One week in Chicago

by Mike Barish on

As a New Yorker, it would seem fitting if I mocked Chicago. It would make sense if I focused on its status as the Second City. But the truth is, I love Chicago. You see, for the last five years or so, I’ve made an annual Spring or Summer pilgrimage to the unofficial capital of the Midwest to visit friends, hang out on Lake Michigan and generally enjoy one of America’s best cities.

Usually, though, I’m only in town for a weekend and I spend that time catching up with friends and not really exploring everything that Chicago has to offer. But a trip to Fargo combined with last weekend’s Gadling Summit provided me with the perfect excuse to spend a full seven days in Chicago.

I experienced a ton during that whirlwind week. Starting on Monday, I’ll be sharing my experiences exploring and eating (and eating and eating) in the Windy City. If you live in or have visited Chicago, you’ll surely appreciate my recommendations and I’m eager to hear your thoughts and additional suggestions. If you’ve never had the priviledge of spending time in Chicago, I hope I’ll inspire you to head to there this summer (which is the best time to go).

It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Why not make your own version of a Chicago dog and tune in next week for my thoughts on that big city on the lake.

Photo of the Day (5.10.09)

by Jeremy Kressmann on

As you might have heard, the Gadling team will be getting together in Chicago this coming weekend. It only seems appropriate then for me to pick a Chicago photo like this one from frequent Gadling photo contributor mce323. Chicago is a city of fantastic architecture, with groundbreaking works from masters like Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. The twin towers at Marina City are yet another iconic Chicago architectural landmark. I love the checkerboard of glowing lights illuminating the various balconies, contrasted nicely with the encroaching black of night.

Do you have any travel photos you’d like to share with Gadling’s readers? Why not add them to the Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.

Sears Tower to open glass bottom box at 1300 feet

by Scott Carmichael on

In July, the Sears Tower Skydeck will open “the ledge”, its newest attraction.

The “ledge” is a glass box extending 4.3 feet out over the edge of the 103rd floor, offering an unobstructed view of the city. Up to 5 guests at a time will be able to stand on the inch and a half thick glass.

I have a lot of faith in structural engineers, but I’m just not sure I’d feel entirely comfortable stepping out on this thing? Would you?

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