Jackson Park
This scenic course is on Lake Michigan in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, just minutes away from downtown. Opened in 1897, Jackson Park Golf Course was the first public course opened west of the Allegheny Mountains and built on the site of the 1893 World's Fair. Although the course is in the noisy city limits and a busy street divides the course in two, there are almost no distractions of any kind. One hole to keep an eye out for is the par 5 14th hole. From the back tees, this hole plays 559 yards and with the trees lining the narrow fairway, an accurate tee shot is important before thinking about reaching this green in two. Rate (18 holes in September 2009) is $23 for a weekday round and $26 for a weekend round plus $15 per person per cart.
6401 S. Richards Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60649
(773) 667-0524
cpdgolf.com
Burnham Woods
Tucked away in the southeastern part of Cook County, Burnham Woods is known for its small, tight greens, some of the biggest cottonwood trees in the state and the streams that run through the course. One of the more difficult courses in the Forest Preserve District, Burnham Woods is a peaceful 18-hole sanctuary. The par 5 seventh hole is one of the easier holes, only 472 yards from the back tees. The hole doglegs slightly to the right, so a well-placed tee shot will make reaching this green in two a reality. Rate (18 holes in 2009) is $24 for a weekday round and $29 for a weekend round plus $15 per person per cart.
14201 S. Burnham Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60633
(708) 862-9043
forestpreservegolf.com/courses/burnham-woods
Chicago Bears
A trip to Soldier Field for a Chicago Bears game is a great way to enjoy yourself with 60,000 screaming fans. Built in 1924 south of the Loop in the Museum Campus, Soldier Field has been the home of the Bears since 1971 and the site of World Cup qualifying matches, college football games and concerts. Come tailgate before the game with die-hard Bears fans and enjoy some local twists on traditional game day chow: Polish sausages, Chicago hot dogs and pork ribs. Soldier Field is among the loudest stadiums in the NFL, and the electric atmosphere makes this historic home of the Bears one of the best places to watch a professional football game.
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
www.chicagobears.com
About The Author
Sean Quinn is a writer and editor based in New York City. He has spent the last decade covering major sporting events from the NFL playoffs to the U.S. Open. He has written for the Kansas City Star and ESPN, among others. He is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
