June 10, 2008
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The Prettiest City in America
Some say that Chicago’s nickname of “The Windy City” comes from its political history. Specifically, they reference the “spectator sport” style of politics practiced in the last century, and the adage that when Chicago politicians speak they are “blowing a lot of wind”. It is meant to be a jab towards the Chicago Democratic Machine, which for the most part has been led by the Daley family for the past 50 years. Although machine politics has mostly fallen out of style elsewhere in the United States, it is, for the most part, alive and well in Chicago. Source: Wikipedia
Updated photos & new blog: May 1, 2010: http://careygly.xanga.com/726530473/americas-prettiest-city/
View from room in Hyatt Regency
Millennium Park
The Bean
The Wrigley Building on the left and Tribune Tower on the right
Looking north on Michigan Ave.
The new, unfinished, Trump Tower
Looking south on Michigan Ave.
NBC Tower
The famous Chicago Theater on State Street, that Great Street.
The “L”More at: http://picasaweb.google.com/CareyAnthonyGLY/
Comments (45)
i love the pic of the bean!!!!
Seriously! It’s niiiiiiice! Can’t say anymore :P
The Bean is definitely an interesting piece!
Impressed by the “bean”! Interesting profile photo, btw!
i didn’t know chicago was so pretty. or did you just take ten pictures of the same place at different angles? :P
as close as i am to it, i’ve never been to chicago – drove through it once in the middle of the night, but that’s it. i’ve always wanted to visit their science and history museum. have fun and behave! peace, al
That bean is so cool!!!
Prettier than NYC? Hard to say my friend… hard to say…
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
such fabulous pictures. i think my favorite is the buildings w the lake view.
my mother was born there during al capone’s hey day.
Mrs O’Leary’s cow failed!
Chicago really is a beautiful place. Awesome pictures!
Great pictures… RYC, one pear, two spoons, comin’ right up
According to Devil in the White City, Chicago gained the nickname “The Windy City” in the 19th century. But, for the same reasons you cite; its political bluster.
I visited this spring for the first time and stayed in the Swissotel just a block down from the Hyatt, such a wonderful view of the lake from there. The Tribune building was by far my favorite.
@generasianx - Thanks Tony. I’ve taken better pictures of it over the years. It clouded up while I was there yesterday.
@aliceandrandy - Thanks
@stevew918 - The bean seems quite popular! Thanks
@JonasApproved - Guilty as charged Jonas. That’s one of my favorite views in the city though, and I like the different light conditions. I stayed perched on an island in the middle of Michigan Ave. waiting for the sun to fully set last night. People probably thought I was nuts. Guess I am
@curry69curry - Thanks Gary. Yeah, that profile pic is me photoshopped into the Obelisk in the same park a few years ago
@pukemeister - The Museum of Science & Industry is great. Went there every year on field trips as a kid. The Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum are also nice!
@Dezinerdreams - Thanks Vivek. Maybe you can come here when you visit the States.
@jigg - You know Ray, I really do think the skyline of Chicago is prettier. The Lake also adds a nice feature. I’ve lived in New York too, and though I love it, this is home to me, and I really like the architecture.
@qccan - Indeed it did! The fire made the city what it is today.
@razzlebash - Al Capone and his mythology are still a huge part of this city.
@wherethefishlives - Thanks
@MlleRobillard - Yum!
@haplessllama - I actually prefer the Swiss Hotel, but my conference is at this old shitty Hyatt that charges an arm and a leg for Internet. Highway robbery!
The skyline pictures at dusk are very nice. It was actually one of the tips in a photography site. (i.e. dusk is better than a backdrop of the night sky)
@ElusiveWords - Thanks…I waited a while for just the right light last night. Glad it was worth it!!
thanks for the kind words, your really good with the camera as well. beautiful shots of Chicago!
@meetthekings - Thanks…I could learn a lot from Henry though! Kiss that cute baby for me!
Hmmm, prettiest in America? I don’t know…. I know I would much rather live in SF,LA, Manhattan than Chicago. Shopping there is pretty crappy. It’s freaking cold in the winter and humid in the summer. Same with NYC but at least it’s NYC.
LOL, none of those things you mention have anything to do with it being pretty! I agree about the weather, and I think SF is a rival for most beautiful city, but I think Chicago still has it beat when you compare architecture and natural beauty. Of course, that’s just my opinion, and I’m biased. :-p
You totally made me miss chicago. I wanna move back
Did you take all these photos yourself? If so, I am very impressed!
@AzNSaiLoRBoi - I forgot you used to live here! I love Chicago in June. Not too hot yet!
@me_zephyrs - Yep, I took every one! Thanks so much. The full size photos are available on my Picasa site at: http://picasaweb.google.com/CareyAnthonyGLY/Chicago08
@CareyGLY - May I hire you as da photographer of my family events?
@me_zephyrs - Too much pressure!!
Beautiful shots. The first one, View from room in Hyatt Regency, is my favorite.
@sethrocker - Thanks Seth. I’m always interested in the photos people like best. They’re always different!
the bean is amazing!
@pang890528 - Thanks! You should come visit. Chicago’s a great city. Happy New Year kiddo.
Chicago is dingy and grey, with many ugly condos and partially gentrified ghetto as well.. These photos are touched up more than the Cubs pitching staff!
@tam - To each his own! But honestly they’re not that touched up. I simply used the vivid color setting on my camera.
cool photos!!!
cool city too!
@maniacsicko - Thanks!! Yeah, it’s a great city.
Great photos of Chicago :) When it gets nice[r] out I will spend more time downtown, you did my city justice, major props to ya!
i want to go.
It’s one of the great cities of the world.
@NVPhotography - It’s my city too
Born and raised!
@s_a_r_a_h_1 - Have fun!
@zisixi - Indeed. Thanks!
WOW! Those are fantastic photos!
I agree 100%
@ImageThis - Thanks very much!
@OurUnspokenTrust - Happy New Year.
Prettiest city??? There are sooooo many places in America more beautiful than Chicago. Always found Chicago to be a bit drab and weather beaten.
@Ranger Danger - It certainly isn’t drab in these photos!
But only two of the pics contain anythig remotely “pretty”
Chicago is like a supermodel with bad breath, a broken nose, and stinky feet.
@jo jo - Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. Here are some updates that I believe are even prettier: http://picasaweb.google.com/CareyAnthonyGLY/Chicago2010#
I had never seen a picture of the tribune tower at night, the thing is that I’ve been there only in the day light. I passed by tower one day I needed to buy a Cheap Viagra, so I went to the nearby pharmacy.