Chicago is my favorite city in the United States. Without fuss or quibble. Though I’ve never seen much more of the city than the downtown area and parts of Oak Park during my now six visits, having mostly done the tourist things.

To describe what it is with the Windy City isn’t easy. I’m sure it has a lot to do with the open water front at Lake Michigan. And also with the variety of architecture. Sure that’s something Manhattan also has, but there is no comparison. Chicago is so much more ‚open‘. More space, more air, more including the water into the city’s living structure, less noise, less hustle and bustle, enough recreational areas including a beach within the downtown area.

On this travel it was the first time I flew directly to Chicago, picked up

my rental car to drive to my hotel, close to the airport. Next day I took the train downtown and enjoyed a relaxed full sightseeing day, meeting a friend, Darrell, in the evening to join me for dinner. What a great day to start this trip.

And what a well-rounded vacation it became, when, three weeks later, Darrell also spent the last hours before my flight back to Munich with me at the Chicago Ribfest.

Next time 😉 I really want to take some time to become more familiar with other Chicago neighbourhoods.

More prictures in the gallery …