Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor's first public outdoor work installed in the United States. Photo by © Julia Pelish
My first trip to Chicago has certainly lived up to its hype as being one of the most enjoyable and surprisingly beautiful cities to visit in the US. It is filled with architectural gems (think Meis van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright), lakeshore scenery (see the Navy Pier and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach parks) and culinary temptations (get your fill at places like Graham Elliot, Girl and The Goat and Lula Café).
Getting into Chicago was easy too, just a quick two hour flight out of the Billy Bishop airport in downtown Toronto via Porter Airlines. In about the same amount of time it takes to drive from Simcoe Street to Stouffville – I had touched down in Chicago ready to begin my weekend.
Waves from Lake Michigan splash the walk way along Oak Beach in Chicago. Photo by © Julia Pelish
With so much to do and so little time I had to hit the ground running. Here are a few of my favorite Chicago things: Dropped over to Barack Obama’s home – (not home), went to Buddy Guy’s blues bar, ate at Graham Elliot’s, then at Lula Café and – yes – ate some more at Girl and the Goat, stayed on the 22th floor of the plush Elysian, enjoyed the view of Chicago from on top of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, cooled down in the spray from The Crown and The Buckingham Fountains, soaked up all the good vibes bouncing around Millennium park, whisked through the Chicago Art Museum to see the Impressionist Art, window shopped along the Magnificent Mile, took an architectural cruise along the Chicago River, and washed it down with a few delicious local brews available at almost any pub.
Sipping pricey cocktails on the airy outdoor terrace lounge in Trump Towers building downtown Chicago. Photo by © Julia Pelish
To read more about visiting Chicago, check out Adrian Brijbassi’s article written for the Toronto Star along with our video inspired by the five pounds we gained eating out!
