Our second day in Chicago started early because we had a lot we wanted to get done. After breakfast we jumped on a Double Decker Tour Bus. If you are ever in a big city that offers these, I can't recommend them enough. I have now done them in Chicago and NYC and it is the best way to cover a lot of ground. The tours are called "Hop On, Hop Off" and you get to do that at any stop you want. This gives you the benefit of a guided tour when you are on board and the freedom to get off at any stop you want- all day. Then you just return to any tour stop and rejoin a bus tour.
It was VERY cold this morning. When your tour guide is saying "Brrr..." and staying in the bus to get warm, you know you are in trouble... they live there!! We enjoyed the tour for a bit (and warmed up!) and then got off at Millennium Park. I took Mom over to see "Cloud Gate" which is affectionately known as "The Bean". It really is a cool sight and one I recommend. It is made of stainless steel and reflects the city in such an awesome way.
It was VERY cold this morning. When your tour guide is saying "Brrr..." and staying in the bus to get warm, you know you are in trouble... they live there!! We enjoyed the tour for a bit (and warmed up!) and then got off at Millennium Park. I took Mom over to see "Cloud Gate" which is affectionately known as "The Bean". It really is a cool sight and one I recommend. It is made of stainless steel and reflects the city in such an awesome way.
(That's us in front...)Even more cool than The Bean from afar, is standing under it. Here are some funny pictures that we took!
(That's us... three times!)A side note: From this point on during our trip, everything thing we did was new for me! Even though I had been to Chicago before, there were still enough NEW things to see! My first trip was our Honeymoon and we spent 4 PACKED days there. My second time was a touristy trip with my friend Gina. I still didn't see everything. If you are ever considering a vacation and want to do it in a big city... I can't recommend Chicago enough. It offers the variety and energy of a large metropolitan city without some of the pollution and gridlock of other cities. Their public transportation system is awesome and very user-friendly. Speaking of friendly- so are the people!! Despite common reputations that large cities like NYC or Chicago get, I have ALWAYS met super nice people in Chicago. They are helpful if you look lost on a train or in the street and offer to help. I have never felt unsafe there either. Cab drivers are the same though... pushy, crazy and boy, do they love their horns!!
Then we walked across the street to the Chicago Cultural Center. While researching things to do on our trip, I ran across an art exhibit that I thought might interest my Mom (Special Ed Professor). The artist is Autistic and was being showcased at the Project Onward Gallery inside the CCC. Project Onward is an art program for those with "developmental, cognitive and mental disabilities". It provides studio space for these individuals allowing them to interact with others artists, display and even sell their work. It was really fascinating to see the art. My Mom pointed out so many characteristics in the art that she was familiar with. This is year-round studio, check it out if you are there.
We went to the CCC for this exhibit but found so much more there! The building itself was beautiful. It was built in 1897 and was used as Chicago's first public library. The main hall upstairs is just breath-taking. It is covered in marble, glass and brass mosaics. The ceiling of this room boasts the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. (Worth $35 million!) It was awesome.
After checking all of that out, we browsed through a few other art exhibits and then decided it was time for lunch! Prior to our trip, I had purchased Visitor Passes for the Bus/Train system and it was time to put them to use... we were heading to Greektown!!
Then we walked across the street to the Chicago Cultural Center. While researching things to do on our trip, I ran across an art exhibit that I thought might interest my Mom (Special Ed Professor). The artist is Autistic and was being showcased at the Project Onward Gallery inside the CCC. Project Onward is an art program for those with "developmental, cognitive and mental disabilities". It provides studio space for these individuals allowing them to interact with others artists, display and even sell their work. It was really fascinating to see the art. My Mom pointed out so many characteristics in the art that she was familiar with. This is year-round studio, check it out if you are there.
We went to the CCC for this exhibit but found so much more there! The building itself was beautiful. It was built in 1897 and was used as Chicago's first public library. The main hall upstairs is just breath-taking. It is covered in marble, glass and brass mosaics. The ceiling of this room boasts the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. (Worth $35 million!) It was awesome.
After checking all of that out, we browsed through a few other art exhibits and then decided it was time for lunch! Prior to our trip, I had purchased Visitor Passes for the Bus/Train system and it was time to put them to use... we were heading to Greektown!!
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