Favorite quotes from the weekend:

J: “I want to go to a fruit garden where you just walk around and pick peaches.”
L: “So…like an orchard.”
J: *blinks*

While on the train:
L: “I keep waiting to see a Hunger Games symbol inside a tunnel.”
R: “I keep waiting to see a drug deal happening.”

• Thursday: travel day
• Friday:
    – Chicago Botanic Garden
    – Train ride into the city
    – Homewood Suites
    – Pizzeria Uno
    – John Hancock Building
    – City streets / Oak Street Beach
• Saturday:
    – Shedd Aquarium
    – Chicago Art Institute
    – Shake Shack
    – Millennium Park
    – Navy Pier
• Sunday: travel day

We started our second day in Chicago bright and early and headed to Shedd Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in the entire world! My grandma had never been to one before, and she was awestruck by all of the different colors and weird types of things living under the water. I had originally wanted to go just to see the big stuff (beluga whales, sharks, etc.), but watching her discover a whole new world quickly became my favorite reason for going. (And yes…the song did just run through my head. Couldn’t help it. High five if it happened to you too.)
        
This not-so-little guy was talented! We didn’t go to the show, but in the Polar Play zone, you could watch it from underneath! We didn’t get to see any dolphins – *sadness* – but we got to watch lots of whales play and do tricks.

Our next stop was the Art Institute, where Robyn fangirled hardcore over art, and the rest of us were like, “Ooh…look at that old rock.” Haha, no but really, I enjoyed it too. I may have only truly freaked out about the touristy paintings, but still. I felt very adult and weird, like I wasn’t grown-up enough to be walking around looking at art – although the fact that I knew how to pronounce “Renoir” and “Degas” made me feel pretty classy.
     
Still can’t believe I actually saw these paintings in person.

For lunch, I had my first Shake Shack experience – and I. AM. A. FAN. Holy yum. After that, we walked across the street and explored Millennium Park. It was one of my favorite places when I visited before and I couldn’t wait for everyone else to see it!
 
SO many people. All there to memorialize themselves in a giant mirrored coffee bean.

Later that day, we took a trolley to spend the evening out at Navy Pier!
   
That burger I had…good grief. Bacon/onion “relish,” Monterey Jack cheese, BBQ sauce, and crispy onion strings, all on a pretzel bun. *Arteries clogged for life…worth it*

By far, one of my favorite things we did on the whole trip was buy a 2-ride ticket for the Ferris wheel and the swings. The view from the top of the Ferris wheel was gorgeous, and the swings…well, let’s just say Jennifer had a marvelous time and leave it at that. Hahaha :) :)

 
I fell in love with the city all over again. :)

It sure was hard to leave the next day, but I think we were all ready to be home.
Of course, this trip would not have been possible without two very special people. An enormous THANK YOU is due to my grandma and Dick for being so generous and bringing us to visit! It was a beautiful gift, and I had the best time! Love you guys so much! ♥

I usually want to visit new places instead of the same places over and over again, but something about Chicago is calling me back! Probably the food…

Yeah, definitely the food.

What about you – do you like to revisit your favorite places repeatedly, or go somewhere new each time you travel?

If you missed any of my Chicago posts from this trip, check out these links:
Chicago Sneak Peak
Chicago: Part I – my crazy travel story through DFW Airport
Chicago: Part II – the first full day in the city