Christmas in Chicago’s Loop – Macy’s, Christkindlmarket.
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Today I’m joining up with a group of bloggers who are bravely leaving the warmth and comfort of our holiday-decorated homes to venture outside and share some of our favorite holiday sights around our neighborhoods, towns, cities and states.
Thank you Jennifer @Town & Country Living for organizing this great tour! And be sure to follow the links at the end of this post to check out my blogging friends.
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I’ll start today’s post with a quick Chicago geography lesson: Downtown Chicago – where you’ll find the hi rise buildings – is divided by the Chicago River …
as beautifully shown in the opening sequence of The Bob Newhart Show.
North of the river you’ll find The Magnificent Mile and River North.
South of the river is The Loop.
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When I worked downtown, I was north of the River. On The Magnificent Mile. And was very familiar with the holiday decor along Michigan Avenue.
Pro tip: It’s best seen at dusk/night because each and every tree lining the street is strung with hundreds and thousands of twinkle lights.
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But I’m embarrassed to say I never ventured south of the River during the holidays …
hangs head in shame.
In my defense, I worked hard, long hours on Michigan Avenue and just wanted to get home at day’s end.
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So I thought it was overdue time to correct my 25+ year misstep and head south of the River to walk around The Loop. With my camera in hand …
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I started at Macy’s.
Captured some street musicians.
Loved this giant bow on Old Navy.
I stumbled up on the annual Christkindlemarket in Daley Plaza …
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I capped off my Loop tour with a few quick shots of the decor outside of Petterino’s Restaurant in The Goodman Theater.
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And, no, I did not stop in for a bite to eat.
Maybe next year! 🙂
Be sure to check out my blogging friend’s favorite Christmas places:
MONDAY
Town and Country Living / My Sweet Savannah / Finding Silver Pennies
Hymns and Verses / Duke Manor Farm
TUESDAY
Saw Nail and Paint / It All Started with Paint / Maison de Cinq / Southern Hospitality
I was born in Chicago in the early 1950s, and I was raised in a south suburb. When I was a child, every year before Christmas we would take the Illinois-Central commuter train to downtown Chicago to meet my grandmother in the Loop. We would visit Marshall Fields – now Macys – and Carson Pirie Scott department stores. They used to have beautiful animated Christmas displays in their windows.
The Loop has changed a lot since then. Some of the buildings have even been torn down, leaving open spaces. Even so, I really enjoyed seeing your photos of the Loop at Christmas. It brings back a lot of good memories.
And thank you for sharing your lovely memories with me! Macy’s still does pretty elaborate windows but I just couldn’t figure out how to photograph them in a way that did them justice! 🙂
Oh Linda, I absolutely loved the view from your perspective. I will most certainly entertain the others too…Sounds like you are feeling a bit more optimistic…good to see…
I’m slowly getting my Christmas mojo on! 🙂
p.s yours was my fav, your shots and text brought it all to life….
May the sprinkle of the season dust you in warmth…
lol! thank you! 🙂
I’m close by in Indiana, and I love the excitement of Chicago. As with most big cities, Christmastime and the sheer amount of sparkling decorations makes for a magical reprise from the day to day.
It’s definitely festive here! I think next year I’ll go out and capture Michigan Avenue north of the River. 🙂 Happy holidays!
You’ve captured Chicago so beautifully! I grew up in Michigan and loved visiting Chicago during the holidays!
Thank you so much!!!! That makes me so happy!:)
LOVE your photos, Linda! Chicago is so magical during the holiday season. It’s pretty year-round, but Christmas is always special.
you should have!!! I just love big cities during the holidays. the decorations, the sense of one and spending money! Im coming one day! Merry Christmas
Being a country bumpkin, I love seeing the city at Christmas! We love to visit NYC, but your city looks equally fabulous at Christmas!