Chicago Landmarks
Chicago is an important of the book. The author has spent most of her life in Chicago, and uses numerous locations throughout the story. Enjoy the author's love of the city with this sampling of locations mentioned in the book.
Arts & Culture
Aragon Ballroom
This ballroom was built in 1926 and "as designed to replicate a Spanish palace courtyard, complete with crystal chandeliers, mosaic tiles, terra-cotta ceilings, balconies and beautiful arches." It became a music and rock venue in the 1970's, which it continues to be today.
Chicago Cultural Center
"Completed in 1897 as Chicago’s first central public library, the building was designed to impress and to prove that Chicago had grown into a sophisticated metropolis...
In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center...
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events."
In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center...
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events."
Lyric Opera of Chicago
"Lyric Opera of Chicago, founded in 1954, is one of the world's greatest opera companies. It is renowned internationally for its artistic excellence and financial strength. Over the past two decades the company has achieved unparalleled success in its ticket sales, averaging 100% attendance from 1988-2002, and more than 90% attendance since that time. Lyric Opera is also distinguished for having operated in the black for 24 of the past 25 years."
Newberry Library
"A world-renowned independent research library in Chicago, the Newberry offers readers an extensive non-circulating collection of rare books, maps, music, manuscripts, and other printed material spanning six centuries. Its staff provides award-winning service and supports a rich array of programmatic opportunities."
And check out this fantastic FAQ page at The Newberry that answers questions about the places and items mentioned throughout The Time Traveler's Wife.
Riviera Theatre
"Completed in 1917 by architects George and C.W. Rapp (Rapp & Rapp), it was built as a movie theater for the Balaban & Katz chain.
Transformed into a private nightclub in 1986, the Riviera Theatre is now one of Chicago’s premier concert and special events venues."
Transformed into a private nightclub in 1986, the Riviera Theatre is now one of Chicago’s premier concert and special events venues."
School of The Art Institute of Chicago
"Founded as the Chicago Academy of Design in 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) purpose was to provide a challenging education in the studio arts and exhibition opportunities for its students. The school incorporated as the Chicago Academy of Fine Art in 1879, and changed its name to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1882. The museum and school moved into a building designed and built for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893...Since 1976, SAIC has occupied its own cutting-edge facilities adjoining the museum and the heralded Modern Wing overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan with additional buildings throughout an urban campus at the heart of the Chicago Loop...The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country."
Museums
Art Institute of Chicago
"The Art Institute, founded in 1879, now has approximately 300,000 works of art in its permanent collection, stewarded by eleven curatorial departments and nearly 500 employees. This collection is housed in eight buildings—nearly one million square feet—at the heart of Chicago, one block from Lake Michigan and serving as the eastern anchor of the city's downtown. In addition to displaying the permanent collection, we host 30 special exhibitions and hundreds of gallery talks, lectures, performances, and events every year. We have one of the finest research libraries for art and architecture in the country as well as state-of-the-art conservation facilities that ensure that the art of the past carries on well into the future."
The Field Museum
"The Field Museum was incorporated in the State of Illinois on September 16, 1893 as the Columbian Museum of Chicago with its purpose the 'accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, and the preservation and exhibition of objects illustrating art, archaeology, science and history.' In 1905, the Museum's name was changed to Field Museum of Natural History to honor the Museum's first major benefactor, Marshall Field, and to better reflect its focus on the natural sciences. In 1921 the Museum moved from its original location in Jackson Park to its present site on Chicago Park District property near downtown where it is part of a lakefront Museum Campus that includes the John G. Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. These three institutions are regarded as among the finest of their kind in the world and together attract more visits annually than any comparable site in Chicago."
Restaurants
Ann Sather
This swedish restaurant is in Andersonville and has been around for over 60 years. They are known for their breakfast and brunch fare, but especially for their homemade cinnamon rolls.
The Berghoff
"The Berghoff Restaurant is a Chicago classic, serving German-American cuisine and culture since 1898. One of the oldest family-run businesses in the nation, it is now run by fourth generation, Carlyn Berghoff." First generation, Herman Berghoff, opened the Berghoff doors as a men’s only saloon and made his start serving free corned beef sandwiches with the purchase of a stein of Berghoff Beer...At today’s Berghoff, menus have evolved to add newer, lighter and more contemporary dishes, but it’s still the same old Berghoff"
Margie's Candies
Established in 1921, this ice cream and candy parlor namesake came from when the original owner Peter Poulos' son George married Margie Michaels. The store remains in the hands of the Poulos family, and they serve homemade ice cream and candy. Try some delicious homemade fudge or a traditional sundae.
Shops
Army Navy Surplus Store
Located in Lakeview, this store sells surplus items from the navy, army and the Marines. They sell their products both online and in stores.
Vintage Vinyl
"Vintage Vinyl specializes in collectable, rare, original vinyl recordings in all genres of music. In the field of rock, we are especially known for our stock in such 'unique' areas as Psychedelic, Progressive, and Krautrock, and Mod. We also have excellent selections of jazz, blues, soul, soundtracks, folk, classical, and much, much more. In addition, we carry the latest UK and European imports (new releases as well as reissues) on both vinyl and CD."
-Quotes retrieved from the respective location's website
A map of the locations:
View Time Traveler's Wife Locations in a larger map
Here are a few books related to Chicago, both past and present:
Devil in The White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
A historical nonfiction read that looks at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Through alternate perspectives, it tells the story of the Fair's lead architect Daniel H. Burman and serial killer H.H. Holmes, who lured tourists to their death at his World Fair's hotel. Rumored to eventually become a feature film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this well-received book makes an elegant and compelling read as it looks as the beauty and darkness that lurked around the Exposition.
Walking Chicago: 31 Tours of the Windy City's Classic Bars, Scandalous Sites, Historic Architecture, Dynamic Neighborhoods, and Famous Lakeshore by Ryan Van Berkmoes
Get to know the beautiful city of Chicago even more by taking any of the walking tours laid out in this book. Learn about the beautiful architecture, as well as famous and infamous figures of Chicago's long history as you explore the areas described in the book.
One will discover the places that Henry & Clare loved along with new ones.
One will discover the places that Henry & Clare loved along with new ones.
Newberry 125: Stories of Our Collections by Newberry Library
A soon to be released book in honor of the Newberry Library's 125th anniversary, this illustrated text showcases 125 of the Library collection's most important and interesting pieces. A great book for those who loved reading about the Newberry library items mentioned by Henry.