About Millennium Park

The park was commissioned by Mayor Daley and was completed in 2004. It has rapidly become one of Chicago’s leading tourist attractions and is a great asset for downtown residents and Loop professionals as well. It occupies a space that used to be the home of railyards and parking lots and is adjoined to the north side of Chicago’s famous Grant Park. The Park exhibits a wide array of public art, architectural features and masterfully landscaped gardens.

In the middle of downtown Chicago, the park is covers 24.5 acres and abuts the grounds of the Art Institute of Chicago. Some of its main attractions include The Cloud Gate (or Bean), the Crown Fountain, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden. On a pretty day, just a stroll around the park is a delight, even without all of the events planned throughout the year.

Millennium Park Condos and Their Surroundings

In all seasons, simply being close to the park gives Millennium Park condo owners a wide variety of activities to take part in. The famous ice skating rink opens in November and stays open until March for winter weather fun. The summer months bring festivals of all sorts to Millennium and Grant Parks including Chicago Blues Fest, Chicago Jazz Fest, the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza. The Park Grill, a restaurant and bar within the park, hosts smaller music and culinary events outdoor on its plaza as well.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Perillo Music Shell also bring musical acts to the park all summer long– from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to popular modern artists, the weekly concerts are free and open to the public. Accompanying these larger music events are smaller theater and dance performances at the many venues throughout the park. No matter what your interests are, the summer event calendar at Millennium Park will offer something you can enjoy in the biggest green space in downtown Chicago.

For urban dwellers who love nature, the proximity of Millennium Park condos to the city’s biggest park is of course a benefit. Not only does the park have intriguing art and engaging events but above all else, it has beautifully maintained green spaces, lawns and gardens that are fun to learn about through the many tours offered, or just to enjoy by lounging on a blanket in good weather.

The Lurie Garden at the southern end of the park was designed by renowned landscape architects Kathryn Gustafson, Piet Oudolf, and Robert Israel. It features a “dark” area of shade loving plants and trees and a “light” area of perennials and lawns with no trees. The Art Institute Gardens border the park to the south as well, creating more green space to explore.

Finally, for condo owners in the area, the parks near their residences provide softball fields, tennis courts and running paths for active individuals. The facilities provided by Grant Park and Millennium Park can be relaxing, entertaining, and athletic in equal parts. Even without starting to consider all of the nightlife, dining and entertainment options of Michigan Avenue and the downtown Loop that are also immediately adjacent to the location of Millennium Park condos, the park provides tons of entertainment and comfort that make a life in condos nearby all the better!

Chicago Events

On Saturday check out the Green City Market from 7am to 1pm, ends October 31^st, so now is the time to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Perhaps you can get all the supplies to cook a special dinner in your Chicago condo for Sweetest Day?

Friday night is the Celebrity Chef Ball at Macy’s on State Street. You can sample great dishes from Chicago’s top chefs, but you had better hurry tickets are selling out fast!

This weekend the West Loop boutiques are hosting Modern Vintage Chicago. Everything kicks off this Friday night with a party including a swag bag and runway show, $25 for tickets.

If you love Italian culture this festival is for you – the Heart of Chicago festival is going on all weekend long with food from local restaurants, wine, live music, and more.

Restaurants

Enjoying all the French cuisine options Chicago has to offer? Try this new restaurant LM Le in Lincoln Square by Chef Stephan Outrequin Quaisser featuring seasonal food such as French gnocchi – it sounds amazing!

For $39.95 you can enjoy a three-course meal at Sullivan’s Steakhouse – part of the price goes to support breast cancer research, so you’re dining for good cause.

Movies

With winter starting to set in, one of the best ways to have fun and stay warm is see the latest blockbusters. We recommend:

Paranormal Activity is getting the thumbs up  from critics, who are saying it’s one of the scariest movies ever. See if that’s true yourself – we hope you don’t have to sleep with the lights on afterwards!

Action movie fans probably already know that Law Abiding Citizen staring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler starts this Friday – you can watch the trailer here.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Events
Jazz fans, don’t miss the 31st annual Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park this weekend. Musicians from all over Chicago, the country and the world will be there to provide you with hours of musicial entertainment on four different stages. Jazz Fest runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am-9:30pm each day; admission is free.

Also this weekend is the 20th annual African Festival of the Arts, which celebrates African influence in America. Don’t miss the marketplace where international artists will be selling their works, including sculpture, jewelry and clothing. Enjoy delicious food while watching live performances from artists from all over the world. The festival runs all weekend from Friday to Monday, 10am-10pm every day. Admission will run you $10-$15 or $5 for seniors and children under 12. Located in the Washington Park neighborhood at 5100 S. Cottage Grove.

Looking for a good old fashioned party this weekend? Come to the Bash on Wabash, held every Labor Day weekend. Local restaurants will be there with samples of their delicious fare. There will be beer, wine, live music, a bags tournament and a bunch of activities just for the kids. Saturday and Sunday 11am-10pm in the South Loop at Wabash and 13th Street. $5 suggested donation.

Restaurants
Check out Chen’s Chinese and Sushi on Clark St. in Wrigleyville this weekend. In celebration of Labor Day Chen’s is offering a $20 gift certificate for your next visit from 4pm-11pm, September 1st-7th. Chen’s serves some of the city’s best Chinese food, and when you’re done dining you’ve got all the bar and entertainment choices that Clark St. has to offer. Don’t miss the steamed dumplings- they’re to die for!

Attention, cyclists! This Saturday, September 5th take part in Edgewater’s International Barbecue Tour. Enjoy a 14.5 mile bike ride with BBQ tasting stops along the way. You’ll taste barbecue from Korea, Pakistan, China and the US. Ride lasts from 11am-3pm; 1107 W. Berwyn Ave. $50 per person. For more info visit http://www.forkandtheroad.com/tours.

This weekend make your way to Old Town for Eivissa’s four-day bash. September 4-7 beginning at 5pm every day. Labor Day specials include various grilled items and half price red and white sangria. Also at Eivissa this weekend, don’t miss the Tomato Festival! Friday-Sunday beginning at 11am each day. RSVP required, prices vary. For more info call 312-654-9500. Eivissa is located at 1531 N. Wells.

Movies
This Friday go see Jason Bateman’s new comedy Extract. Bateman plays the owner of a factory that manufactures flavor extracts and when his wife stops paying attention to him, a friend hatches a crazy plan to hook Bateman up with a factory employee played by Mila Kunis. Get ready to laugh!

Gerard Butler plays a prison inmate fighting for survival in the new thriller, Gamer. Online gamers control what they believe is a simulated battle, but it all turns out to be very real in the end. Opens Friday.

Have a great Labor Day, everybody!

Events
Saturday and Sunday join the fun for the 24th annual Bucktown Arts Fest. Artists from around the nation will be displaying their wares. They’ll have everything from jewelry, ceramics and paintings to sculpture and photography. There will also be performing arts like theatre, spoken word, dancing and live music. Food and beer available for purchase; admission is free! Opens 11am each day, at Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave.

Also being held Saturday and Sunday is the Randolph Street Market Festival. Vintage and antique collectibles will be on sale from over 200 dealers at this indoor/outdoor festival. Don’t miss the gourmet foodstuffs like truffles, salsa and olive oil as well. 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. $10 gets you in for both days; $5 for students; kids under 12 are free. On Randolph St. between Ada & Ogden.

Shake your hips at the 21st annual Viva! Latin Music Festival. Features multiple stages where you can enjoy all different types of Latin music. If you get hungry feast on some authentic Latin cuisine from the festival food vendors, and browse the arts and crafts fair too. Saturday & Sunday, 11am-9:30pm each day at the Grant Park Museums, 300 S. Columbus Drive.

Restaurants
This is the last weekend for the Diva Brunch at The Spot in Uptown. You enjoy a lovely Sunday brunch and they provide the entertainment: Cabaret performers, drag artists, and musical theatre singers serenade diners in a glamorous environment fit for any diva. $35-$50 will get you the brunch, entertainment, mimosas, bellinis, coffee and tea. Don’t miss it! 4437 N. Broadway.

Friday night indulge yourself at Vosges Haut-Chocolate in the DePaul area. From 7pm-9pm delectable gourmet chocolates will be paired with Goose Island beers. There will also be an open bar serving 312 and a live performance and book signing from didgeridoo player Sam Boys. 10 percent discount on all chocolate purchased during the event. $30 a person- RSVP required. 951 W. Armitage Ave.

The latest issue of Chicago Magazine pays homage to Chicago’s best burgers. This weekend pay a visit to any one (or more!) of the 30 restaurants listed and take a bite out of some of the best burgers you’ll ever taste. Here are a few locations to get you started: HotChocolate- 1747 N. Damen Ave., Kuma’s Corner- 2900 W. Belmont, Custom House- 500 S. Dearborn St., Cortland’s Garage- 1645 W. Cortland St. Dig in!

Movies

Taking Woodstock is the story of how, in the summer of 1969, Elliot Tiber saved Woodstock by offering the festival coordinators his family’s Catskills motel and nearby farmland as a location to hold what turned out to be the most epic event in music history. Demitri Martin stars. Opens Friday.

Michael Myers is back once again in the newest version of the classic horror flick, Halloween. In Halloween II, opening Friday, Rob Zombie resurrects Myers and the terror he instills in all who cross his path. Don’t see this one alone!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Events

Don’t miss the 60th annual Greek Fest going on Friday-Sunday. They’ll be serving delicious Greek specialties like souvlaki, lamb, and Greek pastries, and there’s nothing like fresh, authentic baklava. Work off all that food by dancing to live music and playing games. Greek fest is being held on the grounds of St. Demetrios Church, 2727 W. Winona. See you there!

Looking for something a bit more off the beaten path? Visit the exotic Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest. You’ll find vendors selling beautiful handmade items from Africa, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Pakistan. Opens 9am Friday, at Canal and Jackson Boulevard.

This is your last weekend to get in on the fun with the Chicago SummerDance Festival! Skip your workout and go dance those calories off instead. Friday 6pm-9:30pm, Chicago bop music by Chicago Catz, Saturday 6pm-9:30pm, do the Jitterbug with Margot McGraw, and Sunday 4pm-7pm, foxtrot and jitterbug to music by Sam Burckhardt Nonet. Held at Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave. Admission is free!

Restaurants

Congratulations to Chicago’s own Rick Bayless, the new Top Chef Master! This weekend, go get a taste of what makes Bayless so amazing at Frontera Grill, Frontera Fresco or Topolobampo. You won’t be disappointed when you taste this brilliant chef’s take on authentic Mexican cuisine.

If you’re in the mood for something chic, don’t miss the brand new Elate, located at Hotel Felix in River North. Their rustic yet elegant menu includes a lovely selection of cured meats and artisan cheeses, along with comfort food like the Elate burger. There’s something for everyone at Elate. Located at Clark and Huron.

If you’re looking for a different Sunday brunch place, try Jam in Ukranian Village on Damen Ave. and Walton. They elevate simple breakfast foods to gourmet levels. Try the malted custard French toast with macerated stone fruit, lime leaf cream and crushed pink peppercorns. It’s not to be missed.

Movies

This weekend don’t miss the opening of Quentin Tarantino’s newest masterpiece, Inglorious Basterds which follows a group of Jewish soldiers who hunt and kill Nazis in WWII Germany. Brad Pitt stars as Lieutenant Aldo Raine in this much anticipated irreverent comedy. Opens Friday.

College grads looking for someone to sympathize with in the midst of their job search won’t want to miss Alexis Bledel in Post Grad. Don’t worry, graduates: even Alexis Bledel’s best laid plans go awry.

Events

The Chicago Air and Water Show is finally here and happening this weekend. This is one of the city’s largest events of the summer and is the oldest and largest free show in its 51^st year. View the show from North Avenue Beach or from your rooftop of your Chicago condo.

If you want to get away from the crowds at the beach head over to the crowds and fun in the West Loop for the Windy City Rib Festival, and feast not only on local ribs but ribs from Texas and Wisconsin.

This weekend is going to be another hot one, if you want to get away from the heat for a few hours head indoors to the ballroom at Navy Pier for the 3^rd annual Turkish World Festival with live dancing, food, and crafts.

Restaurants

If you are looking to reserve a spot at the Air and Water Show, receive up close action and VIP treatment at Oak Street Beachstro, reservations are required and prices are from $65-$165.

This summer is all about hanging at hotel hot spots. Just opened last weekend after being closed for over a year is the Cedar Hotel and The Cedar Hotel Café with a huge outdoor patio located in the Gold Coast. River North Hotel Felix has just opened contemporary American dining spot called Elate.

Everyone loves a good falafel, so after spending the day at the air and water show check out new restaurant in River North called El Souk.

Movies

This weekend another soon to be box office hit District 9 is opening this weekend. See what happens when you mix aliens with some of the top convicts in the country. Wait! Shouldn’t Will Smith be in this movie saving the world from aliens, like he does every summer?

The lovely Rachel McAdams stars in this romantic comedy with cutie Eric Bana in The Time Traveler’s Wife – it is the perfect date movie.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Events

In its 52^nd year, the Gold Coast Art Fair is this Saturday and Sunday. Come and support the work of over 300 artists, while enjoying good food and wine.

East Lakeview host a huge party this weekend for Market Days, featuring musical guest En Vogue.  This two day event will have over 350 vendors with crafts, food, and drinks.

Looking for something a little more low-key? Get out of the city this weekend and head to Kenosha for the Bristol Renaissance Fair and explore what it was like to live in the days of Queen Elizabeth I.

Restaurants

Five Guys Restaurants are taking over the city with another new location in Lincoln Park at Clark and Fullerton.

The Wit Hotel has become extremely popular with its fabulous rooftop bar. However, if you can’t get into The Roof, definitely check their 2^nd floor restaurant Cibo Matto and try their homemade pasta.

Movies

The Ugly Truth starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler is now playing at theatres around the city; this light-hearted, fun summer comedy is a great date night movie.

If you like something a little more intense, get close with your girl or guy while watching the thriller Orphan, also playing in theaters.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Venetian Night is this Saturday night starting at 6pm, and the theme of “Hollywood on the Lake”. Lakeshore East residents will have access to great views of the parade from their Chicago condo.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue is also happening this weekend, covering four blocks in the Lincoln Park area.  This event features plenty of great food and beer, along with live music by national and local bands.

For more live music, head over to Wicker Park Fest 2009 on Saturday and Sunday; there will also be delicious food from Wicker Park restaurants, local arts and crafts vendors, and a family zone, so bring the kids.

Every Sunday the Conrad Chicago is hosting Movies on The Terrace, and this week they are showing The Blues Brothers. The movies starts at 7:30, so instead of watching Sunday night TV in your Lakeshore East home, visit The Terrace for a relaxing evening.

If you love Harry Potter, the Museum of Science and Industry is currently home to  Harry Potter: The Exhibition with over 200 props and costumes from the movies.

Shopping

It’s Nordstrom’s Anniversary event this weekend with pre-fall season discounts on merchandise, so visit North Bridge on Michigan Ave.

Restaurants

Old Town’s latest arrival is an exciting restaurant called 33 Club, featuring American food with a European flair.

If you like wings and unique flavors check out new hot spot Wings O’ Flavor in Lakeview.

Have a great weekend everyone!