Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guides - Chicago

34 ❯❯ Top 10 Chicago Highlights

Millennium Park

Designed to celebrate the turn of the 21st century with the
reclamation of a former railroad yard in an industrial corner of
Grant Park, Millennium Park exceeded its goals in becoming a
civic magnet, at least in terms of popularity. Art, architecture,
the performing arts, and nature each play a role in the popular
park, which hosts summer concerts and special events, and
draws visitors year-round to its perennial attractions, led by
Cloud Gate, its signature sculpture.

Cloud Gate 3
Sculpture
Designed by sculptor
Anish Kapoor, the
work Cloud Gate
(right) resembles
an enlarged,
reflective kidney
bean, prompting
its nickname,
“The Bean.” A selfie
taken here in front of
the work reflects
the surrounding skyline
and is Chicago’s
signature souvenir.
Lurie Garden
Crown
Harris Theater
1 4 5
Fountains
The 15-ft- (4.6-m-)
On the northern
Two 50-ft- (15.2-m-) high “shoulder” hedges fringe of the park, the
high glass-block towers edging the Lurie Garden 1,500-seat state-of-the-
(above) broadcasting pay homage to the art Harris Theater
the videotaped faces of “City of Big Shoulders” specializes in showcasing
Chicago residents – keep cited by Carl Sandburg music and dance; some
watching to see if they in his poem Chicago. 35 Chicago per forming
blink – comprise the They shelter a delicate arts companies call the
Crown Fountains by perennial garden that is Harris home, including
Spanish artist Jaume spanned by a hardwood Hubbard Street Dance,
Plensa. In summer it’s footbridge crossing over Music of the Baroque, and
a popular splash park. shallow water. Chicago Opera Theater.
Jay Pritzker 2
Pavilion
Designed by the architect
Frank Gehry, the
centerpiece performing
arts venue of the park
is framed in flying
wings of steel (right).
A criss-crossing trellis
of speaker-supporting
steel pipes extends out
over the lawn of this
huge concert venue.

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