Chicago assaults the senses. My camera almost went into melt down during the Chicago River Architecture Tour. This was partly due to the heat and partly due to the dizzying array of architectural styles.
The Wrigley building is at the start of the tour with its lacy spires, arches and ornately carved gate and walkway. It is dazzling white limestone which contrasts and highlights the tall glass towers like the Trump Tower.
All the architects seemed to have been working in some sort of slow waltz to create a complimentary and contrasting architectural vista as you cruise down the river.
Our guide told us tall tales and true about the buildings and the city. Apparently Chicago is called the Windy City because the people are so long winded and like to talk a lot.
One odd little fact is that Wrigley didn't intend to manufacture chewing gum. He wanted to make and sell soap and when that failed he made baking powder which didn't work either. But the clients really loved the little free sticks of chewing gum he included with the baking powder so that is what he went with.
In the afternoon we went to the Art Institute of Chicago and saw lots of wonderful paintings and art works.

We saw the above picture by Georges Seurat,  Grant Wood's American Gothic and so many more. There was a great Roy Lichtenstein retrospective. Giddy with art we retreated to the streets and visited Millennium Park and the fabulous bean and then we went to Gap and snapped up a few bargains and then came home to have dinner with the family.