Chicago, Part 2
Chicago, you can't put a price on love!
Welcome to my second article on Chi-Town (yes, it's the second one, so if you haven't read the first one, click here and read it first)
http://marcnouss.com/travels/chicago-part1
I'm taking you to more cool places around Chicago, must-see spots but also special places, especially if you like photography!
Here we go again!
Let's start with a Chicago staple: the Skydeck!
The Skydeck is located on the 103st floor of Willis Tower, and gives a 360° view of Chicago. It's truly impressive!
But the most impressive part of it are the four, full-glass cabins which look like they're suspended in the sky, 412 meters above the ground! And it rules (unless you're scared of heights)! The view is crazy, and the feeling of walking on thin air is the coolest thing! I went there three times, and I think I could go there every week if I lived in Chicago!
Another Chicago staple for shopping fans, but also for history and architecture enthusiasts: Macy's!
For those who aren't aware, Macy's is a department store which was founded in New York in the 19th century, a bit like the Galeries Lafayette in France, except there are about 800 of them all over the country!
Situated in a "neo-Renaissance"-style building from 1893, the architecture inside (as well as outside) is exceptional, particularly a mosaic ceiling made up of 1 600 000 glass pieces, a masterpiece by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
I take you now to the city landmark, well one of them, it's hard to keep track because there are so many!
The Cloud Gate, colloquially known as the Bean!
Built in Millenium Park between 2004 and 2006 by Anish Kapoor, this urban sculpture was nicknamed "the Bean" because of its shape!
The coolest things are the reflection of the skyline, and our own distorted reflections when we walk around it, but also below because the arch is 3,7 meters high, while the sculpture itself is 10 meters.
My advice, go there early in the morning, because there are just too many people during the day!
From the Bean, go visit the Chicago Cultural Center, which is only a few meters away. The building is really beautiful, and the stained-glass dome inside is breath-taking!
Another staple for myself and other photographers, as well as romantics, is the path alongside the Planetarium! From there, you will get the most beautiful view of the Chicago skyline!
I would tell you to go there at sunset, and wait for nightfall to see the city light up progressively! It's a hell of a show!
Something I love to do when I travel is spend at least one day walking around without particular plans, to let my feelings guide me and make me discover the city.
In Chicago, you can't really go wrong if you try that!
One last staple, "Big John"!
Or 875 North Michigan Avenue, previously called the "John Hancock Center". Standing at 344 meters (the antennae on top reaching 457 meters!), 100 stories, Big John was completed in 1969 and was, at the time, the tallest building in the world, outside of New York! The view of Chicago from the 94th floor is glorious, and the Tilt attraction is frankly impressive! Click here to see precisely what it's all about, but beware if you're afraid of heights!
I couldn't end this article without talking about the various hotels I stayed in. Hotels in Chicago are really top-notch, culturally interesting, a really big part of the city, and you're unlikely to be disappointed if you stay there.
I was lucky enough to stay at The Ambassador Chicago, with a great view of the city!
At The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, very classy and downtown as well.
And at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, a bit old-fashioned but with a superb view of Marina City!
It's time to leave Chicago, but even when you leave, there are many things to see, such as these lovely airport corridors, just beautiful!
How could I not want to come back?
Big thanks to Choose Chicago for giving me the opportunity to visit the city twice. I discovered a place I completely fell in love with. I met all sorts of wonderful people, and I hope to be able to go back soon, because I will never get bored of this city! Then as basket-ball player and NBA fan, I have to come back for watching the Chicago Bulls playing at least once!
I hope these two articles have convinced you to visit Chicago yourself, or just to visit it again and re-discover it! See you Chi-Town!
