Fall Chicago Visit: Skyscrapers, Churches, Theaters, Zoos- and Protests?

 

***Favorite Photo***

Next to Charleston, my favorite city in America also begins with Ch: Chicago! 

In the late 1980s-early 1990s we lived in "Chicagoland" then over the years, Alesia's work would bring her to the Windy City, and a few times I was able to join her. In more recent years, we have been back several times to visit our son Justin who lives and works in the city. 

So on Oct. 16 our latest trip began dark and early with a 6 a.m. flight. With the time change, we landed at Chicago O’Hare Airport a little after 7:30 a.m. 

This is a favorite picture I took from the airplane that shows two of the city’s most famous and tallest buildings: Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and closer to Lake Michigan is the Hancock Building. 

***Favorite Photo***

We always like to stay downtown near the Chicago River. The Marriott Renaissance Chicago Downtown at 1 W. Wacker was our home for three nights. Though staying on the 13th floor we had good luck being able to check in before 9 a.m., and we made it for the complimentary breakfast just before the concierge room closed at 9. Whew! I needed a hearty breakfast after being up since 3:15 a.m. EST. 

From our hotel room, we had this view of the iconic Chicago Theatre. On Sunday, the theatre had a 50th anniversary screening of the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” With the cheapest tickets at $60-plus, we did a hard pass. 

***Favorite Photo***

4th of July Fun in Chicago!

 

We traveled to the Windy City to visit our son during the Independence Day holiday. The River North area downtown was where we stayed and the atmosphere was vibrant and festive. 

Chicago’s many skyscrapers are always neat to see and photograph. The iconic Wrigley Building was adorned with a huge American flag. As this site reveals, the huge flag cost $6,200 and has been flown during the 4th of July period since 2002 as a way to commemorate the 9/11 attacks.

To the left of the Wrigley Building is the 100-story Trump International Hotel & Tower, the city’s second tallest building. The hotel cost a whopping $847 million to build and was completed in 2009.

We had a wonderful view from room 1526 in the Westin Chicago River North Hotel on N. Dearborn St. 

Sunday afternoon when we checked into our room, this was the view.

Fortunately, the rain ended within a few hours…

Chicago Busker Photo a Winning Entry

 

When opening the Sunday newspaper yesterday I had a good feeling! The previous Sunday upon seeing the Charleston Post and Courier’s next contest topic was “Musicians” I thought I might have a winning entry. 

In December 2018 Alesia and I flew to Chicago to visit our son Justin. We stayed at a nice hotel downtown not too far from the city’s famous Magnificent Mile shopping district along N. Michigan Avenue. 

On our walk on a rather gloomy, foggy day we encountered this gentleman playing his saxophone for tips. A noble busker indeed! 

I gave him some cash and asked if I could take his picture. He was good with that so I popped off a few shots. 

I really like the contrast between the dreary background with the tall, foreboding (though iconic) Chicago buildings and the pops of color from our musician with his golden sax and red Santa hat. 

I like this image so much that not long after that Chicago trip I had a large print made and framed. It’s on the wall in our TV room, just over my right shoulder as I write this blog post. 

In July we are returning to the Windy City to see Justin. As you see in this post from other Chicago visits you know I’ll be taking lots of pictures! 

2021 Chicago Visit

2012 Chicago Visit

Chicago Family Gathering

GETTING THERE & MEETING UP

Dateline Chicago- The fam came together for a long weekend in August- a weekend that stretched into a couple extra days in the Windy City due to flight and weather complications. 

We, of course, flew in from Charleston to see Justin who lives in Chicago. 

Chicago's Holiday Season Charm!

On the eve of Christmas and New Year's, Chicago was a great place to visit for several days!  Alesia was sent there on a business trip and I was able to join her after completing finals and final grading. Our younger son lives and works there now too, so this trip was much anticipated, to say the least!

This may be my favorite photograph (from among the hundreds taken) during my Chicago December visit. The sax playing, Santa hat wearing musician provided a pop of sound and color on this one day that was very foggy from dawn to dusk.

This picture is a favorite too. I took it from the stairs going to the "L" train station near our hotel.

Chicago!

We had a nice family trip to Chicago where Alesia and I lived for a short time some years ago. It's a city with fond memories that I've enjoyed visting several times in recent years. During our visit this month we stayed at a fabulous Westin Hotel downtown on Chicago River, right in the middle of everything!  Here are some favorite photos of one of my favorite cities.

A water taxi on the Chicago River. We stayed on the 18th floor of the Westin Hotel seen at the top left. Below is a view out our window. That's the N. Clark St. bridge.

Staying downtown like this, there are many fine restaurants, stores and other attractions within walking distance, as are some of the train stations that will get you around the metro area.

Purple Martin Houses

Came across these purple martin houses at Chicago's Lincoln Park right on Lake Michigan.  Loved the big puffy clouds and knew some good pictures could be made here!  The park offers ample waterfront walking and great views of the big city.  This part of Lincoln Park also has a small bird viewing area.