USA – Chicago

Chicago, USA

“The windy City” – famous for its two tall skyscrapers, lakeside position, Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, iconic buildings and its stunning lakeshore gardens with its modern sculpture “the bean”. Visit Art Galleries and Museums galore, Michigan Avenue shops, river boat trips and the Soldiers Field Stadium and of course the famous Loop transport system. One of my favourite cities in the US. It holds fond memories of friends I’ve visited there and is actually my most visited American city for me, to date. 

(This trip was part of a Canadian 5 city tour of Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec before I flew to a friends wedding in Chicago. Click on links for reviews on these locations).

I flew in to Chicago from Quebec city in Canada as my Canada trip came to an end and I had planned on going home via Chicago, after a friend’s wedding there. Thus my Chicago trip was primarily to attend the wedding of my friends and to meet up with the bride’s parents again – friends of many years standing – and to meet the groom’s parents for the first time. I had a fabulous time and the fond memory of that wedding stays with me forever.

What to see in Chicago.

This city trip is short on pics and info, as although it was my second visit to the “windy city”, I didn’t take many photos on the first trip. That first trip was just a couple of day’s stay as it was also a transfer from my Pacific coast trip on my way back to London. This second visit was more to attend my friend’s beautiful wedding, than as a tourist trip.

Chicago was very different to my initial expectations. I was brought up on Chicago gangster stories and shoot-outs between cops and robbers on tv. I was expecting a city full of brownstone dark buildings and a scary atmosphere ….. Chicago is nothing like that ….. well at least not in the central area where I was.

The city is vibrant, modern, wide thoroughfares and gleaming new buildings, many parks and a waterfront to rival any city. The people were lovely – helpful, smiley and I really felt at home.

I walked everywhere, as I wanted to see the famous Michigan Avenue from one end to the other and all the buildings that I had read about in my guides.

Skyscraper city

I of course wanted to go to the top of some of the highest buildings in the world and went to the observation decks on the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Building and the views were spectacular.

I don’t have a head for heights and I just could not bring myself to step onto the glass floor area in either tower but enjoyed them both anyhow.

At the Willis Tower, (click here for info), to see across the city to the suburbs and then beyond, was unreal. The panoramic views give you an idea of the immenseness that Chicago as a city is.

John Hancock Building, Chicago.

Tickets are available in the foyer and I risked it by not pre-booking for either and luckily as it was a quiet day on both occasions I got tickets straight away.

At the John Hancock Building, (click here for info), to see across the vastness of Lake Michigan, was phenomenal. It looks more like an ocean as, even at that height, you cannot see across to the other side. The nearby buildings looked like little boxes and it felt unreal to be this high in the sky.

River Trip.

There is commentary all the way and to be honest I had no idea how important this river had been and still is. So much was pointed out that I previously had no idea about so it was educational at least.

Boats left from the Ogden slip quay area, opposite Lake Point Tower, across the road next to the park area in front of Navy Pier.

Navy Pier, Chicago.

I went to Navy Pier, (click here for info), and walked the whole length and back. The views of the Chicago skyline from here are fabulous. The Pier itself was ok – shops, entertainment etc but not what I wanted, but I did get to eat at a great little eatery inside. The stall had a hotdog named after each State and according to the traditions of the State, had different fillings and sauces. I opted for the Chicago one – naturally – and it was yummy.

I also took a trip out onto the Lake and alongside the skyline to get even better pics of the skyline and just to say I have been on Lake Michigan. Boats leave from the right hand side quay of Navy Pier as you look out to the lake. It was very much a turn up and buy at the time as they seemed fairly frequent and luckily mine was not crowded, so I got to move around to see the skyline from various parts of the boat as it manoeuvred about.

Cloud Gate.

Now, one of the most entertaining sights of Chicago is the Cloud Gate- a mirrored huge artwork shape in the park that actually looks like a coffee bean (and many call it “The Bean”). It reflects the buildings and people gazing into it, in curving fantastically absurd shapes, but what a piece of fun for the park. Hundreds of people were enjoying the fun of going up close and capturing the distorted mirrored images, especially the kiddies.

Try it and get a magical pic of yourself looking into it.

Much further down this huge open green space were the Buckingham Fountains – a dancing, water spectacle of flowing fountains. This was special for me as the last time I was here, a year ago, they were closed up and undergoing massive reparations . I was so disappointed then, as they would clearly be a great sight when working. Now I finally got to see them in all their glory.

It was gushing the water streams and I was right, they are an artistic and classical addition to this wonderful conglomeration of parks alongside the water front.

Grant Park.

I walked the whole length of the various interconnecting Parks from Maggie Daley Park via the enormous and beautiful Buckingham fountain, through the planted gardens, right through Grant Park to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, the Planetarium. Yep. I visited the inside of all three and had views of Soldier Field Stadium , stopping off for pics at the Marina on the way.

Sorry I didn’t take pics of the buildings as I was not intending to set up this site at that time, but do not let that from making you visit them, they were great fun.

Ok, this took several hours of walking and I was exhausted at the end but it was such a peaceful and endearing walk in beautiful surroundings. It made me feel that Chicago is not just about the buildings alone but the parks and landscapes that have been lovingly created here.

I got to see the tall condominium buildings near lake shore and the artwork in the park opposite. From here there is a view of the Chicago Symphony Centre, home to the famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

My friends looked after me well on both visits and that evening took me to a great restaurant/diner for what was to be a special Chicago celebration meal.

I have never had BBQ pulled pork and this was a house speciality at this restaurant, so BBQ pulled pork it was ! I have never had as good since, and it left me with a craving for it, whenever I could find it back in the UK, for a long time afterwards.

So, my trip was at an end. What did I think of Chicago?

It big, brash, but so, so beautiful. The buildings are modern or lovingly restored 1930’s style ones. I felt so safe everywhere and the people were welcoming and  charming. The streets were clean, Madison Avenue is a shoppers dream and the Loop (an overhead gantry style Metro system on rails) was a wnoder to expereince.

The Shore Drive and views out to the Lake with its beaches and Marina were idyllic. The parks were green and well maintained and the Museums and art galleries outstanding – are you gettig the impression that I loved this city. Well, if so, you are right. I actually felt quite at home here.

Hope to see you again soon sometime, Windy City.

Sept 2016.