This year for spring break, we decided to break away from the typical trip. We didn't go to the beach, we didn't escape to somewhere warmer, we went even colder. We went to the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is a place where I have always wanted to visit. Whenever I told other friends and family members about my plans I was faced with the question, "Why Chicago?". Hopefully after reading this article, that question will be answered.

1) Garrett's Popcorn

As a huge fan of popcorn, this was one of my favorite stops on our trip. They have an assortment of flavors, but I got the Garrett mix which was caramel corn and cheese popcorn. I snacked on this many times over the duration of the trip, and it certainly did not make it home.

2) Magnificent Mile

If you are a fan of shopping by any means, the Magnificent Mile is a must see. The shopping area is so large with so many stores to see that I needed a nice power nap after it was all said and done before going on to the next adventure.

3) The Bean

I was probably most excited about seeing this overall, and it did not disappoint. The bean is basically just a giant reflective object that you can stand under and around to see a variety of views. From underneath you can see almost a kaleidoscope view of everyone who is under the Bean looking up, and from other angles you can capture the skyline of Chicago.

4) The Field Museum

If you are the type of person who is genuinely interested in museums and can spend hours in one, this is a great place to stop. There were so many interesting exhibits that we could've spent an entire day there if we took our time.

5) The Lincoln Park Zoo

This zoo was very high on my list because, believe it or not, its free! Because of free admission, I didn't have very high expectations, but I was totally wrong. The zoo had many large exhibits with impressively good views of a wide range of animals.

6) The Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium was a quick stop we made before leaving the city of Chicago for the city of Greensburg. Although I feel as though this would be more beneficial for children, it was still quite interesting and I would recommend the visit. My favorite part is the room pictured.

7) The Skydeck

The Skydeck was definitely an adventure. My friends and I are all afraid of heights to some extent, some more than others, but we all can agree it was a memorable experience that we are glad we did. You really can't beat the views (and the pictures) captured from the 103rd floor of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.