Since I've already created two photo threads today, I figure why not make a third, this time of my trip to Chicago in late September of last year. This was my first extended trip to Chicago, and compared to where I'm from, NY, Chicago struck me as one or two magnitudes smaller and more quiet. But it also struck me as perhaps the most polished large American city I've seen, and maybe even in the running for most beautiful large city in the country. Which was not something I expected.
First up, a bunch of skyline/loop photos.
Views from the Sears Tower
My favorite view of Chicago, and the one which makes the city look largest, I think.
River Cruise
Chicago came across as a very monumental city, maybe even more so than NY
Lake Cruise
Even though I grew up and live on the East Coast, I like!
Cocktails at the John Hancock building
Pilsen, a nice and very presentable Mexican neighborhood to the west. I really liked the contrast between the high rise monumentalism of the Loop and Near North, and the well-taken-care-of low rise neighborhoods to the North and West.
Wicker Park, probably my favorite neighborhood in Chicago
Had dinner here later
North Side neighborhoods
Moving toward the lake
This building reminded me of NY
The free Winter Garden nearby
And the free zoo
Even though Michigan is just a lake, Chicago felt like a coastal city, more so than NY for example, because it embraces its waterfront so thoroughly.
Wringleyville. Very quiet, I guess because there was no game going on
Back to the Chicago River
Michigan Avenue
Daytime views from the John Hancock building
Back on Michigan Avenue
What was this? Reminded me almost of a mini-Rockefeller Center
Threaded Mode