Oh, Chicago!

Julie G
Sep 14, 2022
3 min read

I am 48 years old, and traveled quite a bit, but I had never been to Chicago. Ever. I had been in the airport numerous times, but never spent time in the city I had heard only good things about. But now, I can say I have visited Chicago, and fallen in love. Wow! What a city! I really had no idea. Yes, I have heard good things about it, but it really is a city that needs to be experienced. It is lovely.

Pros:

Beautiful skyline
Sited on a lake
A river runs through it
Tall buildings
History
Great shopping
Great food

Cons:

Everyone smokes!!
COLD winters, and HOT, muggy summers (although I didn't have to experience this, thankfully)

The primary reason I visited Chicago was to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I saw them in Seattle on August 3 and the show was sooooo good that I had to see them again! I was willing to travel, and wanted to go somewhere I had never been before. I try not to venture out of Seattle during the summer months because it is so amazing here in the summer, but Chicago + RHCP sounded pretty fantastic, so I pulled the trigger. I found decent prices on airfare (Alaska...MILES) and hotel (Marriott... POINTS), and waited until the very last minute to get my ticket to the show, as prices come waaaaay down.

When I arrived in Chicago, I was planning on just taking an Uber, but I discovered the train system! It took about 45 minutes, but only cost $5! I got to see the outskirts of Chicago, and the routes were pretty easy to understand. When I got downtown, instead of transferring, I walked the last bit to my hotel. After a long flight, it felt good to stretch my legs.

I stayed at the downtown Marriott Magnificent Mile. And, although it is not the fanciest Marriott I have stayed in, the location could not be beat. It was right in the middle of everything: close to the waterfront, close to the river, right in the middle of the shopping district. It was perfect. I also stayed on the 31st floor, which was good and bad. The view was AMAZING, but man, being that high up led to some sweaty palms and a rapid heartbeat.

I walked everywhere. I walked a LOT. I walked a marathon in just two days. I did a LOT in just two full days of activities. I would have had a third day, but opted to rest instead.

DAY ONE: explored the Riverwalk, went to a White Sox game, went on a Lake Michigan boat cruise, and went out to dinner at a fantastic Italian restaurant.

DAY TWO: Willis Tower, Air Show at the Lake, Riverwalk dinner, RHCP concert at Soldier Field

DAY THREE: SLEEEEEEEP! I woke up feeling a little under the weather, so I slept it off. It was a good day to sleep as it was cloudy and a little rainy. I did manage to get out of bed to go see the Prince Experience, which was pretty cool. Then I went back to the hotel to order room service and go back to bed.

DAY FOUR: home. I woke up feeling MUCH better.

I really fell in love with Chicago while I was there. I feel like I did a LOT in 4 days, but I also feel like I hardly scratched the surface. It is such a cool city, and is a lot bigger than the 30 miles I walked while I was there.

Here are some of my favorite homes currently on the market in Chicago:

2734 N Magnolia Ave