Ohio

Roebling Suspension Bridge

Ohio will be our next stop and I do hope we are not too tired by then to enjoy the lovely walks and interesting places that I found when researching attractions in Ohio.

Washington Park

Cincinnati can be the perfect place to recharge our batteries after busy Chicago. We can always chill out in Washington Park, listen to some fantastic music at the Cincinnati Music Hall and go for a stroll by the Riverwalk.

Cincinnati Music Hall

Cincinnati Music Hall

Riverwalk

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is a gothic cathedral that has a design similar to Notre Dame in Paris.

Cathedral of the Assumption

The American Sign Museum is the home to a visual history of American Signage from 1870 through 1970. Hand carved wooden signs, gold leaf, electric light bulbs, and neon all grace the walls and tell amazing stories.

American Sign Museum

If we have time I would like to go to The Cincinnati Observatory Centre- a nineteenth-century observatory, designated as a National Historic Landmark, also known as the "Birthplace of American Astronomy."

Observatory Centre

We are planning to stop in Columbus before heading to West Virginia.

Short North

The Short North is THE neighbourhood to visit when you’re in Columbus. Apparently there’s a Gallery Hop first Saturday of every month. I was told to be sure to hit a few of the art galleries, a few of the stores, and a few of the restaurants and bars. Note to self: Go to Betty’s Fine Food and Spirits, The Surly Girl Saloon, the Bristol Bar, Skully’s Music Diner, Rosendale’s, and Goodale Park.

Short North

The North Market is a great spot to shop for food, gifts, and try a variety of ethnic foods for lunch or to go.

North Market

North Market

The German Village is a historic community on the southern end of downtown Columbus and it is filled with beautifully restored homes as well as a few well placed shops, stores, restaurants and more. Note to self: Go to The Book Loft, Schiller Park, Banana Bean Cafe, Schmidt's, Thurman Café and First Watch.

German Village

If we get to Columbus in the beginning of summer we should go to the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual butterfly exhibit as well as the botanical exhibits.

Franklin Park Observatory

Easton Town Center has a mix of dining options, entertainment venues, and outdoor performance art.

Easton Town Center

Dining in Columbus gets its own special mention. M, Cap City, Spagio, Basi Italia, Northstar Cafe, Jack & Benny’s, Due Amici, and Latitude 41 are worth checking out I was told.

Illinois

Springfield State Capitol

Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the home to former President Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln Tomb

Major tourist attractions include a multitude of historic sites connected with Lincoln. These include the Lincoln Home, a National Historical Park, the Lincoln Tomb, the Old State Capitol, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Old State Capitol

Senate Chamber

I guess that after the success of Spielberg’s film – Lincoln, many people will be heading to Springfield.

Chicago skyline

There’s so much to do and see in Chicago that we would need at least a month to see it all. From fantastic skyscrapers to magnificent parks and museums you are spoilt for choice in Chicago.We will have to pick a few of the most popular sites to visit as we also want to enjoy the food, music and sports that the city offers in abundance. I have done an internet search to get the top 10 attractions in Chicago and the entries below are the ones we most definitely would like to see.

Willis Tower (former Sears Tower)

The Sears Tower or Willis Tower as it is called now, is the tallest Chicago skyscraper, 442 meter (1451ft).The Sears Tower's observation deck - known as the Skydeck - is one of Chicago's most popular attractions. At 1,353 ft or 412 m, it's Chicago's highest observatory. The most spectacular attraction at the skydeck is 'the ledge', a glass balcony extending 4.3 ft where you can look straight down. The balconies offer spectacular views over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River.

Skydeck

In 1927 the pier was renamed Navy Pier in honour of World War I veterans. After the war it served as the Chicago branch of the University of Illinois. In 1965 the university moved to its new location and the Navy Pier started to decay. A renovation project started in 1992.The result is a very successful recreational centre next to Chicago's downtown area. Thanks to its many attractions and 50 acres of parks and gardens it attracts more than 8 million visitors each year.

Navy Pier

Millennium Park is seen by many Chicagoans as the crowning glory of their city. The 24.5 acre (10 ha) Millennium Park is a magnificent modern park with state of the art facilities, unique public artwork and beautiful gardens. The Cloud Gate, designed by British artist Anish Kapoor is a bean-shaped structure inspired by liquid mercury and is among the largest sculpture of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high (20 x 10 meter). The shiny material reflects the magnificent Chicago skyline. The 12-foot-high arch (3.7m) in the middle of the sculpture serves as a gate and welcomes visitors to walk under the structure, touch the steel, and view the distorted reflections of themselves and their companions.

Millennium Park

Chicago's Field Museum is considered one of the finest natural history museums in the U.S. It even gained national acclaim when Steven Spielberg made it the home base for the esteemed archaeologist in his Indiana Jones movies.

Field Museum

The Art Institute is one of the most photographed landmarks in Chicago. The two huge lions that greet visitors at the entrance to the museum were designed and crafted by sculptor Edward Kemeys in 1894. The museum's collection of Impressionist Art is certainly one of the finest in the country and lovers of Claude Monet will be especially thrilled. Also highly acclaimed is the Art Institute's exhibit of contemporary American and European works in the Modern Wing, where you'll find stunning works by Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse.

The Art Institute

If we are in Chicago during the American football season we will probably try to get tickets to see the Chicago Bears at the Soldier Field.

Soldier Field

True Blues fans know - There is only one place in Chicago to experience the finest Blues seven nights a week, enjoy southern Cajun soul food, and behold a major archive of Blues memorabilia. That place is Buddy Guy's Legends. That is according to their official website and we are sure to check it out.

Buddy Guy's Legends

Note to self:
Chicago
 
Music: Cubby Bear - www.cubbybear.com, Kingston Mines - www.kingstonmines.com, Dusty Groove - www.dustygroove.com, Chess Records - www.bluesheaven.com, Lincoln Hall - www.lincolnhallchicago.com

Food: Mr. Beef - www.mrbeefonorleans.com, Big Star - www.bigstarchicago.com, Taco Joint - 1969 North Halsted, Antique Taco - www.antiquetaco.com