We decided to have breakfast in our room before going out today so I went out early to pick up some croissants and fruit. Found a couple of great bakeries but they wouldn't accept cash. This turned out to be a costly mistake on our part. Having taken a lot of dollars with us, we will take a hit on exchanging them back at home as well as having to pay exchange rates etc when using my cards abroad. If I had realised using cash was so scarce here I would have arranged to bring a much cheaper method of payment instead of a rather expensive credit card! Ended up at Starbucks. Not a favourite but at least they took cash.
Our first visit today was to the Harold Washington Library which was just round the corner from the hotel. The building is named after the city's first African American mayor. It is the largest public library in the US. The architects incorporated elements of several Chicago landmarks.
The library takes up a whole block.
Good to know guns aren't allowed!
This is the 9th floor winter garden atrium apparently hired out for various functions.
After the library visit we made our way up State Street to the river. We just couldn't avoid looking at the name on the building as much as we tried.
The reason it is in the photograph was because I was determined to photograph the bridge as it was raised.
This was the reason for the bridges opening. A fleet of yachts were making their way along the Chicago river to Michigan Lake.
As the yachts sailed down the river we could see each of the bridges opening to let them through.
Today we took an architectural tour of the river. It was a great way to have a closer look at some of the skyscrapers.
The 'corn cob' buildings also known as the Marina City. Built in the 1960s it is a mixed use residential and commercial building with the first 20 floors used for parking . It was built as a city within a city and originally included a theatre, restaurants, swimming pool, bowling alley, skating rink and a marina with boat storage capacity.
This tall building stood out because of its small base. It reminded me of a tree being felled and just about to go over.
Wanting to stand out amongst this jungle of skyscrapers, this building has displayed a huge perspex map of the river on one of its sides. The red mark on it shows where we are on the river.
The one in the centre is the highest building in Chicago. It is the Willis Tower at 110 storeys high. Formally known as the Sears Tower. When built in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world.
It was a great tour and I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary but, as usual, now I am home I can't remember anything the tour guide mentioned.
In the afternoon we visited 360 Chicago on top of the former John Hancock Centre. From here we had a bird's eye view of Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan from 1000 feet up.
You could see that a number of the buildings had roof top swimming pools.
It gave us a good idea of the number of beaches there are in the city. We had hoped to visit one later in the week but the weather had other ideas.
The observation deck is home of TILT. When you lean forward onto the windows they tilt forward. I didn't have the nerve to do this one.
We finished off the day with a meal in Miller's pub which was far more enjoyable and tasty than expected with home made pure beef burgers.
We decided to have breakfast in our room before going out today so I went out early to pick up some croissants and fruit. Found a couple of great bakeries but they wouldn't accept cash. This turned out to be a costly mistake on our part. Having taken a lot of dollars with us, we will take a hit on exchanging them back at home as well as having to pay exchange rates etc when using my cards abroad. If I had realised using cash was so scarce here I would have arranged to bring a much cheaper method of payment instead of a rather expensive credit card! Ended up at Starbucks. Not a favourite but at least they took cash.
Spouse and I have been to Chicago twice, for conferences, but I don't remember the winter garden atrium you photographed. It is impressive in its own right, and it must have been a model for atriums elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the no guns window sticker is far more shocking than a no smoking warning.
ReplyDeleteThe name Willis Tower won't stick. For those of a certain age, it will always be the Sears Tower.
I wouldn't do the window leaning either. I remember a Canadian developer showing off the strength of his office tower windows by slamming his body into one and the glass broke and he fell to his death.
While we did dine at an Irish pub in the US, I wonder what a normal American pub is like.
What a contrast all these glass towers are to your last photos with all the Art Deco towers.
What a surprise to have bakeries not taking cash. I wonder if that's because they've had robberies in the past. I'm learning a lot about Chicago from your trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat impressive buildings! I know what you mean about trying to remember all the tour details. I'm working on blog posts from my Ireland trip and have had to look all kinds of things up from the places I visited.
ReplyDeleteQuite an eclectic mix of architecture there.
ReplyDeleteSuch a magnificent city with these unique funky designs.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to see around Chicargo with you. Thankyou. Enjoy your travels and thankyou for visiting my blog this week.
ReplyDeleteGreat tour of the city with all its remarkable buildings - so very different from Cromer!
ReplyDeleteYou make a great tour guide. Never been to Chicago. Shame about the corkscrew and wine, and the problems with cash.
ReplyDeleteI loved the architecture tour on the river. One pointed out to us won an award and it was a female architect. I agree you get information overload on those tours. The bridges are amazing.
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