Day Nineteen: pucks and chops

Last day in Chicago - we stopped at a bakery for bagels and croissants. Best coffee I've had in USA too. Nice.

We headed out to the public zoo in Lincoln Park - where I became so numb...get it...(because of the cold) sorry... that was a terrible gag!

Anyway the zoo was pretty cool and what's more it was free. Many of the animals were inside or in hibernation I think ( I don't blame them ) it's freezing! But all in all it was quite a pretty little zoo.

We then wandered some streets to get to North Ave for some shopping for the girls. The area was quite pretty, lots of rowhouses and treelined streets.

That afternoon I headed over to Lake Shore Drive to check out a few things. Mainly the Mies' apartment towers as well as the old water tower stone buildings. The Magnificent Mile Shopping Strip is pretty cool too. The trees lining the avenue are all lit up and it makes for quite a nice walk.

I also checked out the Navy Pier, where they have a few museums and a replica Ferris Wheel of the one from the Chicago White City expo of 1893- where the ferris wheel was invented.

That evening we headed out to the United Centre -home of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and the Chicago Blackhawks in the Ice Hockey. We chose a good nite. The home crowd were going nuts as they were honoring the 50th anniversary of Chicagos Stanley Cup winning team of 1961. We also got to see the defending Champions play too, As the Blackhawks also one last year.
One of the amazing things about America is the sense of patriotism and nationalism. But witnessing a national anthem at a sporting event with 20000 odd fans is something else. The crowd gets so into it. People really get involved. Quite something.
The game itself was quite exciting too. The Blackhawks won 5-0 and there was also a couple of punch ups- which the NHL is known for. The girls, randomly, loved the biff.
Also got to see Michael Jordans jersey hung up in stadium and his AIR statue out the front. He's a legend here. Was really enjoyable game. Once in a lifetime experience for sure.

For dinner I mistakingly selected THE most expensive Steakhouse in the City - The Chophouse. The reviews for it were amazing - as were there prices we found out. I kid you not they were serving a piece of steak that cost $139. Holy Cow (well it would wanna be for that price) hehe....apologies!
Anyway we each ordered a Steak, mine was $69, on the lower end of the menu. Haha. Was really lovely tho.

We found out later that the place had been judged best steakhouse in USA for 4 years running. So that was an expensive little escapade. But as I told the girls, who were livid with me, you're here for a good time not a long time.

Anyway - It was a good way to finish up our time here in Chicago! Definitely come back - and definitely when it's warmer too.





- Blog from iMat