Chicago - Wasn't even windy at all!

 When I found $43 airfare to Chicago, of course I said "sure!"  Never been there, so why not.

Of course for $43 you're not going to be on Delta, but you still get there

Getting off the "L-Train" (elevated train) on the way to our first hotel.
We stayed at the Chicago Athletic Club which opened in 1893 and was reserved for only the wealthy and privileged to go and stay and play games, billiards, darts, poker etc.  It stayed this way for 122 years, when it was then turned into a hotel.  It's right across the street from Millennium Park and is a very quirky hotel. The rooms are all different, there isn't a straight hallway, and easy to get lost inside.
Of course, these were free night stays.......the perks of being Globalist.

This was our bathroom, it was pretty big and modern while keeping with the style of the day

We had a lake view in our top floor upgraded room...the perks of being Globalist....

We then went to the Chicago Cultural Center, which was built as a very extravagant building and opened in 1897 and was the city's first library.  In 1977 it was turned into a cultural center and reception center. They have free guided tours, so let's go check it out.

It's a very beautiful building - no expense was spared

We then walked to take a bus ride around the city.  Chicago has turned their river into a very useful and revenue generating feature of the city. With miles of walking paths, places to sit, restaurants and at night, it's extremely crowded and happening!  We were greeted by this very large building, and we were left wondering who's building it was?

When we got back to our hotel, we had these very yummy macaroons in our room.  The perks of being Globalist

We then got back on the "L" and headed to the SkyDeck.  It's very easy to get around the downtown area with trains and busses going everywhere

This is what most people call the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) and the SkyDeck is on floor 103 with glass areas that extend 4 feet out and was added to the building in 2009.  You had 90 seconds in the "box" and then could wait in line for the others one if you wanted

The next morning, we headed to the "Cherry Circle Room" that has remained one of the restaurants in the hotel/club since it opened in 1893.  This was Shelley's french toast/breakfast sandwich

I asked for a spoon for my yogurt parfait and this is how they brought it to me

No charge for us!  The perks of being Globalist


VIDEO of the restaurant.  I'm sure it's hard for people to get a drink around here!

Our hotel was sandwiched between two other buildings, but ours went back and back and to the side too

We then went across the street to Millennium Park, which is a huge greenspace with gardens, concert venues and just a big gathering place.  The kids and adults love to come and play in this fountain, where the faces on the led board changes

At this huge field, next to the concert hall, there was a "drop-in" exercise class going on.  If Shelley wasn't in her boot, we would have done it


VIDEO:

We then walked a few blocks to go find "Buckingham Fountain" which was designed after one of the large fountains at the Palace of Versailles in France.  The Buckingham Fountain however, is double the size of the one in France and one of the largest fountains in the world.  It only uses 15,000 gallons of water a minute.  I thought this pic was it, and was a little underwhelmed.....but then I turned the corner.......

We then headed back to the river for an architectural river tour of the buildings and bridges

Chicago is in the middle of a huge building spree and they can't build commercial and residential space fast enough

The black building with the two spires on top is where the SkyDeck is

We changed hotels to the "Thompson at Chicago" well, because by staying in two different hotels, we got a free night to use elsewhere.  WAIT, you're saying......you stayed free and got another free night to use somewhere else in the next year?  YEP!  The perks of being Globalist.

No lake view at this one

My banana pecan caramel french toast for breakfast.  It was very good!  (And very free - ah the perks of Globalist")

We headed to the free zoo, conservatory and gardens.  This is one of the oldest zoos in North America and opened in 1868.

I brought home a leaf from this plant in hopes of it blooming, but it didn't work

We then headed over to "Navy Pier", an almost mile long pier on Lake Michigan that is a huge tourist trap area

VIDEO:

That night, we found some half off tickets to the Blue Man Group, and we've never been, so let's try it!  They wouldn't allow photos inside, so just use your imagination.  It was pretty good and very entertaining!

We didn't know what to expect from Chicago, but we were impressed with what we saw.  It was a clean and friendly city.  Easy to get around.  Modern but still holding to the older atmosphere and character from days gone by.  We loved it. We'd go back!  And it wasn't even windy!