“The benches are back,” read the text from my sister, Jean. She was referring to Tinley Park’s Benches on the Avenue, an annual public art program.
Jean knows I always enjoy seeing the colorful themed benches lining the main strip in downtown Tinley Park, a southwest suburb of Chicago where she lives. In a bit of good timing, we already had a siblings’ lunch with our other sister planned in that area.
Debuting in 2004, Tinley Park’s Benches on the Avenue is one of the most popular attractions. The benches are the work of professional and amateur artists — sponsored by businesses or individuals. This year’s theme is “Saturday Morning Cartoons.” About 24 benches are located within a five-block stretch, making it easy to see all of them in a short time.
As we headed for the area, we guessed which cartoons might be represented. I was much more interested in Saturday morning cartoons than they were, but they humored me with their guesses. I was happy to see some old-school cartoons, like Popeye and Tom and Jerry, represented. There was a really good mix of old and new. My favorite was the Schoolhouse Rock! bench. More a series of short educational videos, Schoolhouse Rock! was a childhood favorite, and I was happy to see it included.
On display May through October, benches have a different theme each year. Previous years included Animal Adventure, Heroes and Villains, Classic TV, and The Magic of Music. While we were on our bench hunt, we saw several other folks taking selfies with the benches.
A lover of public art adding color to mundane scenery, I especially appreciate these for their functionality. This year’s benches might be my favorite yet.
— John Wroblewski, Special Projects Manager
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 6, 2024Indio, California is “Hot” Right Now, and We’re Not Talking About the Weather
Although most travelers are familiar with the name Palm Springs, the oldest city in the Greater Palm Springs region is Indio, California, Coachella Valley's "City of Festivals,” which has been experiencing an exciting downtown revitalization.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
September 2024
Sep 6, 2024Escape to Tahiti for a Captivating Island-Hopping Cruise
The 118 islands of French Polynesia reveal themselves layer by fascinating layer, with the spirit of mana (vital force) linking them all the way from Tahiti to the remote reaches of the Marquesas. This is part of the world best savored on a journey that dives as deep into culture as natural beauty, both above and below the water’s surface. A cruise makes it easy to cover a lot of ground while unpacking just once (and sneaking in some work done in comfort, too, during at-sea days). And cruising offers particular appeal within this semi-autonomous French territory sprawling across nearly 2 million square miles of ocean and covering five archipelagos.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Experience the Awe of Fall Foliage at These 5 U.S. Hotels
‘Tis the season for flannels, pumpkin spice and beautiful fall colors. With seasons changing, leaves turn to stunning gold, red, orange and yellow, making it the perfect time for travelers to hit the open road and explore five fall foliage hotels in the United States.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Finnair Celebrates 5 Years of Platinum Wing Lounge
Finnair’s exclusive Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki opened in summer 2019 and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Open to Finnair and oneworld’s top-tier customers, the lounge offers travelers a place to drink, dine and unwind pre-flight. Featuring Nordic-inspired design, the lounge offers areas for working, relaxing and dining, accommodating up to 155 customers at a time.
Take a Look at Windstar’s New “Star Seeker”
Daily
Sep 5, 2024eFlyer Reviews
Sep 4, 2024The Shelbourne Review
Facing the vast St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin sits the iconic and historic The Shelbourne. Few hotels master the perfect blend of history and luxury, but The Shelbourne gets it right. The site of the signing of the Irish Constitution in 1922 granting the Republic of Ireland its freedom from England, The Shelbourne has hosted its fair share of notable figures, from Michael Collins to Princess Grace Kelly to John Ford, the latter of which was the name of my suite.
Sponsored Content
Daejeon Prepares for Its Iconic Zero O’Clock Festival
Daejeon, South Korea, looks forward to August 2024 and the return of its iconic tradition, the Zero O’Clock Festival. This year, the event is held Aug. 9 –17 with a time travel theme featuring past, present and future zones. Find events pertaining to each zone’s characteristics in the area of Jungang-ro Street, from Daejeon Station to the former site of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office. These streets will be free of vehicles, and public transportation is highly recommended.
eFlyer News
Sep 4, 2024Illinois Becomes First Great Lakes State to Ban Certain Single-Use Plastic Bottles in Hotels
All hotels in Illinois with 50 or more guestrooms are now required to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan 1, 2026, all hotels are expected to make this transition.
ShareThis