summer picnic at millenium park

Cloud Gate (aka the "bean") at Millennium Park.

(Chicago, Illinois).  If you have the time between visiting the Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, and taking an architectural boat tour of Chicago - all worthwhile tourist attractions - try to have a leisurely picnic at Millennium Park, which is located in the Loop community area of Chicago.  Check out their events calendar when you visit because there's always something fun going on - art & design showcases, free concerts, etc.  Then pick up some food and have a picnic at the park with the locals (or other visitors).  It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon and just enjoy the city flowing around you.

When we went, we picked up a selection of tortas, guacamole and chips, and churros from Xoco (a Rick Bayless restaurant) and wine and cheese from Pastoral on our way towards the park.  The food at Xoco was wonderful (way better than Red O in Los Angeles which has consistently disappointed) and the selection of cheese and breads was truly impressive at Pastoral.  With our feast in hand, we lounged on the grassy lawn and listened to a range of hip hop and world music.  (Perhaps one day you will be lucky enough to see sazy rock perform her world music dance - it's quite a sight.)

Sometimes it's better not to be rushing from one tourist attraction to the next so you can literally stop to smell the roses (or in this case, delicious churros).