Chicago vs New York

I've just walked two to three blocks looking for the Walgreens store which we first visited when arriving in Chicago. I've been into three Walgreens in two blocks and none of them were the one we first went into. Does this give you an idea how retail works in this town? All I can say is thank  Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl that there's a Starbucks on every other block, so you can hop onto their Wi-Fi and find yourself. 

Chicago is such a cool town. Man. Absolutely love the vibe. It's beautiful, stylish and so very colourful. Everything is happening at the same time, all the time, but I don't mind the sensory overload because it all turns into one moving piece of working art.

Street Art at Logan Square

I think there may be a touch of bias at play if I compare it to New York, after all, much of my time spent in New York has involved jet lag. New York is New York, it's like no where else could ever be. I could go there time and time again and it really is the place of everything. It's inspiring and incredible.  

So what happens if I weigh it up Chicago vs New York City?

By the Seaside

So Chicago isn't as close to the ocean as New York, however, standing and staring at Lake Michigan from the shoreline, watching the waves gently rolling onto the sandy embankments, watching the sun set over the watery horizon which knows no "other end", is pretty ocean like. To me, Chicago may as well be on the coast. The only difference is that the water is fresh, not salty. The problem with this.. escapes me.

Entertainment

Chicago has its own Broadway going on. I'm not the first to notice this, and I haven't been to a Broadway show, so I won't venture too deeply here. What I'm getting at, however, is that it lacks for nothing. There is so much to do in Chicago, really. Comedy shows, boat trips, tours, musicals, music festivals, buskers on most corners and dozens of theatre productions. There are beer and wine tasting boat cruises, architectural boat cruises, foodie trips, crime tours, art tours, museums, sporting events and activities for children by the bucket load. Even just in Millennium Park and its surrounds, there are climbing walls, water fountains to play in, a giant silver bean, jungle gyms, giant statues and huge green grassed parks to lie about in or watch movies at night. There's every type of food at every corner and the whole city smells delicious.

Navy Pier

Kinky Boots was showing on Broadway at $250 plus for tickets. We went to see Blue Man Group at Briar Street Theatre. Tickets were reasonable at $75 and it was pretty damn entertaining. Being able to walk back through the city at night and feel safe, was a treat. Stopping at two different restaurants for dumplings and sushi, was even better. 

Transport

Subways are subways. They are underground (and sometimes above) with fast moving trains, seats that you don't want to touch and operators voices booming at you telling you "Doors will open on the left", or "doors will open on the right".  Mind which way you're facing. Anyway, my point here is that there are fractionally less crazy people on the metro system in Chicago. New York is something else and should be part of an ongoing human mental health campaign. I found the Chicago Metro system a little easier to understand too. Again, may be the lack of jet lag.

Steps to Trains

The Places

When I walk down the street in New York, I hear accents from all over the world. There is every kind of person in that city. Walking down the streets in Chicago, I hear different American accents.  There are a few tall European people thrown in as well, but a lot of Americans seem to like visiting Chicago. There's a lot to be said for US citizens choosing their own towns to vacation in. Mid week, so many people working too I guess. Delighted to not be one of them, but must say, no one looks particularly stressed, except the guy who tried to beat up a bus.

View from Cindy's roof top bar on S Michigan Ave

Hotels 

Look, to be completely honest, we stayed in the most amazing place in Chicago which will go a long way in influencing your opinion on a place. The Chicago Athletic Association is perfectly located opposite the Millennium Park and stones throw from a long stretch of trail to walk and ride along the river. We've had access to the very popular roof top bar which has a spectacular view, unfortunately we can't afford the cocktails with our Rands, but hey, good view. The Games Room in the upper lobby, or Cherry Circle Room, yes please.  

This place is special, it's old and new and we are so lucky to have managed to visit it at the perfect time as it only recently opened.

It's about arriving into an air-conditioned, mosaic floored lobby from 95 degree heat, with high ceilings and catching one of several lifts to the lobby.

It's about four different lifts all going to different floors and getting yourself lost in a building which takes you back to 1923.

It's about walking down the wide, carpeted staircase early in the morning to collect some hot water from the milk room and seeing the bellboy polishing the luggage trolley with the utmost of care.

It's about water bottles in the room which are shaped like hip flasks and olden day radios set alongside your bed.

And tailor made bicycles called 'Daisy' and 'Chief' to take riding in the morning along the river.

The floor in the Entrance Lobby

I think we were fairly lucky with the price for accommodation given the location and growing popularity. While it stretched our budget anyway, it was well worth it. Chicago, I love you, and I will be back. There are one or two more blues bars, shows and sushi rolls to be had, I'm not done yet.

Chicago City