We decided that our kids have way too many toys and instead of exchanging presents we wanted to incorporate the true meaning of Christmas, spending time with family. Therefore, we flew to Chicago for a fun-filled three-day weekend. I booked our hotel rooms through www.hotels.com, our flights through Southwest, and our transportation, to and from the airport, through Go Shuttle. Since Chris and I had been to Chicago before, we knew what to expect for the most part which made it easy to map out the activities for each day.
We arrived in Chicago late Thursday night and from the airport we took the Go Shuttle service to the Warwick Allerton Hotel that is located on The Magnificent Mile. We had stayed at this hotel the first time that we were in Chicago and loved the location, therefore, we decided to stay there again. This hotel was one of the first “Skyscrapers” on the Magnificent Mile and was built in 1923. With that being said, even though it has been renovated, the elevators and hotel rooms remained the same size, which are very small. However, the location of the hotel greatly outweighs the small elevators and rooms. We would definitely stay at this hotel again.
DAY 1
The Michigan Avenue Bridge carries Michigan Avenue over the Chicago River and links the south side to the north side. Seen here is one of the four bridge houses. Each bridge house has a sculpture on it depicting some of Chicago’s history. This one depicts the “Pioneers” which represents Chicago’s first non-native settlers.The first stop on our mile hike was at the famous Millennium Park, that is located on Michigan Avenue. Seen here is the Chicago City Christmas Tree which was moved this year to Millennium Park after being in Daley Plaza for the past 48 years.It is not a true trip to Chicago unless you go to cloud gate, better known as “the bean.” I think everyone gets a picture of their reflection in the bean with the skyline of Chicago in the background. The bean is located in the center of Millennium Park and was constructed between 2004 and 2006.The Bean weighs 110 ton and is made of 168 stainless steal plates that were polished down so there are no visible lines. It is 66 feet long, 33 feet tall, and the arch in the center, that many people walk through, is 12 foot high.Every year, the Art Institute of Chicago has an annual Wreathing Ceremony of the lion statues located at the entrance of the museum. After the ceremony, usually held in the morning, the museum offer complimentary refreshments and entertainment.Within in one year’s time we have been at both starting/end points of Route 66. The “Begin Route 66” sign is located on Adams Street in the Loop of Chicago. The mother road stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California.As we were walking around in the Loop of Chicago, we passed by this poster in a store window. This was a poster printed for advertising the World Fair that was held in Chicago in 1933. The date 1933 was significant because it commemorated the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Chicago.Willis Tower is located in the Loop of Chicago and was formerly known as Sears Tower. Sears Tower has 110 floors and was built in 1973. To ride the elevator to the top, you actually go around the side of the building to Jackson Ave. and enter at the SkyDeck area.While visiting Willis Tower, taking the elevator ride to the 103rd floor is a must. Here, we are all standing on “the ledge,” which is a 4 foot glass box that provides views of the city at 1,353 feet above the ground. It also has a glass floor where you can look straight down at Whacker Drive.On a clear day you can see up to 50 miles and four states.Here is a good view of the Chicago skyline, with buildings in the Loop area and up Michigan Avenue. SkyDeck and The Ledge are open in the fall and winter 10am-8pm and in the summer and spring 9am-10pm. The admission price is around $22/person and $14/kids ages 3-11The Chicago City Hall is located in Daley Plaza. Seen here is one of the Christmas trees located inside the main lobby.City Hall was built in 1911 and includes the offices of the mayor, City Clerk, treasurer and many other city departments.Cook County was founded in 1831 and named after Daniel Cook, which served as the second U.S. Representative for the state of Illinois. Chicago is the seat of Cook County and it is the most populated county in Illinois. It is also the second most populated county in the U.S, next to Los Angeles County.2015 marked the 25th Anniversary of Chicago’s Christkindlmarket. The market has been held in Daley Plaza for the past 24 years, with the first one being held in Pioneer Court. Christkindlmarket is inspired by the same market in Numremberg, Germany, which began in 1545. There are a variety of booths set up which sell food, toys, holiday ornaments, and decorations. Here is one of the booths selling wood carvings.We decided to grab some German food for lunch at the Christkindlmarket, the tables are for standing only. The Market is usually opens the week of Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Day. The hours are 11am-8pm and the admission is free.The food at Christkindlmarket is delicious. We had potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and hot spiced wine that comes in a little souvenir cup.“The Eternal Flame” located in Daley Plaza is a single natural gas flame that is a memorial for all those that have served in the military. The flame was lit on August 22, 1972 and has continuously burned ever since. In the winter, there are usually always pigeons around it trying to stay warm.This beautiful Nativity scene in located right outside the Christkindlmarket beside the eternal flame.As we were leaving the Christkindlmarket, we came upon this mobile puppet show at the corner of Dearborn and Washington Street.As we were walking up Michigan Ave back to our hotel, we stopped at a crosswalk, looked up and seen this view . The building in the center’ with the Gothic architecture; is the Chicago Tribune which is one of the major daily newspapers of Chicago. It was founded in 1847 and is one of the largest newspapers in the United State. It is also the most-read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area.The Chicago Tribune’s walls are covered with rocks, bricks, and other artifacts from around the world. There are artifacts from all 50 states, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, The Alamo, and many other famous places.Dad and Lil’ man posing with a bull statue, somewhere on the Magnificent Mile.As we were walking to Navy Pier, we came upon the Ohio Street Beach. A great view of the Chicago skyline and of Lake Michigan.Every year PNC Bank puts on a Winter Wonderfest at Chicago’s Navy Pier. In the years past, the general admission free. However, this year the general admission price was $10/person for non-riders and $25/person (Anyone over the age of 2) for riders, which includes general admission. I found a Groupon that included 4 armbands for $60, which was a way better deal.This beautiful Christmas tree is in the center of the Winter Wonderfest. The Winterfest is open daily from the first week of December to the first week of January.Around the room, there are many trees decorated in themes. Seen here is a Valentine Tree, Day of the Dead tree, and a Christmas ornament tree.They also have different Santa’s around the room from different countries, so you can see what Santa looks like in that particular country.The Santa that represents China.This was one of my favorite things at the Winter Wonderfest. The huge rocking horse that actually rocks!This was a huge “Snow Globe” that you could go inside and play in the “Snow.” It was so much fun!The kids had to get their picture with Santa!The family of Elves!I think we went down every slide that they had, which was about a dozen!The wonderfest also had an indoor Ferris wheel. Plan for spending at least half a day at the Wonderfest, we were there for four hours and did not see everything.It was the first time I think any of us had ever rode on an indoor full size ferris wheel.A great picture of me and Lil Man with my parents. The Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan at night is beautiful. Navy Pier is a lot larger than I ever expected, it is 3,300 feet long and was built in 1916.The pier is Chicago’s number one tourist attraction with rides, shops, restaurants, and festival halls all inside. I highly recommend visiting Navy Pier while in Chicago. The admission is free.At the very end of Navy Pier sits an eight-ton anchor from the third warship named “Chicago” The first ship named Chicago was serviced from 1889-1928, the second from 1931-1943, but was sunk in WWII. The Third ship named Chicago was serviced from 1945-1980, and was in the Vietnam war. The anchor is dedicated to each of the ships named “Chicago” and also to all those who serve in our military.Navy Pier lit up at night.Downtown Dogs is located at 804 N Rush Street and is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant that we stopped at to get a Chicago style hot dog.The prices are very reasonable, however there is very limited seating. There are no tables and only about 8 bar stools inside the restaurant. They are open daily from 11am-10pm.A true Chicago Style hot dog, which has absolutely no ketchup.For a great view of the Chicago skyline at night, go to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building. You are carded in the lobby before getting on the elevator and no one under the age of 21 is allowed admission. The admission is free into the lounge.Construction of the building was completed in 1968 and was the tallest building in Chicago until Sears Tower was constructed. The John Hancock Center is 1,124 feet tall and has 100 stories
DAY 2
The iconic Chicago sign is part of the Chicago Theater which is located on North State Street in the Loop area. The theater was built in 1921, however the original Chicago sign did not look like this one. This particular sign first appeared in 1949 and was replaced with the replica, seen here, in 1994.When Macy’s on State Street starts putting out the trumpets, you know it is that time of year again, Christmas! Also seen here is the “Great Clock” which was installed in 1897 and is made from seven tons of cast bronze. While in Chicago, go inside this Macy’s and look up past the nine floors of shopping and see the 6,000 square feet ceiling made out of Tiffany glass. It is absolutely beautiful.Dylan’s Candy Bar is a two story candy shop located right on the Magnificent Mile. Founded by Dylan Lauren in 2001, she meshed candy with art, fashion, and pop culture to make a lifestyle brand. It is a really neat candy store to check out while in Chicago.Giordano’s is a very popular pizza restaurant in Chicago that is known for their stuffed pizza. They first opened in 1974 on the historic south side and are still operating at numerous locations today. Eating at Giordano’s is a must while in Chicago and they also offer Gluten Free pizza.The wait can be very long to even be seated at Giordano’s, so we decided to call in our order. While everyone else rested at the hotel, Chris and I walked to Giordanos on Rush Street and we took the pizzas back to the hotel to eat lunch. Seen here is a Cheese with pineapple on the left and a BBQ chicken pizza on the right.
The Magnificent Mile is also known as Michigan Avenue, which is an upscale street along the Chicago River. The Magnificent Mile is the largest shopping district in Chicago and was named in the 1940’s by a real estate developer.The Lincoln Park Zoo is located at N Clark St. The admission to the zoo is free and the lights are on display from Thanksgiving to New Year’s on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 4:30-9pm.The Lincoln Park Zoo has over 2 million lights that they put on display every year.We took a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus from right outside our hotel to the the Lincoln Park Zoo. It cost about $15 each way, total, for all 7 of us. The Zoo is about 2 miles away and that is a long hike from the Magnificent Mile.Of course we had to ride the “Ready to Ride” train in Lincoln Park zoo! It is a cute little five minute train ride that is $3/person.The zoo also has numerous ice carvings on display.Lil’ Miss was so excited to get her picture made with this huge Santa at the zoo!
DAY 3
A trip to Chicago isn’t complete unless you get Garrett’s Popcorn. Garrett’s first opened on West Madison street in 1949 and has been a Chicago tradition ever since. I prefer just cheddar but everyone else like the Chicago mix which is caramel and cheddar mixed together.The famous Chicago Water tower is located right in the middle of the Magnificent Mile. This is the second oldest water tower in the United States and was built in 1869 to house a large water pump that would pull water from Lake Michigan. The water tower is 154 feet tall and was the only public building to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.Holy Name Cathedral is located on Wabash Ave. This Gothic style Cathedral was built in 1875 and with ceilings over 150 feet high it can seat over 2,000 people.In 1926, Hymie Weiss died in front of the Holy Name Cathedral, he had been at war with Al Capone for many years. There used to be 35 bullet holes in the church’s structure, however after renovations there is only one remaining bullet hole that is still visible from the Al Capone era.Sunny Side Up Cafe is a gem that we found located in an old house on E. Superior Street. Sunny Side is made up of three floors, the bottom floor is the coffee shop with the other two levels being the restaurant. The coffee shop hours are 7am-6pm daily and the restaurant hours are 8am-3pm daily.This is one of the breakfast platters, complete with Gluten Free pancakes! They serve vanilla bean butter with their pancakes and it is so delicious, it tastes like ice cream.Sunny Side Up Cafe serves breakfast and lunch. Seen here is a turkey and cheddar sandwich with sweet potato fries.Chicago is definitely a place I would recommend visiting anytime of the year. There really is something for everyone!
