April 2010 Issue: Chicago is home to a cursed baseball team, stuffed pizza, the tallest building in the United States, and—for the next 10 years—the ASCO Annual Meeting.

The third-largest city in the U.S., Chicago is known for its excellent casual and fine dining, an array of artistic and cultural presentations, an abundance of urban parks, and team pride for the many local major league sports franchises.

ASCO member Steven T. Rosen, MD, Director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, is a long-time Chicago resident. Except for a brief period spent working at the National Cancer Institute, he has lived in the area since his undergraduate days. “My family and I have enjoyed the food, sports, and culture that the Windy City offers,” he said. As Frank Sinatra might say, Chicago is Dr. Rosen’s kind of town.

“Some of my favorite activities are going to a White Sox or Cubs game where you can get a real Chicago hot dog—no ketchup—or walking through the beautiful Lurie Gardens in Millennium Park,” he said. He suggests that Annual Meeting attendees consider visiting Navy Pier and the nearby Chicago Shakespeare Theater, wandering through the Art Institute of Chicago, or taking an architecture tour by riverboat.

In addition to the list provided, more information about Chicago tours and sightseeing activities is available at www.choosechicago.com/asco. A Chicago Tour representative will be available at Concierge Services in the Grand Concourse Lobby of McCormick Place during the Annual Meeting to answer questions and assist in making leisure plans.

As you experience the innovative science and crucial education presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting, we hope that will also have the opportunity to discover some of amazing sights, sounds, and tastes that Chicago has to offer.

Photos from left to right: Cloud Gate sculpture in Millenium Park; Giant ferris wheel at Navy Pier; Museum of Science and Industry; Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field; Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright; and Chicago Water Tower and John Hancock Center

OUTDOOR

Jackson Park
Stroll through the Japanese-style Osaka Garden and visit the beaches along Lake Michigan at Jackson Park.
773-256-0903

Grant Park
Often called “Chicago’s front yard,” Grant Park features the Buckingham Fountain, Lake Shore Trail, and plenty of open space.
312-742-7648

Millennium Park
The northwest corner of Grant Park is the home of the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (nicknamed “The Bean”) and the Lurie Gardens.
312-742-7648

Lincoln Park
Take a detour on your way to the nearby Chicago History Museum to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
312-742-7726

Navy Pier
Depart from Navy Pier for a Chicago sightseeing tour or dinner cruise by boat, or stay on land to ride the Ferris Wheel.
1-800-595-PIER

For more information on Chicago’s many parks and outdoor spaces, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-747-2001. For information about public golf courses in Chicago parks, or to schedule a tee time, visit www.cpdgolf.com.

MUSEUMS

Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
Get a close-up of the universe with the Adler Planetarium’s varied exhibits and shows on astronomy and space exploration.
312-922-STAR (7827)

Art Institute of Chicago
While famous for its permanent collection of iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, the Art Institute houses more than 260,000 pieces from antiquity to modern day.
312-443-3600

Field Museum of Natural History
Visitors of all ages marvel at the Field Museum’s collection of dinosaur fossils, gems, and anthropology exhibits.
312-922-9410

John G. Shedd Aquarium
More than 1,500 species reside in the Shedd Aquarium, which also offers dolphin and whale shows.
312-939-2438

Museum of Contemporary Art
This museum features visual art from 1945 to the present, with strong representation of Chicagobased artists.
312-280-2660

Museum of Science and Industry
More than 2,000 exhibits cover topics from transportation to genetics, from a model coal mine to a walk-through mock-up of a human heart.
773-684-1414

SHOWS

League of Chicago Theatres
The League of Chicago Theatres maintains an up-to-date event schedule for dozens of shows at a variety of venues. Plays, Broadway shows, improv, and more.
312-554-9800

The Second City
Best known for its star-studded list of alumni, The Second City troupe has been bringing comedy to Chicago since 1959.
312-337-3992

Broadway in Chicago
Find tickets for critically acclaimed dramas, comedies, and musicals.
312-977-1700

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
While Shakespeare’s canon is the core of the theatre’s program, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre also runs classic and contemporary plays. Located at Navy Pier.
312-595-5600

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hosts more than 200 diverse performances annually.
312-294-3000

SHOPPING

The Magnificent Mile
This famous eight-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue includes more than 460 stores and boutiques and 200 restaurants.
312-642-3570

Water Tower Place
Browse over 100 stores in this eight-level mall.
312-440-3166

SPORTS

Chicago Cubs
Major league baseball.

Chicago White Sox
Major league baseball.

Chicago Fire
Major league soccer.

LANDMARKS

Architecture Tours
The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers various tours of the city, including narrated river cruises, Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, and places of historic significance.
312-922-3432

Chicago Water Tower
One of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1871, the Chicago Water Tower has the appearance of a Gothic castle and now houses an Official Visitors’ Center for the Chicago Office of Tourism.

Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
At 1,451 feet, Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States, with amazing city views from the Skydeck.
312-875-9696

When you’ve eaten your fill of deep-dish pizza, try one of Dr. Rosen’s favorite Chicago restaurants.

Bandera (casual American)
535 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-644-3524

Sunda (contemporary Asian)
110 West Illinois Street
Chicago, Illinois 60654
312-644-0500

Carnivale (Latin American)
702 West Fulton Market
Chicago, Illinois 60661
312-850-5005

Piccolo Sogno Restaurant (Italian)
464 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-421-0077