Chicago, I love the city but sometimes, like in the musical “razzle-dazzle“! A state of confusion between the chic and, on the other hand, beachy feeling of this city. Walking by the Magnificent Mile, passing high end stores like Chanel and Burberry and ending on the beach of Lake Michigan, but with ocean views.
“The third most populous city of the USA with more than 2.5 million residents. Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation” (Wikipedia) and you can experience it. Some tips to make a successful trip to Chicago.
What to visit in Chicago!
Millennium park
Everybody in Chicago is proud of this park. There is a lot to experience.
-
The bean
Chicago, the bean
(official name Cloud Gate) a public sculpture by Anish Kapoor. It reflects the surrounding and every part of the year this looks stunning (great for taking pictures).
-
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Frank Gehry, well known architect, and his partners designed some of the well know iconic buildings of Chicago, like the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, an outdoor Music Pavilion and
-
The BP bridge
Like a snake the bridge meanders through Millennium Park and linking Millennium Park to the Lakefront.
-
Crown fountain
Chicago, Crown Fountain
designed by Jaume Plensa, a fountain with video projections of about 1000 Chicago citizens. The fountain reminds of mythological figures with open mouths. Water, a symbol of life, flows out of the mouths. In spring/summer the water around Crown Fountain forms a shallow pool, attracting all those who suffer the heat.
-
Lurie garden
A park with a Dutch accent because Piet Oudolf designed the planting. See my post about Piet Oudolf (New York High Line)
Art institute of Chicago
Located downtown Chicago (next to Millennium Park) the Art Instituted is housing a collection that spans centuries and the globe. Classics of Monet and Van Gogh, but also modern designers like Marcel Wanders.
Architectural boat tour
All those skyscrapers. Do you want to know more about them? Take the architectural boat tour. It tells you how Chicago rose from the Ashes of the great Chicago Fire.
Chicago River walking tour
With a guide or on your own. Nice to see the Trump tower, from the other side and great to relax in between shopping.
Former John Hancock tower
A very tall skyscraper with a beautiful view from the restaurant (96th floor). The name has changed into 875 North Michigan Avenue.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Another well-known architect is Frank Lloyd Wright. His homes in Oak park can be visited (interiors too). For me still on my wish list.
Next time more about:
- Why Windy City
- Boys Town
- Navy Pier
- Lincoln Park
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- De Cheese-Cake factory and of course: INTERIOR SHOPPING
Bonus tips
- Ice skating in Millennium park in winter
- Music, in the summer free concerts every week in Millennium Park
- Bikes, along the coastal line and in the parks. There are good bicycle paths. You can rent bikes at Navy Pier.
- The river is green on St Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
- April 23, 2021 The Butler-Vander Linden lecture on architecture by Dutch Architect Rem Koolhaas.
- Chicago is beautiful for a walk at night.
Although I use digital notebooks, my travel companion for Chicago is the Moleskine city guide. I like to have a map that you can use the CTA rail system map and at home I write down new addresses to visit next time.
Enjoy Chicago,
