Our train arrives in Dearborn, Michigan to take us on the 5-hour journey to downtown Chicago. This is my buddy Joe, who joined me for the three days before IABC World Conference for some exploring of the city.
Excited to head to Chicago for IABC World Conference. This is my first time properly exploring the city as an adult!
There's really no better way to travel than the train!
The very elegant lobby of the Palmer House Hotel
I woke up before the crack of dawn, and was inspired to head to North Avenue Beach, where I'd read you get the best sunrise views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The beach pavilion is shaped like an ocean liner
The North Avenue Beach pier, before sunrise
I was not disappointed by the view of the Chicago skyline from the North Avenue Beach pier
Overlooking the Chicago skyline from the North Avenue Beach pier
Overlooking the Chicago skyline from the North Avenue Beach pier
Overlooking the Chicago skyline from the North Avenue Beach pier
The sun begins to rise over Lake Michigan
The sun begins to rise over Lake Michigan
Early morning beachfront life coming alive along Chicago's beautiful shortline
The sun begins to rise over Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach
The sun begins to rise over Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach
The sun begins to rise over Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach
Just as the sun broke through the low clouds, a whift of mist appeared over the bay around Chicago's Gold Coast in front of the skyline
Morning breaks on the Chicago shoreline over Lake Michigan
Morning breaks on the Chicago shoreline over Lake Michigan
Just as the sun broke through the low clouds, a whift of mist appeared over the bay around Chicago's Gold Coast in front of the skyline
Just as the sun broke through the low clouds, a whift of mist appeared over the bay around Chicago's Gold Coast in front of the skyline
Morning breaks on the Chicago shoreline over Lake Michigan
Chicago's beautiful skyline from North Avenue Beach
It was worth getting up before sunrise to experience Chicago's morning awakening
Chicago's Gold Coast has many beaches and a popular walking/biking trail all along the shoreline
It was a really beautiful morning to explore Chicago's Gold Coast
Chicago's energy was coming alive in the early morning - sunrise at 5:15am
A human taking a loving portrait of his doggie at the lakefront
Chicago coming alive in the early morning sunrise
Humans and their doggies playing in the waves
A good doggie
Sunrise lakefront yoga - what a beautiful way to greet the day
Let Love
Not far from the shoreline, took in Chicago's famous Water Tower and the Magnificant Mile
Chicago's historic Water Tower
Flamenco is not a crime!
The Magnificent Mile is a high-end shopping district along North Michigan Avenue. The street is lined with beautiful gardens.
Looking South down North Michigan Avenue along the Magnificent Mile
Chicago was all decked out to celebrate Pride Month
The Tribune building
The Wrigley Building and the Tribune Building
The beautiful control building for the Michican Avenue lift bridge over the Chicago River
The architecture... just like, wow!
Headed to Millenium Park - a beautiful public space
The cheeky Crown Fountain in Millenium Park. It displays animated videos of people's faces, with water occasionally spouting from their mouths
Pritzker Music Pavilion - a beautiful bandshell in Millenium Park
Joe and I headed to Wrigley Field to catch the Cubs vs. the Mets. The Cubs lost 11-1
Edmonton Oiler's fans hyping it up outside Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is in impeccable shape for being more than 100 years old
Joe and me taking in the ambiance at Wrigley Field
The ambiance at Wrigley Field and the crowd's energy were amazing
After the game, stoopped at Wrigleysville Dogs for a famous Chicago-style hot dog
Chicago-style hot dogs are a bit bizarre, but they work. Yellow mustard, chopped white onions, green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.
A highlight of the trip - took in a sunset architectural boat cruise along the Chicago River, narrated by a volunteer expert from the Chicago Archiecture Centre
Viewing the downtown Chicago skyscrapers - historic and modern and everything in between - from the vantage point of the river really offered an incredible perspective
To the right, London House and the Chicago Riverwalk
In the centre, the iconic circular scallopped towers of Marina City
There's a famous commercial from the late 80s for an insurance company where a car drove right off the Marina City parking level into the Chicago River! I would have a very hard time parking up there!
Sunset was a spectacular time to take the architectural boat cruise
Just in awe of the breathtaking architecture
Did you know that once upon a time, the Chicago River flowed in the opposite direction. A major engineering feat was done to stop it from flowing out into Lake Michigan so it would stop dumping pollution towards the drinking water intakes in the lake
Chicago architecture as seen from the Chicago River
Modern skyscrapers in downtown Chicago
Here, the Chicago river splits into a North and South branch
A Boston-esque condo complex along the river
Industrial buildings turned into lofts
One of the many lift bridges spanning the Chicago River
The Chicago River is still used for some industrial purposes - here a barge passes by
Kayakers along the Chicago River
A former rail bridge, now always in the open position except for yearly testing
Downtown Chicago is just bustling
Here you can see the L-train, Chicago's above-ground elevated metro line
In the distance, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower)
The Willis Tower still dominates the Chicago skyline
The Willis Tower still dominates the Chicago skyline
Historic and modern architecture blend harmoniously in Chicago
The Britanica building
The Wrigley Building (left) and the Tribune building (right)
Some more modern architecture
The view from the mouth of the Chicago River
After the sunset boat cruise, we headed up to the top of 360 Chicago (formerly the John Hancock building) to take in the skyline at night
The Strawberry full moon was lighting up the sky over Lake Michigan
The L-train
When I imagined spending my time exploring Chicago, I didn't consider that an afternoon at the beach would be possible! Beautiful sandy beaches are within easy access of downtown
Relaxing on the beach at Lake Michigan
My buddy Joe and I enjoyed a few days exploring Chicago before the World Conference began. Enjoying an afternoon at the beach was quite the treat
The Chicago Board of Trade building
This sculpture is by Pablo Picasso
This is another famous piece of public art in downtown Chicago - by Joan Miró
On a future visit, I hope to explore the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago has the world's largest Starbucks - the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Inside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Inside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Inside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery - they serve cocktails
Every Wednesday and Saturday night in the Summer, there are fireworks at Navy Pier
The brightly-lit marquee of the Chicago Theatre
Got to experience first-rate jazz music at one of Chicago's original jazz clubs, The Green Mill. Loved its art deco moody vibe
Got to experience first-rate jazz music by Alyssa Allgood at one of Chicago's original jazz clubs, The Green Mill. Loved its art deco moody vibe
I ventured to Northalstead (formerly Boystown), Chicago's vibrant and thriving LGBTQ neighborhood.
After more than a year being fenced off for repairs, the famous Bean scuplture was reopened just in time for me to explore it!
A boy and a Bean
After more than a year being fenced off for repairs, the famous Bean scuplture was reopened just in time for me to explore it!
A former library, the Chicago Cultural Centre is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago
A former library, the Chicago Cultural Centre is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago
A former library, the Chicago Cultural Centre is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago
A former library, the Chicago Cultural Centre is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago
The historic Macy's flagship store in downtown Chicago has soaring mosaic-roofed atriums
Joe and I enjoyed brunch at the historic Lou Mitchell's diner - operating for more than 100 years
Joe and I enjoyed brunch at the historic Lou Mitchell's diner - operating for more than 100 years
After a few days of whirlwind exploration, it was time to suit up and start schmoozing at the start of IABC World Conference. Lovely to connect with fellow communication leaders from Canada and around the world
We had the "Canada Party" reception at Navy Pier, it was a blast!
Art of Pizza sells Chicago-style deep dish pizza by the slice, and is about as far from a tourist trap as you can imagine
And yes, the slice from Art of Pizza was scruptious
A morning thunderstorm over the Chicago River
Chicago has a Nutella Cafe!
Chicago has a Nutella Cafe!
Delighted that my fellow leaders and I on the IABC Canada East Region board were recognized for our professional development achievements this year!
Chicago Riverwalk is a beautiful promenade with many riverfront patios and scenic spots to enjoy.
Chicago Riverwalk is a beautiful promenade with many riverfront patios and scenic spots to enjoy.
An IABC conference tradition - nothing unites friend familiar and new like karaoke. We took the legendary Brando's Speakeasy by storm!
Canadian leaders at the conclusion of IABC World Conference in Chicago
One final sight that I just had to fit in before catching my train home from Chicago - the iconic Hollywood Gay Beach with its rainbow lighthouse
One final sight that I just had to fit in before catching my train home from Chicago - the iconic Hollywood Gay Beach with its rainbow lighthouse
Happy Pride, Chicago! Thank you for an amazing visit
