Photo Friday: Lake County Forest Preserve

Lake County Forest Preserve, Illinois

June 2013

Photo Friday: Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

Spring 2014

Photo Friday: Millennium Park, Chicago

Millennium Park, Chicago

December 24, 2013

Chicago City Sights: Navy Pier

If I'm being completely honest, Navy Pier is my least favorite tourist attraction in Chicago, but among tourists it is extremely popular! Whenever my parents come to visit, they usually insist on making a trip out to Navy Pier.

At Navy Pier you will find a number of chain restaurants, boat tours, a small amusement park complete with a Ferris Wheel, the Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago souvenir shops and a beer garden.  Plus lots and lots of tourists!

On a recent visit to Navy Pier this summer, these are some of the highlights. 

If you visit Navy Pier, be sure to walk south along the lake and stop by the small beach for an up close view of the famous Chicago skyline.   

What's your favorite Chicago attraction?

Volo Bog

Before moving to China, I was intent on visiting as many of the local sites around the Chicago area that I could because of the uncertainty of when I would be back. There are so many places in Chicago and the surrounding areas to visit that I still haven't seen much of it after living in the suburbs for seven years. Over the summer I made every effort to check at least a few more off my list. One of those was almost in my own backyard, the Volo Bog. 

A bog is a natural water area where plants grow and wildlife lives. Just like the Auto Museum, I'd heard so much about the bog and I was eager to check it out.  The bog is set back slightly from the nearest highway. Although there is a little development around it, the bog remains a peaceful and quiet area to enjoy nature.  

There are two paths, one that circles a small water area and another longer path that crosses through the bog and into the surrounding wooded area. At several points during my walk I had to cross over paths with bridges that floated directly on the water. I'm glad I took the time to visit, my only regret is that I didn't visit sooner so I could have taken advantage of such a great nature hike so close to home.  

Do you have a nature area where you live that's great for hiking or spending the day outdoors?

Volo Auto Museum

There are two places that Volo, Illinois is known for: the Volo Blog and the Volo Auto Museum. I lived in Volo for five years and finally made it to both over the summer before I moved to China. I'm not particularly interested in cars so I had no real urgency to visit, but I heard from so many people that it was interesting to see at least once.  So I made a point to check it out for myself.

Blues Brothers

Ghostbusters

Dick Tracy

The museum has a variety of vehicles on display that fill several warehouses. The collection includes cars from movies, celebrities, the military and antiques. Some of the cars from movies are original vehicles used during the filming, while others are reproductions that were used during the promotion of the movie because the originals were destroyed during production.  

Dukes of Hazzard

Knight Rider

Back To The Future

Grease

22 Jump Street

Also on display are vehicles owned by celebrities including Michael Jordan and Oprah. Finally, there are antique cars that are available for purchase.  Overall, it was fun walking around the museum for an afternoon checking out the cars I recognized from the movies I watched as a child.

Michael Jordan

Do you have any unique museums where you live?

Chicago City Sights: Buckingham Fountain

Another favorite spot of mine in Chicago is the Buckingham Fountain. You may recall seeing this in the opening credits from the '90s sitcom Married... With Children. I was there most recently on May 10th when they turned the water on again for the season. I have yet to visit in the evening, but if you do, you'll be treated to a spectacular light display. 

Where do you enjoy visiting locally?

Chicago City Sights: Crown Fountain

A few weeks ago my parents were in town for my grad school commencement ceremony. While they were in town my husband and I took them around to a few tourist spots in Chicago. My parents aren't much for museums so we explored other options instead. Since we had one of the first beautiful days of the year while they were visiting, we took them over to Millennium Park. We strolled past the Cloud Gate, walked through Crown Fountain and then found a shady spot to relax and people watch for awhile. 

Crown Fountain was built to resemble the many skyscrapers in the city. Water cascades down the sides of the two towers that face each other. Images of everyday people emerge on the screens and periodically water sprays out from their mouths. On warm summer days the area is filled with people cooling off from the hot afternoon sun by walking through the water that pools between the sculptures. I always enjoy stopping by, even if just for a few minutes, to take in the fun atmosphere. And of course cool off by walking through the water myself!    

Have you spent a relaxing day enjoying one of Chicago's parks?