Millennium Park 

Join your Kreer Associates guide for a narrated tour of this exciting city on a river and a lake. Visitors to Chicago ask, "What's all this great architecture doing out here on the prairie?" Narration will include 
Chicago history, architecture, outdoor art, legends and lore. We'll see the lakefront, the "Loop," some early landmark buildings and eye-dazzling skyscrapers of more recent years, concluding with a brief walking tour in Millennium Park before returning to the Westin Hotel. Dress casually, wear your walking shoes, and expect an exhilarating time in this great American city! Maps to highlight event content will be provided for each attendee.

Note: If the weather does not permit a walk in the park, we'll view the park from the vantage point of the Chicago Cultural Center (just across the street), a breath taking destination in itself. It was built as a library in 1897 for "generations and generations yet unborn"; it is filled with Tiffany mosaics and chandeliers, Indian mahogany, beautiful metal work and marbles of many colors. 

Frank Lloyd Wright 
Home and Studio

"Early in life," he said, "I had to decide between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose arrogance and never had reason to change." Come see the work of the confident genius who revolutionized American domestic architecture. A narrated tour of his own home and studio and a narrated tour of Unity Temple ("One of my three best buildings …" FLW) are included in this event. Our itinerary also includes narration during our ride to the suburb of Oak Park and a guided walk along Forest Avenue to see other Wright designed houses along the way to Unity Temple (four blocks). Dress casually and wear your walking shoes. Maps to highlight event content will be provided for each attendee.

We return to the Westin Hotel in time for dinner before enjoying our "Curtain Raiser," a slide/lecture by Jeff Nigro, Director of Adult Programs at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Garfield Park Conservatory 

On route to the Garfield Park Conservatory we'll talk about "The City in the Garden" as Chicago was known and is known today. Our specific focus will be the Garfield Park Conservatory, which may be one of Chicago's least known treasures but is definitely in the treasure category, and you will be visiting it the year of its 100th birthday, 1908- 2008! 

It was designed by Jens Jensen, the Danish immigrant who rose from being hired as a gardener to being superintendent of the West Park District (Humboldt, Douglas, Garfield, Columbus). He had the notion in 1907 to tear down Garfield's eleven year old conservatory and build the largest glass-enclosed space in the world, and he did. By the time Jensen died in 1951 at the age of 91, he was known as "nature's poet" and the "father of the Chicago park system." There are outdoor gardens (Sensory, Urban Demonstration, Monet) and indoor gardens (Sweet House, Palm House, Fern Room, Show House, Desert House, Aroid House). Begin indoors, wearing your walking shoes and be transported to another place and time.

Our return trip will be a narrated ride through landmark neighborhoods. You will be back at the Westin Hotel with time to spare for the Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyssey (see below).

Enjoy the magnificent skyline of Chicago and spend time with members of JASNA aboard the Odyssey, the most luxurious vessel on Lake Michigan. Dine and dance to music -- a live four piece jazz band with a vocalist. Enjoy a cocktail and butlered hors d'oeuvres during boarding.  Enliven your senses with distinctive appetizers, entrees and desserts, and sip from an award-winning wine list. One of the three climate controlled decks has been reserved for JASNA members. Experience extraordinary attention to detail as the beautiful, panoramic views drift past each table. You may board as early as 5:00 pm from the dock at Navy Pier (one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city). We cruise from 6:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $90 including tax and gratuities; alcoholic beverages are extra. Those who are renting a costume for the Saturday evening ball may come to the dinner cruise in your rented Regency finery. “All Dressed Up” will arrange to pick up your costumes Monday morning.