Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tulips on Chicago's Magnificent Mile



When my husband and I visited Chicago this past weekend the city was all in bloom with tulips!


We stayed in a hotel a few blocks from Michigan Avenue, which is nicknamed "The Magnificent Mile."  In the photo above my husband was checking the street map to see where we were about to walk along the famous boulevard.  (You can enlarge this photo and all photos in this post by clicking on them once and then again when they re-open, so you can see more detail)  .


It was fun to see the many honorary street signs that were along the way that were named for famous Chicago residents .


Every spring, through May 31, The Magnificent Mile celebrates the bloom of hundreds of thousands of vibrant tulips, signaling the start of spring in Chicago.  Each year over 500,000 tulip bulbs bloom in the parkway and median gardens along the avenue.


I saw lots of photographers taking photos of them, as I was.


The tulips were a beautiful assortment of colors, varieties and sizes.


Each block had a different way to display them.


Another honorary street sign that I liked.


Chicago is a bustling city with lots of traffic, and car horns were filling the air similar to here in New York City, so the flowers were a welcome buffer and distraction..


The first few days of our visit the city was in the 80's, the last few days in the 50's but the tulips didn't seem to be effected by the change in weather.


I particularly liked these ruffled pink and white tulips.


Aren't they pretty?


There were all white tulips in front of the iconic Chicago Water TowerThe castle design limestone Water Tower structure, and nearby pumping station, were the only two buildings in downtown Chicago that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1781 which razed the whole city to the ground.


The Magnificent Mile is also a shoppers paradise, as it is lined with high end stores, boutiques and malls.


There are also many fine dining restaurants located on the boulevard.


White tulips also adorned the front of The Chicago Tribune newspaper building. The statue is of the American patriot, Nathan Hale, and was erected and dedicated on June 4, 1940 by the Chicago Tribune at ceremonies held in connection with the annual parade and review of the Chicago high schools' R.O.T.C. cadets, serving as a constant reminder of the great sacrifice Hale made for our country. 

I found the exterior of the Tribune building fascinating, as embedded in it are stones from famous places from around the world!  I'll be blogging about that on a later blog post.



This block had different beautiful assortments of spring flowers that were displayed artfully.


The Magnificent Mile was so beautifully maintained and so clean.


Even on a misty, cool day it was a joy to behold!


Chicago is an interesting blend of old and new and I have much more of it to show over the next few days. Go over to this post to see the wonderful food blogger that I met while I was there!  I know there will be a cookbook in her future, as she is so talented.

I'm adding this post to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday event of her blog A Southern Daydreamer and Beverly's "Pink Saturday" event on her blog How Sweet the Sound.









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59 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

~~~ so beautiful

i would LOVE to go there for the restaurants...

did you eat any PIZZA !!!!

kary

From the Kitchen said...

Soon there will be an "Oprah Winfrey Way" near her studios. Mayor Daley II is to be thanked for all the flowers, trees and other plantings along the freeways and in the city. A beautiful legacy.

Best,
Bonnie

Pat said...

What beautiful photos. I know the flowers are great, but your angles and shots are perfect. Love the tour!

Pat

Barbara F. said...

Pat, I read Marie's post, and am so happy that two of my favorite bloggers met. I only wish I could have been there. First time I visited her blog I wrote to tell her she needed an agent. You can write a travel/photography book! I love these tulips. Chicago is on my list of places to visit. xo,

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---I never dreamed that Chicago could EVER look that pretty.. The tulips are AWESOME.... I'm so impressed. Thanks for sharing, Pat...

Hugs,
Betsy

La said...

Spring has sprung beautifully in the Windy City!

Hope all is well with you.

Ebie said...

Super wow, Pat. Your pictures are always so vibrant, and your post, informative!

And the best thing, it is free for viewing!

And the city is so clean!

Vee said...

Oh you were so blessed to visit when the tulips were blooming. A glorious sight if ever there was one and your photography is fantastic. I did enlarge several and the crisp detail is amazing. Wonder what they grow when the tulips are done...

Willow said...

Lovely tulips!
I lived in a suburb of Chicago for four years and what I remember about May is not the tulips but the lilacs.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It looks like a wonderful place to be. I had lunch today with another blogger who is visiting Asheville, NC and is from Chicago. I mentioned you and that you had just visited there....when you have a chance visit Jane at Blondies Journal...here is here link...
http://blondiesjournals.blogspot.com/

Proud Italian Cook said...

You captured the city just beautiful as I knew you would Pat, you make ME want to go there and visit! You're the best, you need to produce brochures for all these citys you go to, maybe I can put a good word in to our new major about you. You're the sweetest, come back so we can go eat again!!!

Splenderosa said...

Yes, indeed, a lovely post of Chicago. I love this city so much. Such a spirit there. These spring flowers are just beautiful. Thank you for taking us away!

Sarah said...

Wow, this is fabulous. Reminds me of the tulips along Park Ave. Glad you are getting to enjoy traveling these days. I'm envious! The pizza in the post below is making me hungry. Chicago is on my travel list! ~ Sarah

Pondside said...

Somehow I don't think of Chicago as being so beautiful - fantastic, full of culture etc etc, but not so beautiful.Thanks for the new point of view.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

The flower show is just stunning! What fun it must have been to be surrounded by their beauty! Your photos are great! I also like the mix of old and new architecture, it makes for an interesting landscape!

Thank you for the nice compliment on my new header. I keep trying to improve it!

Anonymous said...

As always your photos are just like being there. The tulips are breath-taking ... Especially the double pink & white ones!! Thanks for sharing your trip!
Marilyn

Ola said...

They are doing a wonderful job with all the tulips-the city looks very colorful thanks to that

Old Kitty said...

OH my stars those tulips!! How beautiful and what a joy to have on a busy street of a big city!! How cheerful! And great to read that the blooms and garden displays are kept up and that the street itself is clean! Another yay for such a big city!!!

I could just stare and stare at these vivid pics all day, thank you!!!

Take care
x

Lynn said...

Wow, just beautiful Pat! You don't expect to see that in the heart of a big city:@)

podso said...

Chicago is a clean city; maybe the wind keeps it swept! How nice you happened to be there in tulip season. Beautiful photos and the ruffled ones were quite interesting!

Tanna said...

OMG! Those are stunning!!! Who knew? Pat, you certainly make some wonderful adventures available to the rest of us! Thank you! blessings ~ tanna

Carol said...

What a gorgeous site to see! I love tulips.

Linda said...

Marvelous photos!

diane b said...

It is a beautiful city. Thanks for giving me a preview. The tulips are stunning as too are the buildings.

RoeH said...

I love the tulips. I may have to take a trip to Chicago. Ha! Like that'll ever happen. I was there once for not even 24 hours when I flew up there for my son's wedding. I don't know one person in Chicago. Strange.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow Pat, it's almost like being in Holland during tulip season. your photos really showcase the beauty. can't wait to read your post about meeting you know who.

Judy said...

Very pretty...especially those pink and white ruffled tulips! A magnificent mile, indeed.

Spring is looking good in Chicago.

Light and Voices said...

Chicago is a beautiful city plus it has the "culture" besides. I love living nearby. Looks like you had a wonderful time. I hope you will visit Chicago again sometime. See you next week.
Joyce M

Beverly said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday and Happy Pink Saturday, Pat.

Oh my, I love this. I adore tulips, and your photos are stunning. I would have been in tulip bliss.

Anonymous said...

Wow,Hey Pat, now that sure would be a sight to see.I love tulips.
I'd love to visit Chicago this time of year.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Flavia Galasso said...

Oh PAt...your blog is on my blogroll..I don't want to loose any post about gorgeous Chicago!!!! Our Hotel was Palmer Hilton and the street was in its Honour!!! :D


xoxox, Flavia

H said...

The city streets are much brighter and more beautiful because of the tulips. What a wonderful variety of colours and sizes!

Anonymous said...

Very lovely tulips on display!!
Just returned from Germany and posted pictures from the BUGA 2011
Federal Horticultural Show 2011 in Germany.
Please take a look:)
- Cheers Gisela.
In Toronto it is raining and raining...

Grandmother Mary said...

Love the pink and whites! The other marvel of spring's tulips is The Netherlands- gorgeous everywhere!

Bev K said...

I love the way they mixed the Purple and the verigated orange tulips with the red and pink ones Absolutely gorgeous.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Tulips are such elegant flowers. I'm so sorry we missed our own blooming in our garden this year because we were south for the winter. Your photos are outstanding as always Pat and you've have made Chicago look like a beautiful lady. Thanks for taking us along.

Ina (Barefoot Contessa) uses tulips to grace her table often. I always think of her when I see tulips.
Sam

Betsy Brock said...

Oh, that's pretty! The tulips look even more vibrant up against those buildings!

Michelle said...

Beautiul and they add such vibrant color to the cityscape.

House Built On Stone said...

wow i never knew chicago has so many flowers

Gracie said...

How beautiful! I think that's really a nice way to decor a crowded and noisy city, a bit of color can really provide a smile to everyone's face!

Cathy said...

Hi Pat - Your Chicago post is great! My daughter lives there and I've gone to visit many times, but I've never seen that spectacular tulip display. Isn't it a fantastic city? I can't wait to read about your visit with Marie.

Mila said...

I adore tulips and those bright colors...I love them!
Hugs and thanks for stopping by!
Mila :)

The Fajdich Times said...

I love going into the city. I live in a suburb of Chicago. You have captured some very beautiful pictures. It is exciting everytime I visit:)

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I love Chicago! It's only a 90 mile drive to the city from where we live in the Milwaukee area. The plantings on N. Michigan Ave. are beautiful in all, spring, summer and fall. Too bad the weather wasn't a little nicer last weekend. It's been a strange spring.

GailO said...

Yet another place I have never been to but plan to get to someday...I never knew about the tulip displays though...now I know what time of the year I should plan a trip there!! Gorgeous! Great shots Pat!

Happy@Home said...

Having visited Chicago only once in September, I had no idea these beautiful tulips could be found there ... until now. So glad you shared this. The Magnificent Mile looks even more magnificent than I remembered.

Lorrie said...

Those flowers are gorgeous. What a beautiful way to bring a bit of color and nature into a city. I think the pink ruffled ones are my favorites, too.

RNSANE said...

What a glorious post this was, Pat. It is so nice when cities do their part to brighten the scene with floral displays. One expects places like the lovely Butchart Gardens in British Columbia to do so but, for a city to go all out like Chicago does, it is really heart warming. Your pictures are so delightful!!

My name is Riet said...

Wow so many tulips and so beautiful Pat. It almost feels like home. In Holland all the tulips are gone. We had an early very warm spring so everything was blooming a bit too early. Tulips love a bit of cold weather so they have time to grow properly. Have a great weekend.

Claudia said...

What a blooming-smile-filled post! I also am enamored of the ruffled tulips! I am hoping some remnants remain on Saturday when I arrive.

Houseelf said...

So many colours and shapes of tulip. What a stunning array of colour combinations. Thanks for the trip.

Arabella said...

Happy Pink Saturday ~ these tulip photos are fabulous. I love that a big city plants all these lovely flowers.

LV said...

Thank you for this most beautiful trip to Chicago. I have never been there. At least, you shared the best part of the area.

Unknown said...

Chicago does truly have these beautiful florals to enjoy! Unfortunately they jsut don't last long enough. Great share, brings back memories.

Have a fabulous PS weekend,
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Denise@alloverroses said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise@alloverroses said...

I've never seen Chicago except from inside the airport. What a beautiful city! The tulips are so gorgeous. I LOVE the pink and white ruffled ones. Happy Pink Saturday!
Denise

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Happy Pink Saturday Pat Sweetie...
Thank you for taking me along the Magnificent Mile. I so enjoyed this fragrant stroll with you. What beauty awaited us. I love the ruffled tulips most of all, but that cluster of all white surrounding the water tower was breathtakingly beautiful.

Your angles and your photos are amazing. Thank you so much for taking me to Chicago. It is a city I have never visited, but this mile of it looks wonderful. So well kept. Love the Ann Landers avenue as well.

Have a glorious weekend sweetie. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Pinkim said...

Hi There, This is my first time here, and as i have never been to Chicago, I really enjoyed your magnificent photos! I also enjoyed all of the information you provided with them. I am now your newest follower, Pinkim from TrulySimplyPink

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I actually think the misty weather makes the photos look even better. I'm glad you had a wonderful time in the Windy City!