This is Chicago. The map is the real city and the round is played on its real streets, where attractions like the Chicago Theatre are the holes. Skip is a local guide who knows the place. A quick 9-hole round covers 3.4 mi with a par of 28, using 88 portals to move the ball across town.
You might expect a grand monument, but this is actually the beginning of a road. Established on November 11, 1926, Begin Route 66 marks the origin of a journey that once defined American travel. While the route itself was set in late 1926, the signage you can look for wasn't actually erected until the following year. It is a spot that represents the first step of a massive trip across the country. From here, the path stretched across the heart of the United States, crossing through several states before finally reaching the coast. I've seen plenty of tourists stop here to imagine the long drive ahead, and it is easy to see why this specific stretch of pavement holds such a legendary status in the city.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of twelve Federal Reserve Banks. Along with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, it makes up the Federal Reserve System, which is the central bank of the United States. This specific bank serves the Seventh District, an area encompassing the state of Iowa, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, southern Wisconsin, and the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana. Each Reserve Bank is tasked with monitoring economic conditions in its District, providing financial services to the U.S. government and depository institutions, and supervising bank holding companies and member banks. I've found that people are usually surprised by how much of the Midwest is covered by just one of these banks. Let me show you where the money moves.
You can start by looking at the modern additions designed by architect Renzo Piano before heading inside. This is the Art Institute of Chicago, a private art museum located in Grant Park. Founded in 1879, it has grown into a major nonprofit organization that also functions as an educational institution for the public. Whether you are here for the galleries or the architecture, it is a central part of the city's cultural layout. I have seen plenty of folks stop here to take a break from the wind, and it is a great spot to get your bearings in the park. It is the kind of place where you can spend a whole day and still feel like you have only scratched the surface of what is inside the walls.
The Chicago Cultural Center is a Neoclassical library building located in the Loop. Designed by the architects Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, the building's inception was in 1897. It is a Chicago Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the site is operated by Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. I find the heavy stone of this style makes for a very solid bank if you're trying to line up a tricky shot on the street. Whether you are visiting for the art or just passing through the neighborhood, it is one of the more striking sights in the center of the city.
This is not just another gallery of artifacts; it is the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Located in Skokie, Illinois, near Chicago, this nonprofit organization focuses on a mission to preserve the legacy of the Holocaust. They do this by honoring the memories of victims and educating visitors in the service of combating indifference, prejudice, and hatred. I've noticed that the atmosphere here encourages a very specific kind of reflection. The center is guided by a founding principle to remember the past and transform the future, ensuring that the lessons of history are used to build a better tomorrow for everyone. Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a local, the museum provides a space to confront the darkest parts of human history to prevent them from repeating.
The Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre occupies the landmark Harris and Selwyn Theaters property. It is a theatre building and a nonprofit organization that had its inception in 1925. As a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop, it provides a dedicated space for the performing arts. You can pick out the architectural presence of the complex as you navigate the area, knowing it is Chicago's oldest active nonprofit theater organization. I have always found the energy around the Loop to be a great place for a stroll, and this spot is a central part of that atmosphere. Whether you are interested in the history of the building or the current productions, this site is a key landmark in the city's cultural center. It remains a primary destination for those looking to experience professional theater in the heart of the city.
Joan and Irving Harris were the primary benefactors for this venue, which is why it bears their name. The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is a theatre building located on Randolph Street in the Loop community area of Chicago. It had its inception in 2003 and functions as the indoor performing venue for Millennium Park. You can find it along the northern edge of the park in Cook County. Due to height restrictions related to Grant Park, the theater is largely underground. It is a nonprofit organization and provides a 1,499-seat space for the performing arts. I always think it's a bit of a magic trick how so much of the building is tucked away beneath the surface.
Look up at the baroque revival details of the facade before you take in the whole building. The Chicago Theatre, built in 1921, is both a theatre building and a movie theater. It is a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rapp and Rapp served as the architects for this site. While it has a long history in cinema, Madison Square Garden, Inc. now owns and operates the space as a performing arts venue with 3600 seats. It is one of those spots where the architecture tells you exactly how grand the experience inside is meant to be. I've seen plenty of shiny things in this city, but the scale of this place always catches my eye.
Established in 2004, Millennium Park is an urban park located in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Since it opened in July 2004, the space has become a massive draw for the public, recording 25 million annual visitors in 2017. I can show you the boundaries of the park, which is framed by Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and East Monroe Drive. The site covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park and is operated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. It is a great spot to stretch your legs, though I usually spend my time watching the crowds from a safe distance up high.
This isn't a car dealership, though it shares a name with one. The Studebaker Theater is a building designed in the Art Nouveau architecture style. It is a Chicago Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater is part of the Fine Arts Building, which was formerly known as the Studebaker Building. That 10-story edifice at 410 S Michigan Avenue was built for the Studebaker company in 1884–1885. Solon Spencer Beman served as the architect for both the theater and the main building. After its initial construction, the building underwent extensive remodeling in 1898. I've always found the detail in these old facades to be the best part of the neighborhood.