Favorite Journey Jaunts: Chicago 2018

We’re all still staying put for safety’s sake, meaning no bank-sponsored travel at present, but it sure is fun to look back! That’s why we started this blog series highlighting Favorite Journey Jaunts, with tales and photos of past excursions that have been the topic of much discussion in the last handful of years.

For this, our final installment, we’re looking back on Chicago! Chicago! — a fun and fabulous four-day expedition in October 2018. There’s so much to do in the Windy City, and a quick fall trip could only scratch the surface. So, we did a “best of” trip that packed in many of the city’s highlights, plus a few surprises!

 

Part of the fun of a Journey Program tour is getting there (you could say we are as much about the Journey as the destination). We spent the better part of the first day on our luxury motor coach, enjoying each other’s company and the fall foliage of eastern Iowa. At various times, we giggled at silly icebreaker games, engaged in a hilarious game of Roadkill Bingo, “gambled” at the horse races, and tested our knowledge of Midwest trivia. In between activities, we stretched and got our steps in at a park-like rest area, shopped at a country store, and enjoyed succulent Iowa pork tenderloin sandwiches at The Landmark Restaurant, an Iowa institution. We arrived at our lovely hotel in Glenview, Illinois, in time to relax and stretch out a bit before a delicious repast at a favorite local restaurant.

The day held numerous Chi-Town delights, starting with a Gangster Tour. Our guide swaggered aboard in 1930s garb to take us on a drive-by tour of Chicago’s hot spots, hit spots, brothels, and gambling dens. He dropped names like crazy while spinning tales of these hoodlum haunts: Capone, Moran, Dillinger, and more. We could practically smell the gunpowder.

Navy Pier was our next stop. From breathtaking outdoor views to the exquisite Crystal Gardens to the iconic Ferris wheel and carousel, Chicago’s lakefront treasure held much for us in the way of entertainment, not to mention lunch (Chicago-style pizza or hot dogs, anyone?).

 

We took in the city’s world-renowned architecture on a fascinating, if a bit breezy, Chicago River Architecture Cruise. Our knowledgeable and extremely funny guide took us on a historic floating tour of the 50-plus buildings that line the river. What a great way to spend an hour and a half.

After floating by some of the city’s most incredible architecture, it was time to view it from a different angle: enter 360 Chicago Observation Deck in the former John Hancock Building. As if breathtaking panoramic views weren’t enough, adventurous travelers stepped out on TILT, slanting more than 1,000 feet over the famed Magnificent Mile (yes, you can feel the platform move, and yes, it’s a little scary, but it’s not like you’re dangling from the window ledge). What a rush!

A full day of touring behind us, we had one more event on the schedule before heading back to the hotel: an authentic Greek dinner at the famed Athena restaurant in Greektown. From saganaki (flaming cheese) to the baklava (honeyed walnut pastry) and ice cream (no translation necessary), we devoured every morsel amid posh Greek décor and much laughter.

Our morning started early, as we had much to accomplish. Our favorite Arrow driver, Dennis, really knows his way around Chicago, so we were often treated to attractions not on the planned route and neighborhoods we would not have ordinarily seen. On this day, we were a bit ahead of schedule and took an impromptu drive around Lake Michigan while enjoying still-warm pumpkin doughnuts (also compliments of Dennis). When the Museum of Science and Industry opened, we were ready to take it all in. Our group loved the space and transportation exhibits, and film actress Colleen Moore’s fairy castle dollhouse held special meaning for one of our travelers whose grandmother had taken her to see the exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1939. She was clearly moved at the memory, and another traveler purchased a book on the exhibit for her to mark the occasion — very cool.

Millennium Park is a new kind of town square; a mecca of music and art, the scene of many cultural events. We listened to lively tunes, admired innovative landscape and architectural design, and crashed a mini festival sponsored by Dole (hey, they had bananas for snacking and these great inflatable souvenirs). And of course, we stopped at the Bean for a photo opp.

 

We spent some time on the Magnificent Mile, driving it first to take it all in. With Water Tower Place, a bustling eight-story mall, as our home camp, we ran hither and yon, some of us riding the glass elevator in search of the perfect sip or sale, others uncovering treasures for a favorite little girl in the American Girl Doll Store, and still others strolling the upscale shops, department stores, and boutiques on Michigan Avenue.

We had time to relax at the hotel before enjoying each other’s company over beef tenderloin and parmesan-crusted chicken breast at The North Branch Pizza and Burger Company, a nearby brewery. We waddled back across the street to pack the day’s shopping haul and spend our last night in the City That Works.

We hope you can join us on our next adventure. Please continue to watch the Journey webpage for updates on our travel program.