Category: Urban Escapades Highlights

Back to China

Hu as the locals refer to it, Shanghai is a major metropolitan city located on the banks of Huangpu river and is one of the most influential economic, financial and cultural trade center of the world. The city is divided by the river into two distinct zones, old town with its historic charm, smaller constructions and ethnic vibe, and the new town of Pudong with huge buildings and financial district. It is said that the tallest building in Pudong only stays the ‘tallest’ for about 3 years before construction of another yet taller building begins.

Within the city’s multi-cultural flair lies the intertwined traditions and western exposure making it a wonderful montage of cosmopolitan ambiance. For the travelers with an additional appetite for gastronomic adventures and nightlife, this city has it all. We tried some of the best European fare to traditional Chinese xiaolongbaos, and also ventured into a bunch of karaoke bars known as KTV.

Some of the most interesting attractions we found to be fascinating are –

1. The Bund – It is a decorated waterfront on the west bank of the Huangpu River, close to a mile long, and is good for people watching. Hundreds of tourists, locals and couples seeking some romantic escapade flock to the Bund every evening. The sight of the entire Pudong skyline is fascinating. After the city skyscrapers lit up the evening sky, and colorful barges roving on the river provide a great photo-op. One interesting observation, backed by some history lessons later on, was that all the transit vehicles travel through underground channels rather than bridges over the river due to the extremely heavy ship traffic. Monument of the People’s Heroes and the Bull on the Bund are a couple of other photo-ops you should not miss. There is always new construction going on in the city, and the newly constructed Maglev cars in the sightseeing tunnel gives a unique opportunity for viewing the city from an unusual perspective.
2. Oriental TV Tower – Easily identifiable from a distance with its brightly colored spheres, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands tall in the Pudong Park next to the river. It was the tallest tower in China until 1980’s, and still is the world’s sixth tallest TV tower. It is an architectural marvel with three slanting stanchions and 11 steel spheres connected vertically by three columns. Visitors can travel to the top at a break neck speed in the elevators but since it is no longer the tallest tower in the vicinity, we skipped it and rather went up to the top of the World Financial Center with 101 floors at 1600′ tall.
   There is a revolving restaurant at the top where a dinner date can be an extremely alluring with night views of the city.
3. Nanjing Road – It is one of the most famous shopping streets comparable to Chicago’s Mag mile and NYC’s 5th Avenue. With fashionable brand name stores like Tiffany, Mont Blanc, Gucci, etc., and traditional stores alike, you will see local and foreign tourists looking for deals. Specialty shops selling authentic silk, jade and wool provide tourists a good place to buy souvenirs and memorabilia. But before you buy anything, bargain, as vendors will always try to charge more from foreign visitors.
4. Yuyuan Garden in Old Town – In the west side of the river, this garden is located in the old Shanghai area. A huge space has pavilions, halls, ponds and shops around the garden. Inside the comples, colorful traditional architecture will surely blow your mind. Through the narrow lanes, the courtyards and two-three story buildings represented the old Han dynasty architecture.
   We had possibly the best xiaolongbaos (soup filled buns) in the famous Nanxiang Mantou Dian restaurant in the old town area.

 

Back to USA

Our home away from home, Chicago is an extremely underrated city with a fantastic waterfront, architectural jewels, a vibrant urban life, and years of cult history. Arguably the best city in the American mid-west, the Windy City, hosts a number of museums, art galleries, and hundreds of famous restaurants and bars. The cost of living is much lower than the two coasts yet residents enjoy all the privileges of an ultra modern metropolis.

Being our hometown for a while, the writing is going to be slightly biased and long, but we will try to point out the highlights without stretching the patience of the readers.

Neighborhoods

The first thing that you will notice once you are in the city, is that the city is broken down into a bunch of neighborhoods, commonly known as the hoods. Anyone living out of the city, lives in burbs, i.e. suburbs. The central part of the city with the financial district and

downtown is called the Loop (named after the metro rail “L” line that circles around the center of the city). Outside the loop, there are various types of neighborhoods, upscale River North and Streeterville, artsy Gold Coast, classy Lincoln Park, hipster Wicker Park and Bucktown, slightly sketchy(!) South Loop, and meat packing district of West Loop. All the hoods have their own vibe and culture, and are filled with small businesses and local restaurants.

There are other hoods that are dominated by specific races and nationalities like Chinatown, Greek Village, Russian Village, Ukrainian Village, Little Italy, etc. As the names suggest, you will find authentic food and culture hidden in these little neighborhoods.

Touristy Attractions

Depending on when you visit Chicago, there are different things to do. For the most part, summer (May-Sept) is definitely the best time to visit the city with a plethora of events and activities that attract tourists and participants from around the world. We will cover a high level list of events later. But first, lets dive in on the attractions. For a one day itinerary, follow the order below –

1. Millennium Park – Located right on the banks of the Lake Michigan, Millennium park hosts a number of stunning architecture, sculpture and landscape designs. The famous Cloud Gate is the star of the show with its curvy shiny surface molding the city-scape and humanoid figures within its reflective surface. Best time to see this marvel is in the early morning right after sunrise. There will be a crowd anytime after.
2. Art Institute – Across the street from Millennium Park, is the famous Art Institute of Chicago. While you walk south along Michigan Avenue, you will encounter a number of sculptures by local artists, a park and garden, and the fountain of peace. The Art Institute houses some of the extraordinary pieces of artwork from surrealism, impressionism and renaissance age to modern cubism. Masterpieces include Manet, Monet, Dali, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, and many more. This was also the place where the great Indian Monk Swami Vivekananda gave his eternal speech at the World Religious Forum in late 19th century.
3. Park System – After exiting the Art Institute, walk south along Columbus avenue (one block east of Michigan Ave), and cross the bridge to enterMaggie Daley Park. This is part of the Chicago Lakefront Park system that stretches from the south loop to Montrose harbor in the north along the lake front. In the park, there are gardens, rock climbing, mini golf, sculptures, statues and fountains atop a massive green space. The walkway provides an unparalleled view of the Chicago skyline. Towards the south of the park is the Grant Park with the Buckingham Fountain, which are worthy of a photoshoot, be it in the day or after dark. Spectacular view of the south loop along with the historic Congress Hotel can also be cherished from the fountain.
4. Lakefront – From Grant Park, cross the street into the dock on the lake for a lazystroll in either direction. If you are in the mood to walk for 30 minutes or so, you can walk north towards Navy Pier. On summer Wednesdays, there is a spectacular fireworks show at Navy Pier that starts around 9PM. In general there is nothing to do in Navy Pier, apart from great views and a quick lake cruise.
5. Magnificent Mile – If you have time in the afternoon/evening, walk along Michigan avenue from the river bridge (DuSable Bridge) up north. This is the shopping district with most of the major upscale brands (comparable to 5th Ave in NYC). Best activities here are people watching, shopping, and fine dining.
6. Architecture Tour and Riverwalk – In summer, it is a must do for a Chicago visitor. Walk along the riverfront on the south side of the river from Michigan ave to the lake. From the river front southeast corner of Michigan ave., the boat departs (Check schedules) for an informative tour along the river upstream and then back to the lake. On the way, you will see and learn about the famous Chicago architectural landmarks, e.g. Aqua, Aon Center, Carbide and carbon building, Manhattan Building, Willis tower, Marina City, Hancock tower, Merchandise Mart, Tribune Tower, Trump Tower and Wrigley Building.
7. Museums – While there are a plethora of museums in the city, the crown jewel is the three-museum campus with Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. Budget for a full day to visit all three in the south side of the loop (south loop). Even if you have been to the other Natural History museums, the Field museum is special not only because of the 40′ tall T-Rex Sue skeleton, but also for the extremely informative galleries. As an added bonus, you get a fantastic view of the city from the south. TIP – Take the water taxi from the museum campus dock to Navy pier. It is a journey worth doing to admire the Chicago skyline from the lake.
8. Other attractions – Going up to the Willis Tower Skydeck (the Ledge), a drink at the top of the 95th floor in the Hancock Building, Macy’s on State Street, Water Tower, Chinatown, Chicago Theater, etc. are some of the things you can do if you have the time.
9. Gastronomic Adventures – But if you have time, we suggest diving into some of the fascinating food options the city has to offer. Known as the meat packer of the world, the city is indeed a food lover’s paradise. Here are a few of our favorites –
   1. Breakfast and Brunch: Rick Bayless’ Xoco, Bongo Room, The Whisk, Stan’s Donuts, coffee at Intelligentia Coffee
   2. Lunch: Grab a nice Deep Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Uno or Giordanos.
   3. Dinner: Fusion food in Avec or Vermillion. Peruvian food at Tanta, Spanish tapas in Cafe Babbareeba, Burger at Au Cheval, american fare at The Publican, or food comprised only of a hog at The Purple Pig.
   4. Nightlife – Chicago has many options for a night time escapade, but Hubbard Street has several pubs and clubs for a late night out. Some of our favorites are Howl at the Moon, Paris Club, and Three dots and a dash.

Seasonal Activities

Chicago has a bunch of activities that run year round. But some of the key ones that we loved are –

1. Taste of Chicago – In a weekend in July, all the eateries in Chi town come together in a weekend long fair to taste the various delicacies of Chicago. The famous Polish Dogs, Chicago Hotdogs, Pizza, Hamburgers and Donuts can all be tasted at the same venue in Grant Park next to the lake.
2. Chicago Auto Show – In the frigid cold of January/February, the autoshow comes to town. In the massive arena of Mckormick Place, the famous brands of cars are on display. We met some of our dream cars and a couple of ‘next’ cars in this show that we are proud to drive now.
3. Lolapalooza – This can be the festival of the teenagers, but young and adults equally have fun in this fun filled musical event in July. Also hosted by the lake, the city comes to a standstill during the Friday and Saturday of the famed festival, Lola.
4. Chicago Marathon – Come October, the city welcomes thousands of participants to the Chicago Marathon. Hotel rooms get sold out and traffic comes to stand still on the Sunday morning of the Marathon event.
5. Blues and Jazz – The world’s largest free Blues festival happens in Grant Park in June. Also, the city is famed for Jazz which can be enjoyed at numerous Jazz clubs in the loop and other hoods.
6. Pride – In June, during the national pride month, the Lakeview neighborhood (just north of Lincoln Park) gets to celebrate the Pride parade and shows. It is a festivity that you cannot miss if you happen to be in town during that time.
7. Air and Water Show – In August, watch the famed Blue Angels and other display some tricks in the sky with the expansive lake in the background. Navy and Airforce comes together in this frantic display of planes and ships.
8. America’s Cup – In some of the years, the America’s cup sailing world series comes to Chicago with the top sailors testing the fierce waters of the lake Michigan in August.
9. Cubs Game – Root for the ‘lovable losers’ (NOT ANYMORE), err World Series Champs’16  Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field. Do Not Attempt to go to a White Sox Game though. Kidding (I am a Cubs fan).
10. St. Patrick’s Day – With the parade on Columbus drive, the river dyed Green, and festivities all around, do not miss out on drinking some green beer in one of the Irish pubs downtown on St. Patrick’s day in March.

That’s all for now. We will add more posts and pages if needed. But believe us, Chicago has way more things to do and enjoy, especially if you are a foodie, art lover or a casual city guy.

Back to England

Home to the Royal Empire where the Sun never sets, London is a cosmopolitan city bestowed with magnificent landmarks, famous museums and fantastic city life. From the bars, restaurants, sports arenas, to recreational parks, the city has it all to drain your budget very quickly. We will provide commentary and tips to navigate the expanse of the city on a budget without sacrificing the top points of interest.

While there are literally a million things to do in the city, we sum up some of our favorites here –

Buckingham Palace

Take a look at the grand Royal residences of Buckingham Palace. But more than the experience of admiring the palace, the change of guards at 11.30am every day is a worthwhile sight. Admission tickets are expensive and we recommend skipping the inside tours unless you are in London for an extended period of time. We will use this time for some more interesting stuff.

Victoria and Albert Museum

For ardent lovers of art and design, this free museum is a must visit. It has a huge permanent collection ranging from Gothic art, Victorian fresco and glass painting, Medieval Renaissance galleries. We spent less than 3 hours here.

Big Ben and House of Parliament

From the other side of the Thames River, you can see a panoramic view of the tower and the parliament. It is said that the clock tower was named after the clock maker Benjamin Vuillamy, and his large structure. But there are other theories that range from fantasy to semi-reality. But the hands and the face of this gigantic clock can be seen from more than 1 mile away and the first strike of the hour is accurate to the second. Shame that you cannot climb up to the top of the tower, but tours of the parliament are available. It is worth spending about an hour here (ticket price ~GBP 25).

Tower of London and London Bridge

This is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. There are rhymes and historic tales written about the bridge, and once you get there, you will recognize the emotions attached to it. Witness to a number of keystone events, such as the fire, the plague, the bombings of WWII, and other disease outbreaks, the London Bridge stays upright. It is a great idea to spend 4-5 hours here to understand the history and merely take photos all around. If possible, take the ferry from here to the London Eye along the river and witness some more historic landmarks while traveling under multitude of bridges across the river.

Westminster Abbey

One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this is a large Gothic abbey church located next

to the Westminster Palace and about 5 minutes walk from the Big Ben. The pristine artwork and architectural intricacies inside the church is awe striking. There are a number of The GBP 20 entrance fee is worthwhile not only because of the visual treat and historic significance but also the fact that the fee goes towards charitable causes. This masterpiece presents a unique perspective on the British history and is home to burial grounds (or commemoration) of many famous personalities (incl. Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin)

London Eye

Probably the most popular paid attraction in town, this Ferris wheel is a slow turning, 500 ft tall structure that features in almost every London skyline photo. You can get a fantastic aerial view of the city, but the long queues, and GBP 20 fee makes it a fairly bad investment of your time and money.

National Gallery at the Trafalgar Square

Free art museum that houses some of the most exquisite artwork from the masters like Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Botticelli, Bellini. There are not many art museums in the world that houses paintings from 13th century to 20th century under the same roof and can tell a story from the Renaissance and Impressionism era at the same time. While you are here, sip some lattes and people watch in the famous Trafalgar Square. We spend close to 4 hours here, and the best perk – for free!

Harrods

For shopaholics and fun lovers alike, dress up and visit Harrods mall in one of your leisurely evenings in town. You are surely going to see celebrities, fancy cars and elegantly dressed couples pouring in the building for shopping, dinner or late evening drinks to socialize. While you are here, buy a few souvenirs and memorabilia from Harrods. We spend less than 3 hours here for shopping and a few drinks.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

221b Baker Street, near the Baker St. Underground station is a welcoming place for the Holmes lovers. Expect a small line but if you are a fan, you must not give up on this opportunity. Even though we know it is not even worth the time and money, the thought provoking exhibits that link back to the stories brought back memories from our childhood days.

Lord’s Cricket Ground

As ardent Cricket lovers, this is an emotional treat more than being spectacular. If there is not a cricket match going on, you can buy a tour ticket that takes you through the history of the ground, reminiscing on some of the historic games and take you to the cricketers’ pavilion. A view of the pitch directly behind the wicket from one of the balconies drew vivid pictures, in my mind, of a few famous matches held here. Must go for cricket lovers.

While there are numerous other museums and attractions like Churchill War Rooms, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more over the downtown London where the big multinationals are housed, a lazy walk along the miles of city parks and a couple of drinks in the local pubs should not be missed. In the weekends though, if you are in a mood to splurge a little bit for fancy fine dining, make reservations early. It is almost impossible to walk-in and get a table even for two in some of the best restaurants in town.

Some Money Saving Tips

As you may have already found out from travel sites, staying for a few days in London can really be expensive. Apart from getting a Oyster Card for transportation, and eating out in Asian food joints, there are a few money saving tips you may find handy. Read on..

• Oyster Card and Buses – 50% fare on the Underground metro with the card with potentially getting a refund if you have extra money. Easy to fill in money using cash or card in all metro stations. Keep a bus map handy. Google Maps show bus routes and timings.There is a good offline map app called TubeMap that you can use in your phones. The night bus routes are different than the day routes and is much cheaper than taxis.
• Free Museums – Most museums here are free including the Natural History Museum, Art Museum, Victoria Albert Museum, etc. Do not miss out on a chance to dive into the rich history of the world, for free.
• Walking Tours – There are several free walking tours arranged by different agencies. Some are government, some are non-profit organizations. Free Tours by Foot is a good one. There are a few self-guided tours as well, the pdf of the maps and descriptions can be found online relatively easily.
• Bus Tours – We found the Big Bus Tours to be fairly good in terms of navigating the city and still getting a good value for your money. For about GBP 30, you get 2 days of bus rides. Our favorite part of the tour is that you don’t have to spend any more than the ticket price to literally roam around the entire span of the city. We have taken advantage of these bus tours several times in different cities as a Day 1 activity to get a good highlight of the city, and then depending upon what we like, we explore in further detail in the later days. If you are short on time, this is a great idea as well. If nothing else, your transportation costs are easily covered in these tours.