Destination - Chicago

CHICAGO - by Carl Sandburg

Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,    City of the Big Shoulders:

They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your

painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women

and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer
     at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the little soft cities;

Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,  Shoveling, Wrecking, Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.

Chicago Skyline at night

Poet Carl Sandburg described Chicago as the "City of the Big Shoulders" in 1916, and the city carries that moniker proudly to this day. With world-class museums and cultural attractions alongside thriving commercial and industrial ventures, Chicago hums with energy.

I have actually never been to Chicago.  When I write my destination series I have always picked places that I have been.  But Chicago is a place I have been thinking seriously about going to.  I recently mentioned to my girlfriend, who I sometimes travel with, that Chicago would be a fun place for us to go during the Christmas season.  We could go and do our Christmas shopping, visit their Christmas Markets and also take in the sights of Chicago.  I do think we will have to haul out our heavy winter clothing, as Chicago can be pretty frigid that time of year, but it could be fun, and a chance to explore a new city.  So I decided that I would do some research on the city for myself, and I could post that research here, for others to see.

While researching I found that there were quite a few places that was on every list of  "Things to see in Chicago."  So here is what I came up with for my list of places I want to see while there.

Skydeck Chicago

Skydeck's The Ledge

I always enjoy going to the top of a tall building and viewing a city from above.  I have done that in various cities, including the one I live in.  It gives one a feel of the city, and you can get some wonderful views.  The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere is in Chicago.  The Skydeck is located atop the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).  It beckons with its eye-popping views of Chicago and beyond. It attracts nearly 1.3 million visitors each year to its 103rd floor observation deck, which rises 1,353 feet above street level. On a clear day, you can spot many of Chicago’s landmarks and scan the horizon to Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. The brave of heart can step out onto The Ledge, a glass-enclosed balcony, for a view unlike any other.

John Hancock Observator
Another choice to get above the city is the John Hancock Observator.  Located in the heart of the Windy City’s tourist district, the John Hancock Observator — with its one-of-a-kind open-air Skywalk — is open until 11 p.m. daily. The fastest elevators in North America zoom to the 94th floor — 1,000 feet up — in only 40 seconds. The real fun is spotting Chicago landmarks, such as Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and glamorous marinas. Guests enjoy a multimedia Sky Tour and can contemplate Chicago’s history on the 80-foot history wall.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier

Encompassing more than 50 acres of prime Chicago lakefront territory, Navy Pier is truly a city within the city. With shopping, restaurants, parks and gardens, museums, stages and attractions galore, this Chicago landmark attracts millions every year. Fireworks light up the Chicago skyline twice a week during the summer months, and the 15 story Ferris wheel operates year-round, weather permitting.  There is also a swing-ride, the Transporter FX virtual reality simulator, and various stages for musical performances.  And if you have kids, make sure you take them to the Children's Museum which offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits.  It's no wonder that Navy Pier is often considered one of the top things to do in Chicago. 

Navy Pier is also where you would catch a cruise of Lake Michigan  Visitors to Chicago can take in the city's iconic skyline from the deck of a boat on Lake Michigan. Cruises on the lake typically last from 30 minutes to three hours and highlight the architecture and history of the area. During the summer, Navy Pier has fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and many cruise companies offer fireworks cruises. Whether you want to zip past the landmarks on a speedboat going 30 knots, experience the thrill of a tall ship sailing adventure or enjoy a nice leisurely dinner while viewing the city lights, there is a Chicago-based Lake Michigan cruise for you.

The Magnificent Mile
On Michigan Avenue, starting at the Chicago River and heading north for 1 mile to Oak Street, lies a district of architecture, shopping, dining and business that has few peers. Aptly named, the Magnificent Mile is a mecca for tourists and business people, and bolsters Chicago’s claim as one of the great cities on the world stage.  Michigan Avenue is one of the great shopping streets of the world, so if you are a shopper, this is the place to go.

Maxwell Street Market
The opposit of shopping on Michigan Avenue is the Maxwell Street Market.  This market is only open on Sunday mornings.  It is an open air flea market that takes place just south of downtown on Maxwell Street.  It provides an off-beat place for visitors to experience some of the real flavor of Chicago.  You can find everything from clothing to CDs to blenders and lots of thing inbetween. The market often features live blues music when the weather cooperates and there is a number of food vendors, so you can try some of the local street foods.

Poster advertising the Maxwell Street Market

The Maxwell Street Market has a colorful history. Hull House, a large institution established by Jane Addams to help immigrants transition to life in Chicago, began on Maxwell Street leading to the area becoming a mix of ethnicities such as Greek, German, Polish, Italians, and eventually a large population of Eastern European Jews in the 1920s. This was the era when the open air market really came into full force, attracting those wanting to make a quick buck hawking goods -- items that were more often than not procured through not-so-legal means. The market continued to thrive in its original location until 1994, when it was moved several blocks east to allow space for an expansion of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The market was moved again in 2008 to its current location.

Millennium Park

The Bean Sculpture in Millennium Park

It may be one of Chicago’s newest places to visit, but Millennium Park has quickly become a destination of choice for travelers and locals alike. With hundreds of free concerts and performances offered throughout the year at the dramatic Jay Pritzker Pavilion; an immense, walk-up-and-touch sculpture known affectionately as "The Bean"; and a 5-acre garden to explore, Millennium Park lives up to the Chicago’s official Latin motto: Urbs in Horto — City in a Garden.

Shedd Aquarium
With more than 2 million guests every year, John G. Shedd Aquarium is Chicago’s most visited cultural attraction. And it’s easy to see why: Curious explorers can roam through more than 80 habitats, acquainting themselves with some 1,500 species. The recently "reimagined" Abbott Oceanarium brings beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Alaska sea otters and California sea lions up close, while the 90,000-gallon (340,687 liters) Caribbean Reef installation offers a 360-degree view of the sea life found in warm waters.

Art Institute of Chicago
Well-known treasures beckon inside the Art Institute of Chicago. This magnificent Beaux-Arts building — with two stone lions guarding its Michigan Avenue entrance — is home to works of art that span 5,000 years of human history, as well as the globe. The recently unveiled Modern Wing, which opened in 2009, houses contemporary art and modern European paintings and sculpture in a breathtaking setting.

Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium, which appears ready to launch itself into Lake Michigan from its lakeside perch, brings the universe to its visitors. From the Galaxy Wall — the largest and most complete view of our Milky Way — to an exhibition where intrepid explorers can occupy a life-size model of a Mars rover, the Adler encourages us to break the bonds of earth and look to the heavens.

The Field Museum

Sue, A Tyrannosaurus Rex

Every trip to Chicago should include a date with Sue. Holding court in The Field Museum’s grand Stanley Field Hall, the remarkable Sue is the world’s largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex. Beyond The Field’s extensive rock and fossil collections, visitors can journey through 4 billion years of life on Earth in the Evolving Planet exhibit and marvel over precious stones — from their rough beginnings to sparkling jewelry — in the Grainger Hall of Gems.

Street Food in Chicago
Chicago has some wonderful restaurants, and I'm sure anyone visiting Chicago will not go hungry because of choices of places to eat.  But one thing I have always enjoyed about traveling is trying the food that they are famous for.  Chicago is famous for some of its street foods.  The main 3 are:
Pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.

Chicago Pizza

If you want to try an authentic Chicago style pizza, then you are talking about a deep-dish pizza, meaning it's about 2 to 4 inches thick with the "toppings" cooked into the dough and cheese and the sauce baked on the top. It is very filling.



Chicago hot dog

A Chicago hot dog is also slightly different from other hot dogs.  It is usually charred and it will come with mustard, onions, bright reen relish, tomato, pickle, celery salt, and on reqest you can have a hot pepper.  It NEVER comes with ketchup.

Italian Beef Sandwich

Chicagoans love their Italian beef sandwiches.  It comes drenched in sauce (like an "au jus") and usually with chopped green peppers and sometimes mushrooms. These sandwiches are messy, not too healthy, and completely delicious. There are a number of places that locals go for their beef fix, but some of the best are Mr. Beef and Al's. They have been staples of the Chicago-food scene for a number of years, and you will see the same people in there day after day.  Make sure you get plenty of napkins.


The above are places to visit all year round.  Since I am considering visiting Chicago during the Christmas season, I also looked into some of the special things we could do at that time of year.  Here is what I found.

Michigan Avenue decorated for the holidays

Christkindlmarket

Christkindlmarket

A little bit of Germany in downtown Chicago. The Christkindlmarket is Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival and includes European arts and crafts, as well as brats, spiced wine and other German specialties.  It is held every year in Daley Plaza.  The festival is part of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and attracts more than 1 million visitors each year.  I have visited the Christmas Markets in Europe, as well as New York.  They are always fun, with lots of Christmas ornaments and other holiday related items for sell.  And the spiced wine and brats are always good. 

Shopping on Michigan Avenue



 Michigan Avenue is at its best during the Christmas season.  A million white lights decorate the trees and it is one of the great shopping streets in America.  A great place to do your Christmas shopping.

Christmas Around the World

The Grand Tree

The Museum of Science & Indurstry decorates more than 50 trees, each from a unique culture.  The Museum halls will be decked, holiday singers and dancers will fuel the festivities, and the sparkle of dozens of decorated trees will greet you.  The grand tree takes center stage in the Rotunda, while more than 50 trees beautifully decorated by members of Chicago’s ethnic communities to represent global cultures adorn the Museum's Main Level. Stroll through the trees, enjoy intermittent falling “snow” and savor the performances of various dance and choral groups on the Holiday Stage.

Ice Skating
Like most cities during the holidays, there is a place to go ice skating in Chicago.  The setting for the rink is under "The Bean" in Millennium Park. (See Picture above under Millennium Park).  The rink is free but skate rental costs $10.

Winter Wonderfest at the Navy Pier
Every year the Navy Pier puts on its own celebration.  The area is decorated for the season.  There is entertainment every day.  They have their own indoor ice skating rink.  The rides are open.  You can purchase different writstbands, depending on what activities you wish to join in, but it is free to just go and walk around.  On New Years Eve this is where you will find the best fireworks display.  And you can catch a cruise on Lake Michigan while there.  Many of them have special things for the holidays as well, such as special dinners on board.  

* Pictures taken from the internet, Chicago is one city that I have not yet visited.