Millennium Park
Located on Michigan Avenue, between Randolph and Monroe Streets, Millennium Park is a new 24-acre extravaganza. The initial intention was to have it opened for with millennium, but things went pear-shaped, with the contractor going $100 million over budget and missing various deadlines. When it was eventually completed and opened to the public, it proved to be a roaring success. Its many attractions include the stately curved colonnades and fountain on the northwest end. This is a replica of the Greek-inspired structure that stood here until 1953, and is extremely popular with wedding portrait photographers. The McCormick-Tribune Ice Rink on 55 N Michigan Avenue, enables skaters to ponder on the beauty of the Loop's skyline. The park's most eye-catching attraction is undoubtedly the Gehry Bandshell, a massive outdoor music pavilion. It was designed by Frank Gehry, the same gentleman responsible for the architectural design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The strange curved ribbons of stainless steel above the Bandshell enable superb acoustics, and project perfect sound all the way to the back of the 30,000 capacity venue. Other attractions include the Joan W & Irving B Harris Theatre for Music & Dance, housing many fabulous non-profit arts groups, and the Riverwalk gateway, Chicago's largest work of public art. 28 glazed, fired panels relate to key moments in Chicago's river-centric history, including the 1673 trampings of explorers Marquette and Jolliet, and the flag bearing waterskiers celebrating the reduction of river pollution in 2000. Overall, for a bit of fascinating sightseeing and relaxation, Millennium Park is definitely a place worth visiting.
|
