A Day in Chicago: Exploring the Windy City

Often called as The Windy City, Chicago is known for its stunning architecture, vibrant cultural scenes, and rich history. Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, this bustling metropolis offers a unique blend of urban charm and natural beauty. Its diverse attractions promises an unforgettable experience whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler.

*A view of Lake Michigan from a building* *along Lake Shore Drive*

*Marina City (they look like a corncob)*

Our day began in a residential building built in 1927, overlooking the serene waters of Lake Michigan. This historic building is where my husband’s cousin lives. It served as our starting point to explore Chicago for a day. We decided to use public transportation instead of driving our cars, which for me is a nice way to explore Chicago.

From there, we walked to the nearest train station, Clark/Division Station, and took us eight stops to reach Chicago’s vibrant Chinatown. We wandered around through the bustling streets, took photos, and shop for few items. I thought of buying magnets representing the US States that me and my husband have visited as of this writing.

For lunch, we stopped by Triple Crown Restaurant for some dim sum. It was a feast of dumplings, buns, and other Chinese dishes. This gave me the energy I needed for the rest of our day’s itinerary.

After a satisfying lunch, we headed to the the Skydeck at Willis Tower. Once known as the tallest building in the world, the Skydeck offers a panoramic views of up to four states on a clear day — Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The Ledge at the Skydeck is a glass floored balcony that is perched 4.3 feet outside of Willis Tower. I must say that it is the highlight of the overall experience at the Skydeck. Standing on the glass ledge welcomed us to breathtaking views of the city from 1,353 feet above the ground. I love heights, thus I enjoyed this thrilling experience. It truly gave us a bird’s eye view of Chicago. For more information and ticket purchase, see The Skydeck Chicago.

Next, we made our way to one of the biggest fountains in the world, the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The fountain was commissioned as a memorial for Clarence Buckingham by his sister, Kate Sturges Buckingham, an avid art collector and philanthropist. At this point, we were already tired with all the walking under the heat of the sun. Thankfully, while waiting for our other family members to join us on our last activity, we were able to rest a bit.

Our adventure continued with a Chicago River Architecture Tour, a 45-minute tour booked at Wendella Tours & Cruises. Departing from Michigan Avenue, the tour provided a fascinating look at the city’s iconic buildings and rich architectural history. The guide shared stories about the design and construction of landmarks, making the tour both educational and enjoyable.

*Wendella’s Chicago River Architecture Tour*

We visited the Starbucks Reserve Roastery along Michigan Avenue, the world’s largest Starbucks. This multi-level coffee wonderland has five stories. I couldn’t resist buying a souvenir mug, which according to the staff is an exclusive mug that can only be bought in this store. I was actually looking for the Illinois Starbucks Discovery Series mug, but I can’t find one. With time running short, we hurried back to our starting point to get the car and drive to Evanston for dinner.

We ended our day at Joy Yee’s Noodle Kitchen, a pan-Asian restaurant known for its diverse menu and drinks. The food was great. It was even better having it with the whole family. The extensive selection of drinks was impressive. With so many choices, it was hard to decide.

*Dinner at Joy Yee’s with the whole fam!*

Sadly, The Bean at the Millennium Park was closed during our visit. The Bean is know for its unique design and reflective surface. It is a very popular attraction that I have to probably visit next time.

While in Chicago, consider adding Navy Pier to your itinerary. Also, don’t miss out on some of the iconic eateries like Portillo’s, an American diner famed for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, and Lou Malnati’s, where you can savor authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. These culinary stops truly added a unique flavor to our Chicago experience.

Overall, our day in Chicago was packed with amazing sights, sumptuous food, and memorable experiences. Whether you are visiting historic sites, enjoying panoramic views, or indulging in culinary delights, Chicago definitely has something to offer. We are grateful to our relatives in Chicago for making our trip to this beautiful city warm, inviting, and truly memorable.

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR A DAY IN CHICAGO

9:30 AM – Explore Chinatown
11:45 AM – Lunch at Triple Crown Dim Sum
1:15 PM – Travel from China Town to Willis Tower
2:00 PM – Skydeck at Willis Tower
3:30 PM – Explore Downtown Chicago: Visit the Buckingham Fountain, The Bean, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue Shops, etc.
5:45 PM – Chicago River Architecture Tour
6:30 PM – End of Day Trip
7:00 PM – Dinner: No trip to Chicago is complete without trying its famous deep-dish pizza. Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s are some of the known pizzeria in Chicago.

Traveling to Chicago, Illinois soon? For more information, you may visit Choose Chicago (choosechicago.com).