48 HOURS IN CHICAGO
In early November, Chicago is bound to be cold because you expect the wind off Lake Michigan, but don’t expect 24 degrees and snow. Two good friends and I were in town for a girls’ weekend. Thankfully, we three Southern gals were somewhat prepared with heavy jackets and gloves. The light snow on Friday morning was pretty, covering the sidewalks and rooftops. A quick run to the corner Starbucks gave us our first taste of the cold weather; it was a bit slippery, but the rest of the city took it in stride over the Veterans Day weekend.
The Blake Hotel was our home base for the weekend. It is an older, comfortable hotel located on Dearborn Ave. It has good access to both the Blue and Red lines of the L for public transit. With a 1-bedroom suite and a double room, we were well looked after.
We headed out toward our Hop On/Hop Off City Tour. After a longer-than-expected delay, including getting lost, we eventually made it to the Hilton on Michigan Avenue to board the bus. I recommend these tours in an unfamiliar city because they give you a clear overview of what to explore and where. The double-decker bus was covered, and it was still cold inside, but at least we were out of the wind. The tour guides provided excellent information on the city and recommendations for restaurants and fun activities. Friday traffic posed a problem, but that was to be expected on a holiday weekend.
The skyline of Chicago is striking, and its architecture impressive, especially when you remember that the city was decimated by the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871, leaving more than 100,000 people homeless. The city rebuilt quickly and, by 1890, had become a major transportation hub. Ironically, the Chicago Fire Training Academy is located on the site where the Great Chicago Fire began.
Our first stop was the 94-story John Hancock building and the Chicago 360, where you can view the city and the four surrounding states. Unfortunately, our visit was a bit cloudy, but the views of the city were spectacular. The observatory opened in 1969 and has thrilled millions of visitors since. The newest addition to the 360 is “the Tilt,” which tilts you away from the building by about 30 degrees, offering an overlook of Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile,” or Michigan Avenue. This is the place for some stunning photographs.
After we descended from the heights, we hopped back on our bus (they leave the designated spots every 30 minutes) and headed toward the Chicago River. We made it just in time to board the First Lady of Chicago Architectural River Tour. It was a freezing-cold night, but many braved the wind and the upper deck, where a docent from the historical society offered a 90-minute overview of the Chicago skyline, resplendent on the November evening. This is the way to really see Chicago.
https://www.cruisechicago.com/
Cold and tired, we hailed a cab for a short ride to The Italian Village for dinner. Family owned since 1927, and the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago, the three restaurants, Italian Village, Vivere, and La Cantina, will provide you with whatever style of dining you prefer. You can find fine Italian fare here, from family to fine dining. We opted for Vivere, and it was an excellent decision. The service, wine, and food were outstanding. We enjoyed a mid-priced wine from their ample cellar. The meal and conversation were a satisfying end to a busy day of touring.
Saturday would prove to be a less busy day. We began with brunch at the Cheesecake Factory in the Hancock Tower. Beginning your day with an omelet and a mimosa is the right way to start. We each took a piece of decadent cheesecake to go. Next, we walked to “the Bean” in Millennium Park.
This unique, impressive sculpture draws you into its mirror-like surface. It is 66 feet wide and 33 feet high, with a 12-foot arch at its center. You get a whole new perspective of your surroundings beneath the arch. This is not to be missed in Grant Park! Here is a quick look at the Bean!
The afternoon was spent watching football, as we are all SEC gals. We began our evening with genuine Chicago-style pizza from Lou Malnati’s, which gave us the strength for our journey on a slow boat to Margaritaville.
Escape to Margaritaville is a musical comprised of the island-style songs of singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It is a fun island romp and well worth your time and money. This was a pre-Broadway run for the show, which will open in New York in February.
After the show, it had warmed up a bit, and we walked back to the hotel down State Street, enjoying Macy’s picture windows that were already decorated for Christmas. It was a nice ending to our brief weekend in Chi-town. Chicago has much to offer a visitor; you need time to enjoy it.
