My last full day in Chicago was spent being a total tourist, hopping on and off a sightseeing bus all over the city.
My favourite part of the day was probably seeing Lake Michigan from this angle. The shiny skyscrapers perfectly complimented the bright-blue water dazzling in the sun.
We stopped at Navy Pier, right on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. They hold magnificent fireworks displays synchronised to music, every Saturday and Wednesday throughout the summer.
There’s plenty of shopping, dining, rides and picturesque views to soak up over here.
I couldn’t resist my free sample of Garrett’s famously delicious, cheesy popcorn. The queue to get my little bag was ginormous!
Next was a lunch-stop at a well-known US chain restaurant called Bubba Gump (based on the movie Forrest Gump).
It’s a fun, chirpy, family place and especially good for solo diners, as everyone seems to be bustling around and chatting away minding their own business. Plenty of people-watching and food photo-taking opportunities! I decided to go healthy and get my go-to caesar salad but with fresh prawns instead :).
Hopping back on the bus, I stayed until we reached Millennium Mile – the main street for hotels, restaurants and shopping!
We passed the John Hancock Centre, once the worlds tallest buiding (after NYC). If I had more time I would have gone to the top where there’s apparently spectacular views (especially from the ladies bathroom) over the city on the 95th floor.
Competing with Willis Tower’s skydeck with it’s pretty amazing glass ledge, the very top floor here has an observatory area called ‘360 Chicago‘ that only just opened this year.
Drake hotel is one of Chicago’s well-known landmark hotels at the top of Magnificent Mile – where royalty and the ‘stars’ stay (according to our funny tour guide).
The city is so vibrant and alive at night. I wish I had more time to explore the restaurant and nightlife scene. I had an early flight to catch the next day as it was time to get back to work! I’ll just have to take another trip in the future and take photos from the tops of these buildings instead :).
