This year's annual meeting, June 6–8, will again be held in Chicago. Home base for our meeting will be the historic Palmer House Hotel, at the corner of State and Monroe Streets, walking distance from the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. Originally built as a wedding present from retail magnate Potter Palmer to his bride Bertha Honoré, the Palmer House has been reconstructed twice since. It is only blocks away from Millennium Park and the Art Institute.
Millennium Park, first planned in 1997, covers about 24.5 acres of parking lots and railroad tracks. An open bridge directly connects the park with the Art Institute of Chicago. You will find evidence of the Art Institute's influence throughout the park, from the many public pieces, including “Cloud Gate,” locally referred to as the “Bean,” and an interactive multimedia fountain and tower display. The park also houses the Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by Frank Gehry. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra frequently performs in this venue, and many Chicago residents and visitors make use of the lawn for picnics during the performance. For information on the many free and public concert events, visit the website link for the Jay Pritzker Pavilion Schedule, which will be posted on the Millennium Park page in May: cityofchicago.org.
If you decide to explore the Chicago Art Institute, be sure to visit the French Impressionists. The Art Institute is home to “A Sunday on the Grande Jatte” by Seurat, as well as a number of others. Many of these world-renowned paintings come from the private collection of Bertha Honoré Potter, who discovered Renoir and Monet before the rest of the world caught on (she also posed for Rodin). If you are looking for a fine dining experience, visit Terzo Piano, located in the Modern Wing. Alternatively, Caffé Moderno offers the perfect outdoor location for a quick bite or glass of wine in Griffin Court.
Continue your walk north along Michigan Avenue. You will pass the People's Gas Building, a classic example of Chicago architecture, at 122 South Michigan (once the tallest building on this block). The marble in the entrance was quarried from the same source as the Parthenon in Athens. Today it houses the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, headquartered on the 13th floor. Similar historic landmarks, including the old Chicago Public Library, share our neighborhood. The Chicago Public Library is the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue, crowned by a dome made of Tiffany glass. If you would like more information concerning Chicago's history, this building now houses the Chicago Cultural Center, which offers free information on current events in Chicago as well as free musical performances. Of the more popular performances are “Juicebox,” for children, and the “Sunday Salon,” featuring various classical music artists.
If you are more interested in Chicago's architecture than its cultural heritage, visit the Chicago Architectural Foundation down the street at 224 S. Michigan Avenue. Enjoy walking tours of Chicago's most famous architectural locations, such as the Modern Skyscrapers Tour, or see Frank Lloyd Wright's homes in suburban Oak Park.
While you are touring along the landmarks on Michigan Avenue, take a shopping break. Visit Macy's, the former Marshall Field's building, which retains most of the original structure. Those of you traveling with children, try the Water Tower Place, home to the American Girl Place and Lego Store.
We suggest you enjoy a meal during your touring at one of the several restaurants within the Loop. The Purple Pig on North Michigan Avenue is perfect for an experimental palate. This restaurant is acclaimed for its creative “pig inspired” cuisine. For a more traditional meal, try Quartino, Italian small plates, located on North State Street. If you are feeling particularly hungry and would like to try Chicago cuisine, make a trip to the Billy Goat Tavern made famous by the iconic SNL sketch with John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. Alternatively, a takeaway slice of Chicago's deep dish pizza after a long day of conferences may be the best course of action.
If this is not your first trip to Chicago, and you are interested in exploring new neighborhoods, consider taking a “City Bike Tour.” The “Friendly Neighborhoods Tour” or the “Bike at Night” options allow you to visit such neighborhoods as Lincoln Park or Hyde Park. If you would prefer to travel by foot, consider a walk along the river, about 10 blocks west of Millennium Park. The Riverwalk is perfect on a warm day. For a more comprehensive architectural tour along the river, take a boat tour The boating tours allow you to explore both the Chicago River and some parts of Lake Michigan, traveling as far as Navy Pier If short on time, you may find this the most efficient method for viewing the city.
Try an enjoyable evening in the nearby theater district, for fine dining and theatrical performances. Many Chicago residents prefer the critically acclaimed Goodman Theatre, while others like the off-Broadway productions at the Oriental Theater During our conference, the Goodman Theatre will be performing “Ask Aunt Susan,” a comedy written by Seth Bockley. The Oriental Theater houses a permanent production of “Wicked,” and “Motown The Musical” will also be showing this June. Any of these performances will certainly be a terrific way to fill the evening and round out your Chicago experience.
We hope you enjoy your stay in the city. Please feel free to contact us with questions or recommendations for food, entertainment, and more at .
Kathleen Carroll, B.A., is a recent Colorado College graduate, volunteering for the current president of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. She manages a non-profit called “Grow” that assists college students to create peer-based mental health support groups on their campuses.