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11 cities 45 days

Windy City Chicago

Chicago Skyline

Summer 2016, one of the best time of my life. I was living out of a suitcase for nearly a month and a half. 11 cities in 45 days. I traveled across the eastern part of USA and Canada. I will be talking about each city in my upcoming blog posts, but today we go to Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois my first city on this trip of a lifetime.  After a two hour wait for immigration at the O Hare International Airport and a further two hour wait for the Holiday Inn Express Shuttle, Finally I made it to my hotel.  Located near the airport, yes Chicago was a last-minute plan and I found no accommodation in Downtown Chicago.

 After a Chicago must have the famous deep dish pizza at Giordano’s for dinner and some travel tips and tricks from a Chicago based relative, travel hangover hits and I call it a day.

Deep dish pepperoni pizza at Giordano's

Day 1 : Travel tip a hearty breakfast of eggs and bread will keep you going for a 5/6 hours. After which I took the airport shuttle to reach the O Hare international airport, from there I took the Blue line CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) to reach downtown Chicago. Got off at the wrong station but with the help of a few locals I reached the popular Millennium Park. If you’re a Bollywood buff then this sight is something you’ve seen in many movies. This beautiful park is home to the Cloud Gate also known as 'the Bean', the Crown Fountain, the Grant Park, Harris Theater and many more attractions. After spending a good three hours at this place, I decided on taking the Big Bus Hop on Hop off tour. A great way to explore downtown Chicago. I love taking Hop on Hop off tours as they are a great way to explore the city at your own pace. The tour covers 14 major attraction. 

The Cloud Gate also known as the 'Bean' at the Millennium Park.

The Willis Tower and Skydeck

Views from the Willis Tower

Here are a few recommendations for Downtown Chicago-

The Willis tower & sky deck, formally known as the Sears tower, I remembered coming here as a young teen with my parents. A must visit is the Skydeck located on the 103^rd floor. From here you can get a 360-degree view of this beautiful city. Another major attraction are the glass boxes known as ‘the ledge’, where one can look through the glass floor to the street. Do mind your vertigo here. The building itself is a perfect example of modern architecture. A great backdrop for memorable Chicago photos.

The ledge.

Trump International hotel and tower

Buckingham Fountain.

 Chicago
River walk;

The other attractions covered on the Hop on Hop off tour are-

The Art institute of Chicago

The Alder planetarium

Shedd aquarium

Trump international hotel and tower

Navy Pier

Buckingham fountain

Michigan avenue bridge

Chicago river walk.

In the middle of all this sightseeing I grab a lovely refreshing lunch at Corner bakery café. Around 7 I took the CTA back to the airport an hour ride and then the shuttle to the hotel.And that sums up day 1, a beautiful sunny day spent in Downtown Chicago mostly doing all the touristy stuff.

Chicken and Tortilla Salad.

Mediterranean Lunch on Day2.

Day 2: like day 1, I reached Downtown Chicago by 10am, another beautiful sunny day. As the big bus ticket is valid for 24 hours, I decide to get another glimpse of Chicago. You can never have enough of this city. 

If you think you've had enough of Downtown Chicago, take the CTA and get off at one of the suburbs. Suburbs are great to get a glimpse at the life of the locals, visit some super markets, boutiques and restaurants. I was staying in one such Suburb Rosemont and visited another beautiful Suburb Addison.  

By afternoon I’m done with sightseeing, later lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant and some retail therapy. Left for the hotel by 7, as I had to pack for a new City the next day.

Downtown Chicago is an architectural masterpiece. Everyone is bound to find something of their interest here. It’s a big multi-cultural city with an amazing vibe.

If you happen to visit this part of USA do not miss out on this spectacular city.

Till then, hope you had a good time seeing the city through my lenses.