Chicago is one of those great towns. We stayed inThe Loop area for a two day visit last week. You will find music, theatre, dance (including the Alvin Alley Dance Theatre) and restaurants galore. And there's plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities within easy reach. There's a Great Lake - no pun intended - with sailing, beaches and incredible sand dunes. And of course Millennium Park, which transformed nearly 25 acres of rail yards, parking lots and parkland to celebrate the second millennium. Near the east entrance is the iconic Frank Gehry designed stainless steel, abstract, arching Pritzker Pavillion amphitheater that hosts musical events for up to 11,000. I'm sure there MUST be room for one more guest!
If you are more the strolling type, stop by the farmers market at the base of this 50-foot, 162-ton untitled 1967 sculpture by Pablo Picasso at Daley Plaza. Just a few blocks away is Alexander Calder's 53-foot Flamingo sculpture, located at Federal Plaza since 1973.
We stayed at The Alise - a reasonably priced boutique hotel located at 1 West Washington St. Once an 1800's bank, its got just the kind of funky but practical style you would imagine from the Bellevue Washington based hotel group called StayPineapple and don't ask us where the name came from. Ok - Steve says to warn you that there was a $10 "amenity fee" that we still haven't figured out - just ask them to deduct it from your bill - they will - and stay there anyway. Click the link above for details about their mostly west coast locations.
But at the end of the day, a girls gotta eat. Although I appreciate a good restaurant experience, its street food that really captures a place. Some people miss the deep dish pizza, but it's the Chicago dog that I've been craving for decades. It's quintessential Chicago - All-American Midwest with a twist - the cucumber playing off the sport pepper and of course you've got to have the poppyseed bun.
Get yourself to Chicago. (We'll even understand if you go to a Cubs game.) I'm predicting we'll be back again soon!
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