Chicago – Day 5

March 2016

We took the Red Line up to Wrigley Field even though we couldn't take a tour of the ballpark due to construction. I figured we'd at least be able to say we were there and see the historic marquee. Well, the marque was taken down for restoration, but we can still say we were there. We then headed to the Chicago Cultural Center. This beautiful building used to be the Chicago Public Library. After that, we took a long walk to the Museum Campus to visit the Adler Planetarium. Of special interest was the great exhibit about Jim Lovell. It was a little hard to find a place to eat since it was a Sunday night (and actually Easter also) but we found the very cool Miller's Pub for a late dinner in a historic setting. On the way back, we were sort of chased by a homeless guy panhandling who was promptly berated by another homeless guy who was upset that he was "ruining it for all of us." You have to love a group who police their own!

5-001 Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is under construction, but it’s still fun to see a piece of baseball history.
5-002 Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is under construction, but it’s still fun to see a piece of baseball history.
5-003 Workers on Jumbotron
Wrigley Field is under construction, but it’s still fun to see a piece of baseball history.
5-004 Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is under construction, but it’s still fun to see a piece of baseball history.
5-005 Wrigley Rooftops
Wrigley Rooftops across from Wrigley Field. Must be fun to watch games from up there!
5-007 Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is under construction, but it’s still fun to see a piece of baseball history.
5-008 Cubby Bear Sign
The Cubby Bear has been across from Wrigley Field for over 60 years.
5-009 Cubby Bear
The Cubby Bear has been across from Wrigley Field for over 60 years.
5-010 Wrigley Field Marquee Sign
Oh no! The famous Wrigley Field Marquee is down for renovation!!!
5-011 Wrigley Rooftops
Wrigley Rooftops across from Wrigley Field. Must be fun to watch games from up there!
5-012 View from L Station
Looking out to Wrigley Field from the Addison L station
5-013 Addison L Station Sign
Getting back on the Red Line at the Addison L station
5-014 Art Installation
These installations of lights adorn the sidewalks around the Loop
5-015 Cultural Center Interior
The Chicago Cultural Center was originally the Chicago Public Library. The mosaic tile covered interior is gorgeous.
5-016 Victor Hugo Quote
A Victor Hugo quote in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-017 Ben Franklin Inscriptions
A Philly boy! Ben Franklin is quoted in mosaic tile in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-019 Tiffany Dome
Tiffany Glass Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-020 Clock
The Chicago Cultural Center was originally the Chicago Public Library. The mosaic tile covered interior is gorgeous.
5-022 Tiffany Dome
Tiffany Glass Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-023 Tiffany Dome
Tiffany Glass Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-024 Chicago Public Library Logo
The Chicago Cultural Center was originally the Chicago Public Library. The mosaic tile covered interior is gorgeous.
5-026 Ceiling & Lamp
More ornate decor in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-027 Tiffany Dome
Tiffany Glass Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-028 Hallway
Some halls in the Chicago Cultural Center are decidedly more modern than others
5-029 Courtyard
Looking out into the courtyard at the Chicago Cultural Center
5-031 Panorama
A panorama of the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-032 Staircase
The staircases are quite grand in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-034 Tiffany Dome Cover
The Tiffany glass dome is protected from the elements by its own glass dome
5-036 Cultural Center Stairs
The staircases are quite grand in the Chicago Cultural Center which was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-037 Wall Sconce
In a building as beautiful as the Chicago Cultural Center, you need appropriate light fixtures as well
5-038 Cultural Center Sign
The Chicago Cultural Center
5-039 Cultural Center Entrance
The Chicago Cultural Center was originally the Chicago Public Library.
5-040 Washington Street & L Train
The L trains give Chicago a unique look and feel
5-041 Bike Labe
That is one fancy bike lane
5-042 Crosswalk
I’m pretty sure no other cities have crosswalks like Chicago. Although the risk part is just implied in Philadelphia.
5-043 Giordano's
Giordano’s Chicago deep dish pizza is enough to make me want to move to Chicago
5-044 Quincy L Station
The Quincy L station is a beautiful old station built in 1897 and quite well preserved
5-045 Soldier Field
Soldier Field, home of Da Bears
5-048 Museum Campus Tunnel
Headed into the museum campus
5-049 Rock in Tree & Field Museum
Just a huge rock sitting in a tree in front of the Field Museum
5-051 Shedd Aquarium
We didn’t get time to go into the Shedd Aquarium. Maybe next time.
5-052 Man & Fish Statue
Man and Fish is a statue appropriately placed outside the Shedd Aquarium.
5-053 Frog Statue
I think a giant frog may have escaped from the Shedd Aquarium
5-054 Skyline
The museum campus has a great view of the Chicago skyline.
5-058 Skyline
The museum campus has a great view of the Chicago skyline.
5-060 Navy Pier
Looking across to Navy Pier from the museum campus
5-061 Odyssey 2 Yacht
The Odyssey 2 yacht passing by the museum campus
5-062 Mars Rover
Model of the Mars Rover at Adler Planetarium
5-063 Shuttle Drawing
An early drawing of the space shuttle
5-064 Apollo 13 Display
Houston, we’ve had a problem.
5-065 Apollo 13 Sight, Controller & Plaque
This sight and controler were used on Apollo 13. The plaque was to be left on the moon, had they reached it.
5-066 Apollo 13 Gloves & Helmet
These gloves and helmet would have been used by James Lovell had Apollo 13 reached the moon.
5-067 Gemini 12 Capsule
Hard to believe James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin both rode in the tiny Gemini 12 capsule for so long
5-068 Gemini 12 Capsule
Hard to believe James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin both rode in the tiny Gemini 12 capsule for so long
5-070 Jim Lovell Rocket Society Letter
Letter from the American Rocket Society to James Lovell offering little advice on how to become an astronaut
5-071 Jim Lovell NASA Mercury Letter
Letter to James Lovell from NASA rejecting him for Project Mercury
5-072 Zodiac Animals
Creepy zodiac animal heads on poles outside Adler Planetarium.
5-074 Chicago Theatre Sign
We finally got back to our room early enough to get a shot of the Chicago Theatre sign before it was turned off for the night! Then we went out again.
5-075 Miller's Pub Sign
It was tough to find a place open late on Sunday (and Easter) for dinner but we lucked out with the amazing and historic Miller’s Pub.
5-076 Seafood Combo
A great historic atmosphere and a delicious seafood combination platter. Miller’s Pub has it all!