The view from above, a hamster wheel, and money, money, money!!!

I don't think you can visit Chicago and not go up on one of the observatories for a sky high view of the city.  We did both the John Hancock Building and the building formerly known as the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower).


The Sears Tower was the tallest in the world from 1973-1998. With 108 floors, it is 1,729 feet up to the tip of its antenna spire. It is still the tallest building in the United States. The observation deck (SkyDeck) is on the 103rd floor and includes glass balconies that are too freaky for me to stand on.

Skydeck! Wah.

The John Hancock Center ("Big John") is 1,500 feet up to the antenna spire and has 100 floors. It is the fourth tallest buildling in the United States, but when it was built in 1968 it was the tallest building in the world (for just a little bit.)  The observation deck has the worlds highest ice skating rink--it is very small and doesn't actually have ice--it has some synthetic material that you can skate on.  It was a sad sight.  But the sights out the windows were very nice--including the Sears Tower.

Window washing at the Hancock Building

Chicago at night

We made an afternoon trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. This was a fun museum with so much to see and do including a fake coal mine tour in the basement!  There was also a human-sized hamster wheel (RIP, Hammy), which was not quite as massive--or mobile--as I had hoped, but I still took a spin on it.



















And right before we headed back to NYC, we made a quick stop into the Money Museum at the Chicago Federal Reserve.  This was by far one of the favorite things we did on the trip.  Not only was the museum free, but it was very interactive.  I learned all about counterfeit money and how to spot it, and we made our own currency!  It was a Monday afternoon and we were the only visitors in there, and thus, we were asked if the Chicago Tribune could take photos of us at the different exhibits for an article they are doing on the museum.  I looked like hell, but how could I turn them down? Ha.  Will keep you posted if we actually make it into the article!

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