Caught this scene outside of the art institute. Check out the Hug Project here.
The world could always use some more hugs.
Oct 29, 2010
Oct 28, 2010
Oct 27, 2010
Tourist Tuesday: John Hancock Observatory
Kicking off Tourist Tuesday at the top. The top of Chicago. Or, at least, one of the tops.
Two staples of Chicago’s skyline are the powerful looking Sears Tower (Don’t call it Willis in front of a Chicagoan. They don’t like that) and the John Hancock building. At both, you can look out over Chicago about 100 stories above the sidewalk. Which is pretty cool.
I picked the observatory at the Hancock building because I wanted to check out the open-air Skydeck and the view of the lake.
Got the ticket online the night before and got to the gates at 9 a.m. as they were opening. The site suggests getting there before 11 a.m. to avoid crowds. And wouldn’t ya know it, 11 rolled around and what appeared to be two classes worth of field trips came out of the elevator.
The elevator is how one arrives at the 94th floor. Though, there is one day a year when you can pay to hustle up those 94 flights to the top. To each their own…
Before the 47 second elevator (fastest elevator in North America, so said the elevator voice), they’re going to stand you in front of a green screen to snap your picture. There’s no avoiding it, at least for me there wasn’t. I’m not a fan of souvenir photos so I didn’t bother to pick it up.
What I did get, was some 100 photos from my hour atop the Hancock.
Two staples of Chicago’s skyline are the powerful looking Sears Tower (Don’t call it Willis in front of a Chicagoan. They don’t like that) and the John Hancock building. At both, you can look out over Chicago about 100 stories above the sidewalk. Which is pretty cool.
I picked the observatory at the Hancock building because I wanted to check out the open-air Skydeck and the view of the lake.
Got the ticket online the night before and got to the gates at 9 a.m. as they were opening. The site suggests getting there before 11 a.m. to avoid crowds. And wouldn’t ya know it, 11 rolled around and what appeared to be two classes worth of field trips came out of the elevator.
The elevator is how one arrives at the 94th floor. Though, there is one day a year when you can pay to hustle up those 94 flights to the top. To each their own…
Before the 47 second elevator (fastest elevator in North America, so said the elevator voice), they’re going to stand you in front of a green screen to snap your picture. There’s no avoiding it, at least for me there wasn’t. I’m not a fan of souvenir photos so I didn’t bother to pick it up.
What I did get, was some 100 photos from my hour atop the Hancock.
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| Navy Pier |
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| The view looking south on a quiet morning at the Observatory |
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| Info wall behind the Skydeck, outlines a history of Chicago. I liked this quote. So did Chicago. |
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| There's a cafe at the Observatory, which helps if you're an early bird and need a pick me up. |
So at the end, I like the Observatory. I'd suggest going early morning when it's not terribly busy. At the early hour of 9 a.m., it was just myself, a family, and a smattering of other visitors. The audio tour was pretty informative, more so, I'd imagine, for someone new to the city.
I liked seeing Chicago from above, gave me a new perspective on the city. I'm excited to get a closer look from the street level for the next Tourist Tuesday.
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| Lake Shore Drive and one of the longest waterfronts in America without any industrial presence. |
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| The Skydeck. Breathe the open air, 94 stories above the street |
So at the end, I like the Observatory. I'd suggest going early morning when it's not terribly busy. At the early hour of 9 a.m., it was just myself, a family, and a smattering of other visitors. The audio tour was pretty informative, more so, I'd imagine, for someone new to the city.
I liked seeing Chicago from above, gave me a new perspective on the city. I'm excited to get a closer look from the street level for the next Tourist Tuesday.
Oct 25, 2010
A blogging endeavor
At some point over the quarter break (which roughly translates to when everyone else is in school/working), I watched a part of Ferris Bueller with my family. And I was embarrassed.
“Hey, have you been there?”
“No.”
“Have you seen that?”
“Not that I remember.”
“Meg, what’s that?”
“I have no idea.”
“… Where have you been the last four months?”
That’s when it occurred to me that I’ve been a bad Chicagoan.
As such, I am instituting a weekly assignment in order for me to get out and about the city more. You read that right, I’m giving myself more homework.
Introducing: Tourist Tuesday
For the next couple of weeks, I’m going to visit a Chicago landmark, staple or highlight.
I’ve sort of got a list going for places and or events I’d like to go to or attend. But I’m generally going to let things happen on their own.
So, get excited. The first Tourist Tuesday hits Barefoote tomorrow.
The Spooky Spirit
On my way to class today, I saw this.
Chicago's in the Halloween mood.
Or it could be in support of da (struggling) Bears.
You decide
Oct 11, 2010
Obama's favorite: Dixie Kitchen
Full disclosure: The President's favorite Chicago restaurant is Dixie Kitchen but its the one in Hyde Park, not Evanston, which is where we ate.
Very good Gumbo, very filling.
Check it out
Oct 10, 2010
Scribblings of grad students
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| My roommate explaining "basic" algebra to me. |
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| Katie Sciort's notes from a telephone interview |
Oct 4, 2010
Photo of the Day: Little Italy in Chicago
Got off at the wrong stop today and had to walk a few blocks to the newsroom. Wandered by this festival. Had to take some pictures.
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