| Page Views: 890 Last Visit to Chicago: April, 2008 | Chicago - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it by Bwana_Brown - last update: Jun 1, 2009 |
| The 'Abegweit' - home of Chicago's Yacht Club |
I had been to Chicago a few times before on business, but never managed to get beyond its O'Hare Airport on any of those trips. Finally, in late April, 2008 the company I work for in Regina, Saskatchewan decided that I should attend a week long Electrical Engineering exposition and convention that was being held there. After four months of Canadian winter on the Prairies, I was eager for some warmer temperatures and a chance to see what Chicago really had to offer.
As a bit of short-notice preparation, I checked out the VT-pages of 'Deecat' and 'Dabs', two long-time residents of the city who espouse its many high points whenever they get the chance - they even managed to meet me over lunch on my one free day in the city. For an outsider's point of view, I was also impressed by the reactions 'Antistar' put forward in his page - now I was really looking forward to the trip!
In the end, the city far exceeded my expectations as I took in its many interesting architectural delights in the warm and sunny weather I was blessed with all week long. Somehow, Chicago seems to run at a slower pace than New York or Boston and I also loved the way it has developed the waterfront along the western shore of Lake Michigan. I even managed to squeeze in a blues band and a ball-game one evening! To top it all off, the conference itself was an experience to remember as they pulled out all the stops - even holding an informal opening session in the privately booked Museum of Science and Industry! This Intro photo shows something else that really bowled me over - now anchored along the lakeshore is this old retired Canadian ice-breaking ferry that I took a few voyages on as a child as it plied the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island!
I'd return for more anytime - the Aquarium, Planetarium, Field Museum, a Chicago River cruise, Navy Pier, inside some of the buildings.....! |
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| Pros: | "The best American city architecture I've seen, friendly and lots to do!" | | Cons: | "I did not notice any with the weather I had" | | In A Nutshell: | "I'd like more free time the next time I visit" |
Bwana_Brown's Chicago Travel Tips
Comments for Bwana_Brown about Chicago | | | | |
JLBG Fri Sep 25, 2009 22:03 UTC I don't know why, but Chicago was not a city that I would have tried to visit. Thanks to your very thorough page, I know now that Chicago has a lot to offer and I have added it to the list of places that I hope to visit some day! | jo104 Tue Apr 28, 2009 18:36 UTC great architectural tips I will come back to look at more got to nip out but will be visiting Chicago in June :-) | Jefie Wed Nov 5, 2008 00:40 UTC I think I enjoyed reading your tips even more now that I've actually been to Chicago! I just added a picture of the CCC Tiffany dome on my Chicago page in case you care to see it :o) | Nemorino Sat Sep 13, 2008 09:02 UTC Informative, thoroughly researched and well-written tips with fine photos! My last real visit to Chicago was in 1988, also for a convention. For my first year on VT my motto was: "It's a beautiful day in Chicago!" |
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