I recently arrived home from my business trip to Chicago, but luckily for me I had a bit of play before I had to work.
Some highlights of my time in Chicago include walking around Millennium Park and seeing all of the art installations, the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River, walking along the Riverwalk and eating at many fabulous restaurants.
Millennium Park is home to the famous bean (really called Cloud Gate). Cloud Gate is a huge outdoor sculpture in the shape of a lima bean, it is unique because the polished steel has no seams and reflects the city skyline. My boyfriend and I visited the bean during the day and at night for two different views. Although the bean is probably the most visited, there are also other installations in the park that make for an artsy feel.
Our 90 minute boat tour was something I definitely recommend doing in Chitown. Our tour guide was so knowledgable about the architecture of the city and the history of Chicago in general. Not only did she speak of each skyscrapers’ history, she also spoke about the 1871 fire of Chicago. The fire wiped the whole city away and everything had to be built up again; Chicago was really reborn after the fire. I learned that Chicago is not nicknamed the Windy City because of the winds coming off the Great Lake, but because of the politicians! Who knew?
I’m sure there are other boat tours you can take; my dad raves about one that leaves at night and takes you out into the mouth of Lake Michigan, looking back onto the Chicago skyline at night time must be so beautiful (and cold).
After walking around for a while after the boat tour, we realized that most bridges allow access to the riverwalk from street level. We decided to walk along the riverwalk to get perspective of the river by foot this time! It was very peaceful and serene.
Most, if not all, of the meals I had in Chicago left me full and happy. My top three places that I would recommend are the delicious Coco Pazzo, an upscale Italian restaurant, the eclectic Niu Japanese Fusion, a fusion of western influences, and the fresh Catch 35. Each meal was so very different but also so yummy.
Chicago is such a unique city; the element of water and tall city buildings really brings a nice twist and a lighter air to the city. In comparison, New York City has a more crowded feel with tall building after tall building.
Some people say that Chicago is beautiful, others say that it´s so ugly and that they don´t understand why people actually go there. I have never been, but I always thought that maybe one day I will. Your description and photos of the city make me wonder why some people say that the city isn´t nice. I had no idea that there was this incredible game between water and skyscrapers: you so made me want to visit! Thanks!!!!
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Hi Arianna! Thanks for reading the blog and for your comment. I had a wonderful experience in Chicago and really liked the city. I’ve heard that some areas can get a bit sketchy – but I did not experience this. Maybe this is what you’ve heard in the past? I would recommend giving it a try for yourself to get your own opinion!
[…] Fall in Chicago was such a delight- the Windy City was not too cold and the shades of trees were so beautiful to see. It was my second time to Chicago and I loved seeing it in a different light than the first time I was there. […]