Page 166 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

164  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT IN CHICAGO

Tens of millions of dollars have been spent alternative theater help to attract more
in recent years by the City of Chicago to than 5 million tourists to Chicago each year.
rejuvenate old theaters and build cultural Festivals of all kinds, from music to dance
attractions. Today, a portion of the money to ethnic, are held in the city’s many parks
raised through the hotel tax (see p140) is and more than 75 diverse communities
channeled directly to the department of (see pp34–7). There are also numerous
culture. And it shows. Chicago’s world-class sports events throughout the year for
orchestras and opera, intimate jazz visitors to Chicago to watch or participate
ensembles, high-profile musicals, and in (see pp166–7).

Office of Special Events also ticket for second-run movies to
provides information on local $10 for first-run movies. You can
events, including the numerous buy tickets using a major credit
neighborhood festivals that take card through Moviefone. This
place during summer. saves standing in line at the
theater, but the tickets are
nonrefundable and a surcharge
Buying Tickets of $1 to $2 is added to the
Tickets for most major price of each.
entertainment events are sold
through Ticketmaster. You can Discount Tickets
buy tickets by phone or at one
Chicago’s listings magazine, The Reader, of its locations. You may be able Half-price tickets for shows on
published weekly to buy tickets for sold-out the day of performance are
events from a ticket broker (see available from Hot Tix. These
Information listings in the yellow pages of tickets must be purchased in
The city’s most complete the telephone directory), but person and paid for in cash or
entertainment listings are in the price may be astronomical. by credit card.
The Reader, a free newspaper Be wary of buying tickets from CityPass Traveler packages
distributed on Thursdays. “scalpers” (ticket hawkers) on the admissions to five of the top
Chicago Magazine, available street. Some try to sell tickets attractions in Chicago, saving
at newsstands, is a glossy that are expired or counterfeit. you both time and money.
monthly with listings of the Many of the major concerts, The passes can be purchased
city’s major venues. The two plays, and musicals are reviewed through its website or at the
daily newspapers, the Chicago in the national press, which can participating venues.
Sun-Times and the Chicago lead to them selling out weeks Explore Chicago, in addition
Tribune, publish an entertainment in advance. It is best to buy to serving as a primary resource
section in their Friday editions, tickets through a ticket agency for planning trip activities,
with movie, music, dance, and or the venue’s box office before offers discounts on attractions,
theater reviews and listings. your trip. Most people buy shopping, entertainment,
Chicago’s Visitor Inform ation movie tickets at the theater. and dining.
Centers sell tickets as well as Prices range from $1.50 per
providing entertainment Travelers with Disabilities
information.
Moviefone provides recorded Many theaters and concert halls
details of movie show times and in Chicago are fully wheelchair
theater locations, as well as brief accessible. Some of the smaller
descriptions of the movies. theaters and clubs try hard but
Hot Tix, a ticket agency run are less than adequate when it
by the League of Chicago comes to serving patrons with
Theatres, provides half-price special needs. Even though a
tickets to more than 125 venue has the required seating
Chicago-area theaters on area for persons in wheelchairs,
the day of performance. the building may still be difficult
Most hotels carry a wide to get around in.
selection of entertainment Major theaters and concert
brochures, and hotel staff halls provide amplifying head-
will help orient you and may The Civic Opera House, home to the Lyric phones for people with
arrange for tickets. The Mayor’s Opera of Chicago hearing impairments.

164-165_EW_Chicago.indd 164 13/07/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm