After we left Michigan, Waze and Google Maps, mapped our journey home through Illinois and way too close to Chicago to not stop by. We didn’t have any definite plans and the city has so much to offer that we reserve the privilege to visit there again.
Our first stop was for lunch to have an authentic Chicago hot dog. I did a little Google search during our 4-hour drive from Flint, MI and decided to go to Superdawg, which I believe is north of downtown.
Ben and I ordered the Superdawgs but the kids ordered differently. If you want to see what their Supercheesie or grilled sandwich looks like, you won’t find them in this post. But here are a couple of pics of their Superdawgs. I cannot begin to describe the delightful blend of the tart and sweet relish, mixed with the crunchy bits of onion atop the best beef frank I have ever had, sandwiched in a moist, poppy-seed crusted steamed bun. I would not do it any justice. But I would say, it will be a long time before I have any other ordinary hot dog. I’m a super fan of Superdawg.
After lunch, without any real plans, we found a parking spot downtown and just walked. Drive-up parking rates are ridiculous. I was able to find a way to prepay for parking by visiting the Millennium Park website, which I know saved at least 40%.
It took us about 35 min to drive the 10 miles to downtown but we made it without incident. When we emerged from the underground parking, we were alongside the garden of the Chicago Arts Institute. So we stopped and visited the free gardens along Michigan Avenue.
We crossed the street to the next block and visited Millennium Park. We were about 30 minutes too late for the free family fun events on Tuesdays, 30 minutes too early to enter the amphitheater for a free concert and about 3 hours too early for the free movie, School of Rock. But we enjoyed our time there.
Chicago was a little wet when we arrived and it got wetter as we moved along Michigan Avenue. So we crossed the street and sought shelter in the Chicago Cultural Center. To our delight, inside were free exhibits and art activities to pass the time as the rain cleared away.
Here are pics from the Keith Haring exhibit.
Across the hall, was the Alexis Rockman exhibit, which had vivid mural seascapes. I didn’t take photos of these, but I did take photos of how to add value to sand and lignite – make them art:
In an earlier post, I mentioned how I would have like to stop and visit a Civil War memorial. Well that desire was fulfilled. This domed area was a memorial to the Union forces:
By the time we left the Chicago Cultural Center, we had been in Chicago for over 5 hours and we were starting hunger for another Chicago culinary treat, deep dish pizza. We had a couple of suggestions like Giordano’s but we went with the recommendation of the Chicago native parking attendant, Gino’s East. I am so happy he was our attendant. We ordered a veggie and a meat pizza. I will never eat another deep dish anywhere else.
While we waited for the pizza to cook, it takes 45 minutes to an hour, Judah and I walked a block down the Magnificent Mile, to visit one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire, the Old Water Tower.
We are on our way back home. Let’s see what adventure awaits on this final leg of our road trip.
