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With our RV and MINI β Rocky and Juice β safely situated at McCormick Place, it was time to get out and discoverΒ for ourselves why so many people make the claimΒ “Oh, Chicago is my favorite city!”Β To avoid traffic, hassle and additional parking fees for the MINI, we opted to explore the city by bicycle, as suggested byΒ Jason and Nikki WynnΒ (thanks guys!) So we packed a backpack, slathered on sunscreen andΒ jumped onΒ our very own tandem bike to head downtown and check outΒ as many thingΒ on our “Must See” list as possible β in one afternoon/evening!
Interesting factoids about Chicago
We didn’t really know too much about the city before visiting, so were interested to learn theseΒ interesting facts about the iconic Windy City:
- Chicago has 29 miles of lake frontage and 15 miles of public beach
- the city’s central water filtration plant, located on the lakefront north of Navy Pier, is the largest in the world
- it is the largest city in the state of Illinois, the largest in the Midwest and the 3rd most populous city in the United StatesΒ with a population of nearly 3 million people
- according to Travel + Leisureβs list of Americaβs Favorite Cities 2014Β Chicago was ranked no. 1 for pizza
HereΒ are theΒ highlights of our Chicago expedition, in the order we experienced them.
1. Biking the Lakefront Trail
It was a gorgeous day, blue skies and sunny andΒ by 2pm it was already a very hot 95 degrees F (35C)! Within five minutes of leaving McCormick Place, we were already on the Lakefront Trail (LFT) which runs alongside Lakeshore Drive β aΒ beautiful, wide, paved 18 mile (29km) trail that follows the shoreline all the way from the south into north Chicago β and were passing by boats in the marinas, beaches, grassy parks and people enjoying a day outside…walking, biking, swimming and picnicking.
As we pedalledΒ toward the city we were struck by the contrast of the striking city skyline on our left and the vastness of the glorious blue-green hues of Lake MichiganΒ on our right… and the smooth, winding bike path ahead of and below us. It was a greatΒ ride, surprisingly beautiful at every turn and all upΒ an easy 15-20 minute bike ride downtown.
2. Visiting Navy Pier
This was recommended by locals we’d met at our campground just a few days earlier so we decided to start there. We locked up the bike (there’s ample bike parking) and walked to the end of Navy Pier, taking in the sights of Lake Michigan, the lighthouse, a tall ship and other boaters out enjoyingΒ the day.
Navy Pier featuresΒ a small amusement park, a few restaurants, shopping, a theater, panoramicΒ views of the lake, boats, sightseeing tours and lighthouses to gaze at. Surrounded by so many people relaxing and having fun, we almost forgot we were in the heart of a major city! As we walked right around Navy Pier, we were even impressed at the number of beautiful, flower-filledΒ planter boxesΒ that lined the street, attracting dozens of monarch butterflies and we even got a close up look at a hugeΒ bumble bee β probably the last thing we expected to see in the heart of a big city like Chicago!
3. Riding theΒ Ferris Wheel
While visiting Navy Pier, I (Julie) suggestedΒ we rideΒ the Navy Pier Ferris WheelΒ β figuring it would offerΒ a great aerial view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan andΒ bring back some fun memories of when I was a kid. Little did I knowΒ it was Marc’s first Ferris Wheel ride EVER… oh yeah, thatΒ sealed the deal, we just HAD to do it!
DidΒ you know the world’s first Ferris wheel was erected in Chicago inΒ 1893?
While thisΒ isn’t the original Ferris Wheel, it wasΒ a fun and relaxing ride. The cost wasΒ $8 each for a single 7 minute loop and it’s open year-round, weather-permitting, alongside otherΒ outdoor attractions such asΒ the Carousel, Wave Swinger and The Links Mini Golf which allΒ operateΒ spring through fall.
4. Exploring Millennium Park
A short 10 minute bike ride later, we arrived at the casually sophisticated, lushΒ greenΒ Millennium ParkΒ where we took a long, leisurely stroll around, taking in the state-of-the-art architecture, landscape design, sculptures and art displays that provide the backdrop for the city. It’s very much like a lively town square style gathering spot and a popular destinationΒ for Chicagoans and visitors alike. Millennium Park is located within the 319 acres that isΒ Grant ParkΒ (known as Chicago’s front yard)Β inΒ Chicago’s central business distract and offers hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, tours, and family activities. It’s definitely a place we’d allow more time for on a future visit.
Did you know Millennium ParkΒ is the largest greenroof in the world?
At 24.5 acres, Millennium Park is the result of a $490 million transformation of a former dilapidated parking lot and railyard in Grant ParkΒ and this greenroof projectΒ now covers two multi-level parking lots with a total of 4,000 cars, a commuter rail line and an opera hall. It’s a beautiful example of how cities can transform industrial space into natural and artistic environmentsΒ that can be enjoyed by millions of people β whether locals or visitors from around the world β it’sΒ well worth a visit!
5. Walking around, under and through the Giant Silver Bean
We had heard the famousΒ giant silver beanΒ was a must see but weren’t quite sure why β or even what it was β until we got there. In fact, it wasn’t until I started writing this post thatΒ I learned this extraordinaryΒ sculpture byΒ British artist Anish KapoorΒ isΒ officially calledΒ “Cloud Gate”(honestly, it’s the first I ever heard of that) but it seems everyone simply refers to it as the Giant Silver Bean. No wonder I had trouble finding much info when I googled “Silver Bean Chicago” β I completely bypassedΒ all references to “Cloud Gate” as I didn’t make the connection!
A little bit about this sculpture and what makes it so impressive. First, it’s huge β measuring 66 feet high by 33 feet high and weighing at 11o tonnes, it’s among the largest of it’s kind in the world. Second, it’s a veryΒ cool design β inspired by liquid mercury, it’s an ellipticalΒ structure that wasΒ created fromΒ a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates to create a mirror-like surface. You can walk underneath/inside/throughΒ the “bean” where you will discoverΒ a 12-foot-high arch that provides a “gate” to the concave chamber beneath the sculpture. Naturally, everyone around and inside the beanΒ is fascinated by seeing their image reflected back from a variety of perspectives (like usΒ in the photo bottom right). Third, the sculpture is strategically placed toΒ reflect the Chicago city skyline and clouds above, which is quite spectacular. As you can see, “Cloud Gate”Β aka the Giant Silver Bean is popular with tourists and attracts a crowd pretty much any time of day. It’s certainly beautiful and well worth seeing in person.
6. Eating fabulous food
By this time, it was 5pm and we’d worked up a good appetite after all of our activity so far. The great thing about a city as large and diverse as Chicago is the sheer abundance of cuisine and restaurant choices available. Of course,Β Chicago is famous for its steaks and deep dish pizzas but on this particular Friday,Β we wereΒ in the last 3 days of a 14 day detox/cleanse!!! Aaarghhh! Boring right!? Not necessarily!Β WeΒ were committed to seeing our detox through to the endΒ (no sugar, alcohol, gluten) and managed to find a terrificΒ Asian fusion restaurant on Yelp called Flat Top GrillΒ where we had a delicious healthyΒ stir fry to fill our tummies andΒ loads of water to quench our thirst after a big day of high temps,Β highΒ humidity, biking and walking.
Satiated, it was time forΒ ourΒ next adventure!
7. Cruising at sunsetΒ on theΒ Architecture River BoatΒ Tour
This tourΒ was recommended to us by several people so we decided to finish our day with a boat ride on the Chicago River to getΒ a bird’s eye view of some of the most beautifulΒ architecturally designed (and a few of the ugliest) buildings in Chicago.Β There are a couple ofΒ tour companiesΒ that offer the Architectural River Boat Tour and we decided to goΒ with Shoreline Sightseeing which has a ticket kiosk and launch area conveniently located right at Navy Pier.Β The tour length was 75 mins and cost $35 each for adults plus the city’s “amusement tax” which came toΒ $39.20 each.
Being such a hot day, we’re really glad we opted for the 7.30pm tour as it gave us time to explore the city by day then cool off and relax in the evening after dinner, cruising the riverΒ while listening to ourΒ tour guide/docent Ben who shared the backstory, history, facts and figures of these imposing structures that represent the era in which they were built. From the 1920s to the 1970s and 1980s, right up to the new skyscrapersΒ currently under construction it was a fascinating look back in time and into the future whileΒ gaining a deep appreciation forΒ the city, it’s many challenges and how the people of Chicago overcame them. Among the 40+ Chicago landmarks featured on the tour were Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, Marina CityΒ and the Civic Opera Building. The Architecture River Boat Tour is truly anΒ insiderβs glimpse into the buildings, architecture, and engineering that made Chicago famous as the birthplace of the skyscraper and home of modern American architecture.
Did you knowΒ in the Great Chicago Fire ofΒ 1871 someΒ 17,500Β structures were destroyed?
It really wasΒ idealΒ starting the tour duringΒ daylight and afterΒ the heatΒ of the day had started to subside, as we also got to enjoy watching the sky changing colorΒ at dusk, beforeΒ returning to the dock to witnessΒ the Chicago city skyline sparklingΒ against the eveningΒ sky backdrop.
8. AΒ late nightΒ city/lakeside stroll and bike ride home
Being a hot summer Friday night, there were plenty of people out and about making the most ofΒ the balmy evening β couples, families, after work resellers, bachelorette parties, tourists and singles all dressed up to the nines andΒ ready for a big night out on the town.Β After such a big day, weΒ weren’t up for any partyingΒ but we wanted to drink in the city just a little more before heading back to the coach. WeΒ walked to theΒ end of NavyΒ Pier once more,Β lovingΒ the temperature and atmosphere, people watching, the shimmering lake and enjoyingΒ the city lights andΒ buildings as they sparkled against the dark night sky.
By 9.30pm, we were back on our trusty tandem bike and headed back to McCormick Place via the Lakeside Trail β the trail was well lit and by 9.50pm weΒ were safely back at the coach.
Final thoughts…
We were reminded why traveling by RVΒ is truly such an incredible way to experience, embrace andΒ explore all thisΒ country has to offer β getting up close and personal withΒ big cities,Β majorΒ landmarks and national parks to quirky smallΒ towns, unexpected backroads and bizarre roadside attractions β it’sΒ such aΒ richly rewarding way to appreciateΒ soΒ many gems and especially, theΒ many ways of life and living for all kinds of peopleΒ all around the country.
And yes, I am determined to help Marc replace his unfavorable memories of big city business travel with some fun and memorable personal experiences.Β Chicago? Check. It’s one of the bestΒ days we’veΒ had recently (though truly, so many are awesome in their own ways)Β andΒ we would definitely return!Β We did missΒ the ChicagoΒ ArtΒ MuseumΒ this time which we’ve heard is meant to be fabulous. Oh well, it just gives us another reason to go back π Well, goodnight Chicago… you were even more delightful than we imagined.Β Until we meet again….
6 thoughts on “Chicago by Bike, Ferris Wheel and River Boat!”
Lived there for 12 years and always enjoyed going into Chicago (lived in the suburbs). I wonder if the architectural walking tour is still given. How the city has changed and morphed in the 36 years since I left . No regrets about moving to San Diego, but I’ll always say Chicago second to none.
π We look forward to visiting again!
We were there this last June. It was so cold and windy and we couldn’t enjoy the city because of the terrible weather. We spent a day there and don’t care if we ever go back. Of course, I am not a “big city” person coming from a town of 500 people. Glad to see your pictures and realize there are days when the weather is good.
Oh what a shame! Bad weather can dampen almost any visiting experience. We aren’t big city people either, but it’s nice every now and then to mix up our travel experiences with difference scenery, culture and all the great things that big cities have to offer. We probably only tackle big cities for a day, once a quarter at most.. while nice to visit, we just wouldn’t want to live in a big city again! LOL
Great post…as usual. Looks like you two had a wonderful time in downtown Chicago. Fulltime RV life would be a great way to experience the many wonderful places in North America. I’ve been ready for years..just hopin’ my DW will eventually say….”Let’s do it”!! Take care.
Hi Ralph, thanks for your comments! We did have a great time, glad it showed π Hopefully your wife will say yes someday too… maybe you can get her to agree to one year and then reassess from there – she just may love it and want to keep going! Have a great rest of your week π