After a delicious and free continental breakfast at the hostel, we caught the ‘El’ into the centre of Chicago.
We walked to the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) and took a lift up to its 103rd floor, just under 1/4 mile above the city streets. As it was a clear day the views across the city, and out onto Lake Michigan were fantastic.
Ben tried out the new feature on this floor, which was 4 extendable glass boxes that leave you suspended high above the city streets…Nicola was not quite brave enough to edge out…give her a skydive any day!
Once down on solid ground we walked through the Financial District, passing some impressive old banks. The road we were on, funnily enough was the Chicago end of Route 66…we had seen the Pacific end at Santa Monica.
We emerged from the city skyscrapers and sat in one of Chicago's many parks, next to the impressive Buckingham Fountain. The setting gave us great views back across the city.
Walking back into the maze of towering buildings we started walking north through the city. Heading past the Harold Washington Library Centre, the largest public library building in the country (below left), we browsed the impressive rings along Jewellers Row.
No suitable engagement rings though!
Next stop was Millennium Park, where the unique Cloud Gate structure sat. Nicknamed ‘the bean’ for its shape, it was designed by British artist Anish Kapoor. Its incredibly polished design reflects Chicago’s skyline and the park’s surroundings.
On route to the Theatre District we stopped to visit the Chicago Cultural Centre. Completed in 1897, this building was originally built as the City’s central library. When the library was moved in 1991 the building became the Cultural Centre, and today has the magnificently restored 39 foot Tiffany stained glass dome, which we went in to see.
The icon amongst the Theatre District was of course the Chicago Theatre on State Street, built in 1921, it still has the iconic sign out front.
We continued our walk north, going across Michigan Avenue Bridge to the start of the ‘Magnificent Mile’, the famous stretch of Chicago’s best shops.
The two famous buildings that mark the start of this mile are in the picture top left. On the left is the Wrigley building (1924), which still houses the Wrigley gum company, and on the right is the Tribune Tower (1925), which is still home to the Chicago Tribune Newspaper.
As we walked down the street, we were enticed into certain establishments…Ben the Lego store, and Nicola several clothing stores!
Nearing the end of the mile we came across the Old Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station, constructed in 1869 it is one of the only structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Last but not least on the impressive Chicago architecture list was the John Hancock Centre, Chicago’s 4th tallest building.
We caught the ‘El’ back to the hostel and headed out later that night to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. As we staying in a Chicago neighbourhood (called Sheffield!) we thought it best to experience real Chicago eateries, hence our trip out tonight. We had the famous ‘Chicago Deep Dish Pizza’, which was a real pizza pie, and delicious!
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