Ping Tom is a wonderful spot that you should definitely visit if you’re in Chinatown. The north side of the park has gorgeous views of the skyline (and there are even better views from the 18th street bridge, which the park goes under). The south side of the park, where you catch the water taxi, is a lovely spot that makes a seamless public space out of trees and gardens plus rusty train bridges and warehouses.

Speaking of public dances, Grant Park hosts them regularly during the summer. Like, swing dances with live big bands.

I love this city.

(The same firm that designed Ping Tom Park also designed the splendid Palmisano Park in Bridgeport out of an abandoned quarry.)

Wood Goblin wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:14 pm (The same firm that designed Ping Tom Park also designed the splendid Palmisano Park in Bridgeport out of an abandoned quarry.)

I didn't know that but it makes sense. Palmisano is great also.

Oh shit, yeah, add me to the choir for the Water Taxi. It went away for a bit after the pandemic hit, but it's back now.

The thing I love about the Water Taxi is that you can go basically the same route as the architectural boat tour, but instead of some gregarious tour guide talking about all the big money firms that did all the skyscrapers you get a captain yelling at kayakers a couple two tree times to "GIT OUTTA DA WAY OF DA DOCK!" which is a much more accurate Chicago experience.

tbone wrote: Sun Jun 16, 2024 7:20 pm The thing I love about the Water Taxi is that you can go basically the same route as the architectural boat tour, but instead of some gregarious tour guide talking about all the big money firms that did all the skyscrapers you get a captain yelling at kayakers a couple two tree times to "GIT OUTTA DA WAY OF DA DOCK!" which is a much more accurate Chicago experience.

That's true but I've had good tour guide experiences on the architectural boats too. I expected boring history but then it was things like "some mobster used to stash his luxury cars in the first few floors of that building" and whatnot. You can't really go wrong on a river boat unless Dave Matthews is in town.

Wood Goblin wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:08 pm.

Speaking of public dances, Grant Park hosts them regularly during the summer. Like, swing dances with live big bands.

I ran live sound for those Summer Dance concerts for like 7 or 8 years!

Kniferide wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 8:50 am

Wood Goblin wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:08 pm.

Speaking of public dances, Grant Park hosts them regularly during the summer. Like, swing dances with live big bands.

I ran live sound for those Summer Dance concerts for like 7 or 8 years!

That’s really cool! I didn’t know it existed until a few years ago. It’s entirely possible that I passed by it during the pandemic and figured that it was a pandemic outdoors event, but nope!

We plan on going to some of these this summer.

Wood Goblin wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:44 am

Kniferide wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 8:50 am

Wood Goblin wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:08 pm.

Speaking of public dances, Grant Park hosts them regularly during the summer. Like, swing dances with live big bands.

I ran live sound for those Summer Dance concerts for like 7 or 8 years!

That’s really cool! I didn’t know it existed until a few years ago. It’s entirely possible that I passed by it during the pandemic and figured that it was a pandemic outdoors event, but nope!

We plan on going to some of these this summer.

Naw mang that shit has been going on for like 20+ years!

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/d ... ance2.html