Are the Willis Tower and Art Institute of Chicago open on Easter Sunday?
The SkyDeck at Willis Tower is open 365 days per year. In April, they are open from 9 am to 10 pm. Be sure to allow about two hours, depending on the wait for the elevators (both up *and* down). On very busy days, it can be up to three hours. The Art Institute is open from 10:30 - 5:00 every day. It is hard to see the entire Art Institute in just a few hours, so I would recommend seeing the Art Institute on Saturday and Willis Tower on Sunday (or vice versa) if your schedule allows for it. Otherwise, check out the Art Institute's website to plan which exhibits are must-sees. Also, I would highly recommend buying a CityPass if you are going to be in Chicago for any length of time. You can also buy a "FastPass" for the SkyDeck if you want to skip the line.
Why did Chicago people rename the Sears Tower as the "Willis" Tower?
The decision wasn't made by the people of Chicago: London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. leased more than 140,000 square feet (13,000 m2) of space on three floors in 2009. A Willis spokesman said the naming rights were obtained as part of the negotiations at no cost to Willis,[50][51][52] and the building was renamed Willis Tower on July 16, 2009.[53] The naming rights are valid for 15 years, so it is possible that the building’s name could change again in 2024 or later.
The Sears Tower.........just a building or a Chicago landmark?
I used to go to Chicago a lot when I was a little kid. It was the Sears Tower then and I think it should stay the Sears Tower. You are right, it is a landmark and one that is known around the world, not just Chicago. I'm not sure how old a building has to be to be declared a Historical Landmark but I think it would be worth looking into. In my opinion when a foreign country buys a building in the US, especially one like we are talking about, they should be required to leave the name alone. It's just another case of "all about the money" and that stinks. Same way with all these base ball parks that are changing their names, There's absolutely no reason for it. Makes you wonder where it's going to stop. I wonder if another foreign country bought the Seattle Space Needle & wanted to change the name how that would go over??To me preserving our History is a lot more important than $$$.
Sears Tower in Philadelphia?
Don't argue with people who are giving you the correct answer. I have lived in & around Philadelphia for about 60 years. The Sears Tower is in Chicago. The old Sears store on the Boulevard was a masonry building that may have been a few stories high, but certainly no "tower". i don't remember for sure if there was a fire there after it closed, bu it did sent empty for a while before they imploded it. The two most spectacular fires in Philadelphia history was the Meridian One fire (the same day as the first Gulf war started) and the Fretz Building fie in the 60s.
Willis Tower Skydeck or 360 Chicago?
If you're there strictly for the view, Willis. If you're there to sightsee and shop, 360.
Which Chicago buildings/landmarks have been renamed in ways that "old-timers" or "real Chicagoans" forget to use, or actively refuse to acknowledge?
I'm a native Chicagoan, I live on the Gold Coast. There is a triangular shaped public park just north of Gibson's, and surrounded by high end bars and restaurants. It is where Rush St. and State St. intersect. The park has an official name, but I don't think many people know what it is. People regularly refer to the area as the Viagra Triangle. It is an accurate name, as older men with money prowl the high end bars there looking to meet young attractive women. Also, young attractive women prowl the bars looking for older rich men. Sitting in the park in the summer with a cup of coffee makes for great people watching. Absolutely comical.
What does it mean to be a Chicagoan?
People in Chicago want to be remembered as the best inland tourist destination north of Disneyworld, and at the same time, like to take pride in keeping the gun violence level one knotch better than Afghanistan or Somalia, but strange they do not see any contradiction between the two targets.It is also the Mecca if you want to study Economics. People are proud of U of Chicago.On the lighter side, it is stuck with the “second city” image, and “runners up” in so many ways. Indeed the zoo is 2nd best, so is the airport and the height of the tallest building in the city (a tad shorter than new world trade center).
What is Chicago known for?
Chicago is famous for its history, food, culture, sports teams and climate. Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States, though in the past, it was referred to as "The Second City." A more common nickname for Chicago is "The Windy City."Chicago is a city rich in history. Chicago was the site of The Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The cause of the fire was never determined, and it caused over 300 deaths and the destruction of over 17,000 structures. Chicago rebuilt quickly and hosted the 1893 World's Fair. Chicago was also home to one of the most notorious organized crime bosses in history, Al Capone.Chicago is also famous for its food. The Chicago deep dish pizza and the Chicago-style hot dog are both unique to the city.Chicago has a wonderful cultural scene as well. The city is the home of the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Chicago also has many beautiful sculptures in its parks throughout the city, including the fountain at Grant Park and the Cloud Gate, commonly known as "The Bean," at Millennium Park.The sports teams of Chicago are other well-known attractions of the city. Chicago is home to the NFL franchise the Chicago Bears, two MLB teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, the NBA's Chicago Bulls and the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.
What do you do if your child is scared of elevators and refuses to get on one?
If your child is old enough to express their feelings about the elevator…simply ask. You may discover quite a bit you may not have noticed about the elevator.Unless the elevator is brand new, it will make some very different noises than your child is used to hearing in their normal day to day routine.Remember, from a child’s perspective, even if they do not get on the elevator, a number of unknown things occur…and the unknown is not always fun.First…from the lobby, you push a button, some time later…these gigantic doors open, the elevator car travels to a destination, when the elevator car appears back on the lobby floor, magically everyone has disappeared. Unlike the family car, the train, or the bus, their are no windows to allow you to watch what happens to the riders in the elevator of the cab. so to a child…everyone just disappears and no one says anything about where they went.So, if it is possible, have someone you know get on the elevator, push the button and move to the very next floor. The task is for you and your child to greet them at that floor when they arrive. Now, chances are, you cannot get to the floor in time to see the friendly party disembark from the elevator car, so simply inform the individual that they will need to ride on the elevator until you arrive on the designated floor using the stairs. This way, when the doors open, the friend can greet you and your child, showing that nothing has happened.Remember also, the more control you give to your child, the better off you will be. Once they are comfortable enough to hit the proper buttons to call for the elevator or the elevator floor, let them.My niece, now in her late twenties also had a fear of the elevator, as she got more and more comfortable, we had to make additional trips on the elevator, which was renamed the ‘BING”…because of the sound of the notification sound the elevator car made when it arrived on your floor. BING.Good luck.