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Our New Favorite Place in Chicago

Chicago is a beautiful city that I grow more impressed with each time I visit. Growing up in the suburbs my whole life, I have made frequent trips to the city of Chicago over the years. As an adult, I find that I appreciate everything that it has to offer so much more.

I pay better attention to my surroundings and soak it all in. The people, the architecture, the sounds, the energy, the food – just everything buzzes with life and I #LoveThisCity.

Reasons Why I Love Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

This summer we bought a new boat. This has allowed us to see the city from an entirely different view. We now cruise the Chicago River and Lake Michigan as often as we can. Each trip we discover new things. We take different ways and learn (sometimes the hard way) which are the best ways to go or avoid (we recently got stuck in a shallow area — long story).

There are some great places that you can stop for food and/or drinks along the river. They accept credit cards, so that’s extra convenient. (We hate bringing cash on the boat — too easy for it to get wet/lost/blown away.)

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

Boating through the Chicago River is the perfect way to take in the beauty of the buildings. Chicago has some of the most impressive architecture and it’s great to see from all angles.

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

My husband actually works in several of these buildings doing their Terrazzo marble floors, so he acts as my unofficial tour guide along the way. 😉

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages. This mysterious little house-type structure on top of a bridge is one of my favorite sights to see along the way.

Reasons Why I Love Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

Once you get through the locks and into Lake Michigan, there are also many places to go. We usually have to stop and fill up the tank. We like to go anchor in the PlayPen, which is a very popular place for boats to gather…

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

New Favorite Place on Lake Michigan

… OR … our new favorite place is the beach we found on our last trip out. According to my GPS, it’s called Calumet Beach. In this area there were several boats, too, but they were all double-anchored. Apparently the current is extra strong, and we even saw someone who was beached. But, it’s a shallow area where you can easily swim up to hang out on the beach. We were even able to play catch with my dad. What a blast!

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

If you stay out long enough, you can take in the amazing Chicago skyline at night. It’s truly a fantastic site!

Our New Favorite Place in Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC

There’s so much to do in Chicago, be it on land or water. The city has definitely allowed us to create many memorable family moments this year. Exploring Chicago never gets old. With new things happening daily, there’s always new reasons to #LoveThisCity!

Have you been to Chicago? Do you have a favorite place?

Mary McCloy

Wednesday 22nd of January 2014

I think I would Love to visit The Windy City some day :)

Tanya

Saturday 28th of December 2013

We live just 2 miles east of the city and had a "staycation" in Chicago last summer. I highly recommend anyone who live near or far to spend time here. The mayors have done a spectacular job of "cleaning up" - Millenium park and the beautification of State Street are prime examples - not to mention all the freebies available (museums, cultural center, etc). Good article!

Jesselyn A/Jesstinger

Thursday 3rd of October 2013

My Honey/Hubby and I both grew up in the Chicago burbs and were childhood sweethearts until we went off to college and our separate ways (me NYC and he Boulder, CO) We reconnected many years later and having been living - in the Chicago burbs now for quite some time (I did live in NYC for 8+ years and Alaska for almost two.

When I first got back here from NYC I was amazed (and dazzled really) had how Chicago had changed, grown, revitalized and evolved (in some places previously desolate and/or depressed and depressing. When I first went to NYC - Chicago was still called the Second City - and to my mind, it very much was. But today (with the exception of grossly neglected, desolate and alienated neighborhoods and pockets) I can proudly say that Chicago truly is a world class city - with world class culture, dining and museums, an magnificent Lakefront and extraordinary architecture that people from all over the world travel come to see (And yes - we too do have a special affinity for the frequently under-appreciated Chicago River which is endlessly fascinating (lucky you with a boat!)

One thing I have noticed (actually both here and in New York) is that I never really appreciated all they had to offer until I had out of town (or even foreign) visitor and found myself in the role of "host" and "tour guide") it's then when in effort to entertain and educate other that it's me who discover more and more layers, riches and wonders our crazy-wonderful-half sad city! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer.

Sara Pirate (@CleverPirate)

Friday 27th of September 2013

I need to visit Chicago, looks so beautiful!

Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks)

Friday 27th of September 2013

I love Chicago! We used to live in Peoria and would visit there! Thanks for your participation! #client