Chicago: Day 5

February 13, 2012

It was almost impossible to leave our Monarch Suite  — why would we want to leave the most amazing hotel room we had ever stayed in?  However, we had hardly seen any of the city yet, thus we felt an obligation to explore even if it was just for a couple of hours.  Right around the corner from the Hyatt Regency Chicago is the Magnificent Mile, which is where we began our Windy City tour.  Since it is on the Chicago river and it was quite chilly outside, our time there was brief.

Then we had to make a tough decision, as we only had time left to visit one last tourist destination.  Of all of the amazing sights to see in Chicago, how could we pick just one?  Since we are both huge marine-life aficionados, we decided upon the Shedd Aquarium and at the end of the day we were both content with our decision, as it is a magical place!  The following are some of my favorite photos from our time there:

My favorite exhibit and the one that was on special display were the “jellies.”  I know they have the potential to kill humans who come in contact with them, but there is something so mesmerizing and graceful about them.  I could watch them glide through the water for hours upon hours.

As we departed the museum, it was obvious by the precipitation in the air that snow was on its way.  My Argentinean husband had only seen snow once or twice in his life and he could not have been more excited.  I, however, was ready to return to our room with the fireplace.

Though not before we picked up a famous Chicago deep dish pizza to-go first.  Just as we started the fire and began to consume our delicious pizza, the snow began to fall.  That moment felt so perfect and there was no where else in the entire world that I would have rather had been.  2012 was off to one extraordinary start!

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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94 thoughts on “Chicago: Day 5

  1. Cata

    Love the jelly pictures!!!! Aquariums are fun! Good choice. I’ve never seen Marilyn in Chicago! Is it new or did I just missed it? i love shopping in Chicago! But im sure in the winter I would stay indoors most of the time. Did u go to millennium park? Havent been to Chi-town since 2008. I want to go back someday! Xoxo

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Aren’t the jellies fun? I took a million pics of them! I’m not sure if the Marilyn statue was new or not? It’s so fabulous!!! We walked by Millennium Park, but didn’t go skating, because Lucas doesn’t have health insurance hahaha and he’s never skated before. I definitely want to return soon. XO

      Reply
  2. Patricia GW

    I love that you put the photos of Marilyn Monroe in Warhol colors. The jellyfish photos came out great. I love the cute little seahorse 🙂 The end of the night sounds so romantic and perfect to be digging into that pizza while the snow began to fall… was Lucas entranced by it?

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      That was Lucas’ idea about the MM Warhol pic! Cool huh??? The seahorse is beyond precious, but he moves TOO fast for pics! Lucas was TOTALLY entranced by the whole trip. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Alex

    I love your comment about not skating because Lucas doesn’t have health insurance. I took Mark SKIING in the US with no health insurance coverage and I was just in terror the entire time of what broken limbs we were going to end up with. Fun times! Ha.

    And the jelly photos are amazing!

    Reply
  4. Terri

    While I am a die hard New Yorker, I will say that Chicago has some beautiful architecture and fun monuments and public art. Also beautiful shots of the jellyfish! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Manda

    Yay you went to Shedd!!
    Its the best one in the states I feel.
    So glad you got to get out and explore a bit!! your evening sounds delightful!! xo

    Reply
      1. Manda

        Oh the lil men in suits are too cute!! I really want to spend time with the Beluga Whale – that was the first place I saw one – such a unique animal.

        Reply
  6. Abby

    Snow is pretty — through a window lol. I guess I can now say the same about jellyfish! So beautiful, even though I am terrified of them after so many years in Florida and in the tropics.

    Reply
  7. Meg

    My boyfriend recently took me back to his hometown of Chicago. I loved it. What a cool city. I was lucky and got great weather both times. Even in the winter. The pictures you posted are beautiful. Glad to have found your adventure site! 🙂

    Reply
  8. meri

    I went back to Chicago this fall with my mom and sister, and we had quite a bit of fun with Marilyn as well 🙂 I love your blog, it makes me want to do some more roaming!
    Meri

    Reply
  9. Paris Karin (an alien parisienne)

    Those jellyfish pics are *incredible*. I love them! Chicago is such an incredible city. So many interesting things to see and do. If only the winters were not so infamously harsh there (and the summers so hot and humid…). I’d move there in a moment’s notice if not for the climate. Visiting is definitely a great option, though. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      We will definitely be visiting some more, we LOVED it! The weather does suck a bit, but one city can’t have it all. Thanks so much for your kind words re: my jelly pics!!!

      Reply
  10. Sabrina

    I love your pictures from the aquarium! They are beautiful! I think I would have made the same decision by the way as I am fascinated by all thinsg underwater. Haven’t been scuba diving in almost two years and miss it…

    Reply
  11. Aubrey

    Oh my goodness…that last mental image of the snow and sitting by a fire with a pizza is completely perfect! No wonder everyone loves your blog! (c: Glad to add myself to the list!

    Reply
  12. Andrea

    So glad you loved Shedd – I have fond memories of going there with my father and cousins when I was younger. Your jellyfish photos are amazing!! What deep dish pizza place did you go to? Nancy’s is my fav

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I wish I could remember the name, it was pretty famous, as there was a 90 minute wait! Shedd was fantastic — we’ll definitely return when we return to Chicago. I love that you have childhood memories there. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Andi

    I love the seahorse photo. Cannot think of a better way to end the evening, Chicago pizza in front of a fire place watching the snow – magical!

    Reply
  14. Wanda

    These are truly beautiful photos, Andi. I haven’t been to Chicago yet, it’s on the to do list. I will be checking out the hotel you stayed in, it sounds like the place to stay.

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Oooh you must go to Chicago as soon as you get the chance, you’ll LOVE it!!! Thanks so much for your kind words re: my photos! And definitely stay at the Hyatt Regency. It’s divine!

      Reply
  15. Ceri

    Wow, look at those jellyfish! I’ve never seen anything like those before. 😀

    And the child on me did squeal “Nemo!” at the photo of the clownfish. 😉

    Reply

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