Chicago tips from Choose Chicago’s president and CEO Lynn Osmond
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
When it comes to getting a picture perfect Instagram shot in Chicago, Choose Chicago’s president and CEO Lynn Osmond has a few suggestions that are “really spectacular.”
The first notable photo opp is standing in the middle of the DuSable Bridge (Michigan Avenue Bridge) across the Chicago River.
“When you stand there, you’re framed by skyscrapers on either side, and we’ve got the river behind you,” Osmond tells Travel Courier. “It’s just so iconic.”
As a filming location for The batman and The Dark Knight, the city not only provides a great backdrop for movies but also in real life. Visitors can head over to LaSalle Street to get another memorable shot.
“There’s The Board of Trade, which is like our Wall Street, and when you look back that’s just this Batman, Joker moment, that is so incredible, and you get a lot of brides standing in LaSalle Street to get that shot,” she notes.
Of course, a trip to Chicago isn’t complete without visiting The Bean, or Cloud Gate as it’s officially known, which has become an iconic landmark of the city.
“When we talk about Instagram moments, you’ve got to stand under The Bean and have that reflection of the city. That’s just such an iconic moment,” she adds.
In order to take in the splendour of the city, Osmond suggests embarking on an architectural river cruise.
“It’s just spectacular. It’s the number one river cruise in North America. The buildings of Chicago are iconic,” she says. “And we have this fabulous river that runs through the city so it’s a great way to see the city.”
Another must to get a bird’s eye view of Chicago is heading to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck with scenic views from the 94th floor or the Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower from the 103rd floor.
“If you go to the top of the Willis Tower and stand on The Ledge, you can actually walk out on this piece of glass and look down,” she says. “It’s really such a fabulous way to see the city.”
In terms of theatre, some hot tickets for the year include Chicago, Les Misérables, Cats, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical and The Book of Mormon.
“The Lyric Opera, they’re presenting West Side Story, and that’s got to be one of my favourite musicals,” she says noting that Hansel and Gretel and Carmen are also on the docket.
As for ballet, The Joffrey Ballet has Anna Karenina and The Little Mermaid in the upcoming months.
Notably, Osmond says there are a slew of free events and concerts taking place throughout the summer.
“Chicago is a festival town,” she says. “You can come to Chicago, and really once you book your hotel stay, you could do a lot of things, either for free or very economically. Plus, you can go try out a different neighbourhood with a fabulous restaurant, and then go pop into one of the theatres.”
