 | Chicago 2007 |
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Chicago 07 - Happy Birthday and everything else
Today is Matthias' birthday!!! After a quick breakfast celebration we were off and running.
First we checked out the Field Museum. We walked through the exhibit on Africa, learned about man-eating lions in Asia, and then checked out Sue the dinosaur. It was amazing how many stuffed animals there were at the museum...some of which were babies. Most of the animals were killed in the 1920s and 1930s but it was still shocking to see pandas, baby snow leopards, many animals that are endangered species.
After that we took a long bus ride along the Magnificent Mile to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was cold so we didn't stay long but we said hello to the wolves, some lions, and apes.
Our next stop was to the Hancock Observatory. Unfortunately the view was somewhat limited due to the weather, but it made for some interesting photos of the Sears Tower.
Matthias was determined to see everything so we stopped by Millenium Park to take some photos at the Bee and watch the zamboni run at the ice rink. Then we headed back to the Christkindlmarket to grab a quick snack and buy a few German Christmas ornaments.
Then we were off to the airport to head home.
First we checked out the Field Museum. We walked through the exhibit on Africa, learned about man-eating lions in Asia, and then checked out Sue the dinosaur. It was amazing how many stuffed animals there were at the museum...some of which were babies. Most of the animals were killed in the 1920s and 1930s but it was still shocking to see pandas, baby snow leopards, many animals that are endangered species.
After that we took a long bus ride along the Magnificent Mile to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was cold so we didn't stay long but we said hello to the wolves, some lions, and apes.
Our next stop was to the Hancock Observatory. Unfortunately the view was somewhat limited due to the weather, but it made for some interesting photos of the Sears Tower.
Matthias was determined to see everything so we stopped by Millenium Park to take some photos at the Bee and watch the zamboni run at the ice rink. Then we headed back to the Christkindlmarket to grab a quick snack and buy a few German Christmas ornaments.
Then we were off to the airport to head home.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Chicago 07 - Science and Stars
Today our first stop with the City Pass was to the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum was massive and had several impressive displays including a section of history and technology devoted to U-Boats, a film about Mummies, a Christmas display where Christmas trees were decorated to represent the holiday traditions of countries from around the world, a huge train display with a miniature Chicago, and a special exhibit on Star Wars. The Star Wars exhibit included many models used during filming, costumes warn by the actors in the movies, and several hands-on activities about robots. After that we headed to the Planetarium where we checked out a 3-D film on Mars. We took a quick "ride" into the first generation of a planetarium that involved a giant metal ball with holes poked through it to illustrate the night sky. After that we headed toward the traditional planetarium view of the night sky with a guided show about constellations as seen over Chicago.
After warming up a little at the hostel we headed outside of the city a little bit to a German restaurant for dinner.
After warming up a little at the hostel we headed outside of the city a little bit to a German restaurant for dinner.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Chicago 07 - Flight into the Cold
We safely avoided bad weather today by being on an early flight from Baltimore to Chicago. All went smoothly and we were quickly out of Midway Airport and onto the train headed toward downtown Chicago. We arrived at the hostel and dropped off our bags. We grabbed a quick lunch at Panera just across the street and then hopped on a bus on our $12 CTA Visitor Pass. We decided to buy a City Pass which got us a deal on 5 local attractions in Chicago.
Our first stop was to the Aquarium, which was huge and amazing. We ended up spending several more hours there than we thought we would. We managed to catch a few fish feedings and saw the dolphin show. The sea dragons, penguins, and Beluga whales (including a baby) were very cool.
After that we checked into the hostel which was very nice. We were in a 4 bedroom room with it's own bathroom. There were a few lounges and a huge kitchen and dining area at the hostel.
We were then off to the real reason for the Chicago trip...the Christkindlmarket. There were many German vendors at the market with lots of ornaments, food, and local wares to sell. They had a fun train display set up that was getting burried in snow (as were we). We grabbed our souvenier boot mugs filled with hot spiced wine (Gluhwein) and tried to stay warm while looking for some good chocolate and some German Christmas tree ornaments. After an hour or so we felt cold enough for the day and headed back to the hostel to warm up.
Boy did we warm up! The hostel was like an oven. Our room was hot like crazy and felt like things had cooled off by the time I checked the thermostat which said the room was 76!! It was not a good night for sleeping!
Our first stop was to the Aquarium, which was huge and amazing. We ended up spending several more hours there than we thought we would. We managed to catch a few fish feedings and saw the dolphin show. The sea dragons, penguins, and Beluga whales (including a baby) were very cool.
After that we checked into the hostel which was very nice. We were in a 4 bedroom room with it's own bathroom. There were a few lounges and a huge kitchen and dining area at the hostel.
We were then off to the real reason for the Chicago trip...the Christkindlmarket. There were many German vendors at the market with lots of ornaments, food, and local wares to sell. They had a fun train display set up that was getting burried in snow (as were we). We grabbed our souvenier boot mugs filled with hot spiced wine (Gluhwein) and tried to stay warm while looking for some good chocolate and some German Christmas tree ornaments. After an hour or so we felt cold enough for the day and headed back to the hostel to warm up.
Boy did we warm up! The hostel was like an oven. Our room was hot like crazy and felt like things had cooled off by the time I checked the thermostat which said the room was 76!! It was not a good night for sleeping!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
NYC 07 - By sea and by land
Today we took the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island so that we could get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and a view of downtown Manhattan. It was a quick trip and a little cold but enjoyable. After that we had lunch at Planet Hollywood and then headed back to Maryland.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
NYC 07 - Naps and Lights
This morning we woke up and headed to Canal Street to check out the vendors. The street was crammed with people selling watches, jewelry, purses, and electronics and everyone milling around to buy them. It was crazy. There were people everywhere and not a lot of room to walk. After several blocks, with no real intention of buying anything, we called it quits.
We then ended up in Times Square and grabbed a bite to eat at a local diner that wasn't the best and then headed back to the hostel. The plan was to make a quick stop and then head to the Brooklyn Zoo but between Matthias' cold and my sore tooth we ended up taking a long nap.
That evening we headed out and stopped at Columbus Circle where a Christmas market was up and running. We checked out the items for sale there and bought a few over priced snacks. Then we headed to Rockefeller Center again and over to Macy's to check out the holiday window display and music. After a bite to eat there we went to Bryant Park where another Christmas market was set up. We considered going ice skating but the line was at least a mile long so we opted for a movie instead.
We then ended up in Times Square and grabbed a bite to eat at a local diner that wasn't the best and then headed back to the hostel. The plan was to make a quick stop and then head to the Brooklyn Zoo but between Matthias' cold and my sore tooth we ended up taking a long nap.
That evening we headed out and stopped at Columbus Circle where a Christmas market was up and running. We checked out the items for sale there and bought a few over priced snacks. Then we headed to Rockefeller Center again and over to Macy's to check out the holiday window display and music. After a bite to eat there we went to Bryant Park where another Christmas market was set up. We considered going ice skating but the line was at least a mile long so we opted for a movie instead.
Friday, December 7, 2007
NYC 07 - Peter Pan and Lions
Early this morning Matthias and I headed to the metro down to Union Station and then took an early morning brisk walk to the bus station to catch the bus to New York City. The trip seemed short since we slept part of the way. We arrived at the bus terminal and quickly realized we were hungry so we headed towards Times Square and grabbed a quick bite to eat at Applebees. Then we were off to the subway and the hostel to drop off our luggage before the explorations began!
After a locking up our gear at the hostel we headed to the Central Park Zoo. We enjoyed the sea lion demonstration and then watched the keepers feed the penguins. We saw polar bears rolling around in the mud and checked out some birds (indoors). We then headed back to the hostel to official check in. We were assigned a co-ed room that actually had 12 beds in it and appeared to be full. The hostel was big and pretty nice. There were several common rooms with tv's and places to just hang out, a small deli and store, an internet area, and a newly remodeled kitchen.
Around 4 we went to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and head to "The Top of the Rock." When we got up there it started to snow. So while the view was limited, it was also very pretty. After that we headed back to the hostel to change for the Lion King. We grabbed dinner in Times Square at O'Charlie's which ended up not having a line and being fairly quick. We sat in the balcony for Lion King but had a great view. Several of the cast members came into the balcony for part of the show and we enjoyed it.
After a full day we were off to the hostel for a good night's sleep!
After a locking up our gear at the hostel we headed to the Central Park Zoo. We enjoyed the sea lion demonstration and then watched the keepers feed the penguins. We saw polar bears rolling around in the mud and checked out some birds (indoors). We then headed back to the hostel to official check in. We were assigned a co-ed room that actually had 12 beds in it and appeared to be full. The hostel was big and pretty nice. There were several common rooms with tv's and places to just hang out, a small deli and store, an internet area, and a newly remodeled kitchen.
Around 4 we went to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and head to "The Top of the Rock." When we got up there it started to snow. So while the view was limited, it was also very pretty. After that we headed back to the hostel to change for the Lion King. We grabbed dinner in Times Square at O'Charlie's which ended up not having a line and being fairly quick. We sat in the balcony for Lion King but had a great view. Several of the cast members came into the balcony for part of the show and we enjoyed it.
After a full day we were off to the hostel for a good night's sleep!
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