Exploring Chicago

The most famous landmark was of course the Cloud Gate, nicknamed "the Bean", located at the AT&T Plaza in Millennium park, which was downtown within the Loop community area (historic commercial area). Designed by a British artist Anish Kapoor (cue in Gary's "Of couuursee, it's British, it's the best!"), was a very popular attraction. 

Adjacent to the plaza, was the Great Lawn and the bandshell, known as the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, was designed by Frank Gehry (Canadian-American architect). The Pritzker Pavilion hosted the Grant Park Music Festival, US' only remaining free outdoor classical music series, during the summer. It performed in the afternoon and evening, where friends, couples and families filled the lawn and enjoyed an evening of music and outdoor with food and wine. Besides the orchestra, the pavilion also hosts a wide range of performing arts. 

The BP Bridge, also designed by Frank Gehry, a pedestrian overpass that connects the both parts of the larger Grant  Park. The structure behind is the Great Lawn and the bandshell

An attraction that was especially popular with children was the Crown Fountain, which was also located next to the Bean. The pair of glass brick towers that stood opposite of each other was an interactive work of public art and video sculpture, that intermittently display faces on the two towers and water sprouts through a nozzle where the mouth would be. The fountain was also a public play area and offers people an escape from the summer heat, and allowing children to frolic in the fountain's water.

Sometime I forget that beaches existed even when there were no seas or oceans, but a lake. Located by Lake Michigan, Chicago has plenty of beaches including some in downtown!

Restaurant on Oak Street Beach. Review? Stay. Away.

Beach by the big shopping street/area, Magnificent Mile as they called it

Food wise, Chicago is famous for their deep dish pizza...which to be honest looks more like a quiche. We had it for dinner on our second day upon arriving. TV and pizza, mom and dad immersed straight into the American culture. However, ordering delivery is not the same as going to a restaurant, so we set out to Little Italy.

Except unfortunately there wasn't much there. I guess it would be more busy at night, as there were many fine dining restaurants that were only opened in the evening. 

My parents did a lot of exploring on their own. While Gary and I were still asleep in the morning, they would go out for a walk, shopping or take a random bus and stayed on until they see some interesting neighborhoods!

Walking by the shore and yacht club. The 3rd building from the right is our apartment.

Found Little Mexico, just pass Little Italy

Snacks from Mexican shop

One of the many channels that flow through the city

And of course a visit to the circus!