A Few More From Chicago

When we visited Chicago a while back, I wasn't really sure what we should try to see since our time was limited, we had never been there before, and our kids get tired out pretty easily.

I did know that I'd like to see "The Bean" if we could, and I'm glad we were able to stop and look at it really quick on our way to find lunch downtown!

I was impressed with how clean this part of downtown Chicago was, especially during the height of summer tourism season. I was also struck by how wide the streets and avenues were. Everything just seemed bigger in Chicago, compared to the big cities I've visited on the east coast. Of course the buildings and architecture were a sight to behold - my neck was sore the next day from looking up so much. ;)

If anyone knows their way around Chicago fairly well and can recommend family friendly things to do, I'd love to hear your suggestions and stories! I'm grateful we live close enough to make easy day trips into the city, and can't wait to go back and do some exploring!

Skyline

I love the feeling I get when I see the skyline of a big city we're headed to from the highway.

Exciting.

We had such a fun first visit to Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

So much fun that I didn't take many pictures with the Nikon. Too busy looking up and around.

We spent most of the time at the Shedd Aquarium, where we saw the aquatic show...

(Verdict: Baltimore's is way better.)

We also got to pet sting rays! 

(Verdict: they feel surprisingly slimy and just, gross. Sorry rays.)

Some funny Chicago stories...

We were supposed to meet my cousins at 10am at Shedd. 

We totally forgot about the hour time difference and ended up downtown at 8:30CT. 

Oops.

We had the hardest time finding a place for lunch.

We had spent so much time at the aquarium that by the time we left the kids were really antsy.

(^ that is an understatement, folks! ^)

With the aid of our combined smart phones, we finally found an open place near Millenium park.

It was called "The Tilted Kilt."

Of course Matt and I had no idea what a Tilted Kilt was, being the naive, sheltered kids we are. ;)

But we figured it out pretty quick once we saw the hostess.

However, the restaurant was practically empty, and the kids were nuts. And we were all starving.

So...mistake or not, we just ate there.

And laughed the whole time, because seriously, WTH were we doing? 

(But to their credit, the waitress behaved extremely well and was super nice and the food was good.)