![]() Situated in Illinois on Lake Michigan, Chicago is the U.S third most populous city, known as The Windy City, and it certainly lived up to that name. Chicago has everything to offer from fine dining, entertainment, world class museums and amazing architecture and after eight busy days in New York I was ready to take all this in and enjoy five relaxing days exploring Chicago. After arriving from LaGuardia Airport into Chicago O’Hare, I jumped into a taxi and headed to my Air BnB in Uptown where my host Gal meet me with her adorable rescue dog Scout. Located in Uptown Gail’s apartment was about twenty minutes on the L train to downtown Chicago. The L train is basically a train system that runs above street level on tracks running across the city, which was easy to use and for about thirty dollars for a week ticket, you get unlimited travel access the city. ![]() With the suitcases dropped off, freshened up after travelling, I wrapped up warm, and set out to explore this beautiful city. The first place I wanted to visit was Navy Pier. Navy Pier has everything to offer, from restaurants, attractions, shops, dining cruises, bars and not to mention amazing views of The Chicago Skyline (you get some gorgeous views on a night-time). It’s the perfect place to escape too, there a Ferris Wheel, with air conditioned and heated cabins, you can take a ride on the wheel to get some amazing views of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. I would advise you to wrap up warm if your visiting December and the winter months, as it does get pretty cold, but I found the perfect bar to stop off, for a craft beer warm up and recharge my batteries. The vast selection of restaurants and bars means, Navy Pier, can be somewhere you can end you day, with some good food and some classic craft beers. So with Navy Pier been my number one pick in what to do when visiting Chicago, let me now talk you about my other four top picks. If you like me and like taking views of various cities, at the top of buildings, then you have a couple of options in Chicago. First there is the John Hancock Building and there is also the Willis Tower (formally known as Sears Tower). My favourite was The Hancock Building, or known as 360 Chicago, offers the best views Chicago and Lake Michigan. I was lucky enough to visit on a clear day, which made the views even better. For those are brave enough, for around seven dollars you enter The Tilt, where you basically stand in this glass panel, hold on the bars, and it tilts you over the street, I love anything thrill seeking like that, and it was best seven dollars ever spent. You all know I like a beer, regularly and the 360 building has a bar, what perfect way to sit with a beer and overlooking Lake Michigan. Not to mention the view form the Hancock building are night are just equally as stunning. Seeing the city lit up at night is beautiful. If you into science, technology and museums that encompass all this, then the museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is a must visit. Situated a little way out of Downtown Chicago but still easily accessible by public transport, it is one of the largest science museums in the Western Hemisphere. I did not anticipate how large this place was, and if I did have any prior idea, I would have visited a little earlier, as I never got to experience the full museum. This museum has everything, and I mean everything, you can walk through a Boeing 727 which is hanging from the roof of the museum, walk through a tornado, climb on board a German World War II submarine or even take a run in a giant hamster ball, seriously a giant hamster ball. The place is huge covering acres of land, and with over four hundred thousand square feet of hands on exhibits, this is why the museum is a must visit. Currently some of their exhibitions include science storms, transportation gallery, farming, and with new exhibitions opening all the time, you’re going to need a full day to explore this place. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I love a good river cruise, where you can sit back, relax, and take in the sights of a city by water, whilst listening to a local tour guide talking you through the history of the city. Chicago has its own river cruise. Now giving its December, you may think I am mad going on a river cruise, and let’s say it was a little nippy, but I was wrapped up, had a coffee so I was very well prepared. The cruise is known as Shoreline Architecture River Cruise. The one thing that I do like is the tour guides, you get a really in-depth tour of the city by water, going under the many bridges and not to mention taking in some spectacular views. If you are travelling in the winter months, then the river cruises do run, but depends on the weather, so a quick check of the website and your good to go.
That’s my top pics of Chicago, there is so much more to do, from more museums including The Chicago History museum, Ernest Hemingway’s birth house, Zoos and a number of bus tours that take you around the city. If your visiting then I would highly recommend getting a Go City Pass, which, for a one-off payment, give you free access to a number of the best tourist attractions downtown.
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James CMy name is James, I'm from Newcastle UK, and wanting to share my travel experiences with everyone Archives
February 2020
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