Sightseeing in Chicago

Once I signed up for the Chicago Marathon I knew that I wanted to do some sightseeing while I was there, even it meant walking a lot before the race.  For book club we had read Loving Frank and Devil in the White City, both very informative about Chicago and those that had influence on the city.  Loving Frank tells the story of Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress Mamah Borthwick Cheney, but it also touches on Frank's career in architecture.  Devil in the White City mentions Frank Lloyd Wright but mainly focuses on the events around the the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.  There were many things I wanted to see in Chicago because of these two amazing books.

I got to my hotel a little after noon and my room wasn't ready so I figured it was a great time to go see some of the sights nearby.  First I headed to The Rookery.  The lobby of the Rookery was redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905.

Next up was the Art Institute of Chicago.  I wasn't planning on going there, but marathon participants got free entry so I made a quick visit.  There was a special exhibit of paintings by Rene Magritte but no photos were allowed.  His work was pretty crazy and you can see some examples here.

Lion in front of the museum

No American Gothic :(

We have this as a 3000 piece Ravensburger puzzle

Next up was Cloud Gate (the bean) in Millennium Park.

Beautiful fall colors coming in

Thursday night Suzy and I went to the Paws Chicago for a "Pawsta Party" and to see the facility.  The place was amazing and there were so many cute animals that are available for adoption.  Probably a good thing I don't live in Chicago!

Beautiful adoption lobby

Nick wanted this one

So sweet

Cone(s) of shame!

Loved this kitty room!

Friday we went on a Frank Lloyd Wright by bus tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation.  It included a tour of his home, study, neighborhood, and Unity Temple.

Frank Lloyd Wright house

Studio entrance

Studio exterior

No photos were allowed inside the house and study but it is definitely worth a visit.  Next was a walking tour of Frank's Oak Park neighborhood to see all of the houses he designed.

Walter Gale House

Heurtley House

Hills-Decaro House

Laura Gale House (inspiration for Fallingwater)

Beachy House

Frank Thomas House

We finished put the tour at Unity Temple, designed by Frank in 1905 and built between 1905 and 1908.

Saturday was another Frank Lloyd Wright tour, this time the Private Spaces tour of the Robie House in Hyde Park.

On this tour we were allowed to take photos of the interior of the house.

Living Room

Original light fixture

Looking toward the dining room

Dining room windows

I would have liked to walk Jackson Park next but I didn't walk around too much (although I already had) so we walked by the Museum of Science and Industry.  This building is the last remaining building from the World's Fair and had been the Palace of Fine Arts.

Saturday afternoon we went on the Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruise tour.  I read about this tour on someone's blog and Kristen heard this was a must do.  This was a great way to see the city and learn something about the history of architecture in Chicago.

Garrett, Kristen, and Suzy

Wrigley Building and Chicago Tribune Tower

Lots of weddings on Saturday

Willis Tower (formerly Sear Tower)

NBC Tower

On Sunday night after our post-marathon dinner celebration I though it might do my legs some good and so Suzy and I walked around a bit to see the city at night.  I ended up getting some really great photos.

Love this photo

The bean at night

All in all I walked around way more than I should of before the marathon (more on that later), but it was definitely worth it.  I had such a great time sightseeing in Chicago.