Companion Program

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Monday      Companion Get Acquainted Reception
Columbus Hall A-B, Companions' Hospitality Room		      8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.      no charge
June 18      There will be a "get acquainted" reception for companions at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. A continental breakfast will be served. The "Chicago Highlights" tour (reservations required) will leave at 10:00 a.m. following this reception.

The four tours listed below are offered through a private company, On the Scene. Please complete and send the Companion Tour Registration Form directly to this company. Tour capacities are limited, so it is advisable to register early.
Monday      Chicago Highlights Tour      10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      U.S.$ 68.00
June 18      Our day begins with a bus tour of Chicago's Loop, including a history of skyscrapers from the Monadnock Building (the world's tallest building in 1891) to the Sears Tower (the world's tallest building in 1991). We will also view some of the giants of Chicago outdoor sculpture by such renowned artists as Calder, Picasso, Miro, Dubuffet, and Chagall. The tour continues with a brief stop at the historic landmark Rookery Building and its magnificent lobby, which was remodeled at the turn of the 20th century by Frank Lloyd Wright. Next will be a docent-led tour of the Chicago Cultural Center and its beautiful interior of white marble, inlaid with colored stone, mother-of-pearl, favrile glass, and gold leaf mosaics. The group will lunch in the clouds at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building, where you will see spectacular city and lake views. Navy Pier (Illinois's #1 tourist attraction) is the final stop, offering dozens of shops, special exhibits, gardens, and roaming entertainment.

Tuesday      Historic Chicago Tour      9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      U.S.$ 61.00
June 19      The tour begins with a docent-led tour of Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History, recently relocated near the University of Chicago. Next we take a bus tour of the U. of C. campus with its many Oxford-like buildings, Henry Moore sculpture, and Rockefeller Chapel. A box lunch will be served, followed by a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, considered by Wright to be one of his top three works. The tour then proceeds to Hyde Park and Kenwood, where many early 20th century tycoons built spacious Victorian mansions. Both neighborhoods are filled with architectural masterpieces by Wright and Shaw. Kimbark Avenue boasts the most Queen Anne houses in Chicago, with their turrets, gingerbread ornamentation, and intricate color schemes. Before returning to the Hyatt, the bus will drop off those interested in touring the Art Institute on their own.

Wednesday      Chicago's Architectural Jewels Tour      9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.      U.S.$ 88.00
June 20      This tour takes you behind the scenes in "Old Chicago," beginning with a docent-led tour of Clarke House. Built in 1836, this house is the city's oldest surviving residence. The next stop is Glessner House, containing nearly all of its original furnishings. It is the keystone of this historic district once referred to as Millionaire's Row. Built in 1886, it is the only remaining building in Chicago by noted architect H. H. Richardson. The tour continues with a stop at the original Marshall Field's store on State Street. Lunch will be served in the Walnut Room, the store's oldest and most elegant restaurant. The day will conclude with a boat ride up the Chicago River on the Chicago Architectural Society's First Lady, where the commentary will focus on and highlight the many architectural jewels found on the riverside.

Thursday      Chicago's Special Gardens Tour      9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      U.S.$ 55.00
June 21      The tour begins at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, where gardens planted in the Gay `90s are still ranked among the finest in the Midwest. Four glass conservatory buildings, 18 propagating houses, cold frames and hot beds, and lovely creative gardens cover a total of three acres. Stroll outside to the formal garden with its colorful profusion of 30,000 annuals and to the informal Grandmother's Garden with its wildflowers, herbs, and perennials. The next stop is the Chicago Botanic Garden, which offers exotic plants from around the world. The Grand Tram Tour will provide a 45-minute narrated tour of the entire Garden, including views of the Japanese Garden, McDonald Woods, and the Prairie. Then take a 45-minute guided walking tour for an intimate look at some of the individual gardens, including the English Walled Garden/Rose Garden, Sculpture in the Garden, and Educational Greenhouses. The Botanical Center Building is a mix of cloistered courtyards and greenhouses featuring rainforests, desert, and woodland environments. A box lunch will be served in a reserved dining area.

Questions about the Conference should be directed to: pac2001@aps.anl.gov

Last updated: June 4, 2001