Chicago Art Institute, The Bean, Buckingham Fountain, Steppenwolf Theatre, Wildberry Cafe, Goddess and the Baker, and The Purple Pig | Chicago, IL

We began day 2 by eating breakfast at Wildberry Cafe. I was extremely tempted to try their berry bliss pancakes (one of their specialties) but I was in a savory mood that morning so I had the classic eggs benedict and M had the Mexicana skillet with a cinnamon roll pancake. The food was fantastic!

eggs benedict

Mexican skillet with a cinnamon roll pancake

Next we explored the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park (also known as The Bean). This sculpture is an iconic Chicago landmark and is interesting to explore. When you walk under the middle portion of the sculpture, your entire vision is encapsulated by the mirrored surface and anyone / anything that is in that area with you. It's an unique sensation. 

Under the Bean

That area of the park was not super crowded when we were exploring, but there was a school group of screaming middle schoolers running around. If you want to experience this sculpture alone I would imagine you need to arrive quite early in the morning. 

Tip: be sure to check the pictures a kind stranger took with your camera
because they may cut off part of the sculpture lol

We also visited the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park as well. This sculpture consists of two glass brick walls that have faces projected on them (the faces alternate throughout the day). Additionally, the faces appear to spit water out of the projected person's mouth. This sculpture is fun but a little unsettling because the faces projected are enormous and appear to be staring at the viewer.

Next we visited the Chicago Art Institute. It's huge!! We spent 4 1/2 hours in the museum and saw about 85% of the exhibit spaces. The Impressionist, American, and European wings were my favorite. Also, they allow photography without a flash! So I took 489 pictures...not kidding, but I'll show you a select few :)

Chicago Art Institute (they dress up the lions for special occasions!)

Gustave Caillebotte, Paris Street; Rainy Day, 1877, oil on canvas

Pierre-Aguste Renoir, Two Sisters (On the Terrace), 1881, oil on canvas

Georges Seurat, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - 1884, 1884-86, oil on canvas

detail

Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1887, oil on artist's board

Monet gallery

Claude Monet, Water Lily Pond, 1917/19, oil on canvas

detail

They have an entire gallery of Claude Monet paintings, a fantastic self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh, tons of John Singer Sargent works, and a gallery of enormous European paintings in addition to Grant Wood's American Gothic and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. You could spend a week in there and not see everything properly. Also, their gift shop is a fantastic place for souvenirs. 

Drama and naturalism in 17th century Italy and Spain gallery

Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor exhibition

armor detail

A gallery of John Singer Sargent paintings!!!

Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones, Shoe Shop, ca. 1911, oil on cavas

Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930, oil on beaver board

Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942, oil on canvas

Mary Cassatt, After the Bullfight, 1873, oil on canvas

detail

American gallery

American gallery

After the museum, we stopped by Buckingham Fountain. It's gigantic...but that's all lol. I would not recommend going out of your way to find it, but if you are in the area it's a sight to see.

We were in the museum so long we missed lunch, so we had a snack at Goddess and The Baker later in the afternoon. I had the seasonal banana cupcake with an iced chai tea and M had the rainbow cake and a butterscotch latte. Both were delicious. 

Next we freshened up at the hotel and then took the L (Chicago's subway system) too see the play "Rembrandt" at the Steppenwolf Theater. We were hopping to win Hamilton lottery tickets (sadly we did not), but we still wanted to see a live theater performance. One of the characters in the play was performed by John Mahoney (he plays Martin in the Frasier tv series). That was a delightful surprise :) 

After the play, we took the L back to Michigan Ave and had dinner at The Purple Pig (sorry I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures!). Even though it was 10pm the place was packed. At this restaurant you share a few small plates between the people at your table. 

We had the fried pizza and the milk braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes and puffed faro. I did not care for the fried pizza but the pork was excellent. The portions were small and on the more expensive side but the vibe was fun and it was definitely the place to be.