There is no city in the Midwest like Chicago. Chicago shines with her hearty down-to-earth values while dazzles as one of the premier urban cities in America. Home to over 9.5 million souls in the metropolitan area, Chicago has an electric vibe like no other Midwestern city in what some refer to as “flyover land“, and is always on the cutting edge of architectural innovation and beauty.
During a long weekend in Chicago, I was able to rediscover her soul as well as foresee her future, all at Chicago’s ultramodern masterpiece Millennium Park. Built to celebrate the millennium, the park was opened in July of 2004 as an urban oasis in the heart of the city. Squeezed into a piece of land between Lake Michigan and Chicago’s business district known as “The Loop“, Millennium Park truly personifies what Chicago is all about: Modern, gorgeous, innovative and fun.
A stroll through this fabulous park will prove how far Chicago has come to being a world-class, international city. Come take a stroll with me through some of my favorite views.
The centerpiece of Millennium Park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Millennium park is a true masterpiece offering a state-of-the-art collection of urban architecture, gardens and landscaping against the sensational urban backdrop of the Chicago loop.
The Cloud Gate otherwise known as “the bean” is a huge attraction. Its reflections are amazing and offer quite a buzz.
Me in front of the Cloud Gate
The park provides hundreds of cultural and family friendly events throughout the summer including free concerts, exhibits and activities for all ages. It is also located right next to the The Art Institute of Chicago.
If you go
Check out all the details at the City of Chicago’s site: Millennium Park Chicago
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece. To see more entries, click here.
Chicago is a beautiful city
Yes indeed! 🙂
Reblogged this on News-Press.
Thanks so much for the reblog! 🙂
you’re welcome-i really appreciate the reblog
🙂
Haven’t been to Chicago in over a year. Beautiful photos, but must confess they make me a little homesick.
Thanks! I am sure you must be. Are you coming home soon?
Not likely, we were in the US in mid-June but Chicago unfortunately did not make the itinerary. Maybe Christmas…
I thought you were visiting already. The summer has been such a whirlwind I can hardly keep up! 🙂
i haven’t been to chicago in years either.. thirteen or so!… the ‘bean/cloud gate is quite unique! it’s always great to see you in front of the camera!
Thanks! 🙂 I used to live there before we moved to Minneapolis in 2000. I loved it!
Very cool pics. I love how there is natural looking green space in the city too! The “cloud gate” is very cool indeed. I have seen it in photos before, but didn’t realize it was such a huge attraction… The reflection looked like quite the crowd.
Thanks! Yes the park is fabulous and the flowers and prairie grass juxtaposed against the backdrop of the city are awesome.
Great city planning 😉
Outstanding photos!
Thanks Angeline!
I have since that bean sculpture in a movie. My brother got a thrill out of visiting Chicago as it is the home of Ferris Bueller! 🙂
Yes it is a great city indeed! 🙂
I agree with you about Chicago. It was exciting for me because I love plays, and I caught some very good ones while I was there (just for five nights, on two separate visits, but each night I was there, I saw a play).
GREAT pictures!
Thanks so much! I used to live there before kids and we got married there before moving to Minneapolis. I really miss it! 🙂 Great city!
Beautiful and masterful photos!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Great pics, Nicole! I had a ball in Chicago with you. Wish I had more time to explore the city.
Thanks Jennifer! It was so much fun! 🙂 hoping to meet up with you again soon! 🙂
Love Chicago! Your pix are good!
Thanks so much!
thank you for this post, it is wonderful to see Chicago from this point of view!
Thanks! It is indeed a wonderful city! 🙂
I love the photos!
I’ve never been to Chicago, but you have definitely made me consider it – thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks! It is a fabulous city! I lived there for five years before moving to Minneapolis. So vibrant and fun! 🙂
From your post, I wouldn’t doubt that it truly is vibrant and fun!
I love reading about your travels – thank you, again, for sharing.
😀
Lyann
So glad you enjoy Lyann! 🙂
😀
Gorgeous! I love Chicago too. During my visit this spring it rained almost the whole time, including our visit to Millenium Park, but I still managed to capture some fun photos at The Bean (http://peaksandpassports.com/2013/06/07/i-heart-chicago/) – yours make me so jealous that I haven’t seen it on a sunny day!
That is too bad about the weather but then again spring can be iffy. Gorgeous pics especially of the bean! Glad you enjoyed it. It is such a great city and I had the honor of living there for five years.
Thank you! It truly is a great city – one of the few I could imagine living in if I ever have to give up the mountain lifestyle.
I don’t know if I could give up mountains though! 🙂 I lived in Chicago in my early 20s with my boyfriend now husband. We had so much fun. Great place to live before kids but I really love the outdoors and Chicago has the parks and waterfront for running/biking but I missed nature there.
it looks like fun playing with the bean and taking pictures and reflections from it, love it
I would like to invite you to join us for Travel Photo Mondays, the link runs the whole week so I hope you can join us?
Thanks! I will definitely try once my life calms down. Both kids home for the summer and once fall starts will have more time to enjoy photo challenges! 🙂
Lovely photos! Chicago is one of my favourite cities in America. Hope to make it back there one day:)
Thanks! I had such a great time there! BlogHer was crazy with over 5,000 women but it was really cool to see Jennifer James. I used to live in Chicago before we had kids and my husband and I got married there. I miss it dearly but Minneapolis is an easier city to raise kids. 🙂
Stunning shots Nicole! Can imagine why the ‘Bean’ is such a magnet 🙂
Thanks Madhu! I love Chicago!
I do love Cloud Gate. I think there are free yoga classes on Saturday mornings at the park. There were last year. Did you get to Crowne Fountain? When it’s hot, it’s a great place to people watch.
Yes I’m pretty sure there are as some of my friends went. I was too tired from the conference! I haven’t been to the Crowne Fountain but will definitely check it out next time! 🙂 I love to people watch too!
I can not decide if Chicago now is the most beautiful city or not, not here from distant Europe of course. But I like your photo very much, so you have my vote!
Thanks so much. It is really a gorgeous city with also a nice backdrop of Lake Michigan. The city has done so much to beautify it too with gardens, flowers and architecture all around. Lovely place and lots of fun!