Chicago - The Windy City

One of the cities that leave a nice memory to me is Chicago. I went there with my host family during the winter break 2008. I got enchanted with the charm of this windy city. Chicago is the most populous city in American Midwest and the third in the US after New York City and Los Angeles with 2.7 million residents.

Chicago street in the winter

During the winter time, Chicago’s temperature can drop really low and the wind makes it ever colder but I can assure that it won’t kill any temptation it has to make us take a walk and enjoy its beauty. The city lands by the shore of Michigan Lake, a big lake that almost looks like a small sea in the middle of a landlocked America.

As the capital of Ohio state, Chicago is like any big cities in the world, it has skyscrapers and also good public transportation. At that time though, I didn't really take public transportation because I mostly walked against the cold winter breeze.

There are lots of places to visit if you happen to have sometime in the city where Obama became a senator before elected president of the US. And to me, here are some of the best destinations to go in Chicago.

1. The Bean aka The Cloud Gate at the Millennium Park

I felt so amazed when I saw this sculpture; I mean seriously it's like a monstrous stainless-steel bean laying in the middle of the city. This sculpture is located in Millennium Park. Measuring 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m) and weighing 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons). This mirror-like surface would reflect the Chicago skyline, but its elliptical shape would distort and twist the reflected image. This is defiitely one of the most famous tourist attraction where a lot of people would take pictures and making silly faces looking at the mirror-like bean sculpture. In the winter, people will usually go ice-skating in one side of the part while in summer people will take a walk, hang out and enjoy the sunshine there.

 2. The American Gothic Statue

Chicago is also famous for its architectures and arts. One of the most famous piece of art the city has is this statue of A Farmer and his Wife which is originally inspired by the painting of Grant Wood. This really big statue looks really sad and depressing but still it somehow delivers a strong message about how the peasants were being crushed by the growing industries at that period of time. In front of the statue, you can also find some other interesting sculptures.

3. The Sears Tower

Chicago at night

This tallest building in the country and one of 7 tallest building in the world is 108-story and 442 meters high. In the top of the building, you can see the astonishing view of the city’s landmark. I went there when it was already dark because the line was so long to get to the elevator that would bring us to the sky-deck, it took me almost 2 hours. If you don’t want to wait, purchase a fast pass ticket and it will give you privilege to the shortest lane but surely it will cost you more money. The sky-deck is a formed like a circle so that you can see the city from different angle.

4. Lake Michigan

taken by Caleb Egli

Looking at the city skyline by Lake Michigan
taken by Caleb Egli

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. This is also probably one of the must visit places in Chicago. The lake is so big. No, it’s enormous! I took a walk from our hotel to the lake and me, Jason and Caleb were wandering along the coast. We took pictures by the old lighthouse and enjoying the view of Chicago skyline with its building covered with pentacle of lights.

5. Food Vaganza!

Dinner at Lou Malnati's

Enjoying Indian cuisine
at Indian Garden

You can never get enough of Chicago mouth wateringly delicious food! If you’re on a diet, you can definitely forget it while you are in the city. You’re not really in Chicago if you haven’t had the famous Chicago Hot Dog! The best place to eat it is in Portillo. The restaurant was established in 1963 by Dick Portillo. The restaurant offers GREAT hot dogs and cozy ambience for family or just hanging out with bunch of friends. Also, you can go to many pizza places. Two of the best in town are Lou Malnati’s and Giordano's. Yes, the pizza is so authentic and tasteful! Here in Chicago, you can also find food from many countries like  India, Vietnam, Morocco, Japanese, Turkey and else. So, forget your diet and eat, a lot!

Of course this is not the only things you can do and visit in Chicago but as I say before, these 5 things are probably should go in the top of your bucket list when you’re in town. Chicago is amazing. This windy city will definitely wind up your mind J