Chicago Step by Step

Chris Sikorski
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read
Chicago from the John Hancock building

Chicago is such a vast place to explore. It is basically impossible to explore every single nook and cranny that the city has to offer but taking things step by step can help you understand the city a lot better. Throughout immersion week that was the main conclusion I took away, as well as learning how to navigate through the city a lot better. For each of those 5 days we traveled to different parts of Chicago each place we visited was so different. Each different neighborhood I entered had its own unique characteristics that gave that piece of Chicago it’s own identity. When I went to Albany Park which is the most northern part of Chicago, it was a very peaceful and pleasant neighborhood that offered beautiful artwork all around to township mostly in the form of murals. Albany Park also had a beach on Lake Michigan. When I walked out on the pier that was over the lake it was a very calming experience. I heard nothing but soothing waves pattering against the barriers beside me.

Albany Park neighborhood

To contrast with going to the north side of Chicago, I went to the south side and visited Hyde Park which is where former president Barrack Obama lived when he was younger. I was being showed around by a tour guide who was running for mayor and he was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood. Hyde Park is near the University of Chicago which is one of the most beautiful campuses I have seen. The people of Hyde Park also seemed very welcoming when I was there and it gave me the sense of community that I believe is really important. Another conclusion I have realized about the city of Chicago is that no matter where you go there are a lot of great parks as well as beautiful landscape. The first day a few classmates and I went to the Lincoln Park zoo briefly and there was breathtaking landscape everywhere you looked.

The Zoo really blew my mind with how beautiful and well kept it was. There is something about the mixture of an amazing display of plants with amazing man made sky scrapers in the background. I really feel like the picture represents the best of both worlds and that Chicago has so much to offer. Throughout this one week walking journey I really enjoyed exploring everything from walking downtown, to looking out the train windows on the L, and also learning the history and community of different parts of the city. I am extremely thrilled to learn more about Chicago and eager to see what the future beholds for me in this amazing city I can now call my own.

walking chicago: a windy city atlas

By studying and practicing the art of walking, we will use the material of everyday life - the rhythms and experiences of the streets of Chicago, its people, places, and things - as construction material for our compositions.

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