Life at The Clare

Ask people about the tallest buildings in Chicago, and the conversation will turn quickly to architecture. Every new high-rise faces the pressure of fitting into the city’s iconic skyline. So … Continue reading “Tallest Buildings in Chicago: A Decade-by-Decade Visualization”

Chicago’s history connects closely with its architecture. Iconic buildings—large and small—shape vistas that awe visitors and comfort denizens. Over time, of course, these vistas change: New buildings reframe enduring structures, obscuring or … Continue reading “Iconic Pictures of Chicago: Then and Now”

Let’s clear one thing up. “The Windy City” moniker has nothing to do with Chicago’s climate. It refers to Chicago politicians of the 1800s who relentlessly promoted their city to … Continue reading “Climate of Chicago, Illinois: The What and Why of Every Season”

Chicago is defined by its architecture. The city even used its most famous art installation, Cloud Gate (the Chicago Bean), to reflect the towering buildings that form one of the world’s … Continue reading “The Best Views in Chicago”

Can you describe the municipal flag of your city? In most cities—even major metropolitan centers—the answer is “No.” After all, how often do you see a municipal flag outside of … Continue reading “The Meaning of the Chicago Flag”

In less than a decade, Cloud Gate, known by most simply as “the Bean,” has vaulted into one of Chicago’s top attractions. The final product, a gleaming steel mirror that … Continue reading “Chicago Bean History: The Inside Story behind Cloud Gate”

Too often, public transportation in the United States has endured a reputation as slow, unreliable, and unpleasant. The nation’s largest cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington DC, … Continue reading “Public Transportation Benefits from City Living (and Beyond)”

While Illinois wine hasn’t been made for thousands of years—evidence of wine production in places like Greece dates to 4500 B.C.—it has a robust wine-making industry, and a burgeoning one … Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know about Illinois Wine”

As anyone who lives on Lake Michigan knows, its name is a misnomer: A variety of states and cities are represented on the rim of the glacial lake. Illinois, Indiana, … Continue reading “Cities on Lake Michigan: 7 Places Everyone Should Know”

Every city has its iconic boulevards, the streets that are home to history or feature in the addresses of soaring skyscrapers. Some of the most famous Chicago street names are … Continue reading “The Most Famous Chicago Street Names”

The city life has its obvious perks—exceptional dining, entertainment, and culture, to name a few. But other benefits of downtown living often are neglected, in part because they run counter … Continue reading “The City Life: 5 Surprising Reasons to Love Downtown Living”

At any age, and at any pace, a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, or even marathon is a great way to see a city and enjoy the outdoors—especially if you live in … Continue reading “A 2016 Runner’s Guide to Marathon and 5k Races in Chicago”

If you’re the sort of person who appreciates a good value, there are plenty of ways to have a great time in our city on a reasonable budget. The list … Continue reading “Senior Discounts and Benefits in Chicago”

Pizza is personal. The slice you love can say a lot about where you’re from and where you started eating pizza as a kid. In Chicago, pizza means deep dish, … Continue reading “6 Famous Chicago Pizza Places You Need to Visit”

Halloween in Chicago is a holiday that’s fun for all ages. Sure, only children participate in the candy-fest that is trick-or-treating, but that doesn’t mean that everyone else should simply … Continue reading “Halloween in Chicago: Fun for Everyone!”

  If you live in Chicago, you don’t need to go all the way to Napa Valley to enjoy delicious wines. Find Illinois’ impressive alternative to “wine country” right in … Continue reading “Top 10 Wineries Near Chicago”

It may surprise you that living in a big city like Chicago offers you the freshest fruits and veggies and high-quality homemade goods. The abundance of farmers markets in Chicago … Continue reading “The 2017 Guide to Downtown Chicago Farmers Markets by Day of Week”

  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Like most large cities, the Chicago skyline evolves and grows each year, adding and replacing buildings with bigger, more innovative structures. These structures serve … Continue reading “New Construction Chicago: Adding to the Skyline in 2016 and Beyond”

First, a caveat: We can’t cover every park in Chicago in a single, or even twenty, posts. The Chicago Park District manages some 570 parks, as well as 50 nature … Continue reading “Urban Retreats: The Best Parks in Chicago”

There’s nothing like the excitement of moving into a new home. It’s a chance to savor new views, make new friends, and redesign your living space. For those shifting away … Continue reading “A Rightsizer’s Guide: Transitioning to High-Rise Senior Living in Chicago”