Seeing Chicago by all modes of transportation--Day 9 Part 1

After gulping down the same breakfast as yesterday (continental breakfasts are great, but lack in variety:) we set off for a true adventure. Today we are going to use public transportation to get around Chicago.

#1 Park-n-Ride. It took us most of our visit to master traveling on the L-train. Purchasing tickets was our bane. Unless you find someone at your first stop to purchase a reduced (child's) fare you pay adult fees. The kids had fun sticking in the pass, pulling it out and rushing through the gate. Using the L is just like an subway system I've used, its the different means of paying and transfers that makes each unique.

Our first planned stop was the Willis (Sears) Tower. Unfortunately, Chicago has weathering a storm and there was no visibility up top. So as true spontaneous people, we shifted our plans and set off for Navy Pier.

#2 Water Taxi. You can pay for a narrated trip down Chicago River, but we opted for the cheaper and quicker route. Course, we got lucky and one of the workers gave us a tour. He pointed out the area that were destroyed by the Great Fire and bragged about his city. Here are some of our sites.

House of Blues	My favorite building	The lower part is parking... I'd pay a valet to do that!
Twice a week, bridges remain up for sailboats to run the river 	The L-train crossing the bridge

Despite not seeing a clear view of the skyline, the weather was perfect--the humidity was down and it felt like Chicago should...chilly. Once we got off set off for Navy Pier via a....

#3 Trolley It was a bit of a wait, so we pulled out our sandwiches and watched traffic and one full trolley go by. Stuffed into the back we set off for Navy Pier--carnival, museums, lake rides and shops. Part of our GoChicago pass paid for a 30 minute excursion on the lake. Funny story...for each attraction you book, you discount gets cheaper. When I added the boat ride, our cost went down $10 with four events versus three.

 

#4 Boat Ride. We bundled up, snapped some foggy shots while we listened to a pre-recorded tour of the region...."Off to you right is the skyline" and "In the distance you can see..." Trouble was we couldn't see anything. Oh, well....

Our pass to Navy Pier included five rides--Carousal, Wave Swinger (hanging chairs in a circle), Lighthouse, Ferris Wheel and Miniature Golf. We had a blast skipping around to each and seeing more from the ferris wheel down than Chicago proper in the distance.