We had a very family focused New Year's this year. John's parents have been here with us over the holidays all the way from Australia and we all headed up to Chicago to visit my father's side of the family. They wanted to see snow and the Windy City did not disappoint. On New Year's Day we braved the icy roads (thanks for driving, Dad) to show them a little bit of downtown life.
We were keen to show them the "Bean" (actually called Cloud Gate) sculpture in Millenium Park. Previously we've only visited this landmark in warmer temperatures so it was particularly fun to see it with an accumulation of snow on top.
This place is so much fun. I always love hanging around at the Bean and watching people take photos. The snow was coming down pretty consistently, enough to cover the ice skating rink below. This didn't keep the skaters away though. And, of course, eager shoppers were also seen along the streets despite the freezing temperatures.

The Spirovs check out the "Bean"
Being out in the cold makes a person hungry and what better snack than a deep dish Chicago-style pizza? We decided to take them to the place where it was invented: the original Uno Pizzeria (29 East Ohio, 312-321-1000).
We had to wait about an hour for our delicious Numero Uno with sausage, pepperoni, onion, peppers, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella and Romano cheese but it was worth it. While I'm still a New York-style pizza girl at heart, Chicago deep dish pizzas are close behind.
How did you spend New Year's?
Wow lovely pictures of Chicago! love it.
I’ve heard in the news that the snow in Chicago was really heavy. Hope everyone’s fine. Looks like a lot are enjoying the cold weather.
The snow is fun in small doses =)
Your photos make me miss Chicago! I used to live there when I went to art school. It’s so pretty in the winter, although I don’t miss the cold! 🙂
I agree – I can’t take the cold long-term. But I do enjoy a visit =)
Chicago looks amazing in the winter
Summer too – very pretty city!
That sky looks ominous, but I love the effect of it reflected in the Bean! And YUM on that pizza. We used to always pick up a frozen deep dish pizza when flying through Chicago to/from the UK (between a serious deep freeze and good packaging they stayed frozen for the flight), and your picture reminded me how good they were.
Oh wow, I had no idea they had those frozen – so yummy! We have a local place where we live that does deep-dish style but they aren’t nearly as good as the real thing in Chicago…