Monday 23rd September

Our first full day in Chicago, not raining, and it is shaping up to become one of our favourite cities ! So not only is it cool, the temperature is cooler as well. A top today of 24 degrees and this morning we both had jackets on for the first time since arriving 6 weeks ago. It is an easy city to navigate, it has great architecture, it makes full use of its lake and river fronts, has well maintained gardens and the locals are some of the friendliest folks we have met.

Today we drove to a local train stop, parked the car and caught the train into Downtown. We got off at State and Lake and made our way to the Visitor Centre, which happened to be in the Macy's store, a historic previous department store of Marshall Field & Company. The internals of the store have been retained which reminded us of the surprise we experienced when we stumbled across Macy's in Philly.

Norman, at the Visitor Centre suggested we head to the Cultural Centre and check out the free walking tours, one of Downtown and one of the Millennium Park. So after stopping for a coffee (a daily ritual), we headed over and signed up for the free 11.30 tour of Downtown.

We had a bit of time before the tour, so we went over to Millennium Park to check out Cloud Gate, better know as the Bean. A bit like our Mall's Balls, just a little more impressive.

Richard was our volunteer guide. complete with medical equipment and tubes hanging from his bandaged arm. He was in his 70's at least, and we wondered just have far we might go and how much we might see in just one hour ! The one hour tour turned into 2.5 hours and our group of 7 visitors were shown some amazing buildings and places around Chicago, together with stories of history and characters. Turned out to be one of the best walking tours we have done. Richard pointed out various architectural styles, took us to interesting lobbies and eateries and we ended in the Chicago Athletics Club on the 13th floor with a wonderful view over Millennium Park and the lake front.

Following our walking tour, we headed down to the Chicago River walk and did the full length from the lake to the Illinois River confluence.

Tuesday 24th September

Went back into Downtown today to walk the Magnificent Mile, a section of Michigan Ave. north of the Chicago River where all the premier retail establishments are located. It was a very casual day checking some buildings and foyer areas, shopping an admiring the garden beds along the street.

One nice building was the Carbide and Carbon Building with its art deco decoration.

While a lot of people travel to the top of Willis Tower (formally Sears Tower), the tallest building in town, it had been recommended to us to go to the Signature Lounge in the 360 Chicago (formally known as John Hancock Observatory). It is located on the 96th floor (2 floors below the observatory) and has great 360 degree views of Chicago and surrounds.

To enjoy the great view, all we had to do was buy a drink and Tania had a creme brulee. Tania also found out that the entire wall of the ladies toilets was a floor to ceiling glass window giving the best view of the city whilst going in for a tinkle !!! The cost of the beer and dessert was half the cost for the two of us to go up two more floors on to the observation deck.

We finished our stroll back down Michigan Avenue and then headed for home to organise dinner and plan for tomorrow's drive and stay.