A couple of days in Chicago

Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan

For our summer road trip this year, we decided to go to the Windy City, Chicago. Not windy at all :P Locals have told us that the name came from having politicians full of “hot air” especially in relation to the World Fair in the late 1800’s. There are still debates on its origin but it is definitely not a windy city in terms of weather. 

After almost a full day of travel, we arrived at our hotel at Magnificent Mile close to dinner time. We specifically chose this highly recommended location for shopping and relative distance to attractions. 

Some of the stores @ Magnificent Mile, Chicago

As the famed deep dish pizza places had a long line up (and apparently a minimum 45 minute wait time AFTER you are able to get in), we just grabbed a bite at the Foodlife/Foodease Market at the Water Tower place.

The Mag Mile is a full mile of shopping, dining, and entertainment amongst beautiful buildings!  Sadly, we had such a limited time that we were not able to go into each store. 

Chocolate after shopping @ Mag Mile, Chicago

Ghirardelli chocolates @ Mag Mile Chicago

 We did manage to drop by a few stores. Some, several times—such as the American Girl Place flagship store which was right on Mag Mile! This store was so amazing, it deserves a separate post (read it here!).

American Girl Place Flagship store, Chicago

 Over the next two of days, we took a couple of tours which were totally worth it—especially since we got a GO Chicago pass which allowed us access to selected attractions.

1. I highly suggest the Hop On Hop Off tour (Gray Line and Chicago Trolley were tours which seemed to be the most frequent) to go around the city. Apart from commentaries about the city, it will allow you stops at Navy Pier (which sadly we were not able to check out)
    

   

   Navy Pier @ Chicago

and the Museum Campus (where the Adler Planetarium, 

Adler Planetarium @ Chicago

  Shedd Aquarium 

Shedd Aquarium @ Chicago

and Field Museum are located). 

Field Museum @ Chicago

Among other stops, it also stops at the Mag Mile and of course, the former tallest building in North America—the (Sears) Willis Tower. At the Willis Tower, they have a Sky Deck wherein you can go on a glass ledge 1,300+ feet above ground!

Willis Tower, Chicago

 2. We also took the Architectural River Cruise (available at night as well) which was truly awesome. 

Many Architectural River Cruises are available off of Michigan Ave

Shoreline Architectural River Cruise, Chicago

You can also navigate Chicago via Water Taxi

I totally loved the architecture of the buildings of Chicago and am currently doing my darndest to convince DD#1 to become an architect! Hubby said that half the pictures I took from our trip were of buildings—that was how magnificent they were! 

Majestic buildings @ Downtown Chicago

The cruises departed from either Navy Pier or by Michigan Ave. The tour was 75 minutes long along the Chicago river and offered information on the buildings, architecture, and engineering that made Chicago famous as the birthplace of the skyscraper and home of modern American architecture.

Corn Cob Building, Chicago

We also checked out the Millenium park. Here, we marveled at the gigantic mirror-bean-like structure called the Cloud Gate as well as the Pavilion which had billowing steel ribbons overhead the stage. Too cool!

Cloud Gate @ Millenium park, Chicago

There was just too much to see, buy and eat but we did not have enough time. I have to say, though, that even in the short time we stayed, I declare this to be one of my most favourite cities in the US! I loved it!

Chicago on Dwellable