Group Tour Magazine - August 2024 - 23

city's many architectural styles, including art deco, neoclassicism,
midcentury modernism, and postmodernism. During the tour, passengers
learn the fascinating stories of more than 50 buildings and
13 bascule bridges along the water. The tour was recognized three
years in a row as one of the best boat tours in North America by USA
Today's Readers' Choice Awards.
Corey McCafferty, creative director for Chicago's First Lady, says,
" The CAC River Cruise is lauded as a 'must-do' activity and a selfieworthy
attraction when visiting Chicago. "
The cruise line's maximum capacity is 125-150, depending on the
vessel used. McCafferty says the company offers discounted rates
to groups of 20 or more on certain public departures when booked
at least one week in advance. Chicago's First Lady also offers complimentary
language and translation services via app, full-service
cocktail and stack bars, and climate-controlled interiors. This year's
cruise season runs through Nov. 24. Chicago's First Lady is a proud
carbon-neutral organization and uses biodiesel fuel for all its vessels,
has recycling practices in place, and uses QR codes whenever possible
to minimize paper usage on-board.
Chicago's First Lady Cruises, Chicago, Illinois
Monona Terrace, Madison, Wisconsin
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Perhaps no name is more synonymous with iconic Midwestern architecture
than Wisconsin native Frank Lloyd Wright. A designer of more
than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years, Wright is a
legend among architectural visionaries. Today, hundreds of his projects
are open to the public, forever memorializing the legacy of the
creator of " organic architecture. "
Of course, several of Wright's creations are in the region he hailed
from. In Oak Park, Illinois, Wright enthusiasts can tour the Frank Lloyd
Wright Home and Studio. In Chicago, The Rookery building stands as
a testament to time, boasting gilded white marble and prismatic glass.
In Wright's home state, Madison's Monona Terrace was designed
in 1938 to be a " dream civic center. " Today, the venue is the state
capital's hot spot for gathering, meeting, and celebrating. In Spring
Green, about 20 miles west of Wright's birthplace, his personal
Taliesin property remains under the stewardship of the Frank Lloyd
Wright Foundation. Taliesin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the
home where Wright lived for nearly 50 years and is considered the
birthplace of his most iconic designs.
Other properties designed by Wright that are open to the public
include the John Christian House in West Lafayette, Indiana; Stockman
House in Mason City, Iowa; Meyer May House in Grand Rapids,
Michigan; and Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio.
With all it has to offer, the architectural landscape of the Midwest
serves as a testament to the region's historical richness and artistic
spirit. From the elegance of classic designs to the pioneering modernism
that has shaped the heartland's most beautiful cities, Midwestern
architectural landmarks offer enriching experiences for groups of all
shapes and sizes. This unique blend of the old and the new provides a
compelling narrative of the region's cultural evolution, and as travelers
explore these architectural treasures, they gain a deeper appreciation
for the artistry and vision that define the Midwest.
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Group Tour Magazine - August 2024

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