About Chicago
Found on the shore of the world’s 5th largest body of freshwater is the city of Chicago. It is sized at 60,000 hectares, of which 3,000 hectares is made into nature reserves of parks. The town was incorporated in 1837 with the goal of opening up trading possibilities using the waterways. In 1871 the city suffered a huge fire that destroyed much of the buildings and sidewalks that were made of wood, which inspired the city to rebuild quickly. Chicago also welcomed many immigrants within several years, which gave the city its diversity that it is known for today.
Chicago is a city full of firsts, as it is home to the first skyscraper which was 10 stories tall, as well as the birthplace of the car radio and remote control for televisions. This town has tourist attractions that include museums, breweries, segway tours, sports games and river cruises. With so much to explore, consider planning a gathering location in Chicago.
Gathering Location Options in Chicago
Gathering locations can be used for a variety of occasions, from parties to expositions or galleries to corporate events. No matter what you are planning, you will want your space to be prepared to welcome lots of guests, and here are some things that you will need.
- Detailing and Decor
To create the best gathering location possible, you will need to make the area look its part by adding decorations and detail. You can upgrade the venue by adding chair covers, table decorations, backdrops, flowers and other enhancements.
- Furnishings
Depending on what you are planning to do at your Chicago gathering location, you will most likely need places for your guests to sit or tables to place things. Consider shopping for furnishings that suit the space and will be comfortable for everyone who is attending your event.
- Technical Equipment
Your gathering location could benefit from some technical equipment like microphones, speakers and video equipment. This can be useful if you are planning to make any announcements, play music or watch presentations.
Gathering Location Companies in Chicago
Now that you know what you need, you can begin to plan your event. You’ll have a lot of work to do, but with the help of local Chicago businesses, you’ll have your event set up in no time.
- Ashland Addison Florist
Working for the Chicago community since 1932, this company is experienced and can create beautiful floral designs for your gathering location. They offer assorted flowers for a variety of events like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and weddings, and can help make your venue look great.
- Bowery & Bash
The creative team at Bowery & Bash can help you set up furniture for your gathering location in Chicago. With corporate celebrations, film shoots or other gatherings, this company can offer chairs, tables, desks and rugs that can make your event space look put together and be functional as well.
- All Pro Audio Visual Rentals
Specializing in audio, video, lighting and staging equipment, All Pro Audio Visual Rentals offers technical equipment and set up with experienced technicians all around the United States. The team here has 100+ years of combined experience.
Pros and Cons of Gathering Locations in Chicago
Chicago can be a great place for a gathering location, although there are both pros and cons associated with the city. Listed below are some things that you will want to consider about Chicago.
Advantages
- Culture and architecture
Compared to some other cities, Chicago has a beautiful skyline decorated with unique structures. Since it was founded this town has been a popular hub for trade and innovation, making the city a great place to see experimental architecture that is both modern and traditional.
- Festivals and events
People gather often in Chicago to celebrate at one of the city’s yearly festivals. It is home to the most dance music celebrations in the entire United States as well as the biggest outdoor food festival, which is free to attend.
- Shopping and activities
Chicago is a town full of tourist attractions, festivals, museums and also shopping. Areas like the Miracle Mile and Michigan Avenue are some of the places that you can go to find restaurants and stores offering luxury clothes, sports gear or casual attire. As well, most restaurants and activities are open into the late hours of the night, making it possible for you to buy things or have fun at any time of day.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Chicago experiences high levels of traffic that can happen at any time in the day, not only at rush hour. This can make it hard to get around the city and difficult for your guests to get to your Chicago gathering location, meaning you may want to consider checking out the public transportation options instead.
- High living costs
Chicago is a big city that is home to about 2.7 million people. Although it is affordable compared to the other major cities, this town is still more expensive than about 75% of the United States. Prices for most things will be elevated by about 20%, and Chicago has the country’s highest sales tax at over 10%, so be sure to budget for your event.
- Pollution
Chicago failed its test by the American Lung Association due to its ozone pollution. Compared to the rest of the US, Chicago ranks as the 18th worst city for pollution and experiences an average of 14 days with unhealthy levels of ozone per year. It also used to pollute a lot into its waterways but has since made improvements that are slowly increasing the quality of its water.
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Field Museum of Natural History
This building was formerly known as the Columbian Museum of Chicago but its name was later changed in 1905 to honor Marshall Field who was a major benefactor to the museum. This establishment was built in 1893 as a way to showcase the collections of anthropological and biological works from the World Columbian Exposition. The displays found here include a total of 20,000 objects related to geology, zoology, botany and anthropology with both permanent and temporary exhibits. This museum is also home to the world’s most complete tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
- Wrigley Field
At Wrigley Field, you can find the Chicago Cubs, the Major League Baseball team of this city. This stadium was built in 1914, making it the second oldest baseball park in the United States. During the in-season, you can attend guided tours of the facilities including the press box and field, and if there are no games going on you can visit the dugout.
- Lincoln Park Zoo
Attending the Lincoln Park Zoo is a fun activity for the whole family where you can see and learn about over 200 different species of animals. There are a total of sixteen exhibits that showcase these creatures from around the world including otters, penguins, apes, seals and more. Found in the same area is a beautiful botanical garden that has 1,200 different species of plants.