First time in: Chicago

Lil adventure into the Windy City

I’m back on Substack, finally.. this break has been longer than expected, but in the last month, I’ve not been focus enough to sit down and write with joy and enthusiasm, then this trip to Chicago came up from the hat just few weeks before the departure and I thought that it would be a fresh new start.

While writing this post, I’ve loved to listen to my just baked Chicago playlist, that you can find on Listening Club and I invite you to play any moment you feel the need of a dusty and nostalgic vibe.

I’ve got Chicago in my mind since couple of years, it’s never been the hype destination, it’s very cold in winter and quite windy all over the year, it not shines of the American charm that hits NY or LA, but, beyond the expectations, I can say that Chicago is a beautiful and unique city with a strong identity and deep culture. It’s really big and lays on a side of the huge Lake Michigan, so it merges perfectly the metropolitan vibe of huge American cities with the research of relax and relief in the nature, there are many parks and a long lake side walk where people chase the sun, enjoy a fresh drink, get a tan on the beach or discover water sports.

It’s very clean but a bit busy, so the easier way to move is the iconic Line, that crosses the city on your head instead of moving underground, sharing noises but offering great picture opportunities.

For sure you have to walk in the Loop, cross Millennium Park, take a picture to huge Cloud Gate and visit Art Institute of Chicago for one of the most impressive art collection, or drive to West, spending an afternoon in the lovely area of Wicker Park for some shopping and an escape from the city, no skyscrapers here, just tree-lines little streets, dogs areas and perfect red bricks houses, or having a lunch in the sun in Logan Square neighbourhood. However, visiting Chicago, my main interest has been architecture, since the city is so renown for the notable work of the greatest architects, so here my three mandatory visits:

Oak Park, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and the neighbourhood, his very first masterpiece, located at the corner of Chicago Ave with Forest Ave, a peaceful area filled with beautiful houses designed by him.

Frederick C. Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright.

For both of them, you can have tours curated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.

Chicago IIT campus with some Mies van der Rohe works as S.R. Crown Hall and the Carr Chapel that I’ve personally adored.

We have not deep explored retail, anyway I have few suggestions:

South Loop Loft for fine vintage furniture

Independence for American menswear, denim, canvas, vintage military pieces and a little unexpected (for Chicago) niche brands as Kapital.

Sandmayer’s Bookstore an indipendent bookstore, located in an historical building of Printer’s Row will stole your heart with its creaking parquet and affection for old things.

Then food, I think it deserves its own post because it’s been such a thing…

xx A.