The Windy City
With the Trojans playing the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana, it was a no-brainer that I would spend a few days in the Windy City of Chicago. I want to share with you my top 5 favorite things I did while I was in Chicago! Check them out if you ever get the chance to visit!
1. Millennium Park
Fun fact: “The Cloud Gate aims to evoke immateriality and the spiritual through the shine and reflectivity of its surface.”
This vast green space is situated between beautiful Lake Michigan and the tall skyscrapers of downtown Chicago. Many of you may know it as home to the Bean (which is actually technically named Cloud Gate) or the Crown Fountain. What I love about this park is there are many different areas to please people of any age. There’s a playground for families to take their children, or the Lurie Garden Boardwalk for a couple to spend the afternoon together. Millennium Park hosts free concerts in the summer and is a must see in Chicago.
2. The Signature Lounge – 96th Floor of the John Hancock Building
If you’re like me, you always want to get a bang for your buck when traveling. So, instead of spending $19 to go to the John Hancock building observation deck, I went to the Signature Lounge and paid $15 for a drink and the same view (2 floors higher!). It only takes 40 seconds in the elevator to arrive at the lounge and on a windy day (like when I was there), you will feel the building sway. Don’t be alarmed though, the 5 million pounds of aluminum used for the building will keep you safe. P.S. if you happen to be a woman make sure you bring your camera to the bathroom because there’s a spectacular panoramic view of Chicago.
3. Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Fun Fact: The Chicago River flows backwards. Oh and on St. Patrick’s Day, the Plumbers Union dyes it a bright shade of Irish green.
I am not a huge fan of history, but I do love architecture and Chicago definitely has a lot of it. The river cruise, usually about 1 hour - 1.5 hours, teaches you about the design and history of the residential and commercial buildings in Chicago. You will learn and see the various styles of architecture and get some of the best views of the Chicago skyline. Make sure you dress warm if you are going in the fall or winter since it can get chilly on the boat. Don’t worry, the boats have concession stands where you can buy snacks or an Irish coffee.
4. Navy Pier
My experience at Navy Pier was probably different than most peoples since mine involved the USC Marching Band and hundreds of USC fans and alumni. Regardless, Navy Pier is an iconic spot in Chicago and the city’s number one attraction. Navy Pier is home to many attractions with everything from mini-golf and an IMAX theater to a 15-story ferris wheel which was modeled after the ferris wheel at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Did you ever wonder how the pier got its name? The pier was renamed from Municipal Pier to Navy Pier in 1927 in honor of World War I veterans, and actually came to serve as a naval training facility during World War II.
5. Deep Dish Pizza
You can’t come to Chicago and leave without trying a deep-dish pizza. The most famous deep-dish pizza restaurant, with multiple locations, is Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. While there are many places in the city to get deep-dish pizza, you probably want to go somewhere where the locals would also eat, so check out these top 5 spots for some pie! I recommend wearing your stretchy jeans for this glorious occasion and then walking off the amazing crust on Michigan Ave.