El Protoolio wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 6:01 pm Gramsci if you do go to Chicago to tour some architecture check out Prairie avenue. There is a park there with the oldest house in Chicago although it's not the original location, it has been moved. But my favorite just a few steps from the park is https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ . Just a window into the world of a 19th century Chicago upper crust family home. It's built to focus inward on the back yard and like an urban castle on the street side. It might seem quaint to someone from Europe but I think it's fun.

The Glessner House was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, who though not a Chicago School architect, was significant to the development of American architecture and was a great influence on Louis Sullivan's architectural style and ethic.

There used to be an antique auto show that would take place on Prairie Avenue and often featured cars from the Dreihaus collection. Great fun for a photographer looking for shiny reflective things to take pictures of.

Dave N. wrote: Wed May 29, 2024 11:18 pm Chicagoans are the Texans of the Midwest. They love their flag. They think it’s the center of the universe. They like to pretend that it’s not as racist as it actually is. Oh, the skyline! Oh, the museums! Anyone from Chicago will probably tell you it’s essential.

Bypass NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, etc. Stick with mid-sized cities if you must do cities. Go to as many national parks as you can. State parks, too. College towns are fun. EXPLORE THE WEST! Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado…that’s where you go to get your mind blown in ‘Merica. The big cities are all cesspools, no matter how important they tell you they are.

you're not wrong - the national parks are the best things about America. But please don't put San Diego anywhere near Dallas, I beg you.

Geiginni wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 11:53 am If you're looking to do a bit of regional travel and are interested in Wright, then Madison and SW Wisconsin are your jam. You'll also see the work of Wright's colleagues and apprentices in the region. Some suggestions for Chicago and the Region:

FL Wright in Chicago…

Tons on great stuff.

I'll stop for now. There's no shortage of great things to see....

Okay, completely sold. This is fantastic. Thanks to everyone for convincing me Chicago isn’t Birmingham for Limp Biscuit fans.

Dave N. wrote: Wed May 29, 2024 11:18 pm They love their flag. They think it’s the center of the universe.

YOU AIN'T JUST WHISTLIN DIXIE

dm for orders. there are gold baphomets inlayed that didn't photograph in the light.

Dave N. wrote: Wed May 29, 2024 11:18 pm Anyone from Chicago will probably tell you it’s essential.

As will folks from the exurbs. Because it's true.

It's a great city and I love every chance I get to hang out with the local PRF folks, even though I'm generally pretty quiet and have only introduced myself to maybe a handful of folks on here. I more often make a complete ass of myself.

FM Gramsci, if you visit, we all should hang out.

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but I think a lot of visitors are surprised that Lake Michigan is flipping enormous, more like a freshwater inland sea. The look and feel of Chicago, as an otherwise land-locked city is really made unique by the fact that there is no east side...just water.

I don't know a ton about Birmingham but my impression is it's more like a city in Ohio or something. Or maybe NW Indiana.

zorg wrote: Fri May 31, 2024 8:29 amThe look and feel of Chicago, as an otherwise land-locked city is really made unique by the fact that there is no east side...just water.

A common misconception but there is totally an east side to Chicago, you just have to go far south to get there. It's practically where I grew-up, just at the bend of Lake Michigan and right at the border of Illinois and Indiana. Very working class and filled with dead steelmills (hence the punk band). Ford Motor Company has its largest assembly plant there. Southeast and east side of Chicago is also where Chicago sends all of its pollutants and yucky environmental shit. Horrible petcoke issues and I'm sure the carcinogen rate is off the charts, but it's a lovely expansive area with wetlands, prairies, and forest preserves. The bridge that the Blues Brothers jumped is on the east side, as is Calumet Fisheries, one of Anthony Bourdain's favorite spots to grab smoked fish. It burned down a few months ago but it's just about to reopen and Chicago couldn't be more chuffed.

Gramsci, you simply have to visit Calumet Fisheries. It's a must. Couldn't find Bourdain's Parts Unknown episode but this'll do.

rsmurphy wrote: Fri May 31, 2024 9:13 am Very working class and filled with dead steelmills (hence the punk band). Ford Motor Company has its largest assembly plant there. Southeast and east side of Chicago is also where Chicago sends all of its pollutants and yucky environmental shit. Horrible petcoke issues and I'm sure the carcinogen rate is off the charts,

Shhh..... you are a terrible visitor center employee . Next you'll be telling people to go to North Chicago. I kid, but I actually choked a bit on my pizza puff when I heard that Berwyn was getting hipstery....fucking Berwyn. Christ, is nothing sacred?

Of course you're right, and I went to a Pierogi festival in one of those East Chicago places when I was coming back from the Indiana Dunes, and it had a definite Deer Hunter, depressed, grey, post-industrial vibe.

zorg wrote: Fri May 31, 2024 9:43 am Next you'll be telling people to go to North Chicago.

Nah, but Waukegan is an underrated gem of a city. Not joking, though my wife strongly disagreed...