Upon arrival in Chicago on a sunny summer afternoon, we experienced the city at its best. Driving along Lakeshore Drive we saw residents pouring out of their apartments to enjoy the beautiful day. The atmosphere was filled with Chicagoans riding their bikes, playing volleyball on the beaches, and taking in the turquoise waters. I am sure that another week at another time of the year the breeze from the lake would create a different mood in the Windy City: however, we experienced only energy and sunshine.
We grabbed our bikes from the top of the car and rode them along with other cyclists, runners and rollerbladers on the 18-mile Lakeshore Bike Trail along the western shore of Lake Michigan. It brought us to many different neighborhoods and major attractions including the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. The scale and experience of biking is different than walking, taking a car or the metro. Much more territory is covered with relaxation rests along the way to take in the energy and watch swimmers in the lake, the sailboats, the Canadian Geese, and smell the wildflowers.
Chicago’s Navy Pier is one of the most popular stops. The pier juts out a half a mile into Lake Michigan. Tour boats launch here for day trips and public plazas hold free performances. In the daytime enjoy the lakefront views and cool breezes. At night in summer there is an explosion of fireworks. For entertainment enjoy the carnival rides, a Ferris Wheel, a funhouse maze or the Shakespeare Theater. If you are lucky as we were you just might catch an over-the-top marriage proposal with a mariachi band playing and the words "Will you marry me" glowing in lights.
With some extra time, stop at the Shedd Aquarium or the Field Museum other popular attractions along the bike trail. The aquarium building is a National Historic Landmark. The exhibits contain over 1500 species including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes amphibians and insects. Nearby, the Field Museum holds over 40 million artifacts in its natural history collection. Several artifacts were donated from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Sue the largest T-Rex ever discovered can be seen here along with Arctic peoples' totem poles and mummies from ancient Egypt. Since the museum is also a research facility you can immerse yourself in conversation with the scientists that will explain to you in detail anything you want to know about what you see.
With so much to absorb throughout the city the Lakeshore Bike Trail ride was a highlight of our 99 day road trip. If you don't have a bike in tow consider renting one to explore. Biking Chicago on a beautiful day is exhilarating.
