Chicago, a mythical city for those who are preparing to make Route 66, the third largest city in the United States by number of inhabitants, fascinates for its skyscrapers, but also for its splendid position on the immense Lake Michigan.
Chicago, the capital of Illinois, is an unmissable destination for those who love American metropolises and for those who are preparing to make Route 66. The third largest city in the United States by number of inhabitants, it fascinates not only by skyscrapers second only to those of New York, but also for its splendid location on the immense Lake Michigan and the waterways that run through it.
Many le things to see in Chicago and all more or less close.
It starts fromArt Institute of Chicago and the City Loop. The well-known art museum houses numerous famous works ranging from artists such as Pollock, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin to the very famous American Gothic painting by Grant Wood. The visit takes at least a couple of hours if you want to get around it well and the cost of the ticket is 25 dollars for adults with various discounts for children, students or seniors.
Next to the Art Institute of Chicago is the beautiful Millennium park with his futuristic works such as the psychedelic Crown Fountain, a fountain with two parallelepipeds facing each other that act as huge video walls where animated images of ordinary people living in Chicago are projected. Here the kids of the city love to play with the splashes of the fountain on hot days and in the summer, unless you go early in the morning, it will always be super crowded. It continues with the Giant Heads that hide in the park and the magnificent "The Bean" or rather the Cloud Gate later nicknamed "the bean" due to its shape. Have fun taking a thousand photos with the distorted reflections from its mirror surface.
Walk through the park to admire the futuristic Chicago opera Theater all of steel where you can also attend concerts with free admission in the summer. To check the program consult the site www.grantparkmusicfestival.com. Speaking of festivals, in early August there is the long-awaited Lollapalooza: three days of non-stop music with artists of international caliber. If interested, buy your tickets early, but a long time in advance. Don't worry if you happen to be around that time, the city isn't congested with festivals!
To end the visit to the park, go to Buckingam Fountain being careful not to get wet!
Another attraction not to be missed in the Windy City, is the river cruise between the skyscrapers. Several tours to choose from, all departing from Navy Pier. Allow for a good hour and relax by looking upwards. Once back you can stop at Navy Pier for dinner, look at some shops and if it is already evening, wait for the fireworks that take place every two nights a week. Don't expect a Pier like the one in San Francisco though!
Still staying at Navy Pier you can rent bicycles in one of the various "rent a bike": you will be able to explore the coastal part of Lake Michigan enjoying a bit of relaxation on one of the various beaches overlooking the city skyline.
Do not miss the two skyscrapers from which to admire the city from above: the Willis tower and l 'Hancock Center. At the Willis Tower you will find two kinds of transparent glass cubes where you can immortalize yourself completely suspended over the city, and enjoy the view below you. The Hancock Center is also worth a climb. But if you want to save money, you can opt for the bar located immediately below the observatory where, at the cost of a cocktail, you can still enjoy the same view as you would find above.
Walk around the city, admire the old theater, go in search of the Flamingo and Picasso statues, walk along the river on the river walk and do not miss the opportunity to try the EL, the elevated metro that you will often see darting over your heads.
For lovers of street art, push yourself up to Pilsen, the Mexican neighborhood characterized by a sort of open-air gallery. Many buildings with facades completely painted with huge murals through which the artists wanted to tell fragments of daily life, ideologies, religion and many hopes. If Pilsen is uncomfortable for you, alternatively other murals will be waiting for you in River North, South Loap or Lincoln Park. The one not to be missed is “Greating from Chicago” located on Milwaukee Avenue, not far from the subway stop.
Chicago is known to be considered the home of the blues: therefore, one cannot not spend an evening in one of the numerous clubs. If you are looking for something very "real" go to Blue Chicago, a very small place in N Clark Street where with 10 dollars you can enter and listen to authentic blues live without the obligation to drink.
Book everything in time, opt for the city card which will save you some money because alas Chicago… it is quite expensive especially if you have a car: you can get to spend a good 50 dollars for a parking space for one night only.
At this point you are ready to leave the city but not without a breakfast at the famous Lou Mitchell's, a must before venturing on the mythical Route 66.
