Chicago Architecture

Each year in June I visit Chicago to attend the design expo NeoCon, but in equal parts I come to see the city. We just don’t have the imposing and impressive architecture in Washington, nor the clean(er) waterways and certainly not the big-city feel condensed so precisely. On breaks during the day and in the evening I scour the city in search of interesting subject matter. (Mostly) good weather this year made the miles of walking enjoyable and fruitful. Below are a few examples of this beautiful city.

How to enjoy Chicago in a weekend: Get there on Saturday around noon, check in to your hotel, grab your camera and hit the streets. If you’re staying near The Loop you could spend an hour or two exploring the historic business district and losing your hearing from the L trains rattling overhead. Make your way to Grant Park for the fountain, Millennium Park for the Gehry bandshell and then continue on to Navy Pier. But save your ferris wheel ride for the evening. By now, you’ve checked off so many touristy things you probably grew a fanny pack. Return to your hotel to decompress and prepare for dinner. There are countless options but I prefer the comfort of Big Bowl on East Ohio for the relaxed ambiance, huge delicious noodle bowls and their signature ginger cocktail. The bartenders are really friendly so I like to eat at the bar. Afterwards, you’ll need to walk off your food coma so take N. Rush all the way up to the Sofitel Chicago and return back down on Michigan Ave to window shop and observe the mayhem of throngs of other post-dinner wanderers. Before you tuck yourself in for the night, be sure to get that ferris wheel ride in and end your evening with a quiet moment on one of the concrete benches near the Wrigley Building overlooking the river.

Sunday is play-day now that your must-sees have been fulfilled. Enjoy your breakfast at Kanela’s on Wells – sure you’ll wait forever, so go with a socially-advanced group of friends to keep you entertained. Next, you absolutely must take the Wendella Architectural River Boat Cruise; let the guide explain the wealth of significant buildings that grace this pretty waterway. Go see a Cubs game and witness Americana at it’s finest. I’m not a fan of Chicago deep-dish pizza, but some prefer this filling pie of excess over NY thin and crispy pizza. Who are you people?? Take a picture of the American Girl store and explain to your daughters that it was unexpectedly closed (guilty!). There are so many hidden gems off the beaten path, any local will guide you to your preference. And voila! Your time is up, start making notes of what to do and see next year!