Ted Striker
Well-known
I am by far not a local, but I still like to add a suggestion:
Museum of Contemporary Photography, if you're not only interested in taking pictures.
I also recommend Devon Avenue, ethnic diversity like a string of pearls...
It seems hard to make any recommendations on what to photograph in Chicago, but whatever you like, you'll find some of it there... ;-)
"da bean" gets on the list, just to prove you were in the right place...
If you have the time - and are interested and not easily scared, Gary, IN is not far - a true "post steel ghost town" (and birthplace of one Michael Jackson)
Either way, safe travels and have fun!
doc.
Horrible advice. Gary, Indiana is an extremely dangerous place. Many years that town been the murder capital of the USA (per capita).
css9450
Veteran
LOL I'd better stop going there then.
narsuitus
Well-known
If you decide to visit Gary, Indana, stop by:
Gary Camera
6750 Broadway
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
(219) 769-2451
Gary Camera
6750 Broadway
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
(219) 769-2451
Ted Striker
Well-known
You do what you want. Lots of people do things, thinking that they are invincible. Late last year I was driving in to work when some fool blew by me at over 100 mph. Twenty minutes later I saw a nice wreck up ahead. Same driver. Total moron.
The crime data reveals that the overall Gary, IN crime rates are 43% higher than in comparison to the Indiana mean and are 47% higher than the nation's mean. In regards to violent offenses, Gary, IN has a rate that is 56% higher than the Indiana average; compared to the United States, it is 62% higher than. Looking at crimes involving property, Gary, IN is 41% higher than its state's mean, and 44% higher than the country's average.
Nationally 5.3 people per 100k are murdered. In Gary, IN this number is 63.3.
B-9
Devin Bro
Wow Gary, IN is hardcore!
For Chicago,
I cannot recommend Air BnB enough! We got a nice little flat all to ourselves for a long weekend and saved over the cheapest Hotel.
Chinatown has some really great food and is incredibly photogenic. My only gripe was the pan handlers who seemed to congregate around the shops asking for money. We had a guy follow us persistent on getting a dollar. Friendly enough though, a firm voice fixed that situation.
We weren’t that impressed with the Field Museum or the Adler Planetarium. Being a space nerd I was really disappointed in Adler, it’s more or less suited for school children.
The Museum of Science and Industry is HUGE and we wished we would have spent the weekend exploring it and left the others out. It’s that good!
We purchased the City Pass and saved a ton on entry fees for all the big tourist attractions.
The Navy Pier at dusk is a great place to take photos, although finding a place to park within walking distance was a bit troublesome as the Pier lot was full everyday.
We happened to be there over St. Patrick’s Day and got to see the River turn green with dye. We laughed a little about how silly the whole thing is.
Oh! We also found it was pretty easy to get around the city in a car, we thought we would be taking public transit, but it was not at all necessary. Parking anywhere in the city is a easy 20$, although we found a few garages with better rates around 15$ You’ll need some nerves, all the honking and persistent cut offs can boil blood. TONS of cab drivers who barely respect the rules of the road.
For Chicago,
I cannot recommend Air BnB enough! We got a nice little flat all to ourselves for a long weekend and saved over the cheapest Hotel.
Chinatown has some really great food and is incredibly photogenic. My only gripe was the pan handlers who seemed to congregate around the shops asking for money. We had a guy follow us persistent on getting a dollar. Friendly enough though, a firm voice fixed that situation.
We weren’t that impressed with the Field Museum or the Adler Planetarium. Being a space nerd I was really disappointed in Adler, it’s more or less suited for school children.
The Museum of Science and Industry is HUGE and we wished we would have spent the weekend exploring it and left the others out. It’s that good!
We purchased the City Pass and saved a ton on entry fees for all the big tourist attractions.
The Navy Pier at dusk is a great place to take photos, although finding a place to park within walking distance was a bit troublesome as the Pier lot was full everyday.
We happened to be there over St. Patrick’s Day and got to see the River turn green with dye. We laughed a little about how silly the whole thing is.
Oh! We also found it was pretty easy to get around the city in a car, we thought we would be taking public transit, but it was not at all necessary. Parking anywhere in the city is a easy 20$, although we found a few garages with better rates around 15$ You’ll need some nerves, all the honking and persistent cut offs can boil blood. TONS of cab drivers who barely respect the rules of the road.
doc68
Member
I am sorry to have caused trouble by mentioning Gary, IN.
However, kuvvy had asked about Chicago, which has a reputation by itself...
Generally, trust your guts, if you're out there, and it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
I have been to London, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome (all Europe), Detroit, Chicago and Gary, and I would not consider one more or less dangerous than any other (in general).
Know where you're going, keep your eyes open and trust your gut feeling!
(...and not everybody is into taking pictures of urban decay - it was just an idea, and close to Chicago...)
Stay safe!
However, kuvvy had asked about Chicago, which has a reputation by itself...
Generally, trust your guts, if you're out there, and it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
I have been to London, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome (all Europe), Detroit, Chicago and Gary, and I would not consider one more or less dangerous than any other (in general).
Know where you're going, keep your eyes open and trust your gut feeling!
(...and not everybody is into taking pictures of urban decay - it was just an idea, and close to Chicago...)
Stay safe!
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
I think the difference is that in 2017 Chicago had 2,785 shooting incidents and 3,457 shooting victims...which resulted in 650 murders.
The European cities, by that standard are much safer....
kuvvy
Well-known
Probably too old to either fight or run so I’ll opt to keeping safe as possible. I won’t be driving so it’ll public transport.
Thanks to yourself and all the others here for the advice.
Think I’ll be knackered by the time I get back.
Paul
airfrogusmc
Veteran
I can tell you where the majority of the shootings and gun violence in Chicago take place are in areas, as a tourist, you would never find yourself in. And the reality is in the US Chicago is not even in the top 10 cites when talking about the murder rate per capita. In fact in Nov of 2017 Chicago was # 25 according to the Bismark Tribune and hte murder in 2018 was a lot lower in Chicago. Link to the article.
https://bismarcktribune.com/news/na...n_5a789407-4d43-5403-ad56-7c47880bda8e.html#1
Most of the murders in Chicago are gang and drug related and in concentrated areas that tourists would not go into. I never feel unsafe in the city of Chciago.
https://bismarcktribune.com/news/na...n_5a789407-4d43-5403-ad56-7c47880bda8e.html#1
Most of the murders in Chicago are gang and drug related and in concentrated areas that tourists would not go into. I never feel unsafe in the city of Chciago.
Ted Striker
Well-known
Really. Comparing European cities to Chicago or Gary is hilarious. There are tens of thousands of hand guns in Chicago and many hundreds of murders. Gary Indiana has a murder rate that is simply unthinkable in Europe. Detroit is a vast wasteland of unmitigated destruction. I live 40 miles from Detroit and have driven through there a few times. It is an appalling landscape (away from downtown), not even remotely safe for someone to walk around with a camera.
Ted Striker
Well-known
True. But Chicago is far worse than it has been in the past. I lived in East Lakeview for 25 years. Never felt unsafe there because I never heard of violent crime there much. Since I have moved out there have been at least 4 murders within 3 blocks of my old house. My former neighbors tell me that they feel distinctly unsafe as compared to times in the past. There have been much more shootings (without murders) as well. Violence is definitely on the increase.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
The neighborhoods are in constant state of flux. I have a friend that had a place in Logan Square that in the 1980s there were always gun shots in the alley behind his place and shooting on hs block. That has all changed as have Wicker Park. According to the Chicago Tribune the murder rate in Chicago was actually higher in the 70s and 80s than was in 2018. And again the violence is not in areas where the tourists would go. Like in any big US city just be aware of your surroundings and don't bury your face into your Iphone.
Still there are far to many guns on the streets in the hands of people that have no business having them. When I was in Japan the murder rate there was very low when compared to US murder rates. In fact lower in the entire country than the murder rate in just one major US city.
Still there are far to many guns on the streets in the hands of people that have no business having them. When I was in Japan the murder rate there was very low when compared to US murder rates. In fact lower in the entire country than the murder rate in just one major US city.
css9450
Veteran
This is true. Record highest was way back about 1974 or so. 2018 was a hundred fewer than 2017 and marks the second year in a row of declining homicides and violent crimes.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Most people from many areas think, because of misinformed politicians, that Chicago is a war zone but there are so many cities that are FAR worse that those same politicians don't seem to mention. The fact that Chicago is not even in the top 20 when talking per capita just shows how misinformed some are. The murder rate is still FAR too high but it is not what some outsiders paint it to be. All this doesn't seem to be hurting tourism. Chicago had the highest tourist #s ever in 2018.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Yeah me too. Go early in the AM and just be careful. Don't go into Gary driving a BMW and wearing a Rolex looking like you have a lot of stuff to take. Some great abandon buildings in Gary. Though I hear the church/school has really taken a turn for the worse.
Still I wouldn't recommend Gary to someone from Europe.
Ted Striker
Well-known
Well, with 4 murders within 3 blocks of my former house (Addison & Pine Grove), and an absolutely soaring property tax, moving out of the city (and Illinois) has been THE best decision I have ever made. I resisted moving out until I was literally forced by my job, but today I would never, EVER move back into Chicago. The massive property taxes I saw on my home the last few years were staggering. My retirement is going to be substantially better now that I'm not paying for Chicago's unending corruption.
Plus, the Cubs have absolutely crapped all over Lakeview. It looks appalling.
kuvvy
Well-known
Well I’m hoping Chicago is not as bad as it’s painted. As a photographer searching google with the words ‘Chicago’ and ‘street shooting’ brings up more guns than cameras
airfrogusmc
Veteran
I'm a Sox fan. I would be living in Northern New Mexico around Taos if I didn't have to work for a living. I live in Oak Park but I am in the city a lot. Never do I feel unsafe. I shoot a lot on the streets and I shot with Leica's and I never feel unsafe.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Well I’m hoping Chicago is not as bad as it’s painted. As a photographer searching google with the words ‘Chicago’ and ‘street shooting’ brings up more guns than cameras
Where you will be it's not unsafe at all.
bob338
Well-known
I grew up in Chicago, but haven't lived there for about 25 years now. I go back to see family when I can and I'm always shocked to see how much it's changed and how much the same it has remained.
If you avoid the West side and the South side, you'll be fine. If a neighborhood looks a little sketchy, it is. Go somewhere else. The vast majority of the violence is gangs shooting each other, but if you're in the wrong neighborhood you can end up in the middle of something. Keep your eyes open, don't be flashy and you'll be fine.
It is a wonderful city to visit, full of really kind people. Have a ball!
If you avoid the West side and the South side, you'll be fine. If a neighborhood looks a little sketchy, it is. Go somewhere else. The vast majority of the violence is gangs shooting each other, but if you're in the wrong neighborhood you can end up in the middle of something. Keep your eyes open, don't be flashy and you'll be fine.
It is a wonderful city to visit, full of really kind people. Have a ball!