In the Loop, Out of the Loop, Back in the Loop

So what exactly is the Loop? It is actually the downtown core financial district where the El (elevated subway system loops around). The financial district in Chicago is also where the theaters are located. Deciding which play to catch was a headache as this place is second most play prolific place after NYC. But thanks to Eric’s request for a copy of the Jersey Boys catalogue, we headed to the BofA Theater. The bargain $25 early bird front row seats were snapped by old folks with insomnia so we had to settle for rear orchestra seats.

First fuel stop would be the not too expensive all American breakfast at the Loop with the El in sight at Wabash’s Corner Bakery . As we fill up our tummy, the loud passing train had us wondering how the city dwellers deal with the noise. They must have had really good earplugs. Lol.

The intention of getting bus passes and more sightseeing information from the Chicago Cultural Center led us to discover the world’s largest Tiffany stained glass dome in the world. The center also houses more exhibits and it is free!

With our bus pass, we are now ready to head out of the loop to another two famous free attractions. Our first stop is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The exhibits are mostly summer tropical plants so it was not a big hoo-hah for me. The only plant that caught my attention was the heart shaped variegated sweetheart hoya.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a much more interesting attraction. My personal favorites would be the Regenstein African Journey and the Farm-in-the-Zoo.

There is a few interesting animal at the zoo like the bear with a perpetually dangling tongue, zebra that constantly has seizures and camel with a sagging hump :p

After a nap at the hotel, we walk around the loop in search for a decent priced dinner place. I ‘stumbled’ upon some of the famous architecture downtown. These includes the Chicago Theater, Marshall Field Clock, The Picaso, The four Seasons, The Reliance Building, Carbon n Carbide Building, The Flamingo and many more along the way.

Had our dinner in this pretty old fashioned restaurant named Beef & Brady. Totally loved the simple yet hospitable feeling of the place. The price of the entrée was reasonable as well. The Jersey Boys was definitely more of a show for the baby boomers. I could only recognize 1 song from the whole play (they are supposed to be top billboard hits btw). I must say that it is very well written and enjoyable for a biography musical. Not boring and definitely more realistic than We Will Rock U. Performances by the cast were stellar.

We ended our night with a walk along the Chicago River. The view along the esplanade is simply gorgeous. Oh what a night!