City Hopping Pt 1: Chicago
 

Took a personal trip in July to visit friends and sightsee in 4 different US cities. Started in Chicago, then went to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Was not out to get really quality/artistic shots, just to photo when I had an opportunity each city. Was also out to enjoy each city’s gay scene (no photos).

My first stop was Chicago. Chicago is the biggest American city that does not feel overly intimidating or overwhelming to me. It truly is an “American” city, yet when you are there, it also feels very international, particularly European. While here I was able to check out three hotels: Congress Plaza on S Michigan Ave (not bad, but not a top choice), Palmer House (very impressive, a little more central on State St in Loop, grande dame style), and the Wit (trendy, also in the Loop, rooftop party spot).

Halsted St is still a lot of fun, though it was a little more mellow than the past couple times I had been. Normally I fly into Midway, though this time I flew into O’Hare. The Orange El comes in from Midway and the Blue comes in from O’Hare. As my perspectives on cities change, so does my perspective on Chicago. It’s such a livable city, and compared to the coasts, it’s so cheap!

After having drinks with a fellow friend in the real estate industry, I was encouraged to spend some free time checking out the West Loop., where there is a lot of infill and adaptive reuse going up. A lot of my photos focus on this area. It’s definitely still up and coming, but there is a park, several bars and restaurants, gyms, and of course convenience to the Loop and the El.

Anyway, enjoy!

Other cities from trip:

Philadelphia
New York / Boston

1. Ballroom “Gold Room” from Congress Plaza Hotel:

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9. Heading west on Jackson into Greektown and West Loop:

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13. Looking north on the Kennedy

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22. Mary Bartelme Park

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37. Looking south over the Kennedy to Greektown.
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38.

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39. Looking N/NE into River North

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40. Goodbye from West Loop

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43. Crossing under the rail box into the traditional confines of the Loop

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47. Ground breaking for a park along the river, about 1 block from River Point

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56. Looking south down Lasalle

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62. Looking south down Clark

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68. North on State

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69. Rooftop at the Wit

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70. One of the lobbies in the Macy’s State Street (former Marshall Field’s)

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74. Another lobby in the Macy’s

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75. State Street

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79. Let’s stroll down Wabash, probably the most stereotypical/photogenic “El” street

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85. New tower going up at S Michigan and E Lake

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90. BCBS Tower. Has glass elevators visible to outside.

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101. West view from Wit

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102. East view from Wit

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103.

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104.

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105. Palmer House lobby

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106. Walgreens on State that sells wine. Not sure this is even a thing here in SF yet, but it was 2 floors and rather nice!

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Thanks. It's been a while since I've seen Chicago on here.

Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing. I´ve liked to see Chicago again, a city I am in love with.

Congrats and greetings from Madrid, Spain.:tup: