April 4, 2020
Pretty sure Frank Sinatra said that a time or two. Fact is, I agree, sometimes. For example, when temperatures are at minus 20 with northerly winds at 25 mph, it will never be my kind of town. But that is another story.
Having been born there, five miles from the front gate of Wrigley Field, home of the 1908 and 2016 World Champion Cubs, I get excited every time I make a summer or fall trip. You should too.
And speaking of the Cubs, I suggest you try to plan your trip to include a visit to Wrigley to both experience a game or two and also to tour the park including the “behind the scenes’” portion. There are few sport venues in the U.S. with such a rich heritage.
And even though summer and fall weather is pretty good, if you plan a multi-day trip, you will likely experience rain. That is a great opportunity to rearrange your schedule and visit the Art Institute, an urban gem on South Michigan Avenue.
Further south along the lake, you will be amazed at the Museum of Science and Industry, a unique museum that includes WW II captured German submarine and a working coal mine. From there visit the Field Museum of Natural History and if there is still time (or the next day) you can visit the Shedd Aquarium or the Planetarium…
Fish, stars, a coal mine and ancient animal skeletons are all within walking distance of each other in this fun filled city.
But, start your trip with the “standard” tour—Gray line, Hop-a-Bus or whatever. Thera is a lot to see and absorb in a couple of entertaining hours.
If time permits, consider the Architectural Tour, by boat traveling the Chicago River and then out onto Lake Michigan for a skyline view of the Windy City. It offers a much different perspective than the bus.
Of course, mealtime is always something special—all the way from deep-dish pizza to some of the best Italian food this side of Italy. Other cuisines seem to be prepared with the same amount of TLC.
Whatever goes, you can be assured that you will never be bored, and chances are excellent that on the way home you will hear, “the next time we go to Chicago…” over and over again.
Old Blue Eyes was right.