Last morning in Chicago

We had a great meal last night; good food and not too pricey!

Nice to have Veg and no chips - sorry fries!

We are off to the airport at around 5pm for a 9.35pm flight so we have a full last day in Chicago. We have to leave our room at Midday so this will be our last blog - phew!

This morning we caught a bus to where we started our river walk yesterday and walked towards the lake, along the lake walk and back to our hotel. It was still cold but not as bad as yesterday!

 Remains of Halloween Party!

 Trump Hotel and flats in the middle

 One of the reasons for the walk was to see the dramatic Buckingham Fountain - it was dry!

This is what we should have seen!

 Still fascinated by the high level L Line

Happy Halloween!

Everywhere we went today had Halloween displays, many were dressed in crazy costumes and people were saying 'Happy Halloween'!

It was always forecast to be the coldest day of our holiday and it was at only 3c or 4c and a bit windy. At least the sun came out a few times. we reckon today has been colder than any day on the island for the last two years!

To warm up we first took the bus to the Lincoln Conservatory - a temperate green house - at the end of the small Botanic Garden

The Orchid Houes

Then back by bus to do the Chicago River walk - a new path alongside the river. We could have done a cruise but felt a walk would be better and $80 saved!

 Walk starts where the main shopping street crosses the river

 Trump Tower and Hotel

 Marina City Towers

 These new pontoons under the bridges are new and link the old paths between the bridges

 L Line crosses river above the road

 Merchandise Mart - America's largest commercial building and second in size to the Pentagon. We then walked back to the hotel for a sandwich and cuppa

 This is a four way overhead junction - picture cannot do it justice so I sent my drone up to get a better pics!

 Inside the James R Thompson Building - home of the Illinois Government

and a reminder of the outside:

After our excellent beef sandwich - only $9 and plenty for both of us - and siesta we headed off for the Washington library on the 'L' line. Whilst not as grand as New York Library it was still and impessive building.

Winter Garden on the top (9th) floor

A few pics of the Magnificent Mile shopping Street

The road system is amazing; this bridge is two level:

and below are pics of the underground road network; Chicago Grand Prix?

 So back to the hotel for afternoon tea: some days they have cookies but today it was the smallest KitKat we have ever seen!

Credit card is our CTA weekly pass

For our final dinner we have chosen a German restaurant - Berghoff

Beach, Zoo and Navy Pier

Off by bus (we are getting good at this bus riding!) up the Magnificent Mile and beyond to Lincoln Park.

Left tower - Hancock 360 Centre - Trump and far right  -Willis Sky Deck

 Then across the 8 lane highway - on a bridge - to the beach

Which at this time of year is a bit bleak!

and again good views of the city and city beach

Back across the bridge

and through Lincoln Park to the Zoo

 This has to be Lincoln!

The Zoo is free and was a good visit and excellent value! Like the Aquarium we felt most of the enclosures were too small!

As it was lunch time we had yet another fast snack before heading back for a much needed cuppa and siesta

So just around the corner from the Hotel to catch a bus to Navy Pier - the most visited tourist attraction in Chicago. It was a former Naval Pier.

We thought there would be rides - there were three!

$7 for an ice cream - plus tax!

There were views back to the City

So back to the bus station for our bus back to our hotel. It was a nice walk in the sun with good views but we wondered why it was the top tourist attraction!