Chicago, IL

Our last stop on our circle Lake Michigan drive was the city of Chicago. A few days of sightseeing in this big city really isn't enough time to do it justice, but that's all we planned for so we made the best of what little time we had. It helped that the weather cooperated and was sunny and comfortably warm for the month of June; shortly after we departed for home though, the city was hit with a horrific heatwave.

If you only have a couple of days in the Windy City, you can't go wrong by simply taking in the wonderful sights in the downtown area called the Loop. In this section of the city you can enjoy fascinating architecture, river and harbor views, and lovely parks and gardens. Be sure to hop on one of the river boat tours or tourist buses, which gives you a great overview of Chicago's interesting buildings, bridges, and history. So, here are a few suggestions for you if you are Chicago bound...

Soak in the busy street scenes of the Loop...

Enjoy some of the outdoor cafes...

 Marvel at the architectural details along Michigan Avenue...

 Take a stroll along the Riverwalk...

Tour the Chicago River by boat...

 Enjoy Chicago's skyline from the harbor...

 Check out the Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building...

 Walk through giant Millennium Park...

 Seek refuge from the noise in one of the city's tidy little green spaces...

  Hit up one of the shows...

Take a ride on the CTA...

 Photograph the evening sky from Buckingham Fountain...

We only touched the surface of this beautiful, welcoming city. I'd love to go back and explore it some more, but I think I'll avoid it in the wintertime!