Chicago's Lakefront with Geoffrey Baer

[@Bob-te3le]

I will keep saying it loud and proud Chicago is the best city in USA if not the world.

[@pilotgrrl1]

I miss Chicago! I used to live on Fargo Ave right by the Jarvis L. My tiny apartment didn't have air conditioning, so I'd walk down the street and go swimming in Lake Michigan. Good times!

[@annapavfan4680]

These documentaries make me love my city even more, helps cope with my homesickness. I will be going home soon ❤

[@coolauntiejoyce]

I was born and raised in Chicago, then I left in my late 20s to join the Navy in 2000. Although I’ve been gone since then I still miss it. Geoffrey’s easy going style makes these videos a treat to watch!😍

[@seeatlanta1408]

i always get a little sad when i see the time winding down to the end of these Geoffrey Baer programs. I could watch these pieces all day. thank you wttw and Geoffrey Baer for bringing Chicago to life. These documentaries have me feeling like i’ve lived in Chicago my entire life.

[@wttw]

Thank you for your kind comment, and we hope you enjoy all our Geoffrey Baer programs!

[@denniscoppage859]

Pppppplpp ok p LL ppplppppppppppppppp

[@denniscoppage859]

Pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppkp

[@drstevenrey]

As a Canadian living in Europe, Chicago is my top favorite city in the USA, long ahead of any New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles. It just has that little something that makes a difference.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

And downtown continues to grow and evolve.

[@Bob-te3le]

I agree on Chicago being the best city in USA.

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

@@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79 always!

[@MITdork]

Chicago quality > nyc quantity

[@StanDavid-ix6yk]

Every time I watch one of these episodes I get homesick. I miss Chicago so much.

[@bonniedeibel1546]

I grew up in Chicago suburbs & remember a lot of the city life. I left in 1988 but went back to visit for many years after. I miss a lot of the Chicago area. These videos are a joy for me to watch. I hope they keep going!

[@J3MOdh3NOWX3S]

Did you move to California ?

[@JohnAckerman31]

I just love watching these programs. I would just love to meet Geoffrey Baer one day, and take a tour with him. Watching these programs make me even prouder to live in Chicago. Thank you Geoff and WTTW for these great programs

[@boogitybear2283]

Chicago is the best big city in America. When I visited New York City last year, the whole time I was thinking, I’d rather be in Chicago.😂

[@Bob-te3le]

Chicago is way better than New York City. ❤

[@cocoaorange1]

I met Mr. Baer at a charity event nearly 20 years ago. I have always liked his programs as a native Chicagoan. The Lakefront is beautiful.

[@rtomsa1]

Because of the knowledge I have gathered from these documentaries, I’m a world class tour guide as far as my friends and family are concerned. Watching them all over again on

[@stevecausey545]

I really miss Illinois. We moved to Colorado in 73. I still miss it. These are bittersweet

[@emu5088]

A little dated documentary but still awesome to watch. The upload to YT is definitely appreciated!

[@gandydancer823]

I became a member mosty because of Geoffrey's programs

[@lookitsvane]

Nothing beats a Chicago summer ❤

[@jreid2171]

Indeed he does! I love Chicago! ❤

[@bernardtheaubreycoxandcoolgame]

I love it too! I'm a Chicago native

[@jreid2171]

@@bernardtheaubreycoxandcoolgame see you found it lol! He been doing these documentaries of everything Chicago for years for WTTW highly recommend my friend!

[@bernardtheaubreycoxandcoolgame]

@@jreid2171 thank you so much. Even though I'm a Chicago native, this is very helpful! 💪✌️👍

[@jreid2171]

@@bernardtheaubreycoxandcoolgame I'm originally from Chicago but left in 2008. I want to come back for good once I'm done with school here. Alot of good things are beginning to happen in your city ✨

[@bernardtheaubreycoxandcoolgame]

@@jreid2171 I know right?! Like the demolition of Cabrini green back in 2011.

[@chiefvirgobleu6744]

He makes the best videos about my city #I💙Chi

[@mmrgratitudes]

This was wonderful!! I still remember when Millenium Patk was being constructed. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@jimanders6666]

Chicago is a f*cking sh*t hole.

[@gjackyroxas2720]

The best city in the world CHICAGO!

[@Ert1239_wea]

Chicago is the city of architectural beauty.

[@Bob-te3le]

Facts. The best in the country by far. Plus mother natures architecture makes it even better.

[@bogdan78pop]

I love my city...and i'm an immigrant..This is were i will die..!

[@ramencurry6672]

Slather barbecue sauce on you. You will be delicious

[@MurielJackson-k7y]

He makes the best videos about my city #IChi

[@TomMannis]

Beautiful documentary. Thank you.

[@klausrain111]

It's important to remember that because of the brisk wind from the West, Chicago's air quality is extremely good for a city of its massive size. I lived there for ten years starting in 76. Many great memories!

[@johnwelch4117]

I lived in Chlcago in winter back in the day and the wind is brisk, they call it the hawk

[@johnwelch4117]

I lived in Chicago in the winter back in the day and the wind is brisk coming off the lake. As I remember they called the wind the hawk

[@bundevsawhney7578]

Very true, I forget how important this quality of the city is until I spend time elsewhere. Adds to the vibe of the city not feeling overwhelmingly concrete jungle-esque, along with good tree cover

[@amandabeck2024]

Yea. The Indiana sand dunes park is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country. I live about 20 minutes away and bring my family often.

[@Bob-te3le]

I'm going next month for a huge family/friends reunion. I can't wait to see it. My happy place is The Great Lake Michigan area Milwaukee down to Chicago over to Indiana/Michigan parts.

[@dennisdaniels2992]

Millennium Park is a fantastic place in Chicago!

[@BenjiBlabs]

It was today that I learned there was a Midwest cactus.

[@davidhowes5038]

Great documentary as all your videos are !!!

[@perezcross2785]

If I were to name a Chicago Public Television Urban Historical Producer Emeritus it would be Geoffrey Baer. No matter where, if I see his work, I must stop to watch. That calm often wry narration is tranquilizing (in good way 🙂). If he offered to roast my mother (he's never met her) I would not hesitate. 😉

[@reginaldgarner4321]

@WTTW, The University of Chicago, aka The Harvard of the West, actually, is one of American higher education's best kept secrets. Promontory Point on the lakefront offers fantastic northward views of the Chicago skyline. Thanks for this wonderful tour of the city--and the memories.

[@dennisdaniels2992]

Geoffrey Baer was hosting this documentary Chicago's Lakefront with Geoffrey Baer!

[@ethan60645]

Rogers park residents are fuming 😡

[@bethbartlett5692]

Best Skyline in the USA, Chicago. My place of birth, Edgewater Hospital, Melrose Ave, and my parent's restaurant on Belmont and Western, across from Riverview. What a life to be born into! ... and then, when I was 5, Dad moves us to his home town, in NW Tennessee 😶 (They are Red Bird fans, they talked weird, there was no Ice Cream Man, no buses, ....... and No Bozo!) This was not fun. I muttled through and then came College! Mercy, I was off like a Prom Dress! Oh, so felt alive again! I would tell ya the rest of the story, but then you wouldn't buy the Book. ...and I really got my heart set on a nice little Loft in Chicago! GO CUBS - GO!!!!!!!!! 😘🍀

[@J3MOdh3NOWX3S]

Its number 2. NYC skyline is miles ahead of chicago.

[@frankkolton1780]

@@J3MOdh3NOWX3S I disagree. Because of my job, I have traveled to all the major cities in the US over the years. While each city has it's charms that make it unique, I definitely like Chicago's skyline the best. The varied architecture styles is beyond compare, making for a beautiful profile from any direction.. Another big thing is Chicago is so very clean, the outside of the buildings, the streets, and their parks.

[@Bob-te3le]

​@@J3MOdh3NOWX3SChicago is #1.

[@dennisdaniels2992]

This documentary was fantastic, but I can't wait to visit millennium park in Chicago!

[@richbrout16]

His Videos are Fantastic!

[@michel347]

That nice stainless steel is one of ours..that the took from us...

[@captainnebulous2918]

Came here expecting to see a bunch of raging haters talking crap about Chicago. Thankful to see that you focused on what Chicago is really like in most places. People don't realize that there really is only a couple of bad blocks in Chicago proper. But MSM sees all of northern IL as "Chicago" lmao

[@scottr5775]

Ok walk around downtown at night.

[@myphonyaccount]

​@@scottr5775 no problems

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

Right. Just stay out of black neighborhoods and your good. 💪

[@annapavfan4680]

@@scottr5775 Done it at 2am myself lol… bye

[@J3MOdh3NOWX3S]

Couple of bad blocks? Your entire south side and most of the west is hood. Not to mention the Northside used to be gangster central, with maybe the most corrupt politicians in all of the US.

[@domestikgoddez9823]

i remember marlon perkins and his show "wild kingdom". his catch phrase seemed to be was "go get'em jim" ..leaving his underling to get into whatever dangerous situations there were.. made me laugh... "jim" went on to fill perkins shoes in the tv show.

[@frankkolton1780]

"Now Jim is going to subdue that netted young Rhino to the ground so it can be immobilized and tagged" "Careful Jim, that rhino looks quite angry." I loved that show as a kid, and we also looked forward to the Jacques Cousteau specials. Wonderful times for sure.

[@AlwaysAmTired]

It's funny hearing warnings about the low lake levels Central Lake has risen so much over the past few years that it's swallowed up a lot of beach land.

[@mrocean8139]

He skipped my beloved Cal Park (East Side) ☹️

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

a hidden gem. they should make a similar park in the empty space where the South Works used to be

[@patrickwoods2583]

How about that Spire, huh!?

[@Shahrdad]

Wonderful documentary. The Edgewater Beach Hotel, however, was not pink but "Sunrise Yellow." The apartments, still extant, were built later and were "Sunset Pink."

[@dbeaus]

Ah, controversy, I love it. I grew up in Chicago and drove a cab after College for a few years. I lived on the northeast side for 10 years and most of my cab rides were on the northside. In my memory, the Edgewater was Pink. It is hard to forget a building that large. sitting by itself, and that ugly color.

[@Shahrdad]

@@dbeaus There is no controversy. It's a well-known fact about the hotel buildings vs. the apartments (still extant). The former were yellow, the latter pink.

[@garrethboland]

Anyone know the music that starts around 36:29 ?

[@RandGerald]

I’m not certain when this was made but my guess is 2009. Chicago has certainly deteriorated since then.

[@khunopie9159]

WRONG! 2008!

[@Bob-te3le]

How has Chicago deteriorated since then ? I gotta hear this from a Karen person. 😂😂

[@cocoaorange1]

Is the Bird Hospital still in Northernly Island?

[@sierrajohnson7300]

Yes

[@dbeaus]

Daley's destruction of Meigs had nothing to do with a planned park. Daley and his father had a long feud with downstate politicians who were constantly getting in his way. See, the Daley's had little use for those who didn't agree with them. The downstaters would use Meigs when going to Chicago instead of Midway or O'hare. Would Daley destroy Meigs to spite the Downstaters? Ask anyone who knew them.

[@mic1240]

No. It was used by mostly private planes of CEOs, mayor Daley didn’t care or think about “downstaters”. It was just after heightened terrorism threats around cities post 9/11, an excuse to do.

[@dbeaus]

@@mic1240 Beg to differ. Had many friends in the Democrat circles in those days and was even active for a while on the Northwest side. People in the middle of the US were not concerned with terrorism that much. Daley wasn't at all. Junior learned from Dad. You absolutely crush opposition at all costs. You could write a book about those 2 and how they used the power of City Hall to smash anyone even presumed to be in opposition to them. I am a native Chicagoan who grew up on the South side in the 50's and 60's. Daley and junior had little use for downstaters who they considered an annoyance in them getting their way. If the destruction of Meigs was so above board, why did Junior do it in the middle of the night? Of course, to hide it until it was done. Also violated a few FAA rules and procedures, but who cares about the Federal Government? Not the Daley's. There was also quite a few private planes parked at Meigs that night whose owners had no way to fly out their planes. That dragged on for a while. Anyone who mattered to the Daley's flew out their planes before. It was a case of pure one upmanship, I will do it because I can because you guys will not play ball. Read Mike Royko's book, "Boss". Probably the best book written about the Daley's. And believe me, there is lot of stuff not in that book. If you think the Daley's had no ill towards downstaters, call me I have a bridge for sale.

[@mic1240]

@@dbeaus yes, did it in middle of night. Not a real concern on terrorism, used as excuse. He still didn’t give two hits about downstaters and they were not the bulk of flights into Meigs.

[@aleisaetheridge8682]

Yay , President Obama , oh what a man he is and his wife is amazing and a true hero to this country , they both r 💙💖💙

[@Papawcanner]

Worthless president served Wall Street and lives in Martha’s Vineyard

[@johnrutkowski4166]

Are these televised Prìnts of the TV specials or the DVD Prìnts? Some tours have more content on the DVD.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Pluto got its Status back and (may have been most put off by the whole subject). Pluto is the planet of "reformation", (which 1st requires deconstruction). Dynamite comes in small packages!

[@MartinAston00]

Well, yeah you kinda have to develop like this in such a cold winter, windy, land locked city or nobody will live there! Yeah Lake Mich huge, but nothing like the actual Coast/Ocean.

[@rtomsa1]

Here in 2024 to let everyone know that the water level in Lake Michigan has been raised not lowered contrary to what was predicted 52:18

[@Mr.E723]

“Everyone agrees the new Soldier Field is a great place to watch a game” lol 😂 I’d say that line hasn’t aged well, but I don’t think it was ever true to begin with, and the people at the time who said that I think by now have come to terms with the fact that they were lying to themselves to try to feel better about an obviously botched project.

[@mikekaup5252]

If Chicago wasn't such a fierce shootemup I might visit. I would love to go to the great restaurants.

[@ramencurry6672]

Most likely you won’t see crime even if it’s a bad week.

[@frankkolton1780]

It depends on city geography and your demographic. Of the 288 homicides in Chicago this year, broken down by race: 81.9% Black 13.6% Hispanic 4.5% White/other Studies show that the victims of homicides are usually committed by their own race. Chicago racial demographics: White 34.1% Black 29.2% Hispanic/Latino 28.7% Other 8% When broken down in homicides per capita, Chicago doesn't even rank in the top 10 worse cities in the US.

[@alphasafe06]

@@frankkolton1780 Good analysis. As long as the media continues to emphasize crime reporting, which increase fear in the communities, and eyeballs on the news to see the latest threats, the perceptions of Chicago and other gems like this will remain dim to outsiders. Blood, gore and drugs sells news, and family friendly good news does not!

[@peteypete1984]

Tartaria

[@timv6715]

The lakefront is a great amenity. However, it sure would be nice if the cIty turned DuSable LSD into a slower moving, quieter parkway rather than the expressway that it turned into. It's hard to enjoy a walk, run, or bike ride with the roar of autos less than 50 ft away from you. The pollution from these vehicles is not healthy to inhale when you're trying to get some exercise. Perhaps when everyone is driving electric cars it won't be so bad.

[@Azmera_]

Too bad it closed in 1974. If they had allowed blacks, it would have never closed.

[@60015]

Not my heart breaking when he brings up the 2016 olympics. Fuck Rio

[@ДмитрийДепутатов]

Taylor Brian Johnson Shirley Davis Sharon

[@ДмитрийДепутатов]

Moore Maria Lopez Steven Brown Susan

[@3506Dodge]

It belongs to the City of Chicago, not "all of us."

[@deb6828]

Chicago is a beautiful city but the crime and gangs have destroyed so much . Carjacking and gunpoint holdups never existed but do now. I hope the politics will change and people will demand that the punishment meets the crime. Back in the 50’s doors weren’t locked, young people could stay out at dark and never worried about guns. Maybe it can get better.

[@alphasafe06]

@deb6828 So much like what? First of all, respectfully, this is not the 50's! The 60's and 70's ushered in 180-degree social change from the 50's. Drugs, brought in from our soldiers returning from Vietnam changed things. Crime and gangs are not new to Chicago. Just like New York and other big cities, ethnic migration led to gangs in the very early days. There was a reason why Al Capone and his boys thrived in Chicago. He had access to the mayor's office, they were protected by the police, etc. This is why it took the feds to bring him down. That was organized crime. If you are referring to the black and brown gangs wreaking havoc. That is a problem, disorganized crime. The news media report on this activity all the time. By the way, there are white street gangs in Chicago. I attended Lane Tech for high school starting in 1972. We had to deal with them. Also, Asian gangs exist. There are gangs in most ethnic groups, especially since Chicago is so ethnically diverse and segregated, still. Crack in the 80's or so really changed things more. The "war on crime" did not work, "just say no" is not enough. You have to provide an alternative for kids to get involved in. This recent vaping thing is a gateway to drugs, ughhh. No easy solutions, especially since some law enforcement personnel are known to partner with gangs for their personal gain. I agree the punishment should fit the crime. The current laws will deliver a more stringent sentence for a street hustler (typically a teen or early 20's male or female), selling crack on the street than a professional using or distributing a much larger amount of powder cocaine at their downtown professional job. Is that fair? It is way easier to catch the kid on the street corner. Should the focus be on the supplier? Likely white, suburban, wealthy males. By the way, carjacking and gun point hold ups did occur in the 70's in Chicago. As long as it stayed in the minority communities, the media was not interested in reporting it. Once it hits the Gold Coast, now the sky is falling. By the way I grew up in the Gold Coast, and after college I moved to Oak Park.

[@christopherbetty5017]

There no such thing as public land in America.

[@sergiobrito7613]

I love Chicago I am from Brasil and I really liked the wind city. In spite of your ecoterrorism I only would like to know where alll this money to build the parks and change constructions came from

[@mikerico5568]

COME ON MAN! You skipped where U.S. Steel sat on the lake in the neighborhood of South Chicago? Are you kidding me?? And Calumet Park south of U.S. Steel?! I'm done watching at the 3:50 mark.

[@MrOnelegnick]

This guy is magical, he can polish a turd like Chicago and make it look shiny! Unfortunately it's not what it's portrayed to be. Especially with the current mayor!

[@JSwan-bd1tc]

52:17, the comment about the low lake level due to climate change...what a load of bull. Fast forward to 2013 - 2020 and the lake level was at record highs. The media said "due to climate change", it seems that high, low, it's all climate change. I've had a boat in Waukegan Harbor since 2006 and have seen the lake level go up and down. I've experienced the impact of low water and high water on navigation. The water shed for the Great Lakes is huge and varies depending on which of the Great Lakes you are referring to. Rain, snow pack all lead into the lakes and it can vary from week to week. Such alarmist claims of blaming everything on climate change is both alarmist and naive.

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

Climate change just means what it sounds like: the climate changing. If not climate change, then what do you propose causes the lake levels to change? Don't get it twisted

[@alphasafe06]

@@carstarsarstenstesenn Climate patterns have been changing since the beginning of time. Everything impacts it, a la the butterfly effect. Perhaps the original poster was simply stating that the alarmists may be exaggerating things. I believe there is always climate change. The question is what the big factors are. One volcanic eruption can result in more impact than anything mankind can deliver, probably in the absence of a nuclear discharge. Yes, we need to clean up as much as we can, commercially and personally. In the US many companies are doing better, due to their vigilance and increased regulation. Automobiles and companies dispel fewer toxins. Los Angeles in the 70's had numerous weekly pollution alerts. The skies above the valleys are so clear today. Just one success story. I don't favor spending trillions to implement some broad action that may not result in any beneficial change. Especially with nations like the PR China being such a big polluter. Western developed countries can do more in helping 3rd world developing countries.

[@arth9013]

Nice, but beware no protection

[@DaneRates]

Alter scam

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

Hopefully they can gentrify the south part of the lake front and get rid of you know who.

[@annapavfan4680]

It’s happening and it sucks, cut the colorism and classism.

[@kmaher1424]

Make improvements but get rid of the racists instead

[@MrOnelegnick]

Lake Michigan has actually gone up in level. Daley was a joke and all that followed him. If you're going to chi town bring body armor and a gun!

[@fritzstehr]

I immediately abandoned this video at 1:33 when a Feindberg Foundation ad was displayed. 👎 Absolutely no sense sticking around to be propagandized with a Disney feel good lie.

[@docjanos]

Rather dated. Most of the wonderful parks are now too dangerous to use any time of day. Spoiler alert, Chciago was not awarded the 2016 Olympics. Indeed the promotional video referenced in this video was widely panned as the worst produced by any of the candidate cities.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

I still think it's a damn shame what Daley did to miegs. What a nasty jerk.

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

best thing he did. Meigs field was a private strip that most Chicagoans had no access to, now it's a beautiful nature preserve open to the public