insiders’ guide to illinois - out there...the chicago imagists are good ex - amples of that....

Travel Companion

InsIders’ guIde ToIllInoIs

We navigate chicago and illinois through the recommendations of outthere contributors and

others who call it home.

O u t T h e r e m a g a z i n e

I N S I D E R S ’ G U I D E

uwern & Martin

When you travel a lot, you start to compare certain things between places – like cab journeys for example. In most destinations, you’d barely expect a word from your driver, but that certainly wasn’t our experience in Illinois. From our very first trip – from O’Hare International to our hotel – to the last, nearly a month later, every single driver – and server, barman, hotelier, gas-station clerk and handsome stranger – was charming and chatty. When they found out that we were here to discover the most interesting things the State has to offer, they all enthused about what they loved most about it. The same went for all the OutThere people we met along the way. We are now on first name terms with the legendary House music DJ Ralphi Rosario, who not only regaled us with tales of the scene but also where to eat like a real local; as well as Robert and Doug Mahan in Galena, who like many other Windy City escapees, gave us the low-down on what to see and do across the rest of the State.

The OutThere team traversed Illinois’s length and breadth to try these and numerous other experiences out for size. We picked the best mix of visitor must-dos and local knowledge for our Insiders’ Guide. And the longer we spent here, the more great stories and interesting folk we discovered: from a good grounding in the emerging Arts scene in Chicago; to Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs in Oak Park; to cow-shaped butter sculpting and corn-dogging in Springfield. But moreover, we got to understand what it is about Illinois that makes it ‘Amazing for All’.

With its vast geography, we also spent a lot of time on the road. And by that, we mean THE road – the iconic Route 66 – which begins in Chicago and winds through the State.

We could of course have dedicated a whole issue to Chicago itself, the beating cultural heart of the Midwest. It’s the most handsome of cities, packed full with outstanding architecture; fabulous, friendly and fascinating people; home to some of the best cultural institutions in the world and mouthwatering gastronomy. Lucky us to have tried it all – but the result is a compendium of curated, inspiring stories that we guarantee will tempt you to enjoy Illinois in the near future.

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O u t T h e r e m a g a z i n eO u t T h e r e m a g a z i n e

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ChicagoThe Midwestern city that has everything an OutThere traveller could wish for and more. The very basics are enough to make a trip – its picturesque setting on a tremendous city-centre lake, its calculated urban landscape; its hand-crafted, sky-scraping edifices; its world-class art scene, both public and behind closed doors; and its mouthwatering gastronomy. But layer that with diverse and inclusive culture, life-changing music, festivals of every size (that make the summer seem endless), a strong sense of community and wonderful, friendly, OutThere people – it’s easy to see why some people come here and decide to stay. Chicago is also the gateway to a spellbinding, inspiring State (literally. If you’re making a journey on the Route 66) but also to the Land of Lincoln, some quaint bits of old-world America and fabulous natural wonders.

galenaStep back in time in a

story-book city where nothing much has

changed since it was first formed. Here, you

can stay with a number of gay-owned bed and

breakfasts and try Midwestern hospitality

for yourself. Galena is an excellent base to

explore some of Illinois’s natural wonders and for

those who enjoy a tipple, the state’s best

breweries, distilleries and wineries.

springfieldThe State capital, where you may just run into the

ghost of Abraham Lincoln. While lesser

known, it’s also a great arts hub and a centre

for Midwestern culture. For something a little

different, visit the State Fair each August.

route 66The Mother Road starts right here in Illinois for those who want a taster of true Americana and a flavour of the open road (including deep fried chicken and corn dogs).

oak ParkFrank Lloyd-Wright fans

rejoice! Oak Park is home to a collection of

the infamous architect’s most renowned works, including the stunning

Union Temple.

PlanoMies van der Rohe

created the magnificent Farnsworth House out

here, well worth the drive if you’re a fan of

spectacular design.

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Arts & Culture

Art Institute of Chicago111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago www.artic.eduIt’d be a crime to come to Chicago and miss this impressive space, one of the oldest art museums in the United States.

Block Museum of Art 40 Arts Cir Dr, Evanstonwww.blockmuseum.northwestern.eduJust north of the city, part of the Northwestern University campus, is this dynamic, interdisciplinary space that often host some fascinating exhibitions.

Frankie Knuckle’s Vinyl Archive Stony Island Arts Bank 6760 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago www.rebuild-foundation.orgThis repository for African-American culture houses the record collection of the late House music legend. The foundation also does great work to progress music in schools and curbing LGBTQ homelessness.

gene siskil Film Center164 N State St, Chicagowww.siskelfilmcenter.orgTheir programming is always excellent, diverse and occasionally leftfield, which makes this downtown Chicago movie house such a fabulous place to spend a cold day.

The Midway Plaisance1130 Midway Plaisance, Chicago www.chicagoparkdistrict.comKnown locally as ‘The Midway’, this public park on the South Side houses the Lorado Taft sculpture ‘Fountain of Time’, measuring 126 feet 10 inches (38.66 m) in length.

Museum of science and Industry5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicagowww.msichicago.orgOne of the most spectacular museums in town. It may sound touristy, but it’s really not to be missed.

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“Chicago has an inspiring arts and cultural scene. There’s just so much, but my go-to for art openings is The Visualist – www.thevisualist.org”

Stevie Hanley



I grew up in Skokie, Illinois, a typical, baby boom generation, middle class suburb. It hasn’t changed a great deal and remains a desirable place for families, with good schools and close proxim-ity to Chicago and the North Shore. My husband Richard Deutsch grew up in the same neighbourhood, so we have known each other practically our entire lives. We got together when I moved back to Chicago after graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute and Richard had recently graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

As two artists needing studios, we lived in large loft spaces. Rent in those days was cheap; Wicker Park, Pilsen, and the Fulton-Ran-dolph Market neighbourhoods were all great creative hubs. We now live and have studios in Lincoln Park, desiring a quieter neighbourhood. To say that the city’s cultural life is important to us both is an understatement. We have exhibited in museums and galleries here, as do our friends and colleagues. Richard’s studio practice and long involvement with SAIC – where he has been teaching painting for many years – has had an amazing impact on the arts community. Chicago’s im-portance as a design centre has also been crucial to my career in decorative painting.

Chicago’s expansive music and opera scene has enriched and stimulated our lives a great deal. The city has so many world-class institutions, primarily because of

Bruce Clearfield

look the legacy of the social work of the Jane Addams Hull House, which brought the arts into the public schools. Today, the boards of many institutions reflect a more culturally diverse represen-tation of the city. Community arts groups like the Chicago Public Art Group in Pilsen have been an active part of the cultural scene, important to local needs, improv-ing quality of life for residents and students, exposing the city to different ethnic heritages and also dealing with gentrification.

The city has produced a large number of artists, designers, and architects who have had a global impact. I think the average Chi-cagoan partakes in and appreci-ates the city’s arts, more than in any other city of this size. I find that the museums and festivals are well attended by locals and always crowded. We have always embraced both high and low culture. Surrealism and outsider art have been widely collected here and influenced Chicago art. The artists of the Hairy Who and the Chicago Imagists are good ex-amples of that.

Growing up here, I’ve always been deeply affected by the city’s architectural legacy, from the Prairie School to Mies van der Rohe. The skyline has been a physical, cerebral, and poetic ref-erence point for me, even enter-ing my dream space! Chicago’s rising up, against a flat Midwest-ern landscape stretching out forever, with the vastness of Lake Michigan at its front door, is a constant source of inspiration.

young, dynamic city, there was a real need for the wealthy to make their mark here, to separate themselves from the upper classes of the East Coast; and with their philanthropy, they created the University of Chicago, The Art Institute, The Museum of Science and Industry and so on.

This continues today with so much corporate funding of the arts and in public spaces like Mil-lennium Park, and compensates for ever-decreasing state and federal funding. We mustn’t over-

www.pretoriusstudio.com

the Great Fire in 1871. You’ll find that a lot of Chicago’s cultural centres came from the legacy of rebuilding after the fire. Business and civic leaders led the way for a new vision of a modern city with the World’s Columbian Exposi-tion and the Burnham Plan, which provided us with boule-vards, extensive parks and an open lakefront with a museum campus. Chicago was always an economic and transportation hub with a large work force. Being a

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Proxi restaurant is guided by tradition, but not bound by it. Dishes celebrate the power of bold flavours and pristine ingredients through a fresh American lens.

“I love when it’s Chicago Restaurant Week at the end of January. You get to sample some of the best restaurants and decide which are firm favourites.”

Joel Cabrera

Band of Bohemia4710 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago www.bandofbohemia.com One Michelin-starred kitchen, brewery and informal gastropub experience.

Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits2051 N California Ave, Chicago www.bangbangpie.comThe city’s worst kept secret but certainly an institution if you like to eat all the pies.

Calo5343 N Clark St, Chicagowww.calorestaurant.comOld-world Chicago Italian, where native city folk and legendary House DJs get their fill.

elizabeth4835 N Western Ave, Chicago www.elizabeth-restaurant.comFarm-to-table Michelin-starred fine food, inspired by the natural world.

goosefoot2656 W Lawrence Ave, Chicagowww.goosefoot.netMichelin-starred, BYOB, 16-seater, contemporary American, fine dining.

lawrence’s Fish & shrimp2120 S Canal St, Chicagowww.lawrencesfisheries.com Seafood joint, home of post-clubbing grub since the dawn of House music.

uncommon ground3800 N Clark St, Chicago www.uncommonground.comMember of the farm-fresh revolution, this place grows its veg on its very own rooftop.

Wood3335 N Halsted St, Chicagowww.woodchicago.comBoystown insititution and where the locals will take you on a first date.

Food

C HI C A G O



I’m head over heels in love with Chicago, having lived in the city for 18 years. I first landed on these shores for the same reason many in ‘hospitality, food and beverage’ do – to work for Hyatt Interna-tional who are headquartered here. I was part of the opening team for the Park Hyatt Chicago, relocating from Tokyo.

There is something very special for me about Chicago; I’m sure I don’t really need to tell you about all the physical things that I love, but I’m most enjoying the vibrant restaurant scene and the people in it. I had heard of the Midwest hospitality, but to expe-rience it first hand was a nice sur-prise. The people here are genu-inely warm and hospitable. I grew up on the northern coast of France, in a small resort town, where everybody knows every-body. Somehow Chicago feels a bit that way. And most impor-tantly, this is where I met my loving husband Kirk.

For almost two decades, I was very lucky to be a part of a hotel group with incredible industry professionals and fantastic prop-erties with cutting-edge food and beverage operations. In 2005, with the success of NoMi restau-rant at the Park Hyatt and the opening of other innovative places to eat in the city, I felt it was time for me to put down roots and open my own restaurants.Sepia and Proxi are the result of that time of change in my life.

Our clientele is very diverse, but they tend to be foodies with discerning taste. Sepia will cele-

ent cultures. I go nuts on any-thing craft or artisan made for example. I transfer this to my phi-losophy at Sepia and Proxi – to create true experiences for those who dine and inspire others. Add to that value, identity, consistency and attention to detail.

The food scene in Chicago has been through an evolution par-ticularly over the last ten years. The city back then was still known for its steakhouses, deep dish pizza and large portions. But it slowly changed over the years with the opening of restaurants that would step outside the mould and offer exquisite food. In 2017, Bon Appétit magazine voted Chicago as the restaurant city of the year.

What’s also great about food in Chicago is that it celebrates Il-linois as a huge food-producing state. There are many restaurants that feature seasonal, produce-driven menus showcasing the purity and quality of the ingredi-ents; some that come from Illi-nois’s farms and fisheries.

Things continue to change in the restaurant industry here, the big thing is actually around real estate. We were quite fortunate to have received a great deal for the Proxi space, but great deals for restaurant space are becom-ing more and more rare in our neighbourhood, not to mention across the city. Hikes in rents have also pushed a large number of great restaurants into closure re-cently, some that had been around for decades. I guess it’s all part of our evolution.

perience of global street foods.This diversity is what people

want these days and we, along-side many other restauranteurs in Chicago are delivering this. The Chicago food scene isn’t as ‘fashion’ driven as other big cities, but you do have to innovate. From my perspective, my travels have brought me some unique per-spectives on life in general. This has given me a curious predispo-sition and I often get excited by how things are made, especially the same things done by differ-

www.sepiachicago.com / www.proxichicago.com

brate eleven years this summer and has enjoyed a strong follow-ing from our local community. I would say a large portion of Sepia’s clientele want the Michelin star experience which explains why Sepia’s tasting menus and wine pairings are quite popular. Proxi is still a ‘baby’ as it opened its door only nine months ago. Our chef partner, Andrew Zimmerman and I were inspired by our travels, so the menu is highly based on our ex-

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Queen! at the Smart Bar on Sunday is one of the best queer club nights, with a diverse crowd and resident DJs Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini. www.facebook.com/QueenSundays

“Dancing is in the DNA of the average Chicagoan – it’s no wonder there are many spaces to do so and we have the world’s longest running dance club.”

The Black Madonna

Black gay Pride Rainbow Beach 2873 E 75th St, Chicagowww.windycityblackpride.info United Black Pride runs every 4th of July weekend to celebrate gay people of colour.

Big Chicks5024 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago www.bigchicks.com 35 years in business and still going strong, a fabulous queer space with an eclectic art collection, cheap eats and strong drinks.

drumbarRaffaello Hotel, 201 E Delaware Pl, Chicago www.drumbar.comSpeakeasy-style bar serving the best whiskey selection in the Midwest.

Hollywood Beach Kathy Osterman Beach Follow your nose to the gay beach, a summer staple of the local LGBTQs.

Marty’s Martini Bar1511 W Balmoral Ave, Chicagowww.facebook.com/martysmartinibarGay owned, but not gay-exclusive Martini bar in hipster Andersonville.

replay Andersonville5358 N Clark St, Chicagowww.replayandersonville.comLocal gay bar filled with retro arcade games.There’s another branch in Lakeview.

sidetrack3349 N Halsted St, Chicago www.sidetrackchicago.com Large, mainstream Boystown gay bar.

Three dots and a dash435 N Clark St, Chicagowww.threedotschicago.comKitch, hideaway Tiki bar, an updated version of the retro favourite.

good times

C HI C A G O



My family moved around differ-ent areas of Chicago when I was growing up. I rarely attended the same school from one year to the next and found myself having to adapt to new places, which took time and work. But I’m now grateful to have had all those great experiences and I learnt to cope with change. I think it has made it a lot easier for me to experience new things and this has proved useful as so much of my time is spent travelling around the world.

I was 15 when I first started spinning records. It was a hobby, something I did at home and nothing more. Then in 1980, I started doing a weekly radio show on the local station WBMX as it was called back then – my biggest joy as a teenager. House was still undiscovered territory; it was something that was happening uniquely in Chicago, but the rest of the world knew nothing about it. So I and the other Hot Mix 5 members were inventing and cre-ating our very own genre of music and, as it turned out, our futures. It was a fantastic time. The 90s were an extension of that – I went to college in Chicago and dance music, my music, made things even more interesting.

Throughout that time, I was moulded, protected and inspired by numerous people: Frankie Knuckles, David Cole (of C+C Music Factory fame), David Morales, Danny Tenaglia and Peter Rauhofer. Being so young, they took me under their wings and these big names became my mentors. Each was a great man

an outdoor festival that happens every year in July. It’s dedicated to the love of House and all the classics that shaped it. It’s amazing because it harks back to the days of outdoor parties. I miss it every year because of work, but this year, I’m confirmed to play, and I’m a ball of nerves.

I also still keep my chops wet occasionally DJing in clubs in Boystown, the heart of the LGBTQ community here in Chicago. The summer has tons of fantastic events that start to gear-up like Lollapalooza and Northalsted Market Days, which is a guaranteed great time for all.

Most of my time right now is spent in the studio. I just did a re-worked version of ‘Hotstuff’ by Donna Summer. I’m also in the midst of releasing my 3rd full-length LP ‘2 Sides of the story; B SIDES’, working with my partner. The album has tons of new ma-terial and a few remixes. David Morales, Terry Hunter, Tom Stephan, Alain Jackinsky and Tom Strobe all lent their talents on a couple of tracks.

In my downtime, I love gath-ering my circle of friends to-gether. I cook at home, but I ap-preciate a great meal and furthermore, a great Martini. Being in the Midwest, Chicago has a little of everything; I call it a cleaner, friendlier version of my other love, New York City. The lakefront – especially in the summer – is exceptional. Chicago winters are cold, but the fall months are also lovely. My hot tip for visitors? Book early!

places where you can hear their music. But while I still love visit-ing the past, I don’t like living in it and we must do all we can to look towards the future.

There are still some hidden gems as far as clubs, but the whole scene is smaller than it was in its heyday. If you have a passion for House, you’ll have to dig a bit harder to be able to find it, or know the right people. One par-ticularly good event that still keeps the Chicago House scene alive is the Chosen Few Picnic,

www.ralphirosario.com

with his own style, influence and personality when it came to making and playing music that helped me appreciate different styles. I love the soulful, but I also love the edgy stuff too.

The House scene in Chicago today is much quieter that ever before. Sadly lots of clubs that were ground-breaking are gone, I guess it’s the price of progress in a way. Although we do have tons of street signs honouring our House heroes, there are few

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shoppingexperiences

57th street Books1301 E 57th St, Chicago57th.semcoop.comLovely, curated bookstore, part of a dying breed of literary retailers.

Cowboys and Astronauts1478 W Summerdale Ave, Chicago www.cowboysandastronauts.comHipstery mens clothing, lifestyle and supplies store in Andersonville.

gallery Aesthete1751 W Division St, Chicagowww.galleryaesthete.comHigh-fashion streetwear concept store.

Heritage Bicycles2959 N Lincoln Ave, Chicagowww.heritagebicycles.comCoffee and cycle concept, perfect for two-wheel fanatics of all ages.

Independence47 E Oak St, Chicagowww.independence-chicago.comGorgeous everyday clothes for the Midwest’s urban adventurers.

optimo Hats51 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago www.optimo.comPeople travel from all over the world to pick up their beautiful Optimo hat.

specimen Products1240 N Homan Ave, Chicagowww.specimenproducts.comIncorporating the Chicago School of Guitar Making (a superb experience in itself), it also makes amplifiers and horn speakers.

stock Mfg. Co.2136 W Fulton St, Chicagowww.stockmfgco.comFabulous range of industrial, Chicago-born menswear. We love the shop itself too.

Chicago electric Boat Company300 N State St, Chicago www.chicagoelectricboats.comTake the ‘Chicago Architectural Tour’ at least once, but if you want your own time on the water, rent a boat and ride the river.

Chicago Helicopter experience420 S Halsted St, Chicago www.chicagohelicopterexperience.comFly high above the city on a flight of fancy over the city’s landmarks.

Chicago legacy Walkwww.legacyprojectchicago.org The world’s only outdoor LGBTQ history museum in Lakeview.

History on Tapwww.historyontap.comLiz Garibay’s pub crawl-cum-history tour fusion. Truly fascinating!

north shorewww.visitchicagonorthshore.comOften overlooked, but home to eclectic architecture, the Chicago Botanic Gardens, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and a stunning Bahá’í House of Worship.

PilsenLower West Side, ChicagoHistorical part of town that is home to a large Mexican-American community. So expect great Latino food and art scenes.

northalsted Market dayswww.northalsted.com/marketdaysLarge Boystown street festival, held every August for 25 years. All neighbourhoods host one in the summer, so take your pick.

ravinia Festival418 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park www.ravinia.orgIt’s one of the state’s premier (and arguably the US’s oldest) outdoor festivals.

C HI C A G OC HI C A G O



“Outside Chicago, the other cultural hub for the Midwest is the State of Illinois Museum in Springfield, key to the area’s cultural output.”

Bruce Clearfield

The Arts Center of oak Park200 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Parkwww.artscenteroakpark.comCharming neo-classical building that has a variety of exhibits and concerts.

ernest Hemingway Home & Museum339 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park www.hemingwaybirthplace.comFollow in the literary great’s first steps in his hometown just outside Chicago.

Krannert Art Museum500 E Peabody Dr, Champaignwww.kam.illinois.eduThis is the second largest fine art museum in Illinois and one of the best University art museums in the country.

normal Theater209 North St, Normalwww.normaltheater.comFine, restored example of a stream-line modern/art-deco movie palace.

Quincy Museum1601 Maine St, Quincywww.thequincymuseum.orgFormerly the Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion, the building is restored to period, featuring some 14-karat gold woodwork.

sAA Collective420 S 6th St, Springfieldwww.springfieldart.orgFree Fine Arts space featuring local artists.

The Pharmacy gallery & Art space 711 S 5th St, Springfield www.pharmacygallery.comIndependent gallery and Arts space.

Wandell sculpture gardenWindsor Rd, Meadowbrook Park, Urbanawww.urbanaparks.orgBeautiful outdoor space and gardens with permanent sculptures.

Arts & Culture

G R E AT ER IL L IN O I S

Only in Illinois! Steve Meadows’s folk art gallery in Palestine (the place bears his name) is filled with some exciting and whimsical pieces, turning everyday objects into interesting works of art.

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Abreo515 E State St, Rockfordwww.abreorockford.comWhile there’s not much to do in Rockford, this restaurant famous for its creative cuisine is worth the journey.

Acquaviva Winery47W614 IL-38, Maple Parkwww.acquavivawinery.comIt’s out in the middle of nowhere, but this cellardoor experience is an Illinois food and wine pairing adventure.

The Chili Parlor820 S 9th St, Springfieldwww.thechiliparloronline.comAllegedly the best mouth-burning chili in all of Illinois state.

Cozy dog drive In2935 S 6th St, Springfield www.cozydogdrivein.comLow-key Route 66 drive-in, a contender for the inventor of the Illinois corn dog.

gurnee donuts 4949 Grand Ave #9A, Gurneewww.gurneedonuts.comThis family-run shop was in operation long before the donut trend. Try the Ube purple yam donut, only available at weekends.

nick and nino’s Penthouse700 E Adams St Fl 30, SpringfieldSpringfield chic, rising up 30 floors, offering great views of the State Capitol and the city.

restaurant WeeksVariousLook out for this foodie phenomenon across the state; most communities and cities hold their own restaurant week, each vying to be as famous as Chicago’s. Generally it happens in January or February and it’s a great way to find out more about great restaurants outside the Windy City.

G R E AT ER IL L IN O I S

“The food culture in Illinois is all about fresh, local produce. With so much of Illinois still dedicated to agriculture, diners will expect nothing less.”

Rayme Gorniak

Food

The Midwest is synonymous with home-cooking, but where can you find it without invading people’s mealtimes? Our tip is to stay in a local B&B like the gay-owned Aldrich Guest House in Galena, where you can taste their award-winning breakfast.



eshelman Pottery 238 N Main St, Elizabeth www.eshelmanpottery.com In charming Elizabeth, en route to Galena, travellers will find a wonderful pottery studio with work handcrafted by husband and wife team Paul and Laurel Eshelman.

galena garlic Company311 S Main Street, Galena www.galenagarlic.comThis quirky store sells small-batch, homemade garlic cooking ingredients, among other flavoursome delights.

John Boos & Co.3601 S Banker St, Effinghamwww.johnboos.comIn a Central Illinois town, you’ll find that a product created more than 125 years ago is still considered the finest of its kind in the world. Boos Blocks are used by celebrated butchers and chefs across the world. Here you can visit the showroom where the brand was first born and bring home a piece of history for your kitchen.

Main Fraim3022 Wallin Ave, Rockfordwww.mainfraim.comJeremy Klonicki found that his city had an abundance of reclaimed materials. Feeling inspired, he has created a fantastic range of up-cycled industrial creations.

Poputopia231 E Delmar Rd, Alton www.poputopiapopcorn.com Offers ‘out of this world’ gourmet popcorn flavours, as well as a variety of popcorn cakes and more! This retro-tastic store will ensure that no one with a sweet tooth will walk away unsatisfied.

For more inspiration and outThere things to do in Illinois, visit www.enjoyillinois.co.uk

Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum 3635 US-36, Decaturwww.chevrolethalloffamemuseum.comA large collection of some of the finest American-made Chevys and memorabilia. distilleries, Breweries and WineriesVariousThroughout Illinois there are local businesses that welcome visitors wanting to taste of the local tipple. Alto Vineyards, Blaum Bros., Copper Fiddle, Galena Cellars and the Illinois Sparkling Co. are just a few.

Frank lloyd Wright / Architecture www.franklloydwright.orgFrank Lloyd Wright’s edifices, mostly in Oak Park, are good representations of Illinois architecture. There’s also the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield. Mies van de Rohe fans must not miss Farnsworth House in Plano and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

History buffsLand of Lincoln For a slice of ‘genuine America’, embark on a trail of American history throughout Illinois.

starved rock state Park2668 E 875th Rd, Oglesbywww.starvedrockstatepark.orgGo off the beaten track into the great outdoors, where melting glaciers that turn into waterfalls and gorgeous sandstone canyons abound.

The Tower of Baa-goatWolf Creek Road, WindsorA quirky ode to agricultural creativity in Illinois, this zany goat hutch is 31 feet tall.

The university of Illinois Arboretum2000 S Lincoln Ave, Urbanaarboretum.illinois.eduA living plant laboratory. The Japanese Tea and Dry Gardens at the Japan House are particular favourites.

experiences shopping

G R E AT ER IL L IN O I S G R E AT ER IL L IN O I S

“As we descended from the charming speakeasy in gion, a quintessentially filmic, Kyoto scene unfurled. Through the mist and drizzle on the lantern-lit, cobbled streets, a lone, demure geisha in a beautiful kimono tottered home to her okiya from a gig. I’m told it’s not often that a foreigner sees a geisha on her own – when she’s ac-companied by her minder, it’s for the benefit of tourists. she walks off into the night as many have done before her over 400 years.”

uwern Jong, editor-in-Chief Find out more about Kyoto and many other experiential journeys for men of distinction by subscribing to OutThere, purchasing a back-issue or downloading them to your mobile device.

Men of Distinction go through life’s journeys with OutThere as their guide. Order an annual subscription today to save 10%. www.outThere.travel/shop

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Experiential journeys for men of distinction


Contributors

Bruce ClearfieldBryan Herb

daniel Thomasdouglas Mahan

eric Wagner Jerry Murphy Joel Cabrera

laura silverman Martin Perry

Matthew Charles Max schroeder

Michael serafini Meg Cale

ralphi rosario rayme gorniak robert Mahan stevie Hanley

uwern Jong

insiders’ guide to illinois - out there...the chicago imagists are good ex - amples of that....

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