On this gray, threatening Tuesday we left our beautiful hotel with our sites keenly focused on the ethnic neighborhood tour. So after a brisk, yet brief walk we bordered the big red double decker trolley, at stop 3, to our cultural getaway. Stop 3, being located near the Wrigley building is situated on a beautiful cut out of concrete known as the Magnificent mile. Normally I dislike the concrete jungle, but it must be said, that this is not like NYC. This is different…. almost surreal… Tall, clean, and inviting like a supermodel in a midgets dream; is how the Chicago downtown stands!

… And so while pulling away from this treasure trove of the wind city we made our way past the triangular city prison and Chicago Board of Trade on our way to the ubiquitous China town. It seems as if every major city has one… like the word the in a dictionary. Upon pulling into tho this ethnic section you pass a famous wall sculpture highlighting myth and fancied colors of the Chinese life, on your way to the famed arch. Though we were able to get off at this point, we kept on moving, knowing there was much to see on this given day.

Shortly after China town we entered little Italy. Apparently the”little” in its name is ever more present in that like most ethnic areas within the larger cities are waning in the face of emigration of others. Though quaint, nothing significantly stood out… not sight nor smell, though I am told if we got off to taste the culinary delights we would not have been disappointed. I suppose that will just have to be for another trip, because now we must move on…

… For its Greek town! And wow! Greek town is commercial! Notice the few exclamation marks. I am not joking! (again he did it you are probably saying by now, so I will move on, not only with my use of grammar, but also in story for though I am glad to see some of the ethnic sections of Chicago, the last has not left a good taste in my mouth, and not because I tried a bad grape leave, but because I am disappointed how much the signage adorning the modern buildings pop… but hell I suppose you cant expect it all to maintain its heritage.

Anyways, upon ending our tour we were dropped off at stop 3, where we made our way across one of Chicago’s many beautiful bridges to the First Lady… one of Chicago’s “finest fleets.” There we promptly boarded, seeing as our timing was in our favor, for what was promised to be a delightful architecture cruise. We had heard this by many before our arrival, and while chumming around, and so finally, here we were. On the high seas, or at least the Chicago River!

We began our tour heading west towards the great plains, home of the prairie style architecture; but on this day we would not be seeing architecture of the creeping horizontal nature, for we were on tour to see America’s tallest skyline. Buildings such as the Wrigley building, and the new Trump towers were instantly staring us in the face. From their we meandered on to see Marina city and the Merchandise Mart (one of the largest buildings in the world, as square footage goes). Next was the Montgomery Complex and Goose Island.

Then upon making a u-turn we were to see some of the grandest highlights of this magnificent skyline. 333 West Wacker, Boeing Plaza, the Civic Opera House, The Merc, and….. and…. you got it, THE SEARS TOWER. This building is no joke. Having gone up to the top the day before I was able to fully realize its potential seeing it from this subterranean perspective, in light of my heavenly memories, which had not at all faded.

Upon another u-turn we made our way out near Navy pier, tribune towers, and NBC towers where we shortly after came to a calm halt for our departure back to ground level with the rest of the hustle and bustle. And so with all that excitement under our belt, we decided to do what any other Chicago resident would do… we got a Chicago style hot dog!

A Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed or boiled all-beef, natural-casing hot dog on a poppy seed bun. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup. And so were do you go for such a gem… well Portillo’s of course. Now it should be said that I am not a hotdog fan (because of the healthfulness, not the taste), but I had to… and I enjoyed it.

Then as if we had not soaked up enough Windy City culture, we made our way to the top of their second tallest building so as to feel the wind in the open walk way of the Hancock Observatory. Seeing as this article is getting long, I will curtail some of the adjectives, and simply say this was a treat (like everything else to date). Tall with a fantastic, yet quick, museum at the top. Like the Sears tower, the elevator was unbelievably fast, and view amazing. This building, being closer to the lake then the Sears Tower, provide for a different view of the city… and it is said on a clear day you can see a few states. I was not this fortunate for it was slightly cloudy, though none the less impressive.

Following this we took a quick break at the hotel, and rested up for what was meant to be a fantastic dinner, catering to my fathers likes. And so upon an acceptable rest we made our way back out onto the beat, for a steak dinner at Mike Ditka’s. I had a Fillet Mignon rare, with a delightfully Napa merlot and it was delicious!

At this point we were all tired, and slowly strolled back to our temporary domicile for a much needed night sleep!

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