I love Chicago. It’s a constantly changing city with something new to check out every time I go there, providing cool stuff to photograph and write about.

A recent trip is no exception. I wrote about and photographed a really fun Halloween Parade on Halstead. For images of this very creative Halloween celebration click on Haunted Halloween.

In this week’s blog post,  I am featuring  two new places to enjoy.

New Apple store on Michigan Avenue

First is the new Apple store on Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. It is spectacular, offering both a respite from the chaos of one of our country’s busiest shopping destinations and an opportunity to buy high tech products.

The building with its iPad shaped roof and broad terrace is nestled between the Michigan Avenue bridge and a stream of high rise buildings. What’s more interesting though is that Apple has  provided seating areas for the public to just to enjoy the river view.

Yep, pop in and rest your weary feet and while you are doing that and enjoying the river view you get to see Apple videos including a few ever changing promotions of products. Brilliant, huh? Just brilliant.

I loved the transparency of the building. You can see through it from all angles so if you are like me and love reflections and shadows, it’s a creative photo opportunity. I imagine I’ll be popping in again with my Nikon out and ready.  It’s the ultimate in blurring the lines between inside and out.

In case you are wondering, yes, you can shop and get advice and work with the Apple team as well. That’s all located under the first floor and viewing areas.

Hot Chocolate

We also went to Bucktown to experience Chicago’s version of the High Line—the 616. This is an elevated walk way that cuts through an urban neighborhood like the famous one in New York I typically feature on DesignDestinations when we go to the Big Apple. Unfortunately it started raining and the walk way was a bleak experience so I’ll have to go back on another trip to take photos to share.

Also, sadly, our concierge said that the area has had some problems with muggers giving us another reason to  not to explore very much of the walkway on a desolate day.

But the good news is that a friend recommended a small eatery in the area that we enjoyed and I’d heartily recommend called Hot Chocolate. Ymmmmm. We had a delicious lunch and a lovely hot chocolate with a fabulous home made marshmallow. It’s definitely worth a return trip.   Our server said their weekend brunches generate a line out the door and around the block to get a seat.

My last image is an attempt to create an artsy photo.  I shot this of Navy Pier out the taxi window. I rather like the swoop and swirl of the Ferris wheel.