Sports & Recreation
Short details/Description:
If you want to play it, you can do so in the city of Chicago. Volleyball on the beach, rowing in the lagoon at Lincoln Park, or visiting one of the many health clubs, gyms, and/or spas that are spread throughout the city--it's all there. We recommend taking in the city's Lakefront Trail at some point. At peak times, it's a busy highway of human-powered traffic. When things are quiet, nature takes over and the waves roll in on your account alone.
Full Details/Body:
If you want to play it, you can do so in the city of Chicago. Volleyball on the beach, rowing in the lagoon at Lincoln Park, or visiting one of the many health clubs, gyms, and/or spas that are spread throughout the city--it's all there. We recommend taking in the city's Lakefront Trail at some point. At peak times, it's a busy highway of human-powered traffic. When things are quiet, nature takes over and the waves roll in on your account alone.
See Guides under Sports & Recreation:
Say this for Chicago sports enthusiasts: they support their teams, win or lose. From the Chicago White Sox to the Chicago Bears, Chicago is—without question—a sports town. Here's a look at various stadiums around town.
The World Looks to Chicago
Representing the United States in the bidding process for the 2016 Olympic Games, Chicago is looking to recapture the spirit of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, when Chicago wow-ed the world with the architecturally fantastic “White City,” large-scale electric lighting—and even the world's most serial killer, H.H. Holmes.
The international event was awarded to the city in April, after a long process winnowed out fellow contestant cities Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Houston. It would be a coming home, of sorts, as Chicago was slated to carry the 1904 Olympic Games, but lost them to St. Louis as Chicago was busy hosting another World's Fair. The final selection of the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games will be announced October, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 2016 Paralympic Games would be held in conjunction with the Games.
Chicago's organized hose-racing history goes back to the early days of the sport, with Arlington Park hosting its inaugural meet in 1927. A mixture of equine endeavor and a throwback to a more genteel time, the track is located in Arlington Heights and hosts the Arlington Million every August.
Catch live racing June through October, or make bets on races at tracks across the country year-round with simulcast wagering. To visit Chicago 's other major thoroughbred track, head to the near-downtown suburb of Cicero for more horse-racing action at Hawthorne Race Course. Racing here is in effect March-May and November-January.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): The Chicago CTA takes locals and visitors alike all over the city on buses and trains. One of the longest lines, the Red Line, offers one entertaining option after another throughout its daily travels through the city of Chicago.
The Cubs are as much a part of Chicago as Chicago-style pizza and Michael Jordan. Take a gander at everything Chicago's North Side baseball team has to offer.
White Sox fans everywhere burst out in song with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" as the White Sox won the World Series in 2005 for the first time in 88 years. Fans hope to sing those lyrics once again as the team heads into the 2008 season at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Chicago Fire, Chicago's own Major League Soccer (MLS) team is heating up in 2008. The team is at the top of the Eastern Conference along with the Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution. May the Fire bring another Championship home!
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
A full 31 years ago, the city of Chicago was floored by the number of runners and supporters at the first Chicago Marathon. This year, on October 12, 2008, tens of thousands of runners will once again compete in hopes to break a world record and win the newly named Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The fast, flat course is not only a popular site for breaking records, but also for charity fundraising and personal achievement. Spectators can enjoy the race by taking a tour throughout all of the scenic neighborhoods that the runners travel through during the race.
Chicago, one of the most bicycle using cities in the nation, is fertile ground for cyclists. Bike tours are offered throughout the Midwest; in the city itself, the brave can take on street riding through traffic in downtown Chicago or the less adventurous but equally pedal-loving can take in The Lakeshore Trail and its 20-plus miles of (for the most part) smooth sailing, paved trail.
