Where in the World are the Wendells: Chicago

River North

The Bean at night

I've always heard how beautiful the summers in Chicago are. After spending a week in July, I can attest that the hype is right. Except for one day, we had spectacular weather. We visited Chicago for a wedding, and intended to spend our spare time visiting a few neighborhoods.

We took the "L" subway and the busses everywhere, very easy, clean, and frequent. You just tap to pay as you go through the turnstile or as you enter the bus, every trip is $5. The Blue Line from O'Hare took us within 3 blocks of our hotel in the Loop.

For other notes about Chicago, see the first section of our 2024 Route 66 post

Here is a list of where we visited, and what we saw:

The Bean

Rookery atrium

Chicago Cultural Center
Grand Army of the Republic Hall

The Loop

There are so many things to do in the Loop, we didn't have time for everything (and in fact have done many of these things on previous trips). Millennium Park and The Bean, Grant Park and the Buckingham Fountain.

Chicago Architecture Center, and the excellent Architecture Tour by Boat.

The Rookery building, especially the atrium designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is beautiful. Stop by the FL Wright store for tours, or a self guided tour map of the Loop.

Chicago Cultural Center is housed in the former library. The great Tiffany Dome and the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and dome are both incredible, and the free art exhibits are great.

Miller's Pub has great atmosphere and good pub food.

We walked the Riverwalk which provided great views of the river and skyscrapers.

In the South Loop, we visited Printer's Row, which is the 3 blocks of Dearborn St just north of Dearborn Station. Sandmeyer Books was a very nice bookstore, and Kasey's is the second oldest bar in Chicago (the liquor licenses were reissued after the compete devastation of the 1871 Chicago fire. The Berghoff was the first to apply for their license, followed by Kasey's).

West Loop / Fulton Market

This area is easy to explore, with tons of restaurants and breweries on Randolph St. Lunch at Bar Tutto was fantastic, full of flavor. To the east across the river is Open Books, a large store in an old warehouse.

Chicago River

View from Riverwalk

Chicago River

River North

We walked along Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile), and Rush Street (great restaurants). Lunch at the Siena Tavern was very good.

Oak Street Beach

Charnley-Persky House

Gold Coast

We walked along North Lake Shore Drive (1200 to 1500 blocks) after having drinks at the Drake Hotel and exploring the beautiful Oak Street Beach. Nearby, the northern three blocks of Astor Place are lined with mansions, none more famous than the Charnley-Persky House. Designed by the Sullivan firm, but the chief architect was 19 year old Frank Lloyd Wright!

N Alta Vista St

N Alta Vista doorway

Wrigley Field

West Lake View and Wrigleyville

We walked along the Southport Corridor from the Little Goat Diner (brunch) north to Grace St. We really liked the West Lake View neighborhood, including the small neighborhood of Roscoe Village (10 minutes west).

Next we headed east to Wrigleyville and checked out all the sports bars around Wrigley Field. Nearby North Alta Vista Terrace is a street of London-inspired homes with unique architecture. Heading South from Wrigley on Clark St, left on Newport, then south on Halsted into Lake View East was a nice tour of the area.

Lincoln Park and Old Town

Walked along Halsted St from Wrigleyville to Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park (all but the last couple blocks were disappointing). Unabridged Books is located on a great area of Broadway east of Halsted. Farther south is Old Town, with lots of bars and restaurants along Wells Street; we had drinks at Corcoran's. The Old Town Ale House was frequented by Second City Comedians after their show across the street.

Wicker Park

We really liked Wicker Park along Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Division Street. Myopic Books is a great used bookstore.

Little Italy

The few blocks of Taylor Street have some great Italian restaurants; we had an outstanding dinner at Rosebud. Nearby is a cute square called Piazza Italia di Chicago, with a fountain celebrating the Italian diaspora.

FLW Studio

FLW Office

FLW Office facade

Oak Park

We really enjoyed the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, along with a walking tour of the nearby neighborhood which has numerous FLW-designed homes and the Unity Temple on Lake Street. Downtown Oak Park is very cute.

On previous trips to Chicago we visited the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science & Industry - all are amazing. The Navy Pier is worth seeing, with great views of the Chicago skyline.

Next time we will do the following:

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, Chicago History Museum, Obama Presidential Center, Frederick Robie House, Monk's Pub, Marge's Still

Lincoln Square, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, and Pilsen neighborhoods.