American Road Trip - Part 2/6 - Chicago

Time of Visit: May 2022

The road from Toledo to Chicago was profoundly mind-numbing, mostly speeding through decaying Rust Belt cities. But there are some gems in the rough. About halfway between Toledo and Chicago, located in rural Indiana, was the beautifully maintained Krider World's Fair Garden.

Our first meal in Chicago, was, of course, the Chicago dog.

We took the train from Wicker Park to downtown, near the waterfront.

Joggers, cyclists, and walkers alike enjoy the trail overlooking Lake Michigan.

No trip to Chicago would be complete without seeing the bean.

Or the river walk.

A skyline view from Navy Pier.

And from the 100th story of 360 Chicago.

Facing north.

Closing out the night with drinks at Devereaux.

Dimsum establishment in Chinatown.

Chicago is, by far, the cleanest large city in the US. There is some interesting historical background for this: according to our Uber driver, a fire in 1871 burned the city to the ground and the city was rebuilt with alleys for every building, which are now used for trash cans, keeping rubbish and foul odors far from the sidewalks.

Bustling corner in Lincoln Park.

Residential street.

In the Old Town neighborhood.

I think I have a new favoite American city.