Things to Do in Melrose Park

The minds behind Chicago Sailboat Charters share their passion for the sailing experience by making waterborne adventuring accessible to the general public with group sailing charters. Fostering the atmosphere of a private charter, the captains ferry passengers out onto Lake Michigan, sometimes right along the shoreline, for stunning views of Chicago's skyline. Depending on the weather, the wave tamer may also cruise straight out onto the lake at varying speeds, letting Mother Nature's temperament dictate routes for a safe and relaxing outing. The crew encourages its guests to make the most of the trip by bringing snacks, drinks, and an inflatable blanket for a picnic out on the lake, and every sailboat comes equipped with a bathroom.

In honor of the Washington Nationals' first-round draft-pick Stephen Strasburg, we set out to answer the age-old debate once and for all: Which is faster? A Strasburg fastball or a speedboat? After weeks of figuring out how to use a high-speed camera, we finally captured photographic evidence that hands down ends this debate:

The future has arrived and it's gliding in at a comfortable 6.5 mph. Introducing the Segway, a brand-new transportation device that was publicly released in 2002. Streets, sidewalks, and sidewalk cafes will soon be blessed with the presence of these two-wheel wonders, forever altering human life. Picture this: you need a wide-brimmed western hat to wear to Cowboy Formal 2009: Git Yer Grind On, but your calves hurt from morning calisthenics. Hopeless? Not with a Segway.

In 1935, Albert Borgstrom, a Swedish immigrant and carpenter by trade, set about constructing a 65-foot wooden yacht. He named the ship The Wendella and charged visitors $0.25 to ride through the city and listen to a guide expound on the sights. This simple vessel ended up being a steppingstone, and 75 years later, guests still ride along, now craning their heads back at the jagged opalescent silhouette of Trump Tower and the beehive curves of Marina City. Beneath the evolving skyline, the fleet has expanded to six vessels, which are now run by Albert's grandson, Michael Borgstrom. Wendella staffs a dedicated, in-house education department to keep the city's history alive and make sure that people continue to believe in water so it doesn’t disappear. On special excursions, the crew stocks the boats with wine for tastings beneath the stars or points the vessel through the verdigris waters of the lake to watch evening fireworks shows.