Americas big cities

Following my recent succesful trip to Berlin (see reports below) its got me thinking about next year and where to go, thats despite still having a couple of trips already sorted later this year. I do believe its good to plan in advance especially if you can find a good price.

Berlin was a success for two reasons, first its a fantastic city and secondly another solo traveller saw my blog and joined me, it was great to have company (we hadn't met previously). Wonder if others would be interested in my ideas this time, its a good plan for experienced travellers to get together if theyfancy the same holiday.

Anyway been looking at March (possibly easter or before) and edging towards America and the big Cities. Done plenty of American Cities in the past but more recent times been doing touring holidays in the States. Flight prices if you pick the right dates are good at present.

One City I've lookead at is the Big Apple (New York) as its 10 years since i was last there and always said i'd go back one day, its a big ciy and no way can you see everything on one trip.

I've also been considering my favorite the windy city (Chicago) been a fan of blues music i like the clubs but add to that plenty to see and do during the day it always has an attraction for me. Have had a couple of nights there in recent years at the start of a couple of my Just You holidays (Route 66 & Heart & Soul) but thats not the same as you hardly get time to unpack.

Giving it lots of thought i would want to do it initially on a budet so rather than staying in a 5 star times square or magnificent mile hotel i've been costing slightly lower rated hotels but not too far from the attractions. Also reviews are important, definately looking at safe areas and hotels with good reviews. Reason i'd like to do it on a reasonable budget is like everyone else i've only so much to spend on travel and will be still doing others (at least one biggie) later in the year.
Saying all that wouldn't skimp on spending while there, would do everything i wanted, pointless going if you dont.

For sun worshipers it wont be red hot in either city in March, wont be freezing either so that would suit me, not really into sitting on a beach.

Good thing about both cities is they have excellent public transport networks so easy to get around, thats important in big cities.

Done an initial pricing up and a week (7 nights) in either city for flight & hotel can do for under £800 which is an excellent price. Only extras would be transfers but would use public transport if on my own but if could persuade others probably makes sense to share a taxi.

After doing my homework the thought crossed me about putting the cities together and wondered what it would cost so checked it out. Was pleasently surprised and can do it for less than £1200 and thats 6 nights in each city (think i paid that 10 years ago for a similar trip). Only extra is on the internal flight between cities i dont think it included hold luggage but was only around $25. Cross Atlanic it is included.

Going to give these options (and others) lots of thought over the weekend.

Anyone else interested ? be good to hear from you.

Americas Heart & Soul - Part 1 - "Chicago"

Just back from a enjoyable holiday "Americas Heart & Soul" with Just You which took in 4 Cities, Chicago, St Louis, Memphis & New Orleans. Decided to write this blog in 4 parts as it seems logical.

Unusually for my trips wih JY I actually knew two of my fellow passengers June & Steve who both did the same holiday last year, was great to catch up as not seen either since although exchanged a few emails.

June actually drove to my house and travelled to Heathrow with me and we eventually got to our overnight hotel by 6pm despite a few delays on the M1. We had arranged to meet Jan & Stuart through the Just You forum.

We found Jan first as she was waiting in front of reception as arranged, Stuart had also arrived so at 7pm the 4 of us crossed the road to the Three Magpies for a meal.

The following morning after a good hotel breakfast we caught the service bus (free flow) to the central bus station then to the terminal. Security was quick so we made our way to the lounge to start to meet a few others on the trip. Must say this is a great way of people meeting and i think it would be good for Just You to include on all holidays.

Flight as usual was boring but was on time which was a plus as i intended to go out in Chicago for a meal at a Irish Pub I know then on to a Blues Club and had previously voiced my concern with been on a afternoon flight. Got a big shock when reaching immigration in Chicago, got through in 10 minutes which is a record for me, never beaten my luggage before, was estimating over an hour.

Our Luggage was also soon there so we all (36 of us) made our way outside to catch our coach to the hotel, was a bit dissapointed that we had to wait 30 minutes for our coach to turn up, not sure what happend there but we were still ahead of my estimate time.

Got to the hotel just after 7pm and as our tour manager Stephen had moved the welcome meal back to the 2nd night mentioned to others i was off to an Irish Pub then Blues Club at 8pm.
Thought a couple may turn up but as it happend 12 of us made our way to Fado's for our meal only to find the place packed, apparently there was a big convention in town and everywhere would be busy throughout our stay.
Failing to get a table i came up with plan "b" another pub i know called the Kerryman and fortunately they moved tables around to seat the 12 of us together. Meal was good and it allowed a few of the group to get to know each other.

Afterwards seven of us went to Blue Chicago for some live music while the others decided to call it a night. Wasn't the best act i've seen but the place was bouncing due to the influx of people from the convention, certainly was a good way to spend our first night.

Day two we were up early for a included breakfast at the top of the Hancock Tower, breakfast was mediocre to say the least and we were a little unlucky to hit a misty day so the view wasn't at its best. Also my camera had decided to jam up (which i repaired later in the day) so was unable to take any pictures although others have promised to send theirs.
On the plus side gave me the chance to have a go on"Tilt" the glass window that tilts you forward looking straight down from the 96th floor.

It was then onto the City Tour for the next 3 hours or so and to be honest thought it could have been better, sure we visited many things around the City but was dissapointed a few important Chicago landmarks seemed to have been ommited (was a better tour for route 66 two years ago). Missed where the likes of the Biograph Theatre (Dillinger shot here), Wrigley Field, China Town, music studios (Chess), etc.

We eventually finished the tour at one of my favorite places the Navy Pier only to find many parts of it under refurbishment but the food court was open so was able to get a bite of lunch.

After lunch got lift back to the hotel before having a walk up the Magnificent Mile which was decorated with painted horses, grabbed a coffee in Dunkin Donuts (much better than Starbucks IMO) before going to get ready for the evening.

We all were taken to a local Pizza restaurant to try the traditional Chicago Deep Pan Pizza and to be honest its not my favorite meal, see slice of Pizza more of a lunch thing if anything. Still it all part of the local culture and as to be done but will let others comment on what they thought of it, although will add my sweet tough enjoyed the pudding course.

Afterwards a few of us decided to try Howl at the Moon duelling Piano bar only to be refused entry because there was a private event on (convention people again), so we just had a couple of beers in a local pub before calling it a night.

Day Three and a free day to do what you like and Chicago certainly as a lot to offer, five of us decided to catch a bus to the south side and visit the Museum of Science & Industry, we spent 5 hours there was superb even the food in the cafe at lunch time was good.
Talking to others in the group they all did different things, many the river cruise, others went to the Art Institute, some to the Zoo, some to a David Bowie exhibition, etc.
One thing everyone I spoke to agreed on is having a free day in such a great City is a very good idea.

On the evening it was the included visit to a Blues Club and was surprised to see it changed from a Club I like Kingston Mines to Buddy Guys Legends which is too touristy for me. Also you only get one act while you get two alternating at the Mines.
The act was average compared to some Blues acts I've seen although others thought it was good and really enjoyed it.

It was up early on Day four as we moved on to St Louis but chatting around the group everbody did enjoy Chicago and many said they would love to go back sometime.

So Americans don't like Soccer

As its World Cup year I thought I'd tell a little story from the competition back in 2006 when I was in America for the final.
I'd watched England go out to Portugal in a earlier round while I was in St Louis when Loony Rooney got sent off because of a cheating Winker but was in Chicago for the final.

I had decided to watch Italy versus France in my favorite Irish Pub "Fado".

As a soccer fan I just can't be neutral so I decided I was going to support Italy in the final and thought it would not be right to wear my England shirt. So when I got up in the morning I choose rather than wear a National shirt I would wear my Club colours the uniform of the mighty whites.

Now kick off was not while 1pm Chicago time so I decided to go for a walk up Michigan Avenue for some last minute shopping (well coffee and cake) during the morning and make my way to Fado's for about 12noon. To my amazement for the first time in the US I was seeing as many Soccer Shirts as Baseball shirts (even more surprising was that the White Sox were entertaining Boston Red Sox that day).

Eventually I made my way to Fado's and when I got there I was shocked there was a line of people 50metres long waiting to get in. As I made my way to the back of the queue assuming they were waiting to open I remember passing a group wearing them Red (Manchester) shirts who seemed to glare at my White Gods top (we never did get on with them from over the hills) I was also surprised at the number of French supporters waving their flags.

Once in the queue it became apparent that it wasn't moving very quick so a girl in front of me went to find out what the problem was. She came back and said the pub was packed and it was one out one in. Now I realised most people will be in the pub to watch the final so wouldn't be moving so we had no chance, Fado's was closed due to crowd congestion.

So I moved on to "Rock Bottom" one block away to find the same problem a great long line of people trying to get in to watch the match.

I moved south a couple of blocks where I knew a sports bar "Mother Hubbards", now this is a baseball bar so I had my doubts. However they do have a lot of televisions and I thought they may show the match on one of the smaller screens, you can only ask.

When I opened the door I was amazed it was packed, the soccer was on, Italian and French flags (plus others) were everywhere. Luckily there was a spare seat at the bar and I ended up next to another Englishman from Oxford (not everyones perfect).

The atmosphere throughout the match was fantastic with a mix of all nationalities including many Americans totally absorbed.

The staff who were not expecting this turned out worked their socks off keeping everyone supplied with food and drink (they were totally undermanned), extra time and penalties must have killed them. The girl working the bar on her own was smashing still managing a smile despite running around like an headless chicken, Baseball was never like this.

Anyway the match is now history with Italy winning the shoot out and Zidane becoming the first uniformed Frenchman to win a fight since Napolean with his stupid headbut, what a idiot, must be related to Rooney I remember thinking.

From what I saw America is slowly starting to realise this is the world game and a sporting nation like them needs to get serious about it (3 billlion people world wide can't be wrong). Lets face it playing a World series against yourself is a Joke.

My Stories - The Crazy Couples Divorce

On my travels I've had many strange incidents and met even stranger people, here is one such story.

In December 2005 I was in Chicago for a few days and this is what happend one night :-

I had been out for a meal in one of the bars just to the North of the river and was feeling a little tired. It was very cold so a lot of places were not that busy so I decided to make my way back to my hotel for a early night.

I was staying at the Hotel Allegro which is on the same block as the Palace Theatre on Randolph Street (behind the Thompson centre for anyone that knows it). There is a small bar between the Hotel and theatre called "Encore" and I decided to call in for a last drink.

The bar was quiet and been on my own I sat at the bar, I find this is best for meeting other people.
No sooner had I got my drink the door opened and a bloke in his thirties walked in and sat on the stool at side of me. He was ranting and raving about how bad the show was and how he had left his bitch of a wife in there watching the show.

When he heard my Yorkshire accent he started to talk to me about when he visited England. He introduced himself as Trent an historian from pennsylvania, he asked what I did and I showed him my buisness card.

He gave me the impression of a typical rich kid whose millionaire parents pay his keep. Anyway for the next hour he insisted on buying my drinks and bore my silly by telling the history of every war there as ever been. The bar staff saw this and were cracking up laughing at my totally bored face.

By this time the bar had filled up with people and all of a sudden he changed the subject and pointed at a girl across the room stating that she was making eyes at him.
He said something along the lines of "I think she fancies me, save my stool I'm off to chat her up"
I said reluctantly "ok" , but thinking to myself the ather large chap this girl was with was not going to be impressed.

Within a few seconds of him leaving his stool a absolutly stunning blond girl came and put her handbag on the bar and sat down on Trents stool.
Reluctantly I told her the stool was taken to which she replied "Yes I know I'm with that ass". Yes it was the wife.

She introduced herself and I told her my name pointing to my buisness card on the bar. She picked up my card and put it in her handbag.

Trent came back round the bar and they had a short argument before he wandered off again to try chat up every other girl in the building.

I felt sorry for the girl so I bought her a drink and chatted with her. After about five minutes she asked me a stupid question "Do you like dogs ?" to which I replied "I don't mind them but have not got one". This was a mistake as the next hour I spent my time looking at photographs of her dog much to the amusment of the bar staff.

Trent came round again for another argument to which the girl told him what a prat he was put her arms around me and told her husband she loved me. Trent wandered off a little bit grumpy, the bar staff were now in stitches.

She got out her digital camera and got one of the bar staff to take a photo of me and her as she hugged me tight. She then promised to send me the photo and some photos of her dog to my e'mail address on my buisness card. I tried to tell her it was my works e'mail and be careful what she sends as our help desk may block and read it (never did get that photo).

Shortly after she went to the rest room to powder her nose and straight away Trent came marching over to me. He said "I've seen you chatting my wife up" I thought oh dear I don't want trouble. However he then he added "I don't mind I'm going to divorce her anyway, you can have her" He then stormed out of the building.

She came back and I had the task of telling her he had gone. She seemed pleased with that and was only concerned about where she would sleep.

Before anyone asks the answer to the question is No I haven't a clue where she slept.

2014 Plans - Chicago My Kind of Town

As you will have read elswhere on this Blog Chicago is my favorite City, partly because its got loads of things to do, partly because its a very clean City, partly because the locals are very friendly and partly because I love the music Clubs in particular the Blues.
 

 

Well its my intention to go this year in June when the Blues festival is on (13th to 15th) which is the largest free Blues festival in the world. Never been when its on but have been more than once during the July "Taste of Chicago" which was great fun.
 

Last time I had a proper holiday there was with my partner in 2009 but have been twice since, in 2011 with some mates (lads outing) for a long weekend and had a day there at the start of my Just You Route 66 holiday in 2012.
I'll also be visiting in November on another Just You holiday "Americas Heart and Soul" (Chicago to New Orleans via St Louis & Memphis).

My aim is to go for 9 or 10 days, seems a lot in one city but I've plenty things i'm planning that I'll see and do as you'll see if you read on.

As for costs, yes I've a budget first of all I'm monitering Flight/Hotel deals and hope to get a deal around £1300 (maybe less), currently best I've seen is about £1550 (4 star hotel) but reckon Jan or Feb will be best time to book price wise when hotels often have discounts. Of course will go for an hotel in the centre, it costs more initially but saves a fortune on taxis and you waste time travelling in and out. In Chicago I reckon its best to stay in either the River North/Gold Coast or Loop then most things are walkable, also very safe areas.

Obviously transfers from the Airport is usually an extra cost but not really an issue because would use the subway to get into the city, can get a CTA 7 day pass for subways & buses for only $28 which will get me everywhere i want to be (including from the airport). Would try to do the stuff nearest hotel on last 3 days or just get single tickets or shorter pass which would also get me back to airport.

Things I'll be visiting, well before I go would get a City Pass online which is $86 which allows you in 5 main tourist attractions and allows to queue jump :-

Museum of Science and Industry (its a bus ride to the south side but a fantastic museum), some hands on stuff and definately a full day needed to get around.

Field History Museum - Another big museum and you'll meet Sue the tynnasauras rex skeleton. think about the film "night at the museum".

Art Institute - I've never been but 2nd biggest in America, may be of interest, be silly not to have a look.

Willis Tower - Got to go up the biggest building in North America was formerly Sears Tower.

Aquarium - sharks/dolphins you name it plus includes 3D film show of choice.

other than the MSI they are probab half day attractions so 3 days in total filled using he pass.


Can exchange a couple of the attractions for the Planeterium (which isn't that good in my opinion) or Hancock Tower which will do on my JY holiday later in the year.

 

On the Sunday morning I'm there would visit Maxwell street market which is historically the immigrants market, may get some bargains and best mexican food outside Mexico apparently.

Then would spend the afternoon at the festival, would visit on the 3 days its on (fri, sat & sun) just would pre-check  when the best acts are on. Its free so just walk in and out, 3 stages i think in Grant Park.

Millenium Park which is a good chill spot and home to Cloud Gate and Buckingham fountain two famous land marks are nearby.

Another full day I would  be visiting Lincoln Park, probably get the train or bus to the north end and spend day walking back (bigger than Central Park in New York) it contains 3 harbours and the Zoo which is the largest free zoo in the world.

Would also do the Untouchable tour its $30 takes you around old gangster haunts and tells you about the likes of al capone, bugsy moran, dillinger, etc. never done it before but have to phone to book when in the city, it lasts about two hours in middle of the day.

Navy Pier is a must visit place a few shops, restaurants, fairground rides, etc and the Beer Garden is a great place to chill out for a couple of hours especially if they have a live group on the stage.


Have also been checking and you can do a 2 hour mini lunch cruise (3 course) for about $50 which goes out on the lake for fantastic city views. its one of the best city skylines in the world. To be honest if travelling solo would just do a Lake boat trip but if can talk others into coming the mini-cruise would be great.

 

Another place I'd like to visit on this trip as I've not been there is Oak Park which is Ernest Hemingways birthplace but the area is designed by architecy frank Lloyd Wright, reckons to be very scenic with some amazing houses. A guide book I've got suggests a walking route so would follow that.

Couple of things worth doing but as they are covered on my JY holiday in November I wont do on this trip are the Architecture river cruise (Chicagos architecture is 2nd to none) or go up the Hancock tower (better views than Sears).

Could have at least half day chilling at one of the beaches, some superb beaches trust me on that one.

 

If I feel energetic could even hire a Bike and go exploring along many of the Cycle Paths along the Lake Shore or in the any Parks.

And probaby even more of interest to any Lady readers is Chicago is renowned for its shopping, the magnificent mile is equivellant to New Yorks 5th Ave, the even have a Macy's but thats on South State street.

And of course for the Blokes Chicago is very much a Sports City and is not out of order to visit some of the magnificent Stadiums. Wrigley Field & US Cellular are home to Baseballs Cubs & White Sox while Soldier Field is Chicago Bears home. Never seen an Amercan Fotball Match or Baseball on my trips to the States its got to be a consideration, not really into them sports its just the experience of doing it once.
The Ice Hockey play at the 20,000+ capacity indoor arena United Centre actually went to see a Blackhawks match on one trip.
Not forgeting the World Cup is on while I'm there so will need to find a good Sports Bar when England Play.

 

My daly is I usually go out in the morning and as Breakfast isn't usually included sort of grab something on way to what I've planned for the day, then just snack as required. Usually aim to get back to the hotel late afternoon for a couple of hours rest (power nap) before getting ready to go out for meal and entertainment s its often a late night.

 

As for the nightlife Chicago as it all I could give you a big list of live music venues, most of the small clubs the cit is famous for, blues clubs, piano bars, jazz clubs, etc, have gotta be done in Chicago. There is sometimes a cover charge but isn't expensive maybe average of $10.

 

It also has a theatre district and if its your sort of thing why not, I would like to see this as its getting good reviews - http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/

Food and drink is similar prices to over here you can eat cheap or expensive and everyone virtually serves food, a lot of good Pubs that I often eat in but will push the boat out and do a nice restaurant two or three times, some cracking places.