Exploring Chicago: A Memorable Anniversary

We arrived in Chicago last Wednesday on a warm, overcast afternoon, ready to explore this iconic city and excited to visit the Obama Presidential Center. I booked our museum tickets in April; the center opened in mid-June, and here we are in late September, celebrating the autumnal equinox and our 31st wedding anniversary, and reminiscing about a time of compassionate and intelligent leadership. Yes We Can – Barack Obama Music Video

One of our favorite NPR radio shows, Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me, records on Thursdays at the renovated Studebaker Theater. They tour the country throughout the year, so we lucked out getting tickets while they were here in town. We laughed and cheered at the two-hour show, which will be edited down to an hour. It will be fun listening to the podcast when we’re back home, knowing we were in the audience.

The following night we attended an improv show at The Second City, known for launching several show business careers, including Alan Alda, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Gilda Radner, and Jason Sudeikis. I’ve taken improv classes before, so I appreciate the talent on stage and wish them all future success. It was another night of laughter.

Exterior view of The Second City building featuring a prominent yellow sign and decorative architecture, surrounded by trees and urban elements.

We’ve been walking three to five miles a day, stopping in at unexpected places like a Harry Potter store

A person enjoying Butterbeer in a cafe with a window view, smiling while holding a cup with foam on top, under a colorful 'Butterbeer' sign.

and a Starbucks Reserve, a multi-story destination with fabulous displays, tastings, tours, and all things coffee.

It goes without saying that I’ve loved all the sidewalk gardens lining Michigan Ave,

along with a current art installation by sculptor Carole A. Feuerman along the Magnificent Mile. Her sculptures are extraordinary. I found her website and Facebook page so I can learn a bit more about her.

Mike and I both love architecture, and I’m a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work, so we took the train to nearby Oak Park for a docent-led tour of Wright’s first home and studio. The volunteer docent shared fascinating details about the man and his work.

Today we took a different kind of architectural tour along the Chicago River. I have a renewed appreciation for the design elements and the challenges of building along the waterfront. Every building told a story.

Needless to say, we’ve had several enjoyable meals and coffee breaks (coffee for Mike, tea or diet soft drinks for me) along with visits to a couple of art museums.

The only disappointment so far was having to cancel the Botanic Gardens. It poured rain that day, all day, so we went to a museum instead.

I had hoped to see the temporary art installation at the Botanic Gardens called Evanescent, which ended Sunday. Sue, who blogs at The Nature of Things, wrote about it earlier this summer. You can view her fabulous photos of the bubbles here.

We’re having a restful evening back at our hotel, then we’ll be off to what will surely be the highlight of our trip. I’ve been asking everyone to manifest a meet-and-greet with Michelle Obama. Wouldn’t that be something?

“While we breathe, we will hope.” – Barack Obama

A rainy afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago