Tall building day!

Before we talk about todays sunny adventures a bit about eating. We have found choosing a decent restaurant more difficult in Chicago than |New York. We have eaten too much fast(ish) food.

We tried a 'pub' on Friday night and the food was good but it was very noisy and the portions huge.

We went mad last night and went to a restaurant where you pick your vegetables, toppings and meat and the chef makes it into a stir fry for you: it was amazing and very not us!

Flat Top Restaurant, Chicago

Toppings selection

Bowls filled!

Instructions on how to make your stir fry!

So back to Sunday which was always forecast to be clear and sunny so we decided it was the day to go up the two observation sky scrapers. We would have taken the bus up the Magnificent Mile to the Hancock Tower but had to walk as there was a 15Km run and there were no buses!

It gave us the chance to walk along the Magnificent mile and see it on a deserted Sunday morning!

The Water Tower

The Hancock Tower a.k.

We were nice and early so no queues (sorry must speak local - lines ) and up top we had great views in the unbroken sun.

 Tallest building is the Willis Tower we go up later today

 Almost a beach!

Lincoln Park and Zoo - planned to visit later in our holiday

The Tilt - NO we did not do it!

We then caught a bus to Central Station which like all US City Stations is a very grand building!

The trains are always in a dark and dingy underground area!

We then decided to do the Willis Tower and as it was now nearing midday we had a bit of a 'line' but the views were worth it!

 The Shedd Aquarium

 We did not do this either!

 Millennium Gardens

So back to the Hotel for a cuppa and a fastish lunch before just strolling around Downtown and alongside the Chicago River

 James R Thompson Center - interior below?

 Hope those cables are strong!

 Macys with Christmas decorations - went up Saturday night!

City Hall

A very good day - it was clear and sunny but pretty cold at around 6c but not too much wind!

On the Buses!

Getting around Chicago is very easy. Up to now we have used the CTA Metro but today we ventured onto the CTA Buses.

We decided to go to the Shedd Aquarium. First we went to the Adler Planetarium which is at a point so there are views  along the Lake front

The Planetarium which we did not visit

and the the Chicago skyline

 

Impressive frontage of Shedd Aquarium

We enjoyed the visit and some of the displays were very impressive. However we felt some of tanks were too small for the big fish and we would have enjoyed it more with Isla and Eva. At $39.95 each we thought it was not value for money. We then had another look around the Museum Campus where the Football Stadium is as well.

Soldier Field home of the Chicago Bears

Back to the bus stop to catch the bus back to our hotel for a cuppa!

In the afternoon we took a bus ride to and up what is called the Magnificent Mile - their Oxford Street.

Water Tower Place Mall

Lego version of Chicago

Chicago Water Works