When my daughter was eighteen I took her on a quick four-day jaunt to London, England. Never was I more exhausted as her schedule kept us going from early morning to late night.
On the last day I begged for mercy as we took a full day trip to Bath and Stonehenge, then followed that with an evening walking tour of the Jack the Ripper haunts. Despite the fact we need to rise very early for our flight home, she insisted on ending the day by staying until closing at the original Hard Rock Café.
My daughter Hilary now has two children of her own, a husband who travels, and a nearly full time job working in our family business.
How things have changed!
On a recent buying trip to Chicago I set out the agenda for her first trip to the ‘my kind of town’ city and a similar four day adventure.
This time it was I who was determined to show her the exciting sides of Chicago I had discovered over the past number of trips I made there.
Chicago has some interesting districts beyond the downtown region for excellent dining and entertainment. Sections like Old Town and Greek Town make it seem like, for a short time at least, you are visiting an entirely different city.
So after quickly checking in to the Hard Rock Hotel, where we would stay on this journey, we grabbed a taxi to go to Chicago’s Greek Town for a dinner before heading to a hockey game with the Chicago Blackhawks facing off against Carolina Hurricanes.
With Winnipeg’s own Jonathan Toews scoring the first Blackhawks goal quickly we are excited about the game’s prospects. The crowd goes wild in a continuous cacophony of sound as Chicago scores again and again.
The United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks, seems to have been designed to magnify noise. And we join in the cheers, happy with the 5-2 outcome.
As we leave the arena we are greeted by heavy rain and even stronger winds.
It is cold and we keep retreating into the most protected areas while trying to hail down transportation, which for us doesn’t happen for a least three quarters of an hour of shivering frustration.
The United Center may be an exceptional place to watch a hockey game but a guaranteed row of taxis waiting for emerging fans might be put into the planning priorities of the future.
By the next morning the rain has turned to needles of sleet driven mercilessly by punishing winds coming off LakeMichigan.
With diminished enthusiasm for my full schedule of activities we still decide to ride the ‘On and Off’ bus that takes visitors in a circle near many of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
It is chilly on the bus to the point we are not sure we are better on or off it. But because the driver is knowledgeable about the city and provides interesting commentary between each stop we stay on to get a feel for the sites of the city.
Going by government buildings our driver/guide informs us that “four out of the last eight state governors of the state have gone to prison, so” he adds “the machinations of recently disgraced Illinois former Governor Rod Blagojevich are no great surprise to Chicago voters.”
We disembark at the Navy Pier stop, once exactly that, but now more famous in Chicago for its dining and entertainment. The walk to the entrance suggests getting off the bus at any point will provide no antidote to the cold. What we do recognize though is that on a better day, having lunch and beverages at one of the many patio restaurants on site would be a great way to spend a few hours, while making time to visit some of the small shops in the Navy Pier location.
“Do you want to get back on the bus?’ I ask hoping any remaining enthusiasm she might have had has dissipated.
“Not really,” she intones. We abandon the notion of hopping back on the bus we jump into one of the long line of cabs seemingly anticipating the desire of many to return to our hotels or homes quickly.
After a long day at the trade show, we rush off to the Goodman Theatre to catch their opening night performance of God of Carnage, a comedy which won a number of Tony awards during its time in New York.
The story is based on a meeting of two couples to discuss the consequences of an altercation between their boys that climaxed in a stick swinging incident which damaged a tooth of one of the boys.
Hilarious and poignant, the discussion that starts off in a very civilized fashion ends up not only with the two couples nearly coming to blows, but with screaming matches between each spouse as well.
While Chicago may have lost its status as the second largest city in America to Los Angeles, its Second City Comedy Troupe is still one of the best shows in the country, and second best to no other.
While the scripted portion of the show is genuinely uproarious, the ‘improv’ segment of the two and a half hour presentation is over the top. Definitely for adult audiences, it is no wonder that the Second City concept, now a staple in a number of cities, has produced so many of the comedy actors who later become famous. Alumni over its more than 50 years of performances include John Candy, Steve Carell, Fred Willard, Gilda Radner, as well as both John and Jim Belushi.
After three days of working a trade show, late nights with friends and continuous dining in some of Chicago’s well known restaurants, I am ready to close out our Chicago adventure.
But Hilary seems to have recovered from the effects of the cold of the first couple of days and insists we must first go shopping in Chicago’s Golden Mile, and then end with a visit to the Harpo Studios, home of the original Oprah Show.
“I have loved her since I was 14 years old,” she explains, “and I am not leaving Chicago until we go there.”
While we can’t actually go into the studio itself the Oprah store has a wide range of ‘O’ merchandise and we leave with a number of her signature green shopping bags.
I don’t know how many more times we will get a chance to take father-daughter travel excursions. I now look forward to family vacations that include my granddaughters as well. But, as in our first London trip, this Chicago experience leaves me with fond memories and a strengthening of the steady bond that we have had since she was a child.
Only time will tell whether we get to do something like this again, but Chicago was certainly a good place to take the second step.
If You Go
Where to Eat:
Petterino’s at 150 North Dearborn is in the heart of Chicago’s Theatre district. Patterned after Sardi’s in New York its walls are adorned with hundreds of pencil sketches of current and past stars.
At Giordano’s it’s not just a pizza. It is most famous for its stuffed pizza. It was reviewed by NBC as the best pizza in America and can be ordered online for delivery all over the States. There are a number of Chicago locations. www.giordanos.com
Morton’s, at 1050 North State which has locations in a number of states, offers a wide menu including live 3-pound lobster, but is known primarily as a steakhouse.
For perhaps an even more popular beef choice try Gibson’s Steakhouse, 1028 North Rush Street. It is always crowded with a long line up so make reservations early.
Chicago’s Corner Bakery stores are everywhere and an excellent stop for a quick, reasonably priced lunch.
Our first meal was in Greek Town at the Pegasus Restaurant, South Halsted St. Excellent Greek soup, fresh bread and exquisite lamb chops make it a worthwhile cab ride.
What to Do:
Theatre, culture, and quality entertainment, Chicago has them all. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of America’s best with constantly changing exhibitions and a permanent Chagall collection.
In the shadows of the skyscrapers on Michigan Avenue Millennium, while too cold to visit outdoors at certain times of the year unless you have your ice skates, features a variety of family activities and cultural activities in an atmosphere of unique sculptures and architectural design.
For sports enthusiasts the Bears, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks flow from season to season featuring some of the best players in their respective leagues.
Take a stroll along the Riverwalk and stop at some of the waterside restaurants