Few would be so bold to consider the windy city of Chicago to be a winter travel destination. If you think of it, you have many of the famous Chicago landmarks, museums, sporting events and more all available to enjoy with less people. The trick is, will you have semi-normal weather or will it be too cold to enjoy your winter escape?
We have to start with the infamous lake front and Millennium Park area of Michigan Avenue and "the Bean". What is the Bean? It's a famous mirrored art sculpture shaped like a bean created back in 2004 and may be one one of the most photographed landmarks in Chicago. It's right off Michigan Ave and the park, very hard to miss.
And right below the Bean, is an outdoor skating rink and other winter activities nearby which is great for families and children.
Of course you will have snow and the tree lined parkways are quiet, yet it's still magnificent.
The new and old architecture in the city forever changes the lakefront. New and old coexist and if you enjoy photography, there are plenty of landscape opportunities.
There are a few observatories in Chicago which give you a few of the city from a unique perspective. One of the oldest is the John Hancock observatory on the North Side of the city. You buy a ticket and wait in line to enjoy a winter view that combines the city and a view of Lake Michigan, which hardly looks like a lake and more like an ocean.
My family from Thailand had to bundle up for the winter winds but we had a great time going to the Art Museum and all the great parks.
Yes, there is even Trump Tower to be seen as you cross the bridge off Michigan Avenue.
The Bean and Park areas of Chicago (which we saw a year earlier) is in stark contrast. Green trees and Grant Park area is well known for it's Buckingham Fountain.
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I enjoyed Chicago in both the winter and the summer. it's a great city and it can be busy. Many of you may know the Chicago is the 3rd largest in the US.
Thank you so much for reading and following my winter and summer trips to the "Windy City" of Chicago. Don't be shy about Chicago as a tourist destination in the wintertime, just make sure you check the weather!
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