The end of June I was lucky enough to spend 4 days in Chicago with a good friend from high school, Lynette Peck. We celebrated turning 40 years old this year. We met at the airport and rode the "El" (elevated train system) into the downtown area. Our hotel was right on Michigan Avenue, in the middle of everything fun. We had a great time together - exploring all the sights of Chicago and catching up on the last many years.I was very impressed by Chicago - the architecture, the history, the beautiful waterfront (who knew that Lake Michigan was such a beautiful blue color - I was picturing more of a greyish brown), the food, the fabulous museums in Museum Park. Every day we walked for many miles, visiting points of interest and taking in the sights.
I especially liked the four hours we spent in the fabulous Museum of Art. I took my time and looked at every piece of art thoroughly - something that is hard to do when I have kids along! We also visited the Aquarium, walked around Millenium Park and Grant Park (beautiful), ate delicious deep dish pizza, attended the "Taste of Chicago" festival (where we sampled many yummy foods), and attended a "Blue Man Group" performance (a little weird, but memorable). We rode to the top of the John Hancock building, which isn't quite as tall as the Sears Tower, but has a better view of the waterfront and downtown. The observatory is on the 94th floor, and the elevator to the top travels at 40 mph! We took an architecture boat tour which took us along the river that runs through town and then out onto Lake Michigan, where we looked at the skyline and watched fireworks.
I missed my family, but it was really fun doing all the travel/museum/adventurous things that are a part of my personality, but which don't always fit with my current main role as mom of kids ranging from age 18 to age 5. It was a great way to celebrate the big birthday. Or, at least one of the ways . . . Dan and I are planning another trip to Victoria Island in Canada. I say the more celebrating the better!
Views of the buildings from our boat ride.
A view of the skyline from Lake Michigan.
The pictures above are the famous "silver bean" in Millenium Plaza. It is designed to reflect the skyline and clouds and provide cool reflections to explore from the inside and outside of the sculpture.
It is awesome to have Millenium and Grant parks right next to the downtown, with cool sculptures flanked by beautiful flower beds and trees, surrounded by imposing skyscrapers.
I liked these sculptures in Grant Park.
Oh yeah, deep dish pizza. Prior to this trip, I did not know that authentic deep dish has the sauce on the top!
In downtown Chicago, I love the juxtaposition of older, classical architecture and newer, sleek high rises.
A view of one of the shoreline of Lake Michigan from atop the John Hancock tower. There are miles and miles of beautiful beaches along the Lake. Look at that beautiful blue-green water! I did not expect that.
Standing at the top of the John Hancock tower, holding our loot from a day of shopping along Michigan Avenue (aka shopping heaven).
The Chicago River meanders through the city. The Riverwalks and bridges over the river are really beautiful. It also represents quite a feat in engineering - in 1900 the direction of the river was reversed to stop the flow of pollution into Lake Michigan.
The Fountains, by French artist Hubert Robert. It doesn't look as cool in a picture, but the detail and play of light and shadow really struck me in the museum.
While I was super-excited to visit the Art Museum, Lynette was very into the Aquarium.
Next time I visit Chicago, I definitely want to visit this . . . the Field Natural History Museum.
So beautiful! This view is from the Aquarium, at the end of Museum Park.
I was such a tourist, snapping pictures of cool buildings/structures on every street corner.
Interesting work of art in Grant Park. We decided that it maybe represents the busy city, everybody walking in different directions, nameless, faceless.
We ate great meals, except for this one. A friend had recommended a restaurant called "Xoco," run by one of the Food Network guys. We walked a number of blocks to find it. The food was not at all what we expected for a Mexican restaurant, and we were seated literally ON THE STREET. We were overhanging the curb, watching the cars go by. They did have great Mexican hot chocolate, however!We were lucky to enjoy great, non-humid weather for the duration of our trip. It was unusually cool for Chicago. This was a memorable trip, and I hope to return with Dan soon!
