Chicago for nubes. (Photo thread warning)

[denbot]

I am on a layover near Chicago to have some maintainence done to my truck. I took a train to Union Station which is next to the former Sears Tower. For $18 and an hour and a half wait to get up to the Skydeck, you can walk out on a clear plastic balcony suspended over the sidewalk 103 stories below your feet. I have a fear of heights which make the view even more exciting.

[URL=http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/Puerco-bellies/20130223_125656_zpse966443a.mp4][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Link to video

http://s99.beta.photobucket.com/user/Puerco-bellies/media/20130223_125656_zpse966443a.mp4.html?sort=6&o=1

The platform faces west, over looking my hotel in a suburb called Melrose Park, way in the distance.

Here is the view to the north

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A view to the south

[IMG][/IMG]

Proof that my chicken-ass got out on the platform

[IMG][/IMG]

While waiting to take the elevator up I called a friend to ask about where to try Chicago style pizza, and one of her suggestions was Giordano's. That was a damn good pie

[IMG][/IMG]

Tomorrow I am thinking of hitting the Art Institute of Chicago, and to try to only go wildley over my budget, The Navy Pier (free)' and of course I will try another pie at Gino's East Deep Dish, and if I don't explode, Garret's Popcorn for the Chicago Mix before heading back to base, and then back on the road Monday.

Thanks for looking.

[seabeyond]

1. we took southern route to cape cod and northern route back home. stopped in chicago

and walked the board walk. we loved it... just loved it.

[seabeyond]

2. also, wonderful pictures. i couldnt stand where you are.

upsets my tummy just seeing the picture. have a blast and thanks.

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. Go to Ed Debevic's.

http://eddebevics.com/micro/?gclid=CP-Nw4qlzrUCFQODnQodZQsAVw#


You won't regret it.

[In_The_Wind]

4. very nice photos

[petronius]

5. Beautiful city! And No. Fucking. Way.

I've only spent a few days in Chicago, but I really loved the Art Institute. And the stained glass museum on the Navy Pier was well worth a visit...

[HarveyDarkey]

6. Better hit Goose Island Brewing

just sayin'

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear denbot!

GREAT pictures! I love Chicago......grew up in Evanston, next door.

And you are no chicken! I would have had no problem doing that, but heights have never bothered me.

Have a great time, and a safe trip home!

[denbot]

8. Hi Miss CP

Home.. Where's that?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Why...it's where your heart is, of course...

[denbot]

10. True that

I recently changed companies, and I am running pretty hard still, but getting paid a reasonable rate. No regular home time until after I play a little catch up, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I'm glad to hear things are going well for you!

I know you'll enjoy your home time!

[Paulie]

12. Congrats for going to the "whatcha talking about Willis Tower"

I've only been in the office section up to the 55th floor, never to the Skydeck, and I've lived here all my life.

[GoCubsGo]

13. The Art Institute is a great choice!

Be sure to just walk around the Downtown area. Loads of public are there, like the Chagall Wall in the LaSalle St. Plaza, and the Picasso statue. It's all free. I also highly recommend the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, as well as the Chicago Historical Society museum : http://www.chicagohistory.org/.

Another fun place to visit is the Oriental Institute and the U. of Chicago: http://oi.uchicago.edu/. Admission is free, although they appreciate a donation. I am sure you can easily get there via public transit.

[Hayabusa]

14. I have the sad feeling that any trip

that I take to Chicago will involve only Berwyn Eagles club or the Frontier Fieldhouse... I still want to go one day, for aforementioned places.

[riderinthestorm]

15. Wish I'd known you were in town! We should have figured out a meet up. Giordanos is the best!

Sounds like you are hitting the high lights! I love the Art Institute, can't go wrong there.

Have a safe journey

[OriginalGeek]

16. Awesome and scary as hell

I am also kind of afraid of heights but would totally do that for the thrill. I am a bit jealous too as my one trip to Chicago we only had about 5 hours to look around. I have distant relatives that live there and they said to go to Gino's East so we went and split a pie and an Italian Beef sandwich. Both were fantastic but there was sooooo much more I wanted to do.

I hope I get back there again some day to see it right. Oh yeah, if you get a chance and love hot dogs like I do, look for a place called Hot Doug's. They close early or we would have hit them on the way out of town and I was sorely disappointed that I missed out on a Chicago dog in Chicago and fries fried in duck fat.

Thanks for sharing your trip!

[Major Nikon]

17. The Signature Lounge is a nice alternative to the skydeck

You simply ask for a window table and order cocktails. The view is incredible and you don't have to wait in line.

[greatauntoftriplets]

18. I highly recommend Gino's East pizza.

Props to you for going out on the Skydeck, even if you are afraid of heights. Wild horses couldn't drag me onto that.

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. Am I seeing that pic of you correctly?

The FLOOR is see thru?

Oh jeez, I would be all over the place, then fall down and refuse to move.
My stomach lurched just looking at your pic.

But...was nice to see Chicago without having to travel....

[denbot]

20. Check out the video link under the first picture

It was much easier walking on to the balcony looking through my phones camera's screen.

[Hard Assets]

21. heading to chicago next month

looking for stuff to do with a 4 year old during the week.

[Snarkoleptic]

22. If you have never had an Italian Beef sandwich,

there's a place near your hotel that has one of the best in the Chicago area.

Johnnie's - 7500 W North Ave - Elmwood Park, IL 60707

I ususally skip the fries and get 2 beef sandwiches plus an italian ice (watermelon or lemon).
That's one side trip you won't regret!

[fishwax]

23. cool pics! Glad you're enjoying Chicago!

The skydeck is pretty cool, and I commend you for going out there in spite of a fear of heights.

Good call with the Art Institute tomorrow. I hope you enjoy that too. It's outstanding. There is, as someone else said upthread, a lot of great public art and other cool stuff to see just wandering around the downtown area.

Also, the pizza is great, so I'm not going to try to talk you out of another round of that ... but I must also highly recommend an Italian Beef sandwich.

[Neoma]

24. I like the Field Museum of Natural History myself.