What's New in Chicago & Illinois in 2008

Whether you think of the historic Route 66, blues music, the finest gourmet treats in the US or miles of magnificent shopping, Chicago is the perfect place for Brits to kick off the New Year and take advantage of the strong pound!

Exciting new experiences await visitors in 2008, including the legendary Chicago Blues Festival, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the 40th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the 35th Anniversary of the Sears Tower Skydeck. These landmark annual events are just the tip of the iceberg, with a whole host of other fantastic happenings to look forward to, including new restaurant launches by leading chefs, new exhibitions featuring world-renowned art, new hotels and new architectural tours.

GO DISCOVER

• Chicago offers more than 40 Greeter Tours, each led by homegrown Chicago natives, all of whom offer their time for free — in Chicago you really can get something for nothing!
• The Chicago Architecture Foundation now offers more than 80 different tours which adds up to more than 8,000 a year, make sure you take advantage of these on your visit to the city to take in the amazing architectural offerings in the city.
• Created and built exclusively for the Museum of Science and Industry, "The Smart Home: Green and Wired" exhibit will open in May 2008 and run through to January 2009. This exhibition will delve into environmentally friendly technologies as well as sustainable living for the 21^st century. This is a must for those interested in clean, healthy living environments within a contemporary setting.
• The interactive Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum opened in April 2005 in Springfield and is part of The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum — the world's largest presidential library and museum complex.
• Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Tour - minutes from downtown Chicago are two architectural wonders designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, widely regarded as America's most influential architect. Wright's first Home and Studio is located in Oak Park, Illinois and a variety of different tours can be arranged to suit your individual interests.
• The 40th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art, sees them hosting a major reinstallation of the collection "Artists In Depth." This fantastic exhibition will feature artists whose pieces of work have been part of groundbreaking exhibitions at the museum over the past few decades.
• Fancy experiencing the real America? Then is one of the best ways is to journey on Route 66, with the Illinois portion featuring points of interest every few miles, including classic diners, gas stations and historical sites.
• Bike Chicago is an event that encourages the city of Chicago to take to the streets with their bikes instead of their cars! This annual five-month programme runs from May until September, so head to Chicago and discover the city at your leisure!
• Race to Taste (29 July): Start by working up a sweat and burning off those calories in a 5km race across the city, then head to the Taste of Chicago to enjoy a variety of delicious cuisines prepared by Chicago's most popular restaurants.

GO GAZE

• 2008 marks the 35^th Anniversary of the Sears Tower Skydeck. The Skydeck is Chicago's highest observatory and provides an unobstructed and spectacular view of the entire city.
• St. Patrick's Day Parade (17 March): Be sure not to miss the Chicago River going an incredible shade of Irish green to mark this special occasion.
• Great Chicago Places and Spaces (16-18 May): Known for its outstanding architecture and design, this festival will highlight a whole host of interesting and unique spots in the city for tourists to visit.
• Outdoor Film Festival (15 July-26 August): Taking place over seven weeks, The Outdoor Film Festival features a different movie every Tuesday and admission is free!
• Venetian Night (26 July): Lake Michigan is lit up by an array of beautifully decorated boats and costumed crews for one evening only, be sure not to miss this amazing spectacle.
• Chicago Air And Water Show (16-17 August): Over two million people converge on Lake Michigan every year to watch the ever popular Chicago Air and Water Show. This continues to be one of the worlds premiere aviation events and includes a wide array of military and civilian acts.

GO DINE

• Chicago is one of the top dining destinations in the US, proudly home to a host of incredible chefs including Charlie Trotter, Rick Tramanto, Grant Aschatz and pastry chef Gale Gand. Head to Chicago for a truly exquisite culinary experience!
• Taste of Chicago

GO SHOP

• Want to shop until you drop, then take advantage of the strong pound and head to Chicago's "Magnificent Mile", where you will find enough shops to satisfy even the most seasoned shopper.
• The Urban Shop Guide (www.urbanshopguide.com): Tour Chicago's greatest boutiques and spend time in the most vibrant neighbourhoods, whilst uncovering fashion only a privy local would know about.
• Heather Kenny Guided Tours (www.heatherkenny.com) highlights some of the city's most tantalizing clothing and accessories boutiques.
• SeeMore Shopping Tours (www.seemoreshopping.com) takes guests to some of the city's premiere fashion destinations, from locally owned boutiques to Chicago designer showrooms.

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