Even I’d admit it’s a stretch to say that it’s a mission from God but we’re getting the band back together for Chicago.
And by the band I mean our merry posse of international travel professionals who meet annually at the American Travel Fair, IPW.
The Windy City (it’s more about hot-air politicians than the weather) has long been a magnet for movie locations.
In the Blues’ shoes
And, of course, you can follow in the loafers of Jake and Elwood all around Chicago at:
The Pilgrim church, 3235 E. 91st Street: The church where Jake backflips down the altar to James Brown’s Old Landmark.
And Nate’s Deli (Soul Food Cafe), 807 W. Maxwell Street: And Aretha Franklin sings Think to ‘husband’ Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy as Jake and Ellwood try to lure him away. Busboy ‘Blue’ Lou Marini jumps on board too.
Of course, the Blues Brothers being as much a road movie as a music flick classic, your odyssey will take you out of the city centre to Jackson Park.
And the drink where the Illinois Nazis meet their fate.
Once round on the Ferris wheel
Now if you only have one day in the Mid-West Metropolis, and unlucky you, then Ferris Bueller is the guy to go for advice.
And On Location Tours.
You’ll start at the iconic Art Institute of Chicago, where Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron mix culture and mischief.
Before your high-speed chase through the city streets as Ferris plays cat and mouse with principal Mr Rooney.
Of course those in the know will tell you that the most famous Ferris in Chicago is not the school-skipping Master Bueller but the Navy Pier ferris.
Which is where we’ll be saying farewell to the city on the convention’s last night… but let’s not leave before we get there.
Now no day out in Chicago is complete without a visit to the ball game and Wrigley Field.
Before ending the day with a breathtaking view from the top of the Sears Tower.
Our Chicago odyssey
Mind you for all the fun Ferris had it will be nothing compared with what they have in store for us in Chicago in June.
And nowhere you can learn more about the US than here, or maybe Choose Chicago.
All worth getting the band back together for Chicago then.