Chicago Part Three

Then it was game time. 

It was another perfect (weather) day. The Cubs, of course, lost but it was an enjoyable afternoon.

Earlier in the day we'd heard there would be a symphony playing at Millennium Park so we ventured back that way but it was jam-packed with people everywhere. We hung around for a little bit to listen to some music but then decided to go find dinner.

We ate dinner at Pizano's (which was another really lucky find--it was delicious!)

After dinner, we went back to Buckingham Fountain to see the light and music show.

We topped off the night by visiting the Signature Lounge at the John Hancock building. The view wasn't bad but we felt it was overrated. 

Saturday morning we went back to Eggsperience for breakfast. I had the apple-pecan praline pancakes.

Bailey had strawberry cheesecake crepes.

Next we headed over to the Field Museum where we spent several hours going through exhibits (and we didn't even get through all of them).

The infamous Sue.

We saw a short 3D film about Sue. After finishing at the museum, we took a bus back to Navy Pier to pick up a few last souvenirs and to get some popcorn from Garrett Popcorn.

We had dinner at Portillo's and then Bailey and I took one last walk to the Magnificent Mile before our trip came to an end. 

This building was just around the corner from our hotel. It was where their class was held each day.

We got up early Sunday morning to catch our final ride on the L on the way to the airport. 

This was such a nice getaway from school and work...especially after Bailey had spent the last 2-2 1/2 months working on this project. We loved our time in Chicago and are already looking forward to our next visit!

Chicago Part Two

Bailey and I started Friday morning with a 3 1/2 mile run around downtown Chicago...of course, we stopped here and there to get a few pictures of the city in the early morning light.

Just gorgeous.

Magnificent Mile

Our first stop on Friday (which was obviously game day) was Eggsperience. This just may be a must if you come to Chicago. In fact, we liked it so much we went back on Saturday.

Bailey had pancakes (which were possibly the best we've had).

I had a breakfast skillet.

After breakfast we went over to Millennium Park to see the Crown Fountain and to see the bean. 

We walked a little further and saw Buckingham Fountain.

Chicago Part One

Bailey and a fellow-appraising friend, Jon, had been planning for months and months to go to Chicago to take a class to finalize their capstone/dissertation/thing. The time fiiiiinally came. Bailey and Jon flew to Chicago early Sunday morning. Here are a few pictures Bailey captured before I got there. 

Breakfast at the Doughnut Vault (an actual old bank vault), just a few blocks from the hotel. The donut is much larger than it appears in the photo.

The gorgeous Chicago skyline.

Picture perfect.

This is the side of our hotel that overlooked the river. We stayed in the Holiday Inn Chicago-mart Plaza. It was on top of the Chicago Sun Times and just along the river. We loved the location.

Sushi hand rolls at Sushi Taiyo.

Italian beef sandwich at Al's Italian Beef.

Just across the street from our hotel.

The guys finished their papers up and turned them in on Wednesday. That afternoon, Jon's wife, Jennifer and I flew up. We dropped our things off at the hotel and headed to eat at Giordano's (which I like much more than Gino's). 

Thursday morning we got up and the guys took us over to the Doughnut Vault for breakfast. I got an apple fritter which was sooo good and fresh.

Then we walked on over to the Magnificent Mile and looked around for a while before doing a little shopping. 

We ended up eating lunch at Jake Melnick's before going on an architectural boat tour of the city. Lunch wasn't terrible but certainly wasn't the best thing we ate.

The boat tour was fantastic and the afternoon could not have been any more perfect.

Our hotel was above the Chicago Sun Times.

We made a quick trip over to Navy Pier after the boat tour.

That night for dinner we went to Gene and Georgetti for some delicious steaks.