Opted to take it easy on the first day in Chicago after arriving late at night. We started the day with bagels and coffee at the in-house Starbucks and then planned to explore the river walk and visit the famous “bean” before heading to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse in the evening. The river walk was a pleasant stroll with plenty of stairs, offering great views of the bridges and the tour boats cruising up and down the river. The city’s skyline was genuinely striking, featuring a mix of old and modern architecture. We then went to Millennium Park to see the “bean” (officially named Cloud Gate); although the walk was quite hot, it was still tolerable.
Did I mention how beautiful the gardens and planter boxes are all over the city at night? All the streets twinkle at night, with lights around all the trees. The vibrant colours of the flowers and the carefully curated landscaping create a magical atmosphere, drawing in locals and visitors alike. It’s like walking through a fairytale, with each street corner revealing a new enchanting scene. As the night falls, the city transforms into a mesmerising display of natural and artificial beauty, making a stroll an unforgettable experience.
Despite the crowd of tourists, we were back in our room by 2:30 pm to rest and catch up on some work.
Our dinner at Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse was excellent, as expected. Due to the large portions, we shared a variety of dishes, including crab cakes, bone-in ribeye, three different types of mashed potatoes, and mushroom balsamic. Although full, Ian couldn’t resist a dessert and opted for the Mint & Chocolate Chip Bombe instead of the signature 23-layer chocolate cake.
We turned in early and had a good night’s sleep.
Our Adventures - Near and Far 