Or, at least, that’s what Michael Scott would have you believe. But in reality, Scranton seems more like a city where dreams go to die. Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh, but there’s really not much there - unless you’re a major fan of NBC’s wry and hilariously awkward hit show “The Office”.

Though “The Office” is not actually filmed in Scranton, PA, it is where the show’s fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin is located, and where the show is set. And if you’re a dedicated fan of “The Office”, you’ll enjoy all the town’s nods to the show. Driving through the town, you’ll notice little touches such as Dunder Mifflin signs. The city is proud to be the (fictional) home of the struggling paper company.

A Dunder Mifflin sign on the streets of Scranton. (LTM)

Your first stop in town might be the Mall at Steamtown. You’ll recall that in one episode of “The Office”, Michael took the ladies here for a Women’s Appreciation Day. At the mall, you can find several items of “Office” memorabilia - such as Dunder Mufflin signs, cardboard cutouts of the characters, as well as the Scranton Welcomes You sign that is seen in the show’s opening credits.

A Dunder Mifflin sign in the Steamtown Mall. (LTM)

Cardboard cutouts and the show's Scranton Welcomes You sign.

One of the major hangouts for the characters on the show is Poor Richard’s, a bar/pub where they go to let loose after a day of tedious office work. The real Poor Richard’s is located at 125 Beech Street in Scranton, and welcomes “Office” fans with open arms!

Poor Richard's welcomes you to Scranton. (LTM)

It can be found inside a bowling alley called South Side Bowl. The bar itself has televisions for watching sports games, dartboards, and karaoke on some nights. In the bowling alley, you can buy Poor Richard’s items such as shot glasses and t-shirts. They make great souvenirs for you or gifts for your “Office”-obsessed friends!

Poor Richard's, the ultimate Dunder Mifflin hangout. (LTM)

So it seems that the “Office” tour of Scranton is fairly short, but if you’re a bigtime fan it makes a great day trip or quirky weekend getaway! Enjoy the nonstop party of Scranton… and if you run into Meredith drunkly stumbling around in an alley, head in the opposite direction!

- Story and Photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor

The WB’s hilarious and heartwarming dramedy “Gilmore Girls,” starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, was filmed on the WB studio lot in Burbank, CA for its entire seven-season run. The small town of Stars Hollow was created using the WB’s elaborate town square set, which has been used in countless films (perhaps most notably “Back to the Future”). This set also took center stage in “Mermaids.”

Luke’s Diner from “Gilmore Girls” is the same set that was used for Lou’s shoe store in “Mermaids,” and you can see Winona Ryder walk the same streets that Lorelai and Rory did all those years. The town square set still stands on the WB lot, which offers VIP tours daily, Monday through Friday from 8:20 am to 4:00 pm.

The WB lot is located at 3400 Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA. The VIP Tour will run you about $45, but it’s totally worth it to get an up-close look at film and television history.

- Story by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor

Welcome to Wilmington! Better known to fans as Tree Hill. (LTM)

 If you fly into Wilmington International Airport, you’ll immediately recognize it from the Tree Hill airport scenes - for example, when Lucas goes to pick up his Mom and Brooke thinks he’s there for her, or when Brooke and Lucas go to the airport to send baby Angie home. When I was at ILM, I ran into Ashley Rickards! (She plays angsty teen Sam in season six.)

Let’s head into town. This fountain, on Market Street, makes an appearance in an episode that takes place in Savannah, Georgia, when Peyton takes Jake’s daughter Jenny for a walk:

Peyton walked by this fountain while checking out the Savannah College of Art and Design. (LTM)

Much of the action on “One Tree Hill” takes place down at the Riverfront, which is a beautiful and historic area.

Wilmington's riverfront serves as a backdrop for countless "One Tree Hill" scenes. (LTM)

Crews often add romantic lighting to set the scene — Nathan and Haley, Peyton and Jake, and Brooke and Chase have all had cute dates down by the Riverfront. The Burning Boat Festival took place down by the river, and a lot of establishing shots are Riverfront footage as well.

This setting has been in the background of several "One Tree Hill" shots. (LTM)

From the Riverfront, you can see the bridge that Lucas dribbles across in the opening credits, and across the way is the River Court that houses the outdoor ball games, most importantly the playoff between Lucas and Nathan in the pilot episode.

"I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately..." (LTM)

Several downtown restaurants and stores have been used on the show as well. At 8 Market Street is CD Alley, where Tyler Hilton’s character Chris Keller works. Peyton goes there to put up fliers for Tric and fights with him. They’ve also got a pretty decent music selection, so take the time to shop around a little while you’re there!

Downtown shop-lined streets play a big role on "One Tree Hill." (LTM)

Troublemaker Chris Keller works at CD Alley. (LTM)

At 5 South Water Street is the Water Street Restaurant, which doubled as Leery’s Fresh Fish on “Dawson’s Creek.” For “One Tree Hill,” the open-air patio was used as a market.

This location did double-duty on "Tree Hill" and "Creek." (LTM)

Brooke and Lucas’s tattoo date in the first season took place at Blue Post Billiards, at 15 South Water Street. It’s 21+.

Think twice before you get a tattoo on the first date. Brooke and Lucas didn't. (LTM)

Remember the Swinging Donkey where Nathan visited Haley’s sister Taylor in Season Two? That’s actually Hell’s Kitchen, at 118 Princess Street, which was also used on “Dawson’s Creek”!

Hell's Kitchen doubled as the Swinging Donkey. (LTM)

A special set was built downtown for Karen’s Cafe, at the corner of Grace Street & North Front Street. It’s now Clothes Over Bro’s on the show, but this is what it looked like when we were first there:

Lucas's mom runs this popular café in Tree Hill. (LTM)

While you’re in Wilmington, don’t forget to check out Screen Gems Studios at 1223 23rd Street North. It’s where “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill” sets have been housed, and the tour guides do a great job of showing you great “One Tree Hill” sets and telling you fun trivia!

Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington.

You can take a tour for $12 if you’re a student, and when we were there we walked through the halls of Tree Hill High, sat in the gym bleachers and a classroom, poked our heads into the locker room, and even wandered around the kitchen and living room of the Scott mansion. It’s definitely worth the price of admission!

A proud "One Tree Hill" display at Screen Gems Studios. (LTM)

Before you leave Wilmington, find a way to stop by the Reel Café at 100 South Front Street. Though not a filming location itself, it’s supposedly a major hangout for the cast of “One Tree Hill” (and formerly for “Dawson’s Creek” cast members too). It has a Hard Rock Café feel to it, but with film and television memorabilia (including “Creek” and “Tree Hill” posters). It’s a fun place to eat and hang, and who knows who you could run into?

The Reel Café in downtown Wilmington. (LTM)

A "One Tree Hill" poster at the Reel Café. (LTM)

*** UPDATED WITH NEW INFO AND NEW LOCATIONS!

While you’re walking around in downtown Wilmington, check out Cape Fear Community College’s Schwartz Center - if you go around back, you’ll instantly recognize the exterior courtyard of Tree Hill High! It’s at 610 N Front Street.

Tree Hill's courtyard is really behind Cape Fear Community College's Schwartz Center. (LTM)

Where Karen’s Cafe once was, now stands Brooke’s clothing boutique Clothes Over Bro’s at the corner of Grace St and Front St. While you can’t go inside and shop, you can peek in the windows and check out the awnings and exteriors. (Worry not, the exterior door for Karen’s Cafe is still there! You’ll get to see both.)

Clothes Over Bro's! (LTM)

Don’t forget that WB favorite “Dawson’s Creek” was also filmed in Wilmington! Many “Creek” locations are still up and running, and you can get more information about them in our “DC” story here!

- Story and Photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor

Welcome to Wilmington! (Photo credit LiveTheMovies.com)

This small city on the coast will quickly become a favorite spot, due to the beautiful weather, beautiful architecture, friendly and helpful locals, great restaurants and stores, and of course the abundance of filming locations.

One spot that was a crucial part of the “Creek,” especially during the first season, was the movie theater The Rialto, where the gang went in the very first episode and was also the site of Dawson and Joey’s first date. Wilmington’s Thalian Hall stood in for The Rialto.

Thalian Hall, exterior. (LTM)

Thalian Hall, interior. (LTM)

You can find Thalian Hall at (310 Chestnut Street). N Salo at (212 North Front Street) stood in for Screen Play Video, where Dawson and Pacey worked.

Formerly known as Screen Play Video. (LTM)

Joey’s Season Six place of employment, Hell’s Kitchen, can also be found in downtown Wilmington. Not only does it appear just as it was on the show, but it’s a great place to stop for dinner too! Hell’s Kitchen is located at (118 Princess Street) and has also been used on “One Tree Hill.”

Oh hey, Hell's Kitchen. (LTM)

You’ll recognize much of downtown Wilmington from the show, especially the spots down by the Riverfront. Pacey and Andie had their first kiss in “The Dance” along the river and near this fountain.

Pacey and Andie's first kiss took place in this romantic spot. (LTM)

These downtown court steps also stood in for the art museum Joey and Jack went to in the second season:

(LTM)

The Wilmington riverfront is a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon and reminisce about your favorite “Creek” moments, many  of which took place amidst the cute coastal scenery.

Lovely Wilmington riverfront. (LTM)

Several stores lining the downtown streets were also used in episodes of “Dawson’s Creek,” including Island Passage Elixir (4 Market Street) and CD Alley (8 Market Street):

Jen shopped here with both Abby and Dawson; Joey picked out her prom dress here. (LTM)

Dawson and Gretchen met up at CD Alley in Season Four. (LTM)

A must-stop on any “Creek” tour is the Water Street Restaurant, which was used on the show as Leery’s Fresh Fish, the restaurant owned by Dawson’s parents. The restaurant is open, and still looks just like Leery’s! Take a break and grab a bite — the soup and salad lunches are delicious, and you can just pretend Mitch and Gail are minding the kitchen while you’re there. Restaurant staff is very friendly as well! Find it at 5 South Water Street.

A slice of "Creek" life: Leery's Fresh Fish! (LTM)

Inside the Water Street Restaurant. Is that Gretchen Witter at the bar? (LTM)

Who could forget when Pacey bought Joey a wall in Season Three? (Swoon.) Though Joey never painted on it, Pacey made a sweeping romantic gesture when he painted, “ASK ME TO STAY.” Joey didn’t take his advice… but she did hop on the True Love and sail away with him for the summer in one of the series’ most defining moments. The wall still stands in downtown Wilmington, at Dock Street & Front Street:

That epic wall. "ASK ME TO STAY." (LTM)

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington at 601 South College Road stood in for Capeside High in many sequences, and it’s a lovely campus to visit. (If you’re college-bound, check out the University’s programs — what would be more awesome than going to school in Capeside?)

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington stood in for Capeside High. (LTM)

Finally, no visit to Wilmington would be complete without swinging by Screen Gems Studios, which is where all of the sets for “Dawson’s Creek” were housed. It’s at 1223 23rd Street North.

Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. (LTM)

Most of the props and decorations were sold when the show wrapped, but you can still get a “Creek” feel from the fun and reasonably-priced tour ($12 for students). When we went, we got to sit on Dawson’s bed, hide out in his closet, climb through the famous window, check out Joey and Audrey’s dorm room, get our hands on the True Love, and pay respects to Mitch’s headstone. We also wandered the inside halls of Capeside High, which are now used for “One Tree Hill.”

Exterior ads at Screen Gems. (LTM)

Tour guides also include fun facts and trivia to accentuate the sights, and you can find autographed cast photos and some random memorabilia all around.

Some random memorabilia in the tour's main office. We miss you, Pacey! (LTM)

“Creek” fans and others will love Wilmington — we didn’t want to leave, and we can’t wait to go back!

- Story and Photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor

The stunning exterior of the Biltmore Estate. (Photo credit Biltmore.com)

The estate has been seen in films ranging from “Forrest Gump” to “Hannibal,” and was used as the Rich Manor in the 1994 Macaulay Culkin family comedy “Richie Rich.” 1998’s Robin Williams tearjerker “Patch Adams” filmed many scenes at the estate (with much other footage being taken at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).

The estate's grandiose banquet hall. (Photo courtesy of Biltmore.com)

You can really live the movies by visiting and staying at the 250-room modern-day castle. You can buy tickets online or at the gate that gain you access to the Biltmore House (where you can take a self-guided tour or a more in-depth one for a little extra change), the gardens, the winery, and the farm. Parking is free and there are also dining and shopping to indulge in! Tickets for adults range from $33-59 due to the date of your trip. There are also special rates for groups of 20 0r more.

The Inn. (Photo courtesy of Biltmore.com)

You can stay overnight in the lap of luxury at the Estate’s Inn or Cottage. If you stay on any package of two or more nights, you get free tickets to explore the house.

- Story by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor

Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. (Credit LiveTheMovies.com)

In the concrete outside the theater are hundreds of autographs, handprints, and footprints, including those of Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Nicholson, John Travolta, Jim Carrey, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Will Smith, and Brad Pitt.

(LTM)

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has been seen in many films, including scenes in “Forrest Gump,” “The Godfather,” “Rush Hour,” “The Aviator,” “The Italian Job,” “Twins,” “Valley Girl,” “A Star is Born”, and “Hollywood Homicide.”

(LTM)

VIP tours of Grauman’s are offered 7 days a week, taking you through six theaters and the VIP lounge while learning about the Theatre’s history. If you want a simpler experience, just catch a movie! An afternoon matinee is more than mundane when it’s at the most fabulous, most celebrated theater around.

The historic and iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. (LTM)

1991’s Best Picture “The Silence of the Lambs” was filmed mostly in Pittsburgh, PA, where you can check out several accessible (at least exteriors) locations. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History at 4400 Forbes Avenue is not only a location from the film, but is also an interesting place worthy of spending an afternoon. If you’re a student with an ID, you can get in for $11 and check out exhibits about dinosaurs, arctic life, and the Earth Theater. Interiors at the Old Allegheny County Jail on Fifth Ave & Ross Street stood in for the Baltimore State Forensic Hospital, and the Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial at 4141 Fifth Avenue was used for the Shelby County Courthouse.

In 1998 the darkly funny “American Beauty” took top honors. Kevin Spacey’s fed-up suburbanite Lester Burnham lives at 11388 Homedale Street in Los Angeles, while the exterior of the Colonel’s home can be found at 303 South Windsor Boulevard. The scenes at Mr. Smiley’s Drive-Thru were filmed at a Carl’s Jr at 20105 Saticoy Road in Canoga Park, Los Angeles. The high school scenes were shot at Long Beach Polytechnic High School at 1600 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach and South High School at 4801 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, CA. Annette Bening and Peter Gallagher’s target shooting scene was filmed at the Los Angeles Police Academy at 1880 North Academy Drive in L.A.

Several universities stood in during college scenes in 2001’s Best Picture, “A Beautiful Mind”. MIT was represented by Bronx Community College at University Avenue & West 181 Street in New York, while Manhattan College was used as Harvard. Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and Manhattan College in NY were also used for university footage.

To experience a moment from “Million Dollar Baby,” the prize-fighter of 2004, stop in at the Hollywood Athletic Club at 6525 West Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

One of the most beloved movies of our time, and an Academy favorite, is 1994’s Best Picture, “Forrest Gump.” As the film spans Forrest’s lifetime and its locations span the country, there’s something near everyone to visit! Perhaps the most famous location in the film is the bench that Forrest sits on, telling his story (and spouting the movie’s most famous line: “Mama always said, life is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get”). Originally in Chuppewa Square, the bench has been moved to Savannah, Georgia’s History Museum at 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. (Check out a photo here.) The musuem is open til 5:00 pm, and admission is $4.25 for adults. The shrimp boat from the film and one of the ping pong paddles (signed by Tom Hanks) can be found in Orlando, FL, at Downtown Disney’s Planet Hollywood restaurant.

At one point in “Gump” Forrest runs across the country and back. While his arrival in Maine takes place at the Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, when he arrives in California it’s at the Santa Monica Pier, which has been used in several films, television shows (think “Baywatch”) and in some music videos. Also found in California? East Los Angeles College, at 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez in Monterey; Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles (check out our Quick Visit about this Hollywood staple); Marks Hall at USC (612 West 35th Place in Los Angeles), which stood in for Jenny’s dorm; and the Ebell of Los Angeles at 743 South Lucerne Boulevard (also seen as a retirement home in “Cruel Intentions”).

Other locations seen in the film include: the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (also seen in “The Firm,” “Election,” “Wedding Crashers,” and the “National Treasure” films); the Bluff Plantation at 3547 Combahee Road in Yemasse, South Carolina; Glacier National Park in Montana; and the Valley of the Gods in Mexican Hat, UT. The Ocean Fripp Golf Course on Fripp Island, SC stood in for Vietnam in the film’s war scenes.

(One last location featured in “Forrest Gump” was the majestic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC — check out our Quick Visit about this fabulous and oft-used setting.)

We’ve got “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills” covered, so you can be sure we’re going to give you the lowdown on the places seen in the spinoff “The City” on MTV.  The first two episodes made us wonder if we were watching the Food Network — most of the action takes place in restaurants and cafes in New York City. We’ve identified some of the places spotted in the first two episodes and tried to track down some news you can use to consider whether to visit these hotspots.

The night of Whitney Port’s first day at her new job, she meets (semi?)bf Jay to eat al fresco at Nero in the trendy Meatpacking District (46 Gansevoort Street).  You might make it a mid-day date with the prix fixe lunch menu — score an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $14.  Yelp users give generally good reviews to this Italian restaurant with a four-star average.

Tension later builds between Jay and Whitney over whether Jay will join Whitney at co-worker Olivia’s dinner party. The discussion goes down at the Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street). Whit and Jay didn’t focus on the food, but if you’re going for eats, try the weekend brunch special; for $17, it comes with a cocktail.  You can also head inside for occasional jazz, blues, and poetry performances. Yelp users handed down four stars.

In the next episode, Whitney confronts Jay about cheating at the bistro and tapas bar Cafe Noir (32 Grand Street). We hope you have a happier conversation as you dine on the reasonably priced Express Lunch menu. If you stop by late night (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), you’ll find a DJ performing every day of the week.

Alex and Jay nearly come to blows at Tenjune, a high-profile club in the Meatpacking District (26 Little West 12th Street). We haven’t been, but many Yelp reviewers say they love it and others say they hate it. If you’ve been to Tenjune or any of the places featured in this post, let us know what you think by commenting below or emailing editors@livethemovies.com.

In the series’ 11th episode, drama abounds for Whitney as Olivia takes credit for her work at DVF and Allie informs her that Jay was up all night with his ex, Danielle. At the beginning of the episode, Whit and Jay discuss their living-together situation at Double Crown in Greenwich Village, at 316 Bowery. The New York Times calls it “very good” and “an intensely pleasant place to hang out.” There’s no way to misinterpret that! Though a bit pricey - it’ll probably run you at least $30 for dinner and a drink - it’s supposed to be a great place for groups, so gather your favorite party people and make a night of it!

It’s at Rayuela, at 165 Allen Street on the Lower East Side, that Whitney confides in gal pals Allie, Samantha, and Erin that she is struggling to put up with both Olivia and Jay, and that she thinks her romance may not have a future. The Freestyle Latino eatery, a New York Magazine Critics’ Pick, is said to have a cool vibe and great food. But while some visitors raved about the atmosphere and menu, others complained about wait time and slow service - the reviews are mixed for sure. You’ll have to decide if the ambiance and mouth-watering menu are worth the wait!

Whitney has an unnerving dinner with Jay at Joe’s Ginger, at 25 Pell Street in Chinatown. The Shanghai cuisine here is very popular, and also much cheaper than most of the restaurants Whitney and crew frequent! It received 3.5 stars on Yelp.

Finally, Whit and Allie do lunch at Amy’s Bread in Hell’s Kitchen on Ninth Ave, where Allie informs Whitney that Jay was up all night with his ex Danielle. We’re hoping that the organic breads and scrumptious pastries soothed Whit’s tears just a little bit.

Got your own ideas about these NYC spots? Be heard by commenting below or emailing editors@livethemovies.com.

 - Story by Bobby Guerette and Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editors

While walking away from Hyde Park just days after the election, we came across this painting on the wall of an underpass. (JOY L. LEE FOR LIVETHEMOVIES.COM.)

With his inauguration as president on January 20, President Barack Obama finished his move from Chicago to Washington. Obama’s work as a young man serving as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago has been well-documented, but during a recent trip to Chicago, we tracked down some of the more recent places the president has been seen.

The bean structure in Millennium Park. (LTM)

When you first arrive in downtown Chicago, head east to Grant Park. This park was home to the president-elect’s Election-Night rally and acceptance speech; local police reports placed 240,000 people in the park. Grant Park and the adjacent Millennium Park are must-visits on any trip to Chicago. With good views of architecture and a nice landscape, they provide a welcome respite from the busyness of the city just a few blocks away.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 East Wacker Drive) stands a few blocks north of Millennium Park. Obama and his family watched election returns from this hotel before going to Grant Park for his acceptance speech. There’s not much else to see here, so we wouldn’t recommend walking to this hotel just to get a glimpse of the outside. (However, if you are able to afford a room at the Hyatt or Swissotel Chicago, which is next door, you’ll be treated to excellent views of the Magnificent Mile area or Lake Michigan.)

Walk about thirteen blocks north on the Magnificent Mile and you’ll come across Spiaggia (980 N. Michigan Avenue), a sophisticated Italian restaurant where the First Couple dined for their anniversary dinner a week after the election. News reports indicated that a crowd gathered outside the restaurant and cheered as President-elect and Mrs. Obama exited. The restaurant’s dress code requires men to wear a jacket, and be sure to check the restaurant’s menu before making required reservations — you’ll need a hefty wad of cash to check out.

However, we suggest skipping the fanfare and grabbing a meal at a place more authentically Obama: Medici on 57th (1327 57th Street). This restaurant is located in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Obama lives in the community and served as a law professor in this college neighborhood before becoming a United States senator in 2004.

Pizza joint Medici is frequented by University of Chicago students and professors -- and President-elect Barack Obama. (LTM)

Travel southwest using city buses to get to Hyde Park. Once you arrive at Medici, you’ll find pizza, pasta, and burgers in a cozy restaurant. Over the years, diners have scribbled their names and messages on the wooden walls and tables — a practice that is now discouraged. The pizza comes famous Chicago deep-dish style; the smallest size is perfect for lunch, and the “Garbage Pizza” comes filled with all the ingredients you could ever want. Our waitress said she had served Obama a few times, and some staffers wore T-shirts declaring the same. After lunch, we stumbled across the nearby 57th Street Books (1301 57th Street); the store professes that Obama regularly bought books there. Shop through five or six rooms packed with books, including ample selections on Chicago and Chicago-related writers. Displays featuring books by Studs Turkel and tomes about Barack Obama were prominent during our visit.

Obama lives near the University of Chicago campus, but the area around the house is heavily secured and shouldn’t be approached by tourists. The Law School is not located on the main campus quadrangle area we visited during our trip, and we haven’t found any evidence to show that it’s worth a trip. (Indeed, most of the university’s buildings have “No Trespassing” stickers secured to every exterior door.) Instead, you can get a haircut by heading (ha!) a bit north to the Hyde Park Hair Salon at S. Blackstone and 54th. Don’t expect to see the president-elect here; following the election, his barber began traveling to him for security reasons.

The view from the Hancock Tower lounge is worth the price of a drink. (LTM)

After your day exploring Chicago, head back to the Magnificent Mile and the John Hancock Center (875 N. Michigan Avenue). We know of no Obama connection, but can’t help sharing this favorite part of our trip. Instead of paying the $15 admission fee for the observatory at the very top of the building, take the elevator to the The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor. For the price of a drink, you’ll relax at tables to next to floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at incredible views of Chicago. Our $12 Sky High Martini in particular was top-of-the-shelf. Great drinks, great company, great views, and the feeling that we had beat the system. That’s change we’ll take any day.

-Story written and reported by Bobby Guerette.

UPDATE: After our trip, The New York Times published its own story about Hyde Park. If you’re planning to visit Chicago, be sure to check The Times article for a few more tips on places to visit. The Times mentions the Museum of Science and Industry. We will caution you: This sprawling museum is perfect for kids, younger teens, and parents, but twentysomethings may want to opt for one of the city’s many other museums instead.

Ferris Wheel from "Never Been Kissed" (Credit LiveTheMovies.com)

You can also catch shots of Navy Pier in 2006’s “The Lake House”, in an episode of “Prison Break,” and in 2008’s summer blockbuster “The Dark Knight.”

Chicago's Navy Pier (Credit LiveTheMovies.com)

Filming location or not, the pier is a great place to visit. Aside from the ferris wheel, the Pier offers a carousel, mini-golf, a children’s museum, live entertainment, a bevy of special events, and gorgeous twice-weekly fireworks all summer long. (Oh yeah - you can also indulge in fine dining and a little retail therapy.) There are even lighthouse rides and pleasure boat cruises! One of our favorite Chicago spots, Navy Pier is a must-see for anyone visiting the beautiful city of Chicago.

- Story and Photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor