On Labor Day weekend we took an impromptu trip to Chicago to celebrate my birthday early. We checked into our room at Hotel Blake on Friday afternoon, and dashed out to catch an architectural boat tour of the Windy City (which, coincidentally, was very windy!).
Our favorite buildings had to be L: The Wrigley Building - According to our tour guide, Mr. Wrigley requested a white building with green trim (hard to see in the picture) to remind consumers of the fresh minty-white feeling his chewing gum gave their mouths!
and R: 333 W. Wacker Dr. (the beautiful emerald one on the far right).
Of course, Willis Tower (previously known as Sears Tower) was a favorite.
It's that tall building in the back with two spires.
While the adults admired the buildings, Elise kept herself occupied by pointing at the water and waving at pedestrians. She did get a little obnoxious as the tour went on...
She's her father's daughter.
After the boat we walked over to Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. We bought churros and strolled along the pier, enjoying the huge Ferris wheel. It is a 150' replica of the original Ferris wheel, built for the Chicago World's Fair.
Outside the Pier there is a statue of comedian/actor Bob Newhart (a Chicago native) as his TV character, Dr. Bob Hartley. D.J. couldn't resist a photo op.
There was also a big Kraft macaroni noodle near the Pier. We visited its twin the next day (after a scrumptious breakfast at the Bongo Room) outside of Wrigley Field on our way to a Cubs baseball game.
Wrigley Field was so much fun! We took the subway to get there, and the moment we stepped through the gates, the ushers sent us to fan services to get Elise a certificate commemorating her first Cubs game.
She even got a sticker that said, "It's my first time at Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs".
Our seats were positioned across from first base and only about 8 rows back. The Cubs played the NY Mets, and Chicago won, 5 to 3. We even saw two home runs!
Elise was a true Chicago fan with her authentic Cubs baseball cap.
Before leaving for home, we stopped to see the Buckingham Fountain and happened upon a free jazz festival in the park - such a treat! We also dropped by Millennium Park to visit Anish Kapoor's famous Cloud Gate sculpture (lovingly referred to as "The Bean"). I was a little disgusted by the grimy fingerprints all over it (see them in the first picture?), but resisted the urge to dig out a wet-wipe and start sanitizing. Underneath the sculpture the reflections twist into a spiral that bends your reflection every which way (see third pic).
It was such a great birthday getaway! We loved Chicago, and want to go back and see more. I think Sinatra sang it best, "Chicago is...my kind of razzmatazz!"
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