January 16, 2009
By SHATHA ALMUTAWA
As Barack Obama prepares to take office as president of the United States on January 20, his family is saying goodbye to their neighbourhood: Hyde Park on the south side of Chicago.
The Windy City has become a major tourist attraction, especially in the past few years, with its Magnificent Mile of shopping, Millennium Park?s Cloud Gate sculpture (better known as ?the bean?) and its beautiful skyline along Lake Michigan.
Now, understandably more people are flocking to see Obama?s city.
Here are some places Chicagoans love and a low-down of where you should head once there.
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Hyde Park
After brunch at Hyde Park?s Medici, head west to the University of Chicago campus, stopping at the labyrinthine Seminary Co-op Bookstore (5757 S University Ave) and the Oriental Institute Museum across the street (make sure you see the Egyptian baby mummy).
After you?ve explored the campus, head east to the Museum of Science and Industry on the grounds of the World?s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
While the Museum of Science and Industry is the only remaining building from that historic event, for which many other breathtaking buildings were built, the Japanese Garden is another remnant.
Well hidden behind the museum?s street, trees and ponds, the Japanese Garden is peaceful and beautiful.
On the way out of Hyde Park, head north to Al-Fatir Mosque (1200 E 47th St), home of the Nation of Islam.
The construction of the mosque was partially funded by the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nhayan Charitable and Humanitarian Fund.
Other hidden delights
Catch a Joffrey Ballet performance at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E Congress Parkway), a breathtaking space built by Louis Sullivan, one of Chicago?s famous architects.
Also watch a play at the more humble Silk Road Theatre Project (77 W Washington St) in the basement of the Chicago Temple, where plays often revolve around Middle Eastern themes.
The Chicago Temple itself is worth a visit, since it is the oldest church in Chicago and the only skyscraper church in the city.
Have potato rosemary pizza at Pizza Metro II (925 N Ashland Ave), then dessert and a tango lesson at the Ritz Caf� across the street.
Tango events take place every Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening. On Sunday evenings, you can also go belly dancing and watch performances at Tizi Melloul (531 N Wells St).
If dance is not your thing, head for the Music Box Theatre (3733 N Southport Ave), which opened in 1929.
Arrive early and enjoy the organ music performance before the show.
Finally, try out the caramel sundae at Margie?s Candies (1960 N Western Ave). A true Chicago treasure, this 80-year-old establishment has a Midwest ambience and is a great place to buy gifts.
Ethnic neighbourhoods
Chicago is hotbed of multi-culturalism. The Mexican neighbourhood of Pilsen is a feast of colour and sound.
Stroll down 18th Street between Halsted and Damen and admire the murals after a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W 19th St).
Pilsen sits next to Little Italy, so head over to the intersection of 24th and Oakley for hearty Italian food afterwards.
Further north is the charming Lincoln Square neighbourhood, which used to be the centre of German life in Chicago.
You can find Schnitzel at the Chicago Brauhaus (4732 N Lincoln Ave) and a wonderland of perfumes and scented soaps at the Merz Apothecary (4716 N Lincoln Ave).
A few blocks further south is the Old Town School of Folk Music, where you can enjoy the music of banjos and mandolins.
On the far north end of the city is Chicago?s thriving Indian community. Visit Devon Avenue (west of Western Ave) for delicious buffet dinners, try on a few saris, get your eyebrows threaded for $5 (Dh18) and rent or buy a Bollywood movie.
You?ll also find a Russian bookstore (2746 W Devon Ave).
Shatha Almutawa is a Chicago-based freelance writer