Man oh MAN I loved Chicago!
My husband says he still prefers New York City… but I don’t think I agree. I will need the novelty to wear off before I can say for sure, but Chicago resonated on a deeper level if that makes any sense. Right now, I just can’t wait to go back.
I am a city girl, I like tall buildings and the “downtown” vibe but I also love being by the water, (especially when having a meal and extra especially when I am having a meal on vacation) so Chicago was perfect for that! Sky scrapers by the River, and Lake Michigan in close proximity to it all… It’s the perfect mix! I love it.
Because we had our friends acting as guides (great ones!!) I was not able to get the mental map clear in my head. I was being lazy and just followed as opposed to studying a map and really learning the plan of the city. I kept thinking we were based south of the river and when we crossed it we were going NORTH… but we weren’t, we were going SOUTH! I am still mixed up!
And until JUST NOW when I snapped this map-shot do I realize the proximity of the Marina Towers to Trump Tower to the Chicago Tribune Tower… in my mind, they were not this close! or in this order! … Plus, I had it in my head that they were on the other side of the River. 
I would say that’s the only down-side to having a guide… the laziness it generates in the guidee. Then again, I COULD have tried to learn. It wasn’t until Saturday morning when I went out on a final “Goodbye Chicago” walk, that the street plan just started to gel in my mind.
I already listed our daily activities in my Fields Reports, so I don’t want to bore you by going over them all again in too much detail, but I am pleased with all we accomplished in what was really only two-and a half days! Out of my Fodor’s Top 25 Guide, we hit 9 ½… (I can’t count “Loop Public Sculpture” a whole one)
We arrived on Wednesday around lunch time, and goal #1 was Deep Dish Pizza. I was told that Pizzeria Uno is the place to go but unfortunately the wait was 45 over minutes, so we went to Pizzeria Due instead. I was underwhelmed. It was not bad, but it wasn’t amazing either. I am not going to write deep dish pizza off yet! I’m still willing to give it another try next time I am in town before I come to a final decision on it’s merits.
That night, we were still so full from lunch that we took it easy for dinner and had free wine and canapé at the Hotel. Was very nice! … and very free 
Out of all the meals we had, my favourite was lunch at Smith & Wollensky… probably because I had some EXCELLENT wine (I think it was called Atwood) and because we were outside near the water. I only had a salad because I was saving the stomach-space and calories for supper, but the rest of menu intrigued me…
Too bad this picture is blurry 
Because my husband and I are such early birds, we were up and out the door by 7:30 AM on Thursday and Friday. Our friends on the other hand are night owls but it all worked out well, we would go out in the mornings and explore more of the city on own own for a few hours and then we met up with them around 9:30. It was a good schedule! Accordingly, we did not have very many late nights either, but we still managed a few night shots on the way back to the hotel after dinner on Thursday:
Our days were pretty full, the attractions highlight was probably the Skydeck Ledge of Willis Tower (formerly: Sears Tower). A glass “pop – out” 103 stories up.
We were a bit nervous about stepping out there at first, but there were SO MANY kids running around – not showing the faintest glimpse of fear – that it helped us get over our apprehension.
The picture is a little grainy because I took a picture of the picture with my Ipod. Still, you get the idea… we are really standing out there 103 floors up, it’s not a green-screen.
Another highlight was Cloud Gate, commonly referred to as “The Bean”. That thing is SO COOOOL!!!!
All good things must come to an end and Saturday morning came too fast I was sad; I feel like we only just scratched the surface!! I still wanted MORE! But it was also the start of a 7-day heat wave with temps flirting near 100°F! It’s just as well that the visit ended on that day… however, the museums would have been air conditioned! Ah well, next time.
That morning, the hotel buffet breakfast didn’t even come close to tempting me, so I suggested to my husband we go next door to Einstein Brothers Bagels at the corner of the block instead. It was right next to the hotel - practically underneath!
OH. MY. GOD. THANK GOD we don’t have these in Montreal! too delicious!!! too tempting!! Too piggish!
I had one of their “Egg-Citing” Bacon & Cheddar Egg Sandwich Bagel :
THEN, as it that was not enough, I had Spinach Florentine Gourmet Bagel:
And THEEEEEEN, I had a Tuscan Pesto Bagel (not pictured)… Oh God. I was unstoppable!! 
After all that, I was extra keen to take one last walk around town!!!
I felt so sad to be leaving, I can’t wait to go back! (by plane 
)
It left you wanting more. Perfect!
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