USA ’22 #8: Three hours in Chicago is not enough

Monday 9th May 2022

We arrived at Chicago Station, which like so many we have seen, is grand, gorgeous and very clean.

It was designed by Daniel Burnham and opened in May 1925.

Once again we were able to use the Metropolitan Lounge and so could leave our luggage and spend a few hours acquainting ourselves with Chicago.

We were not sure what to expect and used GPSmyCity to find a short route we could accomplish in the time we had available.

We went into the Willis Tower, previously known as the Sears Tower, and down to the basemen to ask about tickets to the observation deck. It did not seem as though there would be any difficulty in simply turning up as a walk-in when we returned.

The elevated railways seem so familiar from films and TV shows.

Lasalle Street is home to iconic Art Deco office buildings.

But our route took us to the Rookery Building at one end, the oldest standing high rise in Chicago. We will walk down the rest of the street on our return.

On one side of DuSable Bridge we passed a bust of Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable who was born in Haiti and is credited with being the founder of Chicago as he opened the first trading post here in the 1770s.

The striking Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, was apparently modelled on the Giralda Tower of Seville Cathedral with additional French Renaissance details. It comprises two towers, the 425 foot south tower was completed in April 1921 and the north tower in 1924. Walkways between the two towers were added at a later date.

The elevated railways kept calling to Robert so of course we will be taking a ride on one on our return.

We passed the Art Institute of Chicago on our way to . . .

. . . the Crown Fountain in the Millennium Park. From November to April there is no water in the reflecting pool between the two 50 foot glass block towers but videos are displayed on them.

The Cloud Gate in the Millennium Park is also known as the Bean but it is said to have been inspired by a drop of mercury.

Although it is situated in Millennium Park, which opened in 2004, technical construction difficulties meant that it was not installed until 2006.

Wrigley Square is in the northwest of the Millennium Park, including the Millennium Monument, an almost full-scale replica of the semi-circular monument with Doric columns which stood in this part of Grant Park from 1917 to 1953.

Of course, Robert had to video a train passing on the elevated railway.

We crossed the Chicago River. . .

. . . near the Chicago Tribune building.

And, yes, if only he realised it, Robert is married to an angel on earth.

We walked past the Billy Goat Tavern which we will be visiting on our return in a few weeks.

To return to the station, we walked along the Riverside Walk past the City Winery and the Chicago Brewhouse. This is a very pleasant walk with establishments offering riverside seats for food, drink and ice cream.

We are looking forward to seeing more of Chicago when we return in 16 days time.

Video of the day:

Selfie of the day:

Route Map: