DuSable
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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DuSable Harbor, IL Lat: 41° 53.044 Long: 087° 36.628 |
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DESCRIPTION Named for Chicago's first non-native inhabitant, DuSable Harbor is located right in the centre of Chicago's waterfront and right in front of its downtown. Close by is the enormous entertainment complex of Navy Pier. It is clearly one of the key places to be if your desire is to enjoy all of the shopping and entertainment that Chicago can offer a visiting sailor. |
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APPROACHES The main approach to DuSable Harbor from the north is through the outer seawall at the Chicago Harbor Light. Once inside the seawall, alter course to approximately 230oT for about 1 nm. You will close with a seawall. There is an opening in that seawall at Lat 41° 52.565N Long 087° 36.07W, marked by a Fl RED light and Fl GREEN light. This will bring you into Monroe Harbor. If you are coming from the south, make your way to the opening through the inner seawall at Lat 41° 52.565N Long 087° 36.07W marked by a Fl RED light and Fl GREEN light. This will bring you into Monroe Harbor Once inside Monroe Harbor, turn north and follow the seawall to the entrance to DuSable Harbor. The entrance is just past the stern of the Columbia Yacht Club ship - believe me, you cannot miss it! |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES DuSable Harbor (312) 742-3577 VHF 9, 16 DuSable Harbor has docking for 420 boats. There is at least a dozen slips available for transients. There is no fuel dock. There is a pumpout station. Restrooms and showers are available as well as a small ship's store. There is internet access. The grounds have picnic areas and the location is perfect for stunning views of Chicago's skyline - both day and night. The location is also the best for quick, immediate access into Chicago's thriving downtown and vibrant night life. Columbia Yacht Club (312) 938-3625 CYC is located on the south side of the southern seawall of the harbor. Its 'clubhouse' is the former Canadian MV Abegweit, the CN ferry that connected Port Borden, PEI to Cape Tormentine, NB on the Northumberland Strait. The ship is a most unique yacht club base and CYC welcomes visiting sailors. They have several slips for transient sailors. Water and power are available. Restrooms and showers are available on board. Their restaurant and bar/lounge are beautiful and the view of the city at night either from inside or out on deck is spectacular. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's There are no repair or maintenance facilities in DuSable Harbor. See Chicago Port review for options. Go to Chicago Bockwinkels is the closest grocery store to the harbor. Downtown Chicago has countless banks and ATM machines. Fifth Third Bank is the closest to the harbor. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Northwestern Hospital (312) 926-2000 is located northeast of the harbor and is the closest full-service medical facility. There are many pharmacies in the downtown core. CVS (312) 861-0436 is the closest. |
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PLACES TO EAT The dining experiences open to a cruising sailor in Chicago, especially in downtown Chicago, are virtually unlimited. For those who like to dine out, it is well worth getting a restaurant guidebook. In the area around DuSable Harbor, here are a few suggestions. Geneve Restaurant is a great steak and lobster establishment. III Forks (ie 3 Forks) is a high-end steakhouse with an outstanding wine cellar. If Asian food is your desire, try Friendship On The Lake, quite close to the harbor. This Chinese restaurant offers good food at reasonable prices in a great location overlooking the harbor. If you are a steak lover and willing to splurge, try Smith and Wollensky. This steakhouse is one of the great steakhouses in the United States. They butcher and dry age their beef on site and I can tell you from personal experience that it was worth the money. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT From DuSable Harbor, all of Chicago's exciting and varied attractions are right at hand. A visiting sailor would be well-served by a guidebook that details all of the options available. Some things to keep on your list would be the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium with over 30,000 mammals, fish and birds! There is the Oceanarium with its whales and dolphins and the Museum of Science and Industry with its prized WWII exhibit - U505 which had been captured intact off the coast of Africa in 1944. Its fascinating to go through it - just remember to duck. (I didn't a few times!) Chicago's Magnificent Mile offers outstanding shopping. Navy Pier, across the Chicago River to the north, is a huge lakefront entertainment complex and mall complete with IMAX Theatre, Childrens' Museum and outdoor amusement park. There are tour boats of every description offering everything from dinner and sunset cruises to trips up the Chicago River through the 'canyons' of the city. Explore this extensive City of Chicago tourism site to load up on ideas to get the most of your visit. Return to Chicago Return to Lake Michigan Return to Home Page |
