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!
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
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
Wow that sounds so romantic! I love the pictures of the jellyfish… breathtaking!
Sooo romantic! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
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?
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. 🙂
Shedd is probably my fav too (while everyone else seems to gravitate toward the Art Institute). What did you think about the deep dish?
LOVED the deep dish! I’m sure we gained 5 pounds from it though, but it was super delish. Shedd was AWESOME!!!
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!
Oh my god I would have been able to breathe the entire time!!! And skiing is so much more dangerous than skating. Thanks sweetie!!!
I’ve enjoyed the trip down memory lane with your Chicago tour. But I could do without the snow.
Hahahaha I’m the same way! And normally my husband is too, but I guess when you never see snow it becomes magical instead of cold.
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! 🙂
I’m a die hard NYer too! But, I’m happy to admit that I looooooved Chicago. Thanks for your kind words! 🙂
I LOVE these Chicago posts (though I fully admit I am totally biased)! Miss you beautiful! xo
Haha it’s good to be biased from time to time! We miss you and Chicago VERY much!!! XO
That last shot is awesome with the clouds! The jellies are always my favorite exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so I think you guys made a great choice.
Thanks gorgeous! Jellies are so gorgeous, right? I’m DYING to go diving in Jellyfish Lake in Palau!!!
My friends and I are thinking of going to “Summer Camp” in Chicago this summer. Love these photos and your blog.
You should SO go!!!!! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
Oh the beautiful windy city! Such fun photos! Great perspectives too:)
Thanks a million!!!
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
I’m glad we explored too, even though it was sooo tough to leave THAT room. Shedd was awesome!!! We want to go back and play with the penguins.
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.
They are gorgeous! You can get up close and personal with them, would love to do that encounter.
I love jellies too! They are VERY photogenic!
Totally! I took about 100 pics of them.
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.
I agree, snow is pretty through a window, with a fireplace & a hot Latin to keep you warm. 😉 Yeah the jellyfish in FL ARE scary!!!
Gorgeous photos! Makes me miss my hometown! It can be cold, but there’s so much to do, see, experience, gosh I could go on for ages!
I agree, I want to go back when it’s warmer so that I can REALLY appreciate it. 🙂
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! 🙂
Thank you so much for your awesome comment! We loved Chicago too, totally surprised by how awesome the city was. I love being surprised!!!
i just love chicago, it’s so lovely.
Isn’t it???
I love the Shedd! DId you see the dolphin show?
No sadly we were out of time, BUT we’ve seen a lot of dolphin shows and love them! A reason to go back, right?
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
Awww thank you dear! That’s a HUGE compliment when I can inspire. Wasn’t the Marilyn statue awesome?
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. 🙂
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!!!
Wow! The shots from the aquarium are amazing! I’d love to visit.
Thank you SO much!!!
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…
Scuba diving is the best!!! I love love love everything under the sea.
Happy valentine’s day! Nice post! Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Happy Vday!!! Thanks 🙂
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!
You just put the biggest smile on my face! XOXO
These pictures are great, especially the ones in the Aquarium; I took similar photos at Atlanta Aquarium last year. Loved them!
I did a post on the Atlanta Aquarium, we LOVED it too!!! The whale sharks are amaaaaazing!!!
OMG, those are some amazing photographs!! Following you for sure!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!
Love
Juneli from Fashionably Yours
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You’re so welcome and love back!
That looks like so much fun! That Marilyn statue is amazing, and the aquarium looks so cool and interesting. Plus deep dish pizza? Seems like a wonderful trip!
It was soooo wonderful! 🙂
I would have checked out the aquarium too, great photos, especially the closeup of the big white fish.
Thanks darling!!!
Makes me want to be there now! Happy Valentine’s!
ftashion
Happy Vday!!! <3
Amazing photos!:) The turtle is sooo cute!!:) Thanks for stopping by! Big Kisses!:) xoxo
Thank you too! Big kisses!!!
Glad you got to see at least a little of the city. I still haven’t seen that Marilyn statue in person yet… I have to make time!
There were SO many people around the statue that it was hard to get a good shot! Let me know if you make it there!
This place looks so beautiful! I bet you had a blast.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
We really did!!! Thanks 🙂
Oh my gosh, love these photos! As a bio major, I have a huge weakness for cool animal photography!
THANK you soooo MUCH!!! I’m touched. 🙂
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
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. 🙂
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!
Perfection, right? I LOVE seahorses, but they are really hard to shoot. They move too quickly!
love chicago! great shots!
Thank you so much Danielle!
I feel like I just went on a virtual field trip! I absolutely love the seahorses—they’re just the cutest, most photogenic little creatures!
I wish I could have gotten more pics of the seahorses, but those guys are just too fast!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
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.
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!
WOW! I love these pictures. I especially love views of cities in fog 🙂
Thank you so much! Yes, there is something about fog that is so romantic right?
You are such an awesome person Andi!
Thank you Bailey!
GORGEOUS PICS!
Thanks Vera!
AMAZING PICTURES!!!!!
Thanks Alex!
The Hyatt sound like heaven!
It is I promise!!!
Awesome pics like always Andi!
Thanks Ashley!!!
You live such an exciting life!
I try Tim!
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. 😉
Hahaha I thought “Nemo!” in my head when I saw him too!!! Aren’t the jellyfish gorgeous?