Benjamin and Tiffany flew to Chicago Midway International Airport, then visited the nearby Chicago Portage National Historic Site to see the monument marking the western end of the historic portage linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

A few days later, they returned to Illinois and toured the recently re-designated Pullman National Historical Park and the restored clock tower building before enjoying some Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Giordano's.

Benjamin and Tiffany visited the Land of Lincoln in November and drove to Springfield to take in as many Abraham Lincoln sites as possible. They toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, toured Lincoln’s house at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, then paid their respects at Lincoln’s Tomb. They also visited the Illinois State Capitol and had a great meal at the Engrained Brewery (where they even tried a “Springfield Shoe” which is a local tradition that layers toast, pulled pork, and fries, then tops it off with a special cheese sauce – it was delicious). South of town they drove a section of the old brick highway route of Route 66, then stopped to see the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge.

At the end of October, we flew to Chicago and visited Pullman National Monument. In the historic Pullman community, we saw the Administration Building & Clock Tower, Hotel Florence, Market Hall, Greenstone Church, Arcade Park, and the Arcade Row Houses. We then drove towards the Indiana border to begin a road trip around Lake Michigan.

We drove with friends to Chicago for two days of sightseeing. While there, we enjoyed dinner and a show at Medieval Times, took the Blue Line train to downtown, walked through Millennium Park to see the Cloud Gate monument, walked through Grant Park to see the Buckingham Fountain, and walked to the museum campus where we toured the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.

We also visited Navy Pier where we rode the Ferris wheel and enjoyed some Garrett Popcorn. After leaving the pier, we spent some time shopping on the Magnificent Mile and had some great Chicago Pizza at Pizzeria Due.

The next day we visited the Willis Tower Skydeck and the observation deck of the John Hancock Observatory. We also saw Wrigley Field and did some shopping at Water Tower Place. We enjoyed lunch at the Rainforest Café and in the evening attended at stand-up comedy show at the Laugh Factory.

Tiffany traveled to Chicago and visited Six Flags Great America, the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, and other Chicago area attractions.