In the second part of our travel tips for "Chicago – Windy City: You should see this!" we'll introduce you to a brewery, visit Navy Pier, get stopped by the police while taking pictures, and, last but not least, visit a neighborhood of German expats. Did you miss part 1? Then you can read this here read more.
Chicago – Windy City: You should see this! – Half Acre (The Beer Company)
There's beer! Chicago is supposedly the capital of craft beer. It's worth checking out, so right after breakfast at the hotel, we head to the Half Acre Brewery. It takes about 40 minutes by train. We arrive slightly late and end up at the very back of the queue. But we're lucky and manage to play the German card, and despite the full group, we still get in. So, just to be on the safe side, you should check the Brewery website Register for a tour!
At the start, a glass and three bottle caps are handed out. These can be exchanged for full glasses. Before the actual tour begins, beer is served. I start with the Daisy Cutter Pale Ale. Then it gets going, and there's a rather lengthy explanation of the brewery and beer brewing. With every sip of beer, it becomes harder for me to listen.
I'm not really into the beer selection, so I prefer a nice lager. After a good two hours, we're done and, lightly sipping tea, we head to Montrose to take the Brown Line back downtown.
The best burger: Go to Shake Shack!
A visit to Shake Shack is on the agenda—it's about time, because I'm incredibly hungry after the beer tasting! To satisfy my hunger, there's a really good cheeseburger with a vanilla milkshake. I adore this place! Something salty between your teeth feels good! I love Shake Shack!
Chicago – Windy City: You should see this! – Navy Pier
Very satisfied with the delicious burger, we head toward Navy Pier. We head back through Millennium Park to the waterfront. It's not easy to find the right path, but a friendly woman gives us the right tips. Unfortunately, the fog is getting thicker and thicker. We arrive at Navy Pier and make our way through the crowds. There's now a department store selling nothing but junk, exhibition halls, and an enormous number of food courts. A winter fair is taking place at the same time, and it seems every family from Chicago is there.
Planespotting disaster
The weather is good, and we drive to our researched location (4825 Scott St, Schiller Park, IL 60176) for plane spotting. The pictures we took are great, and a few beautiful planes come in. After about half an hour, we change our position, which ultimately proved to be our downfall. Near the cell phone lot, we found a hill that might offer a promising view. So we parked our car next to the road and climbed the small hill. The view was fantastic! We were level with runway 27L and were able to take some really good pictures.
It took just five minutes for an Airport Police SUV to turn into the street and stop in front of our Audi with its blue lights flashing. That was the end of our photography. While we initially assumed that our illegally parked car was the problem, things changed quite quickly. We had to show our ID and were asked why we could have just climbed the hill and taken pictures. While he checked our identities and the car, we had to get into the Audi (rented from Silvercar). The vehicle key had to be placed on the hood. With the horrific images of police violence in the USA in mind, we followed the instructions and tried to be as cooperative as possible.
A few minutes later, the next police car arrived, and the two chatted. When the third patrol car, this time an unmarked vehicle, arrived, someone spoke to us again. The situation was made clear to us that it was serious! We were spotted by the control tower and immediately alerted, as Chicago is currently on the highest terror alert level. We were further informed that taking photographs of aircraft and airport buildings is strictly illegal (get that?! ;) ).
Finally, by then four police cars had arrived, we got our passports back and were asked to delete all pictures of airplanes from our SD cards. We were so angry!
Chicago – Windy City: You should see this! – Germantown Chicago
A little piece of home in the middle of a US metropolis, the houses have a half-timbered look, and there's a brewery – typically German *irony off*. Still, it's quite nice – I particularly like the deli, apart from creations like blueberry bratwurst and cheese and mushroom bratwurst. But the aging cabinet with the excellent dry-aged beef is something special. You can secure these coveted cuts just in time for Christmas and New Year's.
Chicago – Windy City: You should see this! – Trip to Meigs Field
Microsoft Flight Simulator fans will surely still remember Meigs Field. Up until FSX 2002, introductory flights started there. Back in Flight Simulator '98, I never would have imagined I'd be standing here! The former airstrip has since become a park, where the runway was destroyed by bulldozers in a controversial cloak-and-dagger operation.
We get off again at the Adler Planetarium and I enjoy the view of the downtown Chicago skyline.
Travel Guide Chicago
  | For the perfect city trip to Chicago, we recommend this travel guideHere you'll find not only a detailed city map, but also plenty of information on all the major sights. You'll also find great suggestions for excursions into the outskirts. |
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