DAY 1. I flew on March 14 from LGA (NY) to O'Hare (Chicago) with Delta ( which wont become my favourite airline ..). At the airport I met with a friend and we went straight to our host, because I did for the first time in my life COUCHSURFING. Our home for the next days was pretty close to downtown and our host was really, reaaaaally nice, but the best part was the apartment. It was spread over 5 floors and both of us had our own bedroom and bathroom, and keep in mind cousurfing is for free. Sam our host showed us the area and in the evening we went out to BOYSTOWN. The city’s Boystown neighborhood is one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the United States. Chicago celebrated also St. Patrick's Day so you can hopefully imagen how crazy this night has been.
On DAY 2 we woke up pretty early, because we wanted to see all the touristic hotspots. We started our little tour at the WILLIS TOWER. The line was crazy long altough the people there told us that we came on the pretty calm day. But it was worth it, the view was amazing and I was able to take some amazing pictures. After a couple hours at this awesome skyscraper we moved on and walked along NAVY PIER, no words needed, it was just beautiful. Than we took the bus back and ended up at MAGNIFICENT MILE. That's the shopping mile in Chicago, it's comparable with the 5th Avenue in NYC: great, great, great but crazy expensive.
DAY 3 was also stuffed with sightseeing. In the morning we went to the INSTITUTE OF ART, which was just amazing and really impressing. There you can find American masterpieces, as well as great European work from a big range of eras in the history of art. Something else that we definitely wanted to see was the MILLENIUM PARK, of course especially for the BEAN. After visiting the park we met up with our host for lunch, guess what we had? DEEP DISH PIZZA. It reminded me somehow on cake, probably because the dough was so thick, but it was delicious.
Our LAST FULL DAY we spent in an Outlet Mall: the FASHION OUTLETS OF CHICAGO. That was a little tip from a good friend. And if you have a little time left, go there, it was totally worth it. They have a huge range of shops. I really, really loved the NIKE FACTORY STORE, but the deal of my life I made at VINCE CAMUTO. I bought a 298$ bag for just 56$!!!In the evening we just walked through Downtown and enjoyed our last hours.
On wednesday we had to go pretty early to the airport, of course my flight was delayed (welcome to US air travel), but O'Hare is gigantic and you will find something to do and on somepoint I arrived back in NYC. I missed my hood, but Chicago you have been great!!
TIPPS & TRICKS:
-never fly with Delta ( just kidding)
-buy a weekly CTA ticket, it was just 28$ and we used the buses and trains all the time (one ride is
2,25$)
- do couchsurfing, if you don't have a lot of money. You will get to know so many new people and
you have already a personal insider, who can tell you what's worth seeing
-try the Deep Dish, it is so different compared to normal pizza, but you really have to
- a City Pass is not always worth the money. If you just what to see a couple things, then you are a
lot cheaper with just the general admission (if you are a student, show ALWAYS your ID!!)
That was my first post in english, I know, I have to learn and practise a lot, but spending all day with a two-year-old doesn't really help to improve my english.
I hope I could inspire you at least a little bit, TRAVEL; TRAVEL; TRAVEL. The next on my list is Boston, I will keep you updated.
Kisses, Julia.
