| I just got back from a very enjoyable trip to Chicago, | | | | Wrigleyville, and is dominated by watering holes. We |
| and I thought I'd share the sights and activities that I | | | | took the El to Wrigley Field, it's extremely close to the |
| enjoyed the most during my week's stay there. | | | | city centre. |
| Wander around Millennium Park | | | | Take an architecture tour |
| One of the city's biggest attractions, the 24.5 acre | | | | Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper, which |
| park is located right in the middle of the city centre and | | | | moved from load-bearing wall structures in the early |
| offers plenty of lush green lounging space, striking | | | | 1880's to steel skeletal frames only a few years later. |
| architecture, structural art and refreshments. Our | | | | The Chicago Architecture Foundation run many |
| favourites were the Crown Fountain, two high towers | | | | excellent tours around the city, including boat tours and |
| made of glass bricks across a granite square where | | | | neighbourhood walks. We took in the Historic |
| children and adults alike splashed around in the hot sun; | | | | Skyscraper tour which was both an introduction to |
| and the Cloud Gate, a huge stainless steal structure | | | | Chicago's beautiful architecture and a useful orientation |
| that is so highly polished that it reflects the surrounding | | | | around the Loop. |
| skyline, greenery and people milling around. | | | | Browse an extensive collection of art |
| Eat the best steak of your life | | | | The Art Institute of Chicago houses a huge amount of |
| The Mid-West boasts some of the best beef in | | | | great art; we were there for several hours and were |
| America. As a treat we went to David Burke's | | | | only able to view the Photography Collection on the |
| Primehouse which wasn't cheap, but that night we had | | | | lower level and the American 1900-1950 Collection in |
| the best steak we have ever eaten. (And I've wolfed | | | | great detail. The highlight for me was Grant Wood's |
| down a lot of steak in my lifetime!) All the meat comes | | | | American Gothic - it was exciting to see such an |
| from animals sired by Prime, the owner's bull, and aged | | | | iconic piece of artwork so close up. |
| in house. Highly recommended. | | | | Walk along the lakefront |
| Lunch at the Loop | | | | Chicago is on Lake Michigan, which is more like an sea |
| The Loop is the city's central business district, which is | | | | by European standards. We walked along the |
| at its most lively during the day. Fantastic lunches | | | | lakefront from Millennium Park, past the picturesque |
| during our trip included Patty Burger, which offers | | | | dock and well-kept greenery to the touristy but fun |
| hand-formed Angus patties; Frontera Fresco at | | | | Navy Pier, which provides a 15-storey Ferris Wheel, a |
| Macy's, where celebrity chef Rick Bayless offers | | | | crazy golf course and a spate of family-friendly cafes |
| reasonable but excellent Mexican food; and Russian | | | | and restaurants. |
| Tea Time, a Russian restaurant with a décor | | | | Go bowling |
| harking back to Communist excess and food that just | | | | We were determined to take part in some |
| melts in your mouth. | | | | all-American activities, so we headed down the central |
| Shop on the Magnificient Mile | | | | Lucky Strike Lanes, which actually has a dress code (if |
| As a typical Irish tourist, I packed light on the flight over | | | | a relatively lax one), a wine bar, a very decent |
| and dragged a bulging suitcase on the flight back. The | | | | restaurant and some pool tables if bowling isn't your |
| Magnificient Mile, actually the section of Michigan | | | | thing. There was a curtained off section for groups |
| Avenue between the Chicago River and Water | | | | too. |
| Tower Place, is lined with department stores and | | | | Have a few cheeky drinks |
| flagships including Gap, Banana Republic, French | | | | A full spectrum of bars exist in Chicago; from slick |
| Connection and other big ticket brands. The Loop | | | | cocktail places like J Bar, to old hotel bars like 17 West, |
| contains a big Old Navy, Forever 21 and Urban | | | | to Oirish pubs like Timothy O'Toole's Pub. Wrigleyville is |
| Outfitters. | | | | chockful of sports bars, and many offer great pub |
| Watch the Cubs at Wrigley Field | | | | grub that we enjoyed. Chicago bars offer a large |
| Wrigley Field has served as the home ballpark of the | | | | selection of beers, both international and local. |
| Cubs since 1916, and it remains a historic American | | | | Recommended brews are the local Blue Moon and |
| landmark. We were lucky enough to get tickets to the | | | | Goose Island wheat beers. |
| Memorial day game there; it was packed with good | | | | Of course Chicago has plenty more to offer, but we |
| natured fans and families, and the atmosphere was | | | | just couldn't do everything. It's a great city; if you ever |
| relaxed and friendly. The surrounding area is known as | | | | get a chance to visit, you'll have a fantastic time. |