March 2016
I rarely would spend the entire morning in a Macy's store, but that's exactly what I did on this day. Of course, the store is really a Macy's in name only. It's actually the famous Marshall Field's flagship store and despite the name change, its history has been well preserved. After walking through the store to see the architectural highlights, we discovered there was a flower show going on up on the ninth floor. It was quite impressive! We then headed to the Chicago Theatre for a behind the scenes tour before heading back to Marshall Field's for lunch at the historic Walnut Room. Then it was off to Navy Pier followed by a walk on the Magnificent Mile as the sun set. Before heading back to the hotel, we experienced Portillo's with their delicious Chicago dogs and famous chocolate cake.
Out for a morning walk past the iconic Chicago Theatre
The Great Clocks outside Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on State Street are nearly 120 years old and weigh 7 tons
The Great Clocks outside Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on State Street are nearly 120 years old and weigh 7 tons
Marshall Fields department store on State Street is a Chicago institution that is now owned by Macy’s.
The Great Clocks outside Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on State Street are nearly 120 years old and weigh 7 tons
We’re in Cubs country
The Oriental is one of many great theatres in Chicago
State Street landmarks, the Great Clock of Marshall Fields and the Chicago Theatre
The granite pillars at Marshall Fields department store on State Street (now Macy’s) are the biggest outside of Egypt
Marshall Fields department store on State Street is a Chicago institution that is now owned by Macy’s.
Looking up 5 floors to the Tiffany glass ceiling in Marshall Fields (now Macy’s)
You don’t find clocks like this in modern department stores
The elevator doors look like they might take you back in history.
These plaques in the floor make sure you know where you are when you step off one of the MANY escalators
The Tiffany glass ceiling in Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on the 5th floor is the largest of its kind in the world.
The Tiffany glass ceiling in Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on the 5th floor is the largest of its kind in the world.
The Tiffany glass ceiling in Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) on the 5th floor is the largest of its kind in the world.
As you ride the MANY escalators up through Marshall Fields (now Macy’s), window displays let you know what’s on each floor
The historic Walnut Room at Marshall Fields (now Macy’s). We’ll be back later for lunch.
Looking down through 8 floors of department store history at Marshall Fields
Passing the Statue of Liberty’s torch as we enter Macy’s flower show
Agave plant
A bit of country in the big city
This section represents the Pacific Northwest
You don’t pack your flowers when you go camping?
This campfire won’t set off the sprinklers
Those white trees are columnar apple trees
Headed into New England
It’s not New England without a lighthouse
The Washington Monument of flowers
Just a bike in some flowers
Home sweet home among the flowers
The elevator doors look like they might take you back in history.
Our hotel, theWit has unique decor, such as this giant bird mural. There are also bird sounds in the halways
The sitting area above the lobby at theWit
The lobby of theWit features these giant angel wing chandeliers
Our hotel is right at the State & Lake L station
The Chicago Theatre is a piece of history
The Chicago Theatre started as a movie palace, so it’s fitting to see Roger Ebert represented out in front of it.
The grand stairs inside the Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre has ceilings unlike anything you’d find in today’s movie theatres
The Chicago Theatre has ceilings unlike anything you’d find in today’s movie theatres
Before radios and computers there were complex panels of buttons to signal the ushers and get patrons seated
New theatres don’t feature signs this fancy
Every inch of the Chicago Theatre is amazingly ornate
This way to Lake Street
This is about as fancy of a drinking fountain as you’re going to find anywhere
The view from the expensive box seats
The view from the expensive box seats
This was originally a fountain but it was a bit noisy during movies
The lobby is lit by this huge chandelier
Looking down into the lobby
The ornate walls and ceiling of the theatre are amazing
The ornate walls and ceiling of the theatre are amazing
The ornate walls and ceiling of the theatre are amazing
The ornate walls and ceiling of the theatre are amazing
The Chicago Theatre’s pipe organ console
Looking out from up on the stage
Our Macy’s stores at home don’t have topiaries!
The Walnut Room in Mashall Fields (now Macy’s) is the first restaurant ever opened in a department store
The Walnut Room at Marshall Fields is famous for its chicken pot pie
Over a dozen escalators carry shoppers through floor after floor of Marshall Fields' (now Macy’s) merchandise
Marshall Field truly was a retail legend
A smaller representation of the famous Marshall Fields clocks
Frango Mints are a Marshall Fields exclusive
Everytime I see a CFD fire engine pass by, I expect to see the characters from NBC’s Chicago Fire on board
Our room at The Wit
Our room at The Wit
The NBC Building
Navy Pier
The new ferris wheel at Navy Pier is almost done being built
Chicago Harbor Southeast Guidewall Lighthouse
Army Corps of Engineers building
The new ferris wheel at Navy Pier is almost done being built
Chicago Harbor Light Lighthouse was built in 1893
Some seagulls hanging out on Navy Pier
The John Hancock Center as seen from Navy Pier
Out at the end of Navy Pier
A brisk spring day on Navy Pier
Walking the Magnificent Mile
Walking the Magnificent Mile
The Chicago Water Tower is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Chicago Water Tower is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Elevators inside the Water Tower Place shopping mall on the Magnificent Mile
Marina City towers made from Legos in the Water Tower Place Lego Store
Sears Tower and Marina City made from Legos in the Water Tower Place Lego Store
Trump Tower & John Hancock Center made from Legos in the Water Tower Place Lego Store
Very cool models of the Chicago skyline made of Legos at Water Tower Place
Outside the nearly 100 year old Drake Hotel on Michigan Avenue
Outside the nearly 100 year old Drake Hotel on Michigan Avenue
The Esquire Theatre
Five floors of Bloomingdales inside the Shops at Northbridge on the Magnificent Mile
Of course there’s a street named for Da Coach, Mike Ditka
The Chicago Water Tower is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Built in 1869, the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station is one of many historic landmarks in Chicago
The Chicago Water Tower is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Neiman Marcus is an imposing presence on the Magnificent Mile
The Mag Mile is even more Magnificent with with an Apple Store 🙂
Tribune Tower is lit up (like many buildings) in support of Belgium after the recent terror attack there.
Prudential Plaza is lit up (like many buildings) in support of Belgium after the recent terror attack there.
Tribune Tower’s amazing architecture is just as beautiful by night
You can’t come to Chicago without having a Chicago dog. This one is from Portillo’s. So glad to know to go to Portillos because I’m an Eric & Kathy listener.
Portillo’s chocolate cake is famous. I knew to seek it out because I’ve been listening the Eric & Kathy every moring for many years.
Portillo’s is a Chicagoland institution. I’ve been hearing about it on Eric & Kathy’s morning show for years. Totally worth the trip!
Portillo’s is a Chicagoland institution. I’ve been hearing about it on Eric & Kathy’s morning show for years. Totally worth the trip!
Squad 1 fire engine. I was hoping it was Squad 3 from NBC’s Chicago Fire!
Portillo’s is a Chicagoland institution. I’ve been hearing about it on Eric & Kathy’s morning show for years. Totally worth the trip!
Hanging out our 23rd floor window at theWit to get a great shot of State Street and the Chicago Theatre
Hanging out our 23rd floor window at theWit to get a great shot of State Street and the Chicago Theatre
Hanging out our 23rd floor window at theWit to get a great shot of State Street