Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. Summer lingers on while Fall attempts to creep in. Nevertheless, we’re not going to let that stop us from living life. Today’s post is a travel blog of sorts with a lot of architectural marvels of …you guessed it – CHICAGO! Often called the windy city or the Midwest hub. If you can think about it, this city has it – from beautiful beaches, freshwater fronts, architectural skylines, parks, museums, boat tours, restaurants, night life and the famous set of the Dark Knight Batman movie amongst many others. In my opinion, I think it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and the world.

A Little History!

The land belonged to the Pottawatomie Native Americans who first resided there however the city reportedly began in the 17th century with the arrival of Missionaries, French explorers and fur traders and with its first census in 1880, was deemed the largest city in America till this day. The original city burned down in 1871 due to a lady named Catherine O’Leary whose cow kicked a bucket that started a fire that razed the then predominantly wood framed city to the ground. After this horrendous incident, the city began its rebuild using sturdier and more durable materials. Like every major city in America, it’s had its past being one of the centers for what we know as the ‘Retail Kings’ in America. These were powerful men that formed what we call are favorite franchise stores across the world, but it also served as a hot spot for a lot of the Hollywood legends the likes of Marilyn Monroe.

So Much to Do in the City!

The City of Chicago is a beautiful and great place to visit given its rich history, great food and tons of sights that are worth visiting. With so much to see and very little time, the obvious route was to pick a couple of iconic attractions to visit. These were mine! The city is on three levels…. or elevations. You need to visit to fully grasp what that means.

1. The Chicago Bean originally named Cloud Gate was designed by an Indian-born British artist and consists of 168 polished steel plates welded together.
2. The Navy Pier which is a 3300-foot-long pier that sits on the shoreline of Lake Michigan with tons of shops, restaurants, gardens.
3. The Architectural Boat Tour (Night). If you’re a visual learner, this tour is a quick way to enjoy the rich architecture and history of some amazing buildings while floating along the Chicago River. The night tour is the best in my opinion because you get to enjoy the contrast of the lights from the buildings against the backdrop of the night sky.
4. Chicago Riverwalk. This is a tiered lower level meant for pedestrians only and has restaurants, shops with views of the water and party boats while the city bustles above.
5. Chicago Bus Tours. These were great. Grab a jacket and don’t forget to duck when driving through neighborhoods with overhanging tree branches. (http://www.viator.com)

Folks, there was so much to see and so little time. Like any city in America, each has its pros and cons, and the City of Chicago is not exempt. We had a great time and look forward to going back when we get a chance. Getting to see a little bit more of the world around me not only makes me appreciate the history but also how far we have evolved. Until I come your way again, I hope you stay safe and upbeat!

Periwinkle Starr