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chicago

Making a Whirlwind Visit to the Windy City

By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Published April, 2020


After almost three days on the train, here we are in Chicago, the famous "Windy City" on the shores of Lake Michigan. We only have about 24 hours before we catch another Amtrak train en route back to Florida. Our good friends, Ann and Marty, have volunteered to show us the sights. Since we don't have any time to waste, let's get started!

​
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The Historic Palmer House Hotel

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This is where we stayed -- the historic Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago. Originally built in in 1871, it was open only 13 days before being destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire. It was subsequently rebuilt and re-opened in 1875 as one of the most lavish hotels in the world.

It was greatly expanded in the 1920s and purchased by Conrad Hilton in 1945. Starting in 2007, it was renovated and restored at a reported cost of $170 million.

Standing in the massive lobby, it's easy to imagine how first-time guests were awestruck by the opulence and luxury all around them. Even if you don't stay in one of its 1,600-plus rooms, you should make it a point to come here and enjoy a drink in its lobby bar.




Photos/Video by
North Palm Beach Life
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Two views of the lobby area
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Millennium Park

Our friends took us to Millennium Park, occupying almost 25 acres in the near downtown area. Opened in 2004 and costing close to $500 million, it attracts 25 million people a year, making it Chicago's top tourist attraction and among the top 10 attractions in the United States. We could only get a sampling of its many features, but it's easy to see why it's become a centerpiece for the people of Chicago.
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The Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts concerts and other events
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Crown Fountain boasts dramatic LED displays.
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This giant, reflective bean sculpture is called "Cloud Gate." Created by Sir Anish Kapoor, it's made up of "168 stainless steel plates welded together and then highly polished to obscure any visible seams," -- just right for taking selfies!
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Pam and Ann lead the way
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Enjoy views of downtown Chicago
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Admire the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago

Food, Drink and Exploring 

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Ann and Marty picked the perfect place to eat -- Smoke Daddy, across from historic Wrigley Field. Good food, good drinks, good music and good friends -- does it get any better?
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How about this view from Ann and Marty's condo balcony? 
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​With only a few days before Halloween, Chicago was in full celebration mode, including a downtown parade (right) and neighborhoods decked out with ghosts, goblins
and freaky-scary clowns. Check out
that video, if you dare!
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We ended the evening enjoying this magnificent view of the city from the waterfront. Good choice, Marty!
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It was all-too-soon time to leave Palmer House and head for Union Station, where we would board Amtrak's Capitol Limited and head for the nation's capitol. Thanks Ann and Marty, and Chicago, for a great time!

Click Here to continue the trip on Amtrak's Capitol Limited

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Contact us: northpalmlife@gmail.com

© COPYRIGHT  2023  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise News
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
    • Cruise Compete
    • American Constellation Grand Puget Sound Cruise
    • Nieuw Statendam
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Traveling With Lattie
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Travel
    • Snaps >
      • Snaps - Page 2
    • Island Destinations
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search