At Wacker Drive, the river behind you, you ll see the Lake Street El tracks overhead. The former movie palace now offers musicals, concerts, and special events. In summer, the alley next door hosts an organic greenmarket early on Friday mornings. Marshall Field s, at Randolph and State, is getting new neighbors. Currently, it s home to a summertime art program for high school students, and to the wildly popular Skate on State in the winter.
Skate rental is a cheap way to warm up.
A central pane of plate glass allows precious sunlight inside, while a sash window on either side allows fresh air to come in - an important commodity in the days before air conditioning. Freshly renovated, The Reliance is now a hotel. On the southwest corner of State and Madison is the Chicago Building. Repeatedly threatened by the wrecking ball, the Chicago was finally acknowledged as an important part of our architectural heritage. Strolling on, pass the Palmer House Hotel at Monroe Street.