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Attraction/Event Spotlight
Canine Cruisin' in Chicago
With more and more people traveling or just going around
town with their furry friend, you would think more places would cater
to dogs. Well, there are some businesses out there that are doing exactly
that, catering to four-legged customers. The Mercury Chicago's Skyline
Cruiseline, operating since 1930, now offers Canine Cruises every Sunday
during the summer months, through September 1, 2002. This boat tour
company welcomes well-behaved, leashed canines of ALL shapes and sizes.
Is this just an ordinary river and lakefront cruise around
Chicago? Your dog won't think so. The 90 minute narrated tour will point
out local dog parks, key fire hydrants, and favorite watering spots.
Speaking of fire hydrants, there is no need to worry if your dog has
to relieve him or herself on board. These dog-friendly folks have even
set aside one restroom on board, lined with newspaper, for pooches.
And dogs can ride in style in their own seat if they are medium to large-sized
or will share the lap of their owner if they are small enough.
If you and your pooch want to catch a bite to eat after
the cruise, try dining outside at Cyrano's Cafe. Mercury Cruiseline
has partnered with the owner of this restaurant to create a special
doggy menu for the lunch hours. For a small charge, your pooch can drool
over the white rice and ostrich pate croquette appetizer, savor the
vegetarian bowtie pasta or steak hache (ground beef), sip up a bottle
of Vittel water and chomp on a cookie for dessert. A portion of the
proceeds from your pooch's meal will benefit the Chenny Troupe, a Chicago-based
Animal Assisted Therapy Organization.
This well thought out production was put together by Holly
Agra, owner of Mercury Cruiseline along with Steve Dale, author of Dog
Gone Chicago. If you are in the Chicago area visiting or you live there
and just want to play tourist for a day, you'll need to check out this
dog days of summer cruise. The Canine Cruise departs every Sunday at
10am-11am from about June through September 1. Food and drinks are not
sold on the boats, but you can bring your own in non-breakable containers.
Tour prices are $15 per adult, $7.50 per child 11 and under, and $5.00
per dog. Prices are subject to change. Advance reservations are not
required. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Sundays and cash only please
(no credit cards). The boat departs from Mercury's Riverside Gardens
dock at the southeast corner and lower level of the Michigan Avenue
bridge just below the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
For more information:
Mercury Chicago's
Skyline Cruiseline, Michigan Ave. & Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL,
312-332-1353
Cyrano's
Cafe, Between Columbus and Michigan, on the South side of the River,
across from the NBC tower, Chicago, Il, 312-616-2000
More
Chicago dog-friendly places including Accommodations, Attractions,
Outdoor Restaurants and Parks.
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