. And we provide
the transportation pass!
Whether it is the history of the modern skyscraper, Art Deco buildings or our wonderful
collection of outdoor scuptures, the downtown area comes alive when a knowledgeable escort provides insight. And the many
neighborhood areas have their own charms that the average tourist would never see without a local to show them around.
Our beautiful suburbs are home to magnificent Botanic Gardens, recreations
of settlement villages, open spaces and forest preserves. Oak Park is the home of Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Close by we have magnificent sand dunes and beaches.
Let us know your ambassadors interests in planning the exchange to take full advantage
of all these opportunities!
Anchors Aweigh: Most
of the boat tours on the lake and along the river provide narration and vary in prices. The river and lake combo usually
leave from the River and more lake tour options leave from Navy Pier. If the weather is at all favorable this is a must see
attraction. Be sure to have a light jacket even in warm weather, and sun protection if you want to enjoy the open decks.
FF of Chicago often does a combined lake/ river tour as our group
outing for weeklong exchanges, but you can easily arrange this on your own without advance tickets for most of the boats.
In addition a few of our members have private boats and they might host a
small group sail.
On a Clear Day You Can See (Almost) Forever: The two major
observation decks are on top of the Sears Tower and the John
Hancock Tower. Check out their web sites for hours and admissions. If you have a clear day and want to see the whole
city and four states, check one of them out. At a clear night, the Hancock provides a spectacular view of the city lights.
If you want to just catch a drink, you can go to the bar at the top and enjoy the view from there but the observation deck
allows you to move around. If you are in the bar, females should definitely visit the Ladies Room as it has a great view
to the South! Sorry men. No such luck for you. The Hancock Observatory is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm. You can often
get 2 for one admission coupons at the Cultural Center.
Our other major zoo, Brookfield is in the suburbs.
For John Hancock Observation Tower
For website of Chicago Architectural Foundation and tours
One of the top tourist destination in Chicago is Navy Pier, a restaurant and amusement site
on the Lakefront, where you can rent bikes, take a variety of boat tours, visit the Children's Museum,
especially with kids, people watch and catch fabulous views of the skyline. . Home to the Chicago
Shakespeare Theatre. Many restaurants and a big cheap eats fast food pavillion.
Music
and more music. Chicago is home to a world class symphony the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
where declning attendance means individual seats are sometime available. For schedule and more info check the web site.
See also the Lyric Opera's web site to see what might be available
there. Chicago's second orchestra, the Grant Park Orchestra, plays free concerts all summer
in the park. There are many classical concerts for free in the Chicago Cultural Center.
During the
summer we almost always include a free outdoor classical concert in the magnificent Millennium Park venue. Check that site.
If jazz is your passion, there are many venues, of which one of the best is the Jazz Showcase
with national acts, smoke free. Many other jazz venues in club atmosphere; if that is your interest we can arrange some club
hopping. Singin' the blues? Several blues' clubs, one of the most popular is Buddy Guys in
the s. loop--loud, crowded, often standing room only but lots of fun. The Gospel Brunch at the House
of Blues offers 2 shows on Sunday am with wonderful music and a southern comfort buffet. See the websites below (being
added) to get more information about these music options. The gospel brunch often sells out as does Jazz Showcase so plan
ahead. One of Chicago's jewels is the Old Town School of Folk Music
now in a northern section of the city but with wonderful smoke free programs, world music and lots of American genuine folk
music. Covers vary and usually a minimum drink order.
Please note that all of Chicagoland is NOW
SMOKE FREE IN PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
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Theater: Chicago has many, many theaters from the beautifully renovated downtown full scale
theaters that book touring shows to major regional repertoire houses (Goodman, Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare)
to dozens upon dozens of small storefront theaters. For those with good English skills and a strong interest in theater,
our club will be able to help you explore some of these options. Prices vary from about $90 for touring shows to $15 for
some store fronts.
If you have a particularly strong interest in music or theater, let us know. Because most of these activities are in
the evening and have admission charges, we will make special arrangements if your particular home hosts are not available
to do so for you.
The more communication we get during the exchange planning process the better we
can customize the experience.
JUST GETTING TO KNOW YOU. Of course, the best part of any exchange
is the chance to get to know each other and share our daily lives. You might get a chance to attend a child or grandchild's
birthday party, a family reunion, just go shopping for groceries and then prepare a home cooked meal, visit a place of worship
or school or court or hospital. We know you will leave with a much better understanding of life in Chicagoland and we will
also learn a lot from each of you about your own home life.
For link to Chicago Shakespear Theater web site click here
The Neighborhoods: Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own flavor, often still
showing its ethnic roots. Chinatown and Greektown are popular for restaurants as are Little Italy (although you can't
walk a block in Chicago without coming across an Italian restaurant). Andersenville and Lincoln Square to the north
are Swedish and German (although the yuppies are taking over), Pilsen and Little Village to the south are home to Chicago's
burgeoning Hispanic population. Bucktown to the near west is full of trendy boutiques and restaurants and Lincoln Park
is a neighborhood of lovely homes, shops, restaurants and a great place to stroll. Many of these are accessible by public
transportation and we sometimes do day hosting explorations with a lunch stop along the way,
For more information about some of these attractions visit their individual web sites many of which are noted here or
have exchange directors enquire about these opportuntiies.
for the website of Lincoln Park Zoo click here
Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain
CHANGING THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD
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