Chicago!

I finally got to visit Chicago and what a fabulous city!

The architecture, the public art, the parks, the gardens, the Blues, the Riverwalk...

Rob found an incredible deal on the Porter Escapes site for return flights and a 4 night stay in a great hotel in the Loop.

I was impressed by how well planted the boulevards were - crews were out every day and laying gorgeous flower beds. Ward Park, Lurie Park, Millennium Park were all so green and offering respite within the busy city.  Only an 'L' train away was the breathtaking Garfield Observatory with its stunning botanical collection.

The downtown streets were very clean and didn't seem to have as many homeless as here in Toronto. An excellent transit system took us from one end of town to the other, with a $5 ticket lasting 24 hours. 

Such a beautiful waterfront along Lake Michigan and the bridges along the Riverwalk reminded me of Paris. 

Architecture! Frank Lloyd Wright but also Jeanne Gang and her Aqua Tower, Gehry's Music Pavillion in Millennium Park and stunning buildings almost everywhere you looked in the Loop. 

We didn't get too fancy with our dining, grabbing fast food Chicago classics like hotdogs, Italian Beef Sandwiches and deep dish pizza. Our most memorable meal was a breakfast at Lou Mitchell's, a Zugat rated diner that's the start of Route 66, and we happened to wander in for breakfast when they were celebrating their 100th birthday. Then there were the craft beers, ciders and cocktails along the Riverwalk.

So much to see! We did fit a lot in during our stay and I would gladly go back for more.

Itinerary

Monday: Left Toronto on a 9:30 flight from Billy Bishop and arrived Chicago time of 11:30 to check-in at Canopy by Hilton Chicago Loop. Grabbed lunch at the Shake Shack and then took the Architecture River tour + explored Millennium Park + cocktails at Palmer House. Dinner at Luke's across the street from our hotel (an Italian Beef sandwich) and then sparkly city lights and 'Art on the Mart' along the Riverwalk.

Tuesday: A quick breakfast at a sandwich shop and then the Hop-on Hop-off bus for a whirlwind tour. Grabbed a Chicago hotdog from a cart and walked through Ward Park to the waterfront, past Chicago Yacht Club & Columbia Yacht Club to Navy Pier. Back on the bus to Riverwalk and a craft cider while people-watching and playing 'Guess the Tourist'.  Deep dish pizza at Giodarno's (could not finish it and ended up giving our take-away to the person begging for change by the door). Then all the way up to the top of the Willis Tower to be tourists and take cheesy photos on the Skydeck.

Wednesday: Best breakfast! We were lucky to arrive at Lou Mitchell's on the day they were celebrating their 100th birthday (and the maitre d' was celebrating her 95th!)  The 'L' to Garfield Park Conservatory with its eight indoor display gardens of landscape art under glass. Took the train back and strolled through Millennium Park and then Piet Oudolf's Lurie Garden, checked out the Tiffany glass dome at the Chicago Cultural  Centre, admired the ceilings at historic Marshall Field's. A late lunch gorging on green salad. 'L' back to Canopy for a quick change and an Uber to Buddy Guy's Legends where we lucked out and saw the man himself perform alongside Jimmy Burns (the electric blues guitarist).

Thursday: Frank Lloyd Wright Day! Took the 'L' train to Oak Park and then realized we'd headed to the opposite of our scheduled tour on south side's Robie House. Two hour side trip looking out the train windows all along the tracks brought a different view of the city. Robie House is on the University of Chicago property, surrounded by different architectural styles, which helped to set its genius in context. In the afternoon we explored Oak Park and the FLW Home and Studio. Cocktails on the Riverwalk at 7pm and then off to the House of Blues for music and dinner.

Friday: Packed up our carry-on suitcases and stored them at the hotel while we went off for breakfast at Lou's.  The rainy morning was perfect for exploring the Art Institute and its treasures. What a collection! Got so absorbed by the Impressionists we had to cut short the time in the American wing. Three hours went by in no time, and as we were rushing out we bumped into Jayne from Scarborough Uke Jam (small world hate to paint it). Uber to Midtown Airport at 3:15 and back through our front door by 8:30 pm Toronto time.