After 25 days traveling down Lake Michigan, we are finally here in Chicago. The lake was quite a challenge, between wind and waves, so we are happy to be here, for sure.
This is the city where skyscrapers overlook a sparkling lakefront, where parks flank bustling shopping districts, where neighborhoods thrive on their culture, from theater, dance, music, and food. It has a laid back, but sophisticated vibe.
As we come closer to the city, it seems to spread out and become much bigger.
We enter the very large, DuSable Harbor, a city marina located in the middle of downtown Chicago.
The waterfront of Chicago is flanked with a walkway/bicycle path, which give us great access to museums, restaurants, and tour boats.
The most memorable way to see Chicago is on an architecture cruise.
This was an exciting journey touring the Chicago River and it's architectural landmarks.
Our guide recounts the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become the home of the skyscraper and the cradle of modern American architecture.
It's the triangle that gets all the attention. Astute observers of Chicago
architecture probably sense a link between this hotel and the similarly
triangle-shaped Metropolitan Correctional Center. That link is local
architectural star Harry Weese. It was his mind that created both of these
buildings 11 years apart. Just like the jail, a triangle was perfect for this
project in order to minimize hallway lengths.
The land for the building, chosen by William Wrigley Jr., is unique because of its triangular shape. Mr. Wrigley's goal was to create an impressive headquarters for his successful chewing gum company and the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue was the perfect location.
Marina City was at the time the biggest ever built in concrete and its shape was in contrast with the contemporary architectural concepts of straight lines and cubical apartment buildings. The cylindrical shape was used to have less wind pressure. Bertrand Goldberg chose reinforced concrete instead of steel as this was the only material in which he could create the petal shapes of the apartments.
n 1922, the Chicago Daily Tribune organized a competition for the 'most beautiful and eye-catching building in the world'. Raymond Hood - who would later build the Rockefeller Center in New York and John Howell won the first place due to their familiar Gothic design and because the building fulfilled the needs of the newspaper best.
Trump International Hotel & Tower, a famous skyscraper in Chicago, is setback at three levels, designed to give the tower a visual continuity. You don't miss this one.
The next tourist attraction one must see when visiting Chicago is the Navy Pier. It's on the waterfront, so we rode our bicycles and this place is huge. Think Bayside times 20!
Historic Navy Pier is Chicago's lakefront playground and it's the Midwest's #1 tourist and leisure destination, attracting more than 8 million visitors per year.
Navy Pier has enjoyed a remarkable evolution. Originally designed for shipping and recreational purposes, the facility has evolved into a premiere entertainment center.
Three hours of walking and some gelato was enough for us.
Now let's get serious and talk about food. Chicago is of course known for it's food, and Bob and I have to give 10 stars to the 'Chicago Hotdog'. A Chicago-style hot dog, or Chicago Dog, is a steamed or water-simmered all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun, originating from the city of Chicago. The hot dog is topped with yellow mustard; chopped white onions; bright green sweet pickle relish; a dill pickle spear; tomato slices or wedges; pickled sport peppers; and a dash of celery salt. You might not think this sounds good, but think again.
Kim and Carlo's Hot dog stand is on the list of 'Best in Chicago'. We both ate two!
Let's talk 'Best Deep Dish Pizza'. Now everyone here claims they have the best, so in a pinch, we went with Giordano's, which is a well-known chain here in Chicago and they DELIVERER TO THE BOAT. They win!
I had never heard of the famous 'Italian meat sandwich' until I was browsing the Internet. Chicago again invented a messy mound of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, dripping with meat juices, on a dense, long Italian-style roll, with optional peppers and melted cheese. Portillo's, being one of the most famous Italian deli's, we went, we ate, it was messy, but good.
Enough on food. Let's talk art, museums, and aquariums. The Art in Public Places is amazing in Chicago. Bob and I did not seek it out in the four days that we were here, but we did snap a few pictures. This sculpture is entirely made of canoes.
This was a sculpture of about twenty, pretty big walking feet.
The first museum that we toured was the Field Museum, which is as awesome as the Smithsonian.
The Museum of Science and Technology was incredible.
Famous World War II U-Boat 505 was a special treat for Bob.
Bob inside the U-Boat.
These pictures are from the Shed Aquarium.
As we are leaving Chicago the temperature is dropping which is a reminder that winter is coming and we have to kick up our heals and start heading south.
