Day 5: Goodbye Chicago!

It's funny, I'm writing this as it's my last day of Spring Break in Boston (again). In one week I've been to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Canada. And as I write my last day in Chicago I can feel the remorse of finishing a trip double time. Traveling is truly my passion and I can't stop but think how fortunate I am. I'm very lucky to have the capabilities to travel like I do. I have an amazing family who supports my dreams and great friends that make trips worth taking! So, to those who read this, I hope that you take a trip soon and see the world, I think you'll be surprised how "at home" you can feel when your bed is thousands of miles away...Without further ado... the summation of Chicago!
Our flight was late in the afternoon so we took off to look around Chicago on foot. We walked past the old Marshall Fields shop that is now known as Macys. The company began earlier in the 1800s but bought this particular location after the Great Chicago Fire in 1887! The lure of Macy's dresses and a century-old shopping area brought me inside and wow, I wasn't expecting 10 stories of heavenly shopping goodness! My suitcase was already full and heavy but it got a BIT more heavier and a BIT more full. :) I got some great clothes though....
We stopped at Macy's on our way to Daley Plaza. This is one of the architectural highlights because of the huge Picasso sculpture there. It's a popular place to take a lunch break and lots of people playing about.
Chicago is such an artistic city. This piece was around the corner from Daley Plaza in front of the Thompson Center. This sculpture by Jean Dubuffet was really neat. Then we decided we wanted one last taste of Chicago-style pizza so I looked up my suggestions from 101 Chowdown Countdown from the Travel Channel. I had heard of Lou Malnati's from the Travel Channel, in different shows, etc. As we walked there we found this cute little set-up of a farmers market. I got a peach :) I like supporting local businesses... Not that one peach counts but it was something!
Close by we found Lou Malnati's. Deep dish pizza!!
The picture actually doesn't do any justice to how good the pizza was. I LOVE tomatoes so I loved it but I can see how others might not. The crunchy crust was sooo good. (I think we definitely voted Giordano's our favorite though...)
And we walked back to our hotel that was holding our bags. Got on our flight (with ease) back to Houston and were soon home. My last trip for the summer was super fun. So glad Heather and I went!!

Chicago: Day 4

Day 4 was Museum Day! We had admission for free to all three museums with the Go Card. The only problem was that I accidentally left my Go Card in my back pocket of the jeans I had worn the day before. So we ended up taking THREE taxis to get back to the hotel and get the card out of my pants. God bless Heather and her patience with me!
We started the day (after sleeping in) outside our hotel for breakfast. I loved eating (again) at the Corner Street Bakery. They had a great breakfast menu. And who can beat the view? The temperature outside was fantastic, too.
Then we headed to the Shedd Aquarium (twice...) This view was where the taxis drop you...
This was the front of the Aquarium where the main entrance (and longer lines) was...
The Aquarium was disappointing that you had to pay extra for the dolphin/marine life show. But it looked like an amazing set-up. The tanks and animals were great but I didn't get very many good pictures. The place was PACKED!
Heather did pay a little extra for us to go to the Jellies exhibit. It was really neat. Jellies are really peaceful to watch...
When we were walking from the Shedd to the Field Museum we got a great view of the downtown Chicago area...
We walked almost next door to the Field Museum, Chicago's science/history museum. This was the back of the museum, turns out...
On the way we saw this baby bunny! Made me miss my girls... (I have two rabbits.)
We walked around to the front of the Field Museum. Very nice entry. Reminded me of Washington, DC. :)
The inside was really cool. I loved the giant blue whale hanging from the ceiling. And I loved that Sue, the T-Rex was in the main lobby too!
With our Go Cards we could only get into the permanent exhibits, but they were plenty to see! As soon as we got our ticket I ran to Sue, the T-Rex!
The facts on Sue.... the world's largest, most complete and best preserved T-Rex! And we share the same name :)
Then we looked at all the animal exhibits.... "Hello!"
"Hello, there" -Pumba ... Hakuna Matada!
The man-eating Tigers from Tsavo! The ACTUAL skulls are to the left. Amazing...
Then there was an Egyptian mummy exhibit. You actually climb into and around a pyramid while looking at real mummies and tumbs. Very interesting!
Then we headed upstairs to the History of Earth exhibit. During the middle of it they have a wonderful assortment of dinosaur fossils and casts.
In the exhibit they give you the history of life on Earth. So there are about 5-6 Mass Extinction areas where it talks about species that were removed from the earth permanently (how upsetting!). Then towards the end of the exhibit it had this display which was really moving and sad...
Loved this display of some of the precious animals that have existed on earth with the Charles Darwin quote in the middle...
From upstairs I got this great picture of the main lobby of the Field Museum.
Then we walked about 1/4 mile to the Adler Planetarium....
The far way picture of the entrance with the whole complex...
National Historic Landmark!
The Atwood Sphere was probably the coolest part, but took about 30-45 minutes to wait for. It's from the 1920s and takes you into the sphere to look at constellations. It only holds about 5-10 people at a time. It was very cool because of the history, though!
Then we headed back for a bit until it was time for our Chicago-based band concert. The venue was right beside Wrigley Field!!! Paul McCartney was playing, though, so people were EVERYWHERE. It was crazy, super busy.
The venue... We stopped in beside the place and had a great sandwich before going in.
Alkaline Trio was a great band. Heather LOVES them and I enjoyed watching them in such a small venue. After the show we stayed next door for a drink and to get some water. Unfortunately, as we were leaving so was everyone from the Paul McCartney concert. The train station was right beside it. It was INSANE getting on our train. We even saw a man/woman get arrested right in front of me. It was scary.... But another great day in Chicago, and seeing a legendary Chicago band really made the end of the trip!

Chicago: Day 3

***So, I have become so far behind on my blog! School is out of control this year with being busy and then last week I was in Vegas. I'm writing you from my spring break trip in New Hampshire! So, I hope to get up-to-date in the next month or two. I should be able to but for now enjoy Chicago Day 3! We began day 3 by going on a (very full) architecture tour with our Go Card. We headed to the Navy Pier and got our tickets. Turns out the tours are a block or two away.
It was so hot outside so Heather saw the Creamsicles. I decided to get one too and how glad I am! We were sitting on that tour boat for 2 hours in direct sunlight. I'm pretty sure everyone on that tour was looking at our Creamsicles like they were a T-Rex looking at a chicken.
The first building they showcased was this amazing hotel/apartment/business building. The balconies are all different. One of the purposes, other than looking like waves, is to help deter the wind. I saw this hotel on Groupon Getaways a while back, too and it sold out in a day or two. Very neat...
Got a great view of the Trump Tower in Chicago. A very beautiful color and one of the more expensive hotels in the area.
Another picture of our Hotel :) Hotel 71
Got a shot of the old retractable bridge, where the tour turned around.
The old bridge with the Willis Tower behind it. :)
Then we went through a few more waterways and turned around. Got a great shot of Willis/Sears Tower and the rest of the city.
This is the Fashion/Interior Design Building that used to be an old factory. It's HUGE!
Another one of the older factories that have been turned into chic apartment buildings...
It was such a beautiful day...
A shot of the SkyDeck which Heather and I got to stand on. 103 stories off the face of the Earth :)
This building was coined the Champagne Building and I believe is the Hard Rock's hotel and restaurant if I remember correctly from my tour. The architecture was pretty amazing and I enjoyed the tour. Just wish it hadn't been so hot!
Then Heather and I went to use our Go Chicago cards for the Ferris Wheel. It was pretty big and a nice ride. It goes continuously slow and you only get to go once around. But it does afford nice views of Chicago and the line constantly moves, so it's a fun time.
One of the photos I took while on the Ferris Wheel.
Then we walked through the gardens at Navy Pier. It was nice inside...
Then we headed back on the trolley tour looking for lunch at Heather's favorite place. We passed by the Hancock Center/Tower which you'll see later in the blog.
We passed by the old Chicago Water Tower and I got a better shot... Nice detail...
We passed by the Magnificent Mile but contained ourselves...
Mmmmmmmmmmm I really had to show some constraint but one day I'll be INSIDE Cartier :)
Finally, we made it to Porillo's on the Restaurant Mile...
Cute vibe inside... Lots of seating and lots of choices!
I got the beef sandwich with peppers. The meat was dipped but not the sandwich. It was amazingly good!
Then Heather got a chocolate cake milkshake. I had one taste and went up to get one too. Lol it was dang good but definitely couldn't finish it.
Then we (slowly) walked back to the Hancock Tower. We had the Go Card and got to go up to see some great views. You could really see the beaches and Lake from up here.
The great shot of Navy Pier from the Hancock Skywalk!
Chicago :) <3
The actual "Skywalk" they talk about is an open-air walk on one side of the building. There is a screen up so you can't really see over the edge or anything but it is weird to be walking along, feeling the heat (or cold in the winter) and hearing the honking and noises of the city. A nice, touristy thing to do...
While walking on the Skywalk... This is kind of your view through the screen. Definitely not as thrilling at the Skydeck at the Sears/Willis Tower but a nice touch to peak your interest.
That's a lonnnnnggggggg way down!
And a nice view of the beach... If we had more time we would have definitely hit that. Next time!
Heather had heard a lot about a dueling piano bar called Howl at the Moon. They have all these kitchey drinks but the live entertainment is really awesome. After going to the Houston and New Orleans one a few times I think this is definitely the best. They were really nice and fantastic performers who could almost play any song on the spot!
Buckets and towers....
Giganto buckets :)
We ended the night rocking out at Howl at the Moon. The guys were great, each trading places behind each instrument. Definitely recommended if you go to Chicago!