Weekend work trip to Chicago

I had the wonderful opportunity to head to Chicago for a work conference last weekend. I haven't been to Chicago in over 20 years but I remember really loving it. I was only there 3 nights so I didn't have much time but I was determined to experience some of Chicago's most famous pizza places, go to the Art Institute of Chicago, and run along Lake Michigan. We stayed in the Marriott on the Magnificent Mile so I was within walking distance of everything and the weather was great. It was around freezing first thing in the morning but it was in the upper 40s in the afternoons.

The Cloud Gate sculpture...also called the Bean

 

View of  Cloud Gate with the skyline in reflection.and people watching the ice-skaters.

I remember loving Chicago pizza and we really don't have any here in Atlanta. I made it to two of the highly regarded joints: Lou Malnati's and Gino's East. Both were fantastic. I think I give the slight edge overall to Gino's East but that might be because I loved the spicy sausage I got on it. I think Lou's pizza had a slightly better crust. I ate so much pizza at those places I almost burst. It is a HEAVY pie with the sauce on the top. I think I recall being told that the sauce was on top to keep the cheese from burning during the long cook time needed to cook these bad boys (45 min).

Waiting for some pizza at Gino's East

A slice of heaven at Gino's East

 

One of my best friends (Michael Barringer) is a professional artist and he said I really needed to go to the Art Institute of Chicago and at least try to see a couple of the more famous works housed there including the Georges Seurat painting:  A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. He was right of course - it was an amazing place! I'm so glad I went. I spent about 2 hours there and wish I had another 2-3.

Saw this on my way to museum but didn't read what it was. There is a lot of public art.

The Lion with holiday spirit out front of the Art Institute

 

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte

Don't recall the artist but I loved the 3-D texture of the hair on this one.

American Gothic by Grant Ward

The Old Guitarist by Picasso

I have to get off the computer because Drew needs it for school. But it was an a great time. Oh yes, and I did go for a run along the lake which passes by the Art Institute, The Shed (aquarium), and planettarium. The view of the city across the lake (as you run away from it) is amazing. I really hope I get to go back with the family some day.