Chicago: St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

This wasn’t our first time in Chicago, or the last, but it was the most fun yet. The crowds of people wearing green, the river dyed bright emerald, the downtown parade, and the general celebration spirit around downtown made even the regular Chicago activities (pretty awesome any other day of the year) that much more exciting.

Of course, before jumping into festivities, we had to do some cultural (ish) things first, like the architectural tour with the Chicago architecture foundation, CAF. We opted for the “Modern skyscrapers” tour, and learned quite a few interesting facts, like that the city is home to the world’s first skyscraper. Take that New York! CAF offer many more options, so we’ll be trying some outer tours next time.

Next on the plan, was a visit to Skydeck at Willis tower offering amazing views of the city and a stroll through the Grant Park which we finishing with a late brunch at the popular Yolk. We even managed to squeeze the obligatory shopping (Zara, oh how I miss you!). That out of the way, bright and early Saturday morning we strolled down to the river to witness the great task of dyeing it green which consists of small boats driving along the river and spilling the green dye. The river stays green all through the following day.

The Chicago St. Patrick’s day parade attracts half a million of people according to some sources, and, as you might guess from that number, is kind of a big deal. We got there waaay too early – one hour before is enough to get a good spot right by the rails – but watching costumes and antics of the gathering, green-clad crowd, made the time flew by quickly. The famous Chicago downtown skyline formed a pretty background for the procession once it started: serious looking bag-pipe players, even more serious military bands, beauty queens, girls with fluffy hair, some very hunky police and firemen, dogs dyed green, and of course the mayor of the city with some very intimidating-looking bodyguards. The event was fun and festive, though I wish there was a little more pizzazz, more color and scale like Giant Leprechauns or giant floating clover balloons, or giant… well, you get the idea.

After the parade, avoiding the blocks-long lines to all the ‘pub’-like establishments within walking distance of the parade, we popped into the State and Lake Chicago Tavern at the Wit and found some very delicious burgers. Call it Irish luck?