Chicago Lake Front – South to 31st St.

Chicago’s Lakefront Trails welcome residents and visitors from around the City. On any given day activity along the trails includes people commuting to work, training for marathons, caregivers with children in strollers, tourists on rental bikes, and people taking a leisurely stroll. Running from Ardmore Ave. on the north, to 71st St. on the south, the trails provide important access to the lake for recreational purposes and have increasingly become an active transportation route for many Chicagoans. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lakefront-trail

Holidays in Chicago are normally very busy, but not during the Covid Pandemic. My dad and I walk through downtown Chicago at lunch time and it’s a bit of a ghost town. See Chicago like you never have before, when no one is around. This is the beginning of our Lake Front hike down to the 31st Harbor and back. We took the Metro into town so we are walking from Ogilvie Station.

We walk over to Daley Plaza and find that the holiday market has been cancelled for 2020. There is a lot of history and Picasso statues so use your 360° tools to see it all.

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The pandemic continues to take its toll on holiday traditions. Marshall Fields (Macy’s) does not decorate their holiday windows this year. It maybe the first time ever or possibly since WW2 that this tradition has been cancelled.

The Chicago Bean, or Cloud Gate as its supposed to be titled, has rapidly become the most iconic image of Chicago. A must see for every visiting tourist, the bean is actually pretty cool. Although we could not actually go under the sculpture, we were able to capture the bean without people in front of us. In order for you to see the bean, you’ll need to turn the video around – that’s why we have 360° videos. Before we enter the Bean area, we walk past the official Christmas Tree of Chicago. Traditionally, the tree is in Daley Plaza.

Entering the Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain area from the Lake Michigan side, I walk down a beautiful sidewalk to the Crane Girl and Fisher Boy fountains. Then I walk around Buckingham Fountain. It’s a great, clear day and the 360° city skyline views are fantastic.

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The baseball diamonds on Hutchinson Field are a place where Dad spent many weekend afternoons. He tells me about an old movie with Demi Moore and Rob Lowe called “About Last Night.” I guess much of the movie revolves around friends getting together during and after softball games played right here. The movie came out in 1986 and my dad was here in the 1990’s. In other news, the Chicago Skyline looks pretty special from this vantage point.

All the museums are closed but we have a great, crowd less view of the museum campus. We spent time looking at the Monuments outside of Soldiers Field and there is a little movie trivia. Feel free to correct this trivia in the comments.

We discover a small plot of land south of McCormick Place that turns out to be the McCormick Bird Sanctuary. This park is also the Chicago Fallen Firefighter and Paramedic Memorial Park. The space was new to us and I’m glad we found it. Maybe someone can comment about why there are two names and two purposes for this park.

The Burnham Wildlife Corridor (BWC) is a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. The corridor is composed of 3 main natural areas including the Burnham Centennial Prairie, Burnham Nature Sanctuary, and McCormick Bird Sanctuary. The corridor spans both sides of Lake Shore Drive, and is the largest stretch of natural area along Chicago’s lakefront. Its native prairie, savanna, and woodland ecosystems provide healthy, diverse habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, and offer opportunities for visitors to meaningfully connect to this revitalized public green space in ways that inspire nature exploration, enjoyment, and stewardship.  

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After the large structures of Chicago’s Museum Campus, Soldiers Field and McCormick place, the lake front path become more nature oriented. The strip of lakefront land south of McCormick and North of the 31st Harbor is known as the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. Sure enough, this is a corridor and there is green space. There are also a few artistic placements meant as meet-up areas.

Ok, this is not the best audio. The wind is strong and I can’t be heard. But, the views of Chicago’s Skyline and Lake Michigan are fantastic. Be sure and use the 360° tools to spin around and see everything.

We are both pretty excited by the natural energy of the Lake and the City. Its our first time at the 31 Street Harbor. Check out the views.

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Walking back during dusk, the winter lake colors are amazing. We are walking around the backside of the Shedd Aquarium and looking out toward the Adler Planetarium. This hike has been a 360° extravaganza so make sure to take advantage of this video. The Lake horizon is particularly beautiful.

Another great winter sunset view toward the Chicago Skyline. BTW, the Cajun Chef, Justin Wilson, can be seen cooking Gumbo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK4um…​

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The city lights begin to turn on as we finish our hike. The next set of videos are going to be about the Christmas Lights along the Chicago Riverwalk. We are both excited about heading down to the 31 Street Harbor. Hopefully we will have a chance to continue the Hike farther South.

We walk along the Chicago River Walk starting at Lake Michigan and look at all the Holiday lights. Use the 360° controls to see the whole skyline.

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The pandemic may have reduced the people outside along the Chicago River Walk, but the holiday lights at night are going strong. We are walking West from Michigan Av looking at all the buildings. Please use your 360° controls to experience the views.

We are at the heart of the Chicago River Walk at State Street. We had such as great time experiencing the city all lit up after a long day hike along the lake shore. The Chicago River Walk at night during the holidays was a bonus on our way to the Metra Station. Be sure and use the 360° options to see all the sights.

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We round the bend of the Chicago River Walk at the Merchandise Mart. We are happy to experience one of the most exciting locations in the City of Chicago, during the holidays with all the lights. This is a 360° video, be sure and take advantage of the view.

Our final view of the Chicago River Walk. We see a barge pass by while looking East toward the center of the city. Another great use of 360° video. Tell us in the comments your favorite view of Chicago.

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