Travel Photo Thursday: A Slice of Chicago

I’ve just returned home from a two week trip to the Midwest that included a few days in the Chicago area to visit family and friends and participate in Walk MS. Here is a slice of Chicago life for Travel Photo Thursday.

The First Slice

Lou Malnati's Pizza

Malnati Chicago Classic at Lou Malnati's

Actually, my individual serving of Malnati Chicago Classic pizza was more than one slice of deliciousness. It’s made with lean sausage, extra cheese and tomato sauce on Malnati’s own Buttercrust™. For many years, I’ve been a Gino’s East fan, but I might have found a new love.

Across State Street

North State Street, Chicago

Across the Street from Lou Malnati's

Looking across State Street from Malnati’s while I devoured my pizza, I was reminded of the days when I worked in the city and this area of town was known for its many singles bars. But that’s not a story to be told here.

Follow That Man

Cow Sculpture at Chicago Cultural Center

Cow Sculpture at Chicago Cultural Center

This bronze cow sculpture is on Washington Street in front of the Chicago Cultural Center. It was a gift to the people of Chicago for their enthusiastic support of the 300 fiberglass cow sculptures that were installed throughout the city in 1999 in the Cows on Parade public art exhibition.

Looking Up

Willis Tower and other buildings in Chicago

Chicago Skyscrapers - Willis Tower

On the right in this photo is the top of the Willis Tower, known as the Sears Tower until 2009. Designed for Sears by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it was built in 1973 and is the tallest building in the western hemisphere at 1,450 feet and 110 stories high.

Trump Tower

35 E. Wacker Building and Trump International Hotel and Tower

I think that the design of the new Trump International Hotel and Tower (completed in 2009) complements the old Jewelers Building at 35 East Wacker Drive seen in this photo to its left.

Over and Under

Tour Boat and Water Taxi on Chicago River

Tour Boat and Water Taxi on Chicago River

Washington Boulevard Bridge

Crossing the Washington Boulevard Bridge

One of the many historic bridges over the Chicago River, the West Washington Boulevard Bridge was opened in 1913. When I take the Metra train into the city from the suburbs, I cross the bridge as I head east into the Loop (Chicago’s central business district) from the Ogilvie Transporation Center a block away. That’s when I start to feel the excitement of being back in the Windy City.

Washington Boulevard Bridge and Tender House

Washington Boulevard Bridge Trusses and Tender House

The L in the Chicago Loop

"The L" in the Chicago Loop

The elevated railway (The “L”) has been in operation in the Loop since 1892. One of the classic familiar sounds of Chicago is that of the trains as the pass overhead.

A Chicago Landmark

Macy's Department Store

Macy's with original Marshall Field's Plaque

Macy’s on State Street (the corner of State and Wabash is shown here), formerly Marshall Field and Company, is a National Historic Landmark. In 2006, Macy’s bought Marshall Field’s, causing quite a stir among residents whose families had shopped there for generations. Because of the controversy, Macy’s ultimately left the original name plaques on the building.

Tiffany Glass Mosaic Ceiling at Macy's

Tiffany Glass Mosaic Ceiling at Macy's

Watch your step while you’re in the store, because you might get distracted by this gorgeous Tiffany glass mosaic ceiling that was installed in 1907.

City Lights and Footlights

Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre on N. Dearborn Street

The internationally respected Goodman Theatre is the oldest non-profit theater in Chicago.

Fountain at Daley Plaza

Daley Plaza Fountain at Night

A Missed Photo Opportunity

CBS Studios

CBS News Studio

An hour earlier, I stood at this same spot in front of CBS Studios while renowned TV journalist Bill Kurtis was seated at the table chatting off-air with the crew. He smiled and waved. I smiled, waved, and walked on. What was I thinking?

Just One More Slice of Chicago

Thin crust pizza at Malnati's

Thin Crust Veggie Pizza at Malnati's


Mr. TWS had the thin crust pizza with veggies at Lou Malnati’s. What’s your pizza preference?

This is my contribution to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday originated by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to check out other contributions on her website.

I’m also linking up to the Friday Daydreamin’ series at RWeThereYetMom?‘s website. Take a look at the photos there, too.


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63 thoughts on “Travel Photo Thursday: A Slice of Chicago

  1. Katrina

    One of my old employers had an internal discussion board online. There was often heated debate about NY vs. Chicago style pizza. I didn’t have a preference one way or another, having grown up on the west coast. Now, even though I’ve never been to NY, I realize that as delicious as your photos look, I am firmly in the thin crust camp. Chicago pies can be wonderful, but they are NOT pizza, I say! …but then, maybe I’ve been spending too much time writing about Pizza Margherita lately.

    Thanks, as always, for a lovely visit to a faraway place. 🙂

    1. Cathy Post author

      Thanks for your pizza insights, Katrina! I’m dedicated to spending the rest of my life finding the real pizza. 🙂

  2. Jeff Titelius

    What a great tour through Chicago. You know, I have never been there but I have lived and eaten thanks to this delicious post!! And glad Macy’s honored the heritage of Marshall Field! Great pics of the windy city my friend.

  3. Leigh

    I think Chicago is a great city. I’ve it explored it on long weekends on a couple of occasions. I love the deep dish pizza and my mouth waters looking at the first photo. Also love the Chicago Art Museum and would love to go back and spend a day wandering around it.

  4. Jackie Smith

    Not fair. Double whammy. Start and finish with that Chicago pizza. . .hard to take at 5 p.m. Seattle time. Loved the tour. We keep saying we need to visit the Windy City and this has just moved it higher on the list of must sees.

  5. Annie - FootTracker

    Woo, I have yet to find a good Chicago style pizza in the bay area (near SF)…often times it is too thick and oily for me. The ones you show in the photos clearly looked much better!

    Haha, I also have many instances where I see someone famous, but did not approach them for some reason. ^^ (then kicking myself later when I got home and Googled them)

  6. Mary @ The World Is A Book

    I’ve always found Chicago to be a fascinating city and such a foodie paradise. Glad to hear you had a great vacation. I remember that Tiffany Glass when it was Marshall Fields – so stunning. One of my bestfriends lives in Chicago so every Christmas we either get Malnati’s pizza delivered with dry ice or tubs of Garrett’s popcorn. She’s visiting in Aug. so I may need to ask her to bring some since your pictures just gave me some serious cravings. =)

  7. Steve

    I’ve only had one opportunity to spend a day in Chicago, and I have to say I left with a slightly less nostalgic view of the “L” train than you paint here. The rest of the city though, I really enjoyed. Your pictures do it a great justice.

  8. Sophie

    I have a cousin who lives in Chicago that I haven’t visited in years (decades, actually). Fun to see some familiar scenes – and some new.

    And pizza: Margherita. With as few ingredients as possible, very thin crust…

  9. jade

    YUMMY! We love chicago style pizza. There is this great place in Echo park that has delicious chicago style pizza. now I think Bob and I need to go there sooner than later!

  10. Becca@R We There Yet Mom?

    Chicago is one of my favorite big cities and I love that you captured pics of different things than most expect to see (lake shots, the Bean, etc.) – I enjoyed it though I’m puzzled that you were cheating on Gino’s East…. :))

    1. Cathy Post author

      Thanks, Becca — I wanted to show something a little bit different. About Gino’s v Malnati’s — I don’t know if it’s long term or just a fling.

  11. Craig

    Great photos! Really make me miss Chicago – it’s been way too long since I’ve been there.

    And it’s definitely been too long since I’ve been to Malnati’s. I am so jealous.

  12. Francesca

    First off, this post is fantastic. I could not have described & photographed my city any better than you have. Secondly, I prefer thin crust pizza but if I am going to do deep dish, I’m going to Pizzeria Due. Lastly, you should have told me you’d be in Chicago! We had an awesome tweetup last weekend with a group of fellow travel bloggers.

    1. Cathy Post author

      Such a nice compliment from a Chicago gal! Thanks, Francesca. I haven’t been to Due’s in years.I remember that it was very good.

  13. Linda

    Love the pictures of Chicago – it’s SO high on my bucket list!

    As for pizza you must have been reading my mind, because my son was here for a few days last week & part of the ritual of his visit was to go to the one pizza place which does deep crust here. They really are to die for, and I was thinking of doing a post about them. When Guy (son) was in his teens, he had a band which practiced in our garage & the ritual every weekend when they were there was to send out for a Roy’s Pizza. It became so regular that the delivery guy inevitably arrived with a gift of sodas or ice cream or something. Fond memories!

  14. Caanan @ No Vacation Required

    Malnati’s is one of Kent and I’s favorite pizza places in the whole world. We have literally had their pizza delivered to our house in Seattle, that is how much we love it. Did you happen to have their house salad as well? It almost trumps the pizza. No kidding!

    Love the other shots of Chicago. It really is a cool city, isn’t it?

    1. Cathy Post author

      I was so happy to hear from you and Mary (comment above) about having Malnati’s delivered to the west coast. I’m checking that out!

    1. Cathy Post author

      I hope that someone from Malnati’s and the City of Chicago are reading some of these posts. I might be drumming up some new tourist business for them. 🙂

  15. Lisa

    Your photos are getting me excited about our summer trip to Chicago. The last number of trips we’ve made have been in the winter and I’m anxious to go on a boat tour again. I’ve been to Chicago more than half a dozen times but I’ve never had pizza there – may just have to do something about that too!

  16. jenjenk

    i think i’ve visited every pizza joint in chicago after all my years of business trips out there. i’m sure much has changed in 10 years!

    one of my former co-workers actually bought one of the cows after the exhibition. as he lived in a 1 bedroom apartment, I was baffled as to where he actually KEPT that thing! 😉

  17. Sabrina

    How fun! That first pic really shows that this pizza is really more of a pie than pizza 🙂 Looks great though in its own right! A boat tour sounds like fun as well.

  18. Laurel

    I’ve only been to Chicago airport, which is one of the nicest airports I’ve ever been in, but the architecture and the pizza would capture my interest the most.

  19. mark

    Thanks for this post; we’re heading for vacation in Chicago on June 12 and I’m getting excited looking at your photos. Everything on here is on our agenda, along with Art Inst., Shedd, Field Museum, and Navy Pier. We’re doing it all! ~ mmmmm, malnatis chicago classic…..can’t wait!

  20. Pingback: History, Chicago-style | Traveling with Sweeney

  21. Emme

    Wow, that pizza looks great! And I love the 1907 original Tiffany glass ceiling, it has been so beautifully preserved. This post is a great little “slice of Chicago” – thanks for sharing! – Emme @ Green Global Travel

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