Have been out and about – bought a day travel card, because my feet’s are having a rough time. Wanted to go to the Old Town – to take some photos of the beautiful houses and surroundings … so off I went around 7am –nearly nobody on bus 151 and it was already then +89F/31C.
Walked around could find the streets I recalled from last time I was here … ended up on beautiful streets by mistake when walking back from Lincoln Zoo – couldn’t for my life find them today.
Had some kind of breakfast at “The Twisted Baker“ on 1543 N Wells St – the best café in Chicago, lovely cakes and pastries, great coffee– but a breakfast bun they didn’t know much about, on the other hand their lemonade was heaven sent. I paid $13.00/€10.50/£8.40 for medium cappuccino, large lemonade and a breakfast bun with terrible scramble egg and poor bacon.
After my tour on Chicago River yesterday – I have a bit sun soar arms – so I tried to walk on in the shade along the streets – but still it was extremely hot and bothering. Walked around for a couple of hours – then enough is enough and bus 36 back to La Salle from North Ave. At least I gave it a try.
Yesterday I was out and about 7am too .. walked down to Navy Pier, just to have look – a bit too commercial from me, but I ended up on the stain glass museum and that was some beautiful stuff.
No fee – as I walked through the Navy Pier in doors there was the exhibition. Walking back into city centre I stop at “Fox & Obel” food market for my breakfast and talk about breakfast – the biggest breakfast I ever had, but didn’t come cheap – $25.007€20.20/£16.10 – that gave me a “Truffled Egg Benedictine”, cappuccino, orange juice and yoghurt with fresh fruit and muesli. Love the whole set up of the shop – a bit like “WholeFood”.
At noon did I take the “Chicago’s First Lady” Architecture River Boat tour – 50 min long and to a price of $38/€30.70/£24.50 – it was a very interesting tour and I go a nice pink sun tan that became inclued in the price. After that I been out on deck in that terrible sunshine – I could hardly make up the stairs to the hotel. Went to bed and had a good snooze – looked at TV and around 7pm I went down stairs to get myself a burger. I was really craving for one.
Hyatt’s “Café 151″ – was so busy – we had the North American Championship in Irish Dancing at the hotel. The competition has been held over at Sheraton, but most of girls stayed here on Hyatt and the award ceremony will be held here too – tonight. Here are kids absolutely everywhere because the most the whole families where with their daughters.
The burger was okay … loved the horseradish sauce and onion jam that came with it, somethig I will adopt – otherwise nothing that made a massive click and with a small bottle of Perrier the whole experiences cost me $25.007€20.20/£16.10 – include tips.
9pm the 4th of July fireworks started and it was only 5 min walk to the end of Wacker Drive and the view as fantastic plus only a couple of 100 people there, so no big crowd. The firework isn’t worth mention, big disappointment for me. Where expecting something big and grand, I’m after all in US and Chicago – but it was very tame, even the natives said the same thing. Not one Wow.
The ambulance services and fire brigades are so busy – have heard them none stop from early morning to late for days now.
This evening I had booked “ZED451″ for dinner, but I don’t feel for it – so I changed it for tomorrow evening instead and this evening I will go to “The Purple Pig” – only 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel, my feet’s are suffering for the moment.
Chicago is are still holding it’s no 1 position – and it’s great to be back - the heat not much the city can do anything about. Everybody are so friendly and helpful – doesn’t matter what is, nothing is a problem. I just LOVE Chicago. Plus it’s screaming CLEAN! At least where I have been.
“I’d rather be a lamppost in Chicago
than a millionaire in any other city.”
William A. Hulbert
Photos provided by and thanks to; thetwistedbaker.com
Chicago is one of my favorite cities to visit. I’ve never been there when it’s been as hot as it is now. I’m sure you will be refreshed when you arrive on the west coast. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself and seeing a lot of things.
It’s only too hot for the moment and it’s not getting any cooler until Saturday – today it will be the hotest day for over 100 years. You have to visit Chicago – it’s so beautiful and amazing. Yes, I’m sure Seattle will be a bit cooler, even if they will get some hot weather too. Been here before, but I only to get some new photos – have dumped all my old ones.
Pity its so hot. I can sympathis with how your feet must feel with all that walking in the heat. Glad you are enjoying your visit but as you say, no fun sitting in a hotel. A lot of fireworks were cut back or cancelled because of all the fires throughout the US
Yes, I heard that on the news …. And just now it raining and thunder, so maybe that will change things around. Just what Chicago needs! So maybe we will get a cooler day tomorrow. I’m all for that.
Yes, my foot pads became soar after my chemo treatments – and it’s an everyday problem for me, but of course in this heat – it has become unbearable. Can see the fire brigade now .. poor guys. The thunder has caused problem already.
I’m sure besides the heat, Chicago is one killer city
Thank you for the walk around, I feel like I am with you! There are so many wonderful shops and buildings and loving the atmosphere!
Keep having fun my friend!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
It just have started to rain and full thunder .. fire brigade already on the go .. just what we need after 4 days of tropical heat. Trying my best, but in the heat even the camera can be hard work. Thanks for supporting me. You’re a star.
beautiful photos. i recognize some as i have been there also where you are. so glad you are still enjoying yourself, but sorry about your feet and too red skin!!! glad to hear from you!!
Yes, the pink skinn not a problem – but my poor feets and even in my new sandals are they suffering, but I have to live with that problem. At least my bladder has behaved even if I drink like a camel. *laughing. I do enjoy me. We just had some short visit of rain and shower. Hope it will help. Thanks for liking my photos.
thank u for sharing!!!
My pleasure, Terry …
Chicago is one of my favorite cities too, Viveka….and it does have a clean-ish feeling to it compared with other cities. So glad you did the architectural boat tour…we have done it before and enjoyed it immensely.
Yes, Bliss … it’s a brilliant city in many ways .. and I don’t think I will be able to come back again, so it’s a big sad now when there is only a couple of days left. They sweap and water brush the streets … so clean. We just had little thunder and rain. Hope it will make it a little lighter on us.
Oh Viveka, thank you for taking me with you to my home sweet home. I miss it so much. I actually love to ride the ferris wheel at Navy Pier. You’ve been eating at the most expensive restaurants there. I prefer the cheaper hidden little places. My favorite for hot dogs and Chicago beef is Portillos. It’s fast food, but fast food Chicago-style is better than any other. The famous pizza place downtown is Uno’s. Have you been to Buckingham Fountain yet? It’s so pretty. Gosh, the heat sounds dreadful. That’s why I like to go in September. I hope your feet’s feel better so you can enjoy walking the town some more.
Lori, I have stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel with a view over the Buckingham fountain and been sitting in the Grant Park listen to Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra – beautiful. Now they have a brand new area in the Millennium Park and still do free concerts. Love the arrangement they had before that you could sit anywhere in the park and listen to them play from the little stage in the park. Not a fan of hot dogs or deep pan pizzas – even if I know that it’s the signature food of Chicago. Love my pizzas on so thin base as possible. The Columbus Drive has buckled in the heat and closed. I know I’m going to expensive restaurants, but after all I gone through I think I’m worth it. Not sending much money on restaurants in Sweden. And I lived on leftovers long enough – still have loads to go through. *smile
Viveka, so glad you’re treating yourself to those excellent restaurants. You deserve it. Your time at Millenium Park and Buckingham Fountains sounds beautiful. Thank you for sharing my home with me via your blog. Enjoy.
Lori … I had such a fantastic time and it’s my last day today …. I feel like crying. Don’t want to leave. All the fantastic people I have met – all the things I done and enjoyed even if the heat is really bothering me now. Not built for heat really, but I have been brave the last 2 days. 4th day over 100 – so no shopping yet, but I will give it a go today. Understand that you’re home sick.
The people in Chicago really are great. People are more friendly and willing to help in Chicago then where I love now. It’s crazy, unusual heat in Chicago. It usually doesn’t get that bad. I’m hearing that it’s supposed to cool down right when you leave. I know you’ll miss Chicago, but you have more great adventures ahead. Looking forward to reading about them. I’ve never been to Seattle so I will go there through you.
So sorry that the weather has been so very hot on your trip. A cool place to visit that I have enjoyed on several visits to Chicago is the Field Museum. I hope the weather cools down before you leave. Take care my friend.
Karen, not very much of a museum person … hated history in school – even if it was one off my best subject – I rather go to the Shedd aquarium – nice and cool there … strongly thinking about it. My last day today – and I don’t want to leave. Had such a fantastic time, even if the heat has been bothering me the last 2 days. Have a great weekend.
Love your photos Viveka. Chicago seems wonderful. Have a friend form Chicago who has been trying to persuade me to visit for the longest time.
Chicago is one of the most amazing cities in the world – clean, friendly, helpful .. nothing is a problem – and so chat-full. Plus great food everywhere – off course you should visit your friend … haven’t met anymore so fare that doesn’t love Chicago. Great for shopping too .. only too hot for the moment. My last day. I don’t want to leave.
Sounds like you are having a lovely time!
Tilly, yes – I had a fanastic time … today the last day and it’s the 4th day with over 100. Really struggling now. Sitting on “Wildberry” and waiting for my French Toast. Free internet here – brilliant and the restaurant I was last night – both picked me up and dropped me of – without any cost. Amazing.
Glad you had a good time, even in the heat! I have family about 30 minutes outside of Chicago, I love visiting there.
I wish … I had family 30 min outside Chicago … don’t want to leave.
I will have to go back for a visit and stay a while. Your pictures are excellent as always.
Thank you, Susan …. now it Seattle and much cooler and pleasant. 23 years ago this was my playground and it hasn’t changed much – maybe some more skyscrapers – but nothing major – witch is great. Thanks for the compliment !!! More photo when I are back home and have time – no free internet until Vancouver *smile