I have just returned from a visit to my hometown, Chicago, a city that is so beautiful and exciting, that it recaptured me from the moment I got there.
Forget the bad traffic and the bad weather. Chicago is a city for everyone. The city itself has cafes and culture everywhere. The suburbs and neighborhoods are rich in brick buildings and gorgeous trees. Great food is everywhere you turn. Their transportation system is amazing. Having been away for some years, it was a visit that renewed my interest in going back again.
Downtown Chicago is a great place to walk. Despite the cold wind off of Lake Michigan, spring is a good time to visit. We had just a little rain, a lot of cold and some sunny days as well. The saying is that you can experience four seasons in one day in Chicago. I needed more days there.
One “must see” is the architectural boat tour around the Chicago River. The boat (and you can choose from several companies) goes up and down the river, while the guide describes the history of the buildings and area. For only about $30-$32, this 90 minute tour gives you a wonderful overview of the downtown history…even the Chicago Fire. (It’s fitting that the place where they train firefighters is in the location where the fire first started). There are also great walking tours available as well as double-decker bus tours.
Architectural Boat Tour Video
Millennium Park is right in the middle of downtown, and what a park it is. There are interactive activities in the park, including “The Bean” which is a bean-shaped hall of mirrors that keeps people occupied for long periods of time. There are also water related “events” and sites there. It is very close to the Art Institute.
I was sorry we didn’t have time to visit the Museum of Science and Industry, an old favorite, or to tour one of the old restored theaters in downtown. The Oriental Theater and the Chicago Theater are now the sites for live performances and you can also tour them. That will be something to do on my next visit.
Chicago Theatre Video
While Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza, we grew up on the thin crust, cut into squares. We went back to the “old neighborhood” and had pizza at Marie’s Liquor and Pizza – yes, a liquor store that is also a pizza place and bar. The same cook has been making pizza there for more than 40 years. It was quite the taste from the past.
Hubbard Street is the new Rush Street in downtown Chicago. For a city with such odd weather, outdoor café’s are found, one after the other, on many streets such as Hubbard. It is a city of music and food.
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive. It was an excellent location, and great choice. I also had a chance to do a site inspection of the Trump Hotel and Towers which is one of the newest hotels in Chicago. This is a quietly elegant hotel with standard rooms at 600 square feet, and one bedroom suites that are more than 1100 square feet! (Huge!) The building, which is all glass, reflects the Wrigley Building next door for a beautiful view as the sun goes down. Downtown is filled with hotels of all types, and many of them are luxurious; some are even in old historical buildings, such as the Hard Rock Hotel (which has quite reasonable rates for Chicago).
There is so much more to tell about the City, but you have to go there to experience it. The people are friendly, the skyline lovely, the food amazing. It’s worth more than one visit. I know it is for me.
By: Vicki Daly-Redholtz, Senior Travel Consultant
News & Blog Categories
Trending Posts
Recent Posts
Featured Posts
Travel Insurance with AIG Travel Guard
We have plans. Lots of them. Why? So you can easily find the one that fits. And with our plans, it’s not just about coverage. It’s about unique services. Lost your bag? We can help track it with Bag Trak®. Or we can cover your losses if it isn’t found. It’s simple. We have the coverage options and assistance services you want for your globetrotting travels. Read More
Travel Restrictions by Sherpa What to know
Future Cruise Credits What to know
If you are holding on tight to your Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) waiting for the perfect time and itinerary to put them back in use, many of them expire soon! Now is a great time to check the status of your FCC with an All-Travel Travel Advisor. Read More
Real ID Deadline Extension
Starting on May 3, 2023 travelers who elect to use a state-issued driver’s license at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport checkpoints must ensure that they are Real ID-compliant, which is designated by a star in a circle in the upper right corner of the license. Read More