Bringing Sunshine to the Windy City: Day 2

On Saturday morning, after our quest for coffee or hot chocolate (which became a staple for the rest of trip), the four of us ventured out to The Park at Lakeshore East. It is a family and pet friendly park, and is located right next to the apartment. It's a beautiful local park with a botanic garden, terraces and sidewalks, and open green spaces, and is considered the biggest and best front yard in Downtown Chicago. Pierre and I have found our place for our future snow angels, snowmen, and snowball fights!

Mom and Dad at the Lakeshore East Park.

In front of the views from the park.

Continuing on our park visits, we headed towards what Chicago is known for, Millennium Park. Home to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Cloud Gate (more commonly known as The Bean), the BP Bridge, and beautiful landscaping throughout the park. It's a definite must for visitors, and even I like to take a visit once in a while.  We first started at the Daley Bicentennial Plaza, a part of Grant Park, which is right east of Millennium Park.

Fall is here!

The beautiful landscaping found throughout Chicago.

Family photo!

It was just a walk over the BP Bridge, a stainless steel 925-foot bridge connecting the Daley Bicentennial Plaza and Millennium Park, to check out the amazing things that Millennium Park has to offer, starting off with views of Aon Center and the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, an outdoor concert venue.

In front of Aon Center, where Pierre works.

Aon Center, one of the tallest buildings in Chicago.

Mom and Dad in front the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Aon Center.

The Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean is a staple and a must visit in Chicago. It's an ellipitcal scultpure made of stainless steel and reflects the city's skyline and sky above. And it reflects you of course, which makes for great photos ops! As you go under the arch, you can see your reflection in many different perspectives.

In front of The Bean, with the photographer herself.

The fam in front of The Bean, and Pierre makes a cameo.

Mom and Dad with the reflection of the beautiful skyline.

Finally, a photo of us four!

See if you can find us!

In front of Park Grill, an outdoor restaurant.

Enjoying the beauty of Millennium Park!

We made out through Millennium Park and continued our walking tour. Going south on Michigan Avenue, you'll find yourself in front of the Art Institute of Chicago and one thing about my mom is that you can't miss a photo opportunity with her and anything lion-related. (She's a Leo, of course!)

With one of the lions in front of the Art Institute.

When Pierre and I came to Chicago to visit after he accepted his job offer, we found what we call our "Secret Garden". We needed a break from walking all over Chicago, and that's when we found an inconspicuous park that just caught our eye. It's a quiet and serene garden on the south side of the Art Institute of Chicago covered with hawthorns and orange gravel. It also has a beautiful fountain, "Fountain of the Great Lakes", at one end with scultuptures that represent the way the water flows throughout the lakes.

Pierre and me at our "Secret Garden".

In front of the "Fountain of the Great Lakes".

In front of the fountain.

Hawthorns offering some shade.

After walking a bit south, we ended up back in Grant Park. This time it was to take in the beautiful sight of the Buckingham Fountain. Dedicated in 1927, the fountain itself represents Lake Michigan, while each sea horse of the fountain symbolizes a state bordering the lake. As you can tell, they really love the Great Lakes around here! Also, you might recognize the fountain from the introduction of "Married With Children".

At the Buckingham Fountain.

The fam.

Pierre and me at the fountain.

The Buckingham Fountain and Aon Center.

Now it was time for a quick bite! We headed towards Navy Pier by walking along Lake Shore Drive, the road along Lake Michigan (I know, I know). My father absolutely loves boats, and especially sailboats, and they were definitely taking advantage of the beautiful weather that day.

Lake Michigan!

Lake Michigan and a peek of Chicago.

Enjoying a beautiful Saturday!

Navy Pier is a pier that goes 3,300 feet onto Lake Michigan. It was originally built for warehouses and lake freighters, but is now the number one attraction of the Windy City. It's home to boat sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, the Children's Museum and a lot of holiday festivities. It's almost like the Chicago version of Orlando's International Drive, so we tend not go there unless there's a fair or exposition that's held there. It also has fireworks on the weekend which can heard from the apartment at night. We were hungry and dying for a Chicago-style hot dog, so we stopped for a quick bite and a walk up and down the pier.

Two servings of Chicago-style hot dogs.

Welcome to the Windy City!

A great view of the John Hancock Center.

Home. :]

The view of Chicago from Navy Pier.

We continued walking around Chicago and we stopped to visit Holy Name Cathedral, a stunning Catholic church in the Gold Coast part of Chicago. And look at that, a wedding was taking place!

Holy Name Cathedral.

Wedding crashers!

Beautiful architecture at Holy Name Cathedral.

Maria J. fits perfectly here!

The day was coming to an end and we had to stop for a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center. A couple drinks and stunning views of Downtown Chicago is a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Chicago from the John Hancock Center.

Cheers!

I couldn't have asked for a more fantastic Friday with Pierre and my family! Day 2 has come to an end but get ready for Day 3, where we take it easy and have lunch in Lincoln Park and see a couple more must-sees of Chicago.