"Capture the Vibrant Windy City" - Time Out #139

Lots and lots of places to visit in our enormous country, folks.

Chicago, Illinois, certainly offers a great deal, and is just a long day's drive away at about 750 divided highway miles from Our Town. Not far, not close; just about the right distance for visiting.

Oh, so easy to spend a week touring the so-called Windy City, nicknamed because of the ever-present wind blowing off adjacent, giant, Lake Michigan Matter of fact, the visit time could be two weeks, but, of course, that usually isn't practical in today's hustle/bustle environment. Therefore, see what you are able in your allotted time!

I have been many, many times to this mid-western icon, mostly due to it's central location, for my professional occupation (i.e., code for "real" job) educational meetings over the last 40-plus years. The downtown's huge Palmer House Hotel, with 1,641 room, being one of the few locations in this country that was able to house our entire medical organization in a single location. My bride, Debbie, and I have been to Chicago several times, too, but mostly to see our oldest son, Allan, and his family, when they lived on the north side, Norman Rockwell-like city, of Evanston.

So, please don't think in this single installment, I will completely cover this mega-US city of 2.7 million people. It is way too big, way too much to see, do, and experience.

Please, thoroughly enjoy these several site highlights, and understand the entire list, not mentioned, is quite lengthy.

For starters, many of the top-tier tourist items are downtown, and not terribly far, distance wise, from one another. Since parking can be a problem, and is not inexpensive, transportation choices of getting from Point A to Point B may be Uber, Lyft, taxis, the famous "L trains", buses, Segways, bicycles, or, simply, by walking.

For shopping, people-watching and a myriad of other activities, a good beginning spot is the Navy Pier, just on the north side of downtown, and jutting out into Lake Michigan. Constructed in 1916 for passenger and freight ship docking facilities, modern-day activities have a plethora of attractions. Among them are a 1-acre indoor botanical garden, an IMAX theatre, an outdoor ice skating rink, a children's museum, an almost 200' tall Centennial Wheel, a carousel, miniature golf, and numerous restaurants and retail shops. Visitors may easily spend a full day at the Pier, or for certainty, a half day. Several of the boats that give wonderful, narrated cruises on Lake Michigan with the magnificent Chicago skyline serving as the western backdrop, and other boats that navigate the inner city Chicago River with guided sightseeing and architectural tours, depart from massive Navy Pier.

Also on the near north side of the city is famed Lincoln Park, the largest park in the city. It is home to the 4-acre Lincoln Park Conservatory, and its four display houses. The marvelous Lincoln Park Zoo , a family-oriented wildlife park, and home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds and reptiles, is a not-to-be-missed site. At this location,too, there is a children's zoo and a 5-acre replica of a working Illinois family farm.

Not too far away in that general area of the city is 104-year-old Wrigley Field, home of the recent world champion Chicago Cubs major league baseball club. Being able to take in a game, watching the beloved Cubbies, is a cherish experience I was able to have a few years ago with son, Allan. I'll always have that special evening in my mind's eye.

Re-locating to almost city center, the tourist finds Millennium Park, famous for its vast expanse of 24.5 acres, and the huge mirror-like stainless steel structure, "Cloud Gate" (aka, The Bean). This urban park is the central location of most big-name concerts, parties, parades, ice skaters (in winter), and many other happenings in this vibrant city. It is adjacent to Grant Park (containing famous Buckingham Fountain), and Chicago's wonderful lakefront exposure to huge Lake Michigan.

Also in central downtown is Skydeck Chicago, the 110-story Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). On the structure's 103rd floor is the observation platform, which includes a 4-foot extension on the west side of the building allowing (?) the spectator to look 1,353-feet, STRAIGHT DOWN! It is North America's 2nd tallest building.

Three additional south-of-downtown, must-sees, are the Adler Planetarium, the Shed Aquarium, and the Field Museum. This trio are all in the same proximity, but touring them all could easily consume several days. The planetarium has exhibits on earth's sky and outer space, along with 3 theatres inside the structure. The aquarium exhibits more than 32,000 aquatic animals in naturalistic settings. It's oceanarium contains beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins.The museum, established in 1893, contains many world-renowned collections. It's signature exhibit is "SUE", the largest and most complete t.rex skeleton in the world on public display.The museum is so large, a visitor has to really focus to see it all.

If time permits, a visitor should also see the wonderful Museum of Science and Industry, several miles south of downtown, in the historic Hyde Park section of the city. This gem covers 14 acres under-roof with displays and interactive units. One of it's many unique features is The Coal Mine, a working replica of an Illinois coal mine, complete with mining equipment and an underground train!

Lastly, for additional completeness, let me mention 360 Chicago (formerly the 100-story John Hancock Observatory), the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Museum of Mexican Art, along with the nearby Brookfield Zoo, and the city of Oak Park, with its awesome architectural tours. These tours depart from the legendary (and I'm a true fan!) Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.

Lots, lots and lots more to see in our Windy City, and its outlying areas. Begin preparing now, and GO.......it's not that far, people of Our Town and beyond!!!