Once again we got lucky to fly to Chicago and i am glad Anindya made it clear to his boss he will be vacationing mobile free. While the bucketlist is not always easy i somehow managed to list a few when in Chicago for a day.
We normally take rail mode or walking to avoiding traffic and make the most of our day. And as far the bucketlist is concerned everything is in and around the Chicago river. Lets say we split the map; Magnificent mile running from Oak street till the Chicago river . The other continuing from the river till the Millenium park.
What are we waiting for? Escalating down from the W hotel in Lakeshore( that's where we were putting up) which never fail to amaze us with their artistic room decor. They even welcomed us with chocolate coated pretzels to begin the stay with sweet tooth moments.
NAVY PIER
Beginning with amazing panaromic view of endless blue from W hotels the Navy Pier looked so dramatic and clear. Built 100 years ago in 1916 it is the most popular tourist's sites. We planned an overnight stay at W and so were lucky to spot the Ferris wheel at such a beautiful height with glittering lights all over.
To make the most of it plan to visit during summer to enjoy fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday evening after a good beach day at Ohio Street beach.
WATER TOWER
A six minutes drive up the street stands the symbol of Old Chicago, noted as one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire. Definitely an architectural beauty it is not worth to be missed when in city. Just a few miles of walk opposite it is the Signature room lounge at 95 atop the John Hancock center. You can enjoy the privilege of fine dinning with the 360 degree view of Chicago glittering beneath.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Walk down the street from Water Tower to the Museum of Contemporary art. A good pick up for art lovers. Though i didn't had more days i prefer walking around the area to be surprised more with structure arts everywhere.
MAGNIFICIENT MILE
Another great and free thing to do in Chicago – take a walk down magnificent mile. It’s one of the best know areas of downtown Chicago. The mag mile is 13 blocks that stretches from the Chicago River to Oak Street. We just dropped the idea of Uber and opt for walking here onwards. As we keep walking straight we no longer keep a track of miles we tread or how much much time is gone since every side we looked we were thrilled with shops lined up from Chanel, Neiman Marcuss to Forever21, restaurants, and beautiful building. My fave being the Tribune Tower.
CHICAGO RIVER WALK
Now that we are done with first half of Chicago lets go across the river. Where the wind is always in its usual mood to brush pass you, you can neither ignore the green ebb flowing beneath your heels. Once i reached the Dusable bridge i feel i could stand there all day long watching the old buildings, river traffic and horn blaring from the cruises. With perfect Gothic and modern architecture blend, a stunning place to stroll with kids and family
As we kept our walk steady the statue display of Abraham Lincoln near Chicago River appalled us. A 25 feet tall the statue showing Lincoln handing a copy of the Gettysburg Address to a modern-day man. Abraham Lincoln’s monumental bronze statue will remain in Chicago until end of 2017. Guess we got lucky here!
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
Take out time to explore this building and admire the Tiffany glass dome and other spectacular rooms. A beautiful building through out, you finds yourself looking up most of the time at the largest Tiffany ceiling in the world and other ornate ceilings. I definitely got a sprain looking up for so long.
MILLENNIUM PARK
This 24.5-acre park is packed with attractions. To start with is the famous sculptor Anish Kapoor’s 110-ton Cloud Gate (also know as the bean)
While you’re there check out Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion and serpentine bridge, and Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain. The Lurie Garden has year-round flower displays and monthly garden walks.
Great place to spend your lazy afternoon and grab food from food trucks and court below the cloud gate.
CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE
Only 605 feet, over 800 feet shorter than the Willis Tower, it was once the tallest building in Chicago. Still a fine building, a great example of Art Deco, movie buffs will know this building from The Dark Knight. I love to read details of building and it has got signature exterior detail -the 31-foot-tall aluminum statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain, with a sheaf of wheat in the left hand and a bag of corn in the right hand. Standing on the building's pyramid-shaped copper roof, it didn't failed to take my notice.
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
The AIC is the perfect way to enjoy the indoors on a rainy or chilly day. You could easily spend all day here and still not see everything, so if you’re on a time crunch decide which exhibitions interest you the most so that you make the most efficient use of your time. You could even grab a Fast Pass to skip the lines.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
-Dine at GT Fish & Oyster
-Drink at Drumbar for amazing all over the world cocktails.
-Visit the Shedd Aquarium
-Enjoy more than 1000 animals at Lincoln Park Zoo which is also one of the only free zoos in the country.
Have you been to Chicago? What did you enjoyed doing here the most? Do write to me. Till then happy reading.
