Welcome to Chicago! I’m glad you could join me! Destiny, Jennifer, Xavier, and Michael…I created this post especially for you! I wanted to take you along with me on a hopping, I mean walking tour of Chicago. We’re going to start by my hotel and head to the heart of the city. You’ll find Chicago to be a delightful feast for your eyes! In fact, people come here from all over the world just to look at and study the buildings!
Before we start, click here to find Chicago on the map. Make sure you come right back!
That didn’t take long! I’m glad you’re back! As you can tell by looking at the map, the city of Chicago is located next to Lake Michigan. Do you know which state Chicago is located in? If you said, Illinois–you’re right! Make sure to remember that, because after we finish our walking tour of Chicago, the four of you have to go to the Polly the Travel Frog map that’s out in the hallway and find Chicago, Illinois. Do you think you’re up for the challenge?
Okay, are you ready? Let’s get going….
This is a picture of the Chicago Hilton. It's a very beautiful hotel. Can you see the really tall...I mean humongous building behind it? That's the Willis Tower, which happens to be the tallest building in the United States! How tall do you think it is?
I hopped a little closer so you could get a better look. Wow, now it looks like the other buildings are taller, but it's just an optical illusion. The Willis Tower is 1,450 feet and is 110 stories high!
I'm hungry! Do you remember Mrs. Schneider telling you about this place?
This is a great view of the Chicago skyline and the Lake Michigan. It's a pretty good picture of me, too!
Let's head back toward the heart of the city. Wait, look at this statue!
Destiny, What do you think of this one?
Jennifer, can you see me? I sort of blend right in! This is me standing in front of the Chicago Art Museum. The city itself is like a museum because it's filled with beautiful things--parks and gardens, statues, amazing architecture. Chicago is a feast for the eye!
This is a great view of the Chicago skyline. Can you see the building with the diamond shape? It's one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. It's called the Smurfit-Stone Building. That's a funny name!
This is me in front of the 'Bean'! I bet you're wondering why it's called the 'Bean'...
Now can you tell why I call it the 'Bean'? The real name of the sculpture is Cloud Gate. Which name do you like better?
Wait! Stop! Don't take another step closer. Do you see what I see? No, not my finger! Look closer!
Is it Spiderman? No! Those people are window washers!
What's going on? The road is rising into the air!
The bridge is going up so the tall boats can get through! This is the Chicago River. They dye the river green for St. Patrick's Day!
Mrs. Schneider calls these buildings the Corn Cob buildings, but they're really called Marina City. It's an apartment building and a parking garage! Can you see the cars parked on the lower level?
Chicago is known for its interesting architecture. It's a great place to see old and new styles of buildings. What do you see in the reflection of this building?
Have you ever heard of a man named Donald Trump? This is his building, and of course it's named after him. Do you like it?
This is one of Mrs. Schneider's favorite buildings in Chicago. It's called the Wrigley building. What do you think of it, Xavier?
Since we're down by the river, there are still a few more things I want to show you. Have you ever seen a fire boat?
This is a water taxi. I think it would be fun to catch a ride across town on a boat!
Have you ever seen a police boat? Michael, how fast do you think this boat can go?
I think this is a very interesting looking building, but I wouldn't want to be the one that had to wash all of the windows!
Bye Destiny, Jennifer, Michael, and Xavier! Thanks for hopping through Chicago with me!
As you can tell, Chicago is a very interesting city! If you want to read more about Chicago, make sure to check out the following links…
When in Chicago…eat a Chicago Dog!
Polly #2 Explored the Windy City
‘In Bloom’ at the Oakbrook Center
Tags: Polly 3
March 7th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
It is not a corn building! It is the cookie building!
March 7th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I think the Chicago web site was cool.
March 7th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Mrs. Schneider, I like the picture that is half way shaped like a cylinder. Do you like that picture too? I also like the statue picture you gave me!
March 7th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Dear Mrs. Schneider, I love all the pictures. I love the Bean and the corn one. Did you the to travel with Polly? One more thing I love the statue that you picked for me!
March 7th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
I agree with Michael he is right. It is the cookies building! Do you like that building?
March 7th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
I really enjoyed looking at the pictures. I’ve always wanted to visit Chicago, and this makes me want to go even more. Thanks for some wonderful information.
March 8th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Xavier~
Those buildings are so unique and I love looking at them. I also think they look especially nice because they are right next to the river.
Polly #3
March 8th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Jennifer~
Yes, I went to Chicago with Polly and we had a great time exploring the city together. I’m glad you liked the statue I picked for you. I hope you get to visit Chicago someday, because I think you would really enjoy looking at all of the beautiful things this city has to offer!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Thanks, Michael! I appreciate your kind words about my website. I enjoy creating the site as much as I love traveling!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Hey! I think it looks like two ears of corn standing next to the river, but if you see a cookie, you can definitely call it a cookie! One word of warning, don’t try to take a bite of it! HA HA!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Destiny~
Are you talking about the ‘wavy’ building toward the end of the post? I thought that building looked very interesting against the blue sky. I especially loved looking at all of the statues in the city of Chicago, and I’m happy that you like the statue I picked out for you.
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Hi, you guys! Thanks for writing. I have a question that I would like all of you to answer for me. Take a moment and look at all of the buildings in the story and tell me which is your favorite building and why you like it so much. Use descriptive words to explain your answer…. fancy, old, tall, ornate, smooth, pretty, modern, old, etc….
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I love the corn building. It is tall and fancy.
March 8th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
I love the building in the last picture because it has Polly in it, and it is also pretty. It has curves and lots of glass windows.
March 8th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
My favorite building was the tallest building in the U.S. because it looks cool. The building is also my favorite color.
March 8th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Do you think the corn building is tall and fancy too?
March 8th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Do you like the same building as I do?
March 8th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
What was your favorite building?
March 8th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Dear Mrs. Schneider, I like the one museum with the statue in front of it, because it looks really fancy and fun to go to. Did you go inside of the museum?
March 8th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Xavier,
Yes, I definitely think the ‘corn building’ is fancy, or better said, different. It is unique and looks like something you might see in a movie about the future.
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
Michael~
My favorite building in Chicago is the Wrigley Building, but there are so many choices, so it makes it very hard to choose!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Jennifer~
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to visit the museum, but if I go back to Chicago, it will definitely be on my list of things to do!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Destiny,
The building you are asking about is actually an apartment building. Don’t you think it would be great to be able to look out your window and gaze down at the Chicago River?
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Yes, that would be cool to look at the river. What did you have for breakfast in the Yolk restaurant?
March 8th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Dear Destiny~
The food at the Yolk restaurant is so good! I ate there twice. I had pancakes, fried eggs, and bacon. I also had a cup of coffee.
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Was it good to eat all that stuff? It sounds good!
March 8th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
It was delicious! I will definitely go back to eat at Yolk when I visit Chicago again. Mrs. Butler ordered crepes and they were yummy, too!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Did she love her delicious crepes?
March 8th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Destiny, she said the crepes were divine! Mrs. Stine, the other teacher I traveled with ordered crepes, too. Would you like to see a picture? Click here!
Mrs. Schneider
March 8th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Did you go to the tallest building in the world?
March 8th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Hi Scottie~
Thanks for writing! Not only did I see the tallest building in Chicago, but I got to go up to the observation deck on the 103rd floor! The view was amazing!
Click here to see the 103rd floor
Click here to see the tallest building in the world which is located in the United Arab Emirates
Mrs. Schneider & Polly # 3
March 9th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
You put two the under your first picture.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I liked the story! I loved the giant bean!
March 9th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I think the pictures are great!
March 9th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Jason, your comment makes me feel special! Thanks for saying that you like my pictures. It’s fun take pictures when I travel to new places.
Polly #3
March 9th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Isaiah~
The “Bean” is a big tourist attraction. Every time I go to Chicago–rain or shine and day or night–people swarm around it to take pictures!
Polly #3
March 12th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Thanks Scottie! I found the mistake you were talking about and fixed it! Great proof reading!
Mrs. Schneider
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Does Polly have fun traveling the world?
March 22nd, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Dear Austin, Destiny, and Hope…
Polly LOVES traveling around the world! In about 2 weeks, Polly #3 will be going to Spain and France,and Polly #7 will by posting from Thailand and South Korea! As you know, Polly #3 will be visiting China this summer. Should she send you a postcard?
Love,
Mrs. Schneider
March 24th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Polly #3 we will be happy that you should send us a postcard!
March 24th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Okay, I’ll send you a postcard!
April 13th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Okay, sounds cool!
April 19th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
I love you.
April 23rd, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Thanks, Lily…I love you too!
Love,
Polly #3