It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (2009 edition, part 3)

Inspired by our series of posts about Christmas in Chicago (1 & 2), one of the usual suspects e-mailed in a few photos of her own.  It looks like the Christmas train display is now up and running in the basement of the John Hancock Center (875 North Michigan Avenue).

If you haven't been before, you should make an effort to go this year.  Or even better, make it a family tradition.  

Each day (according to Google Analytics), thousands of people from the suburbs read this blog.  This is a good year to take the kids into the city for a day of holiday walking around.  Look at the trains at the John Hancock Center, then walk down Michigan Avenue and get some popcorn at Garrett's (625 North Michigan Avenue). Next, wander into the Loop to look at the display windows at Macy's on State Street (111 North State Street), swing by Daley Plaza to take in the city's official Christmas tree sharing the plaza with the massive Picasso statue (55 West Randolph Street), then grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the sights in Millennium Park.  

The whole thing will cost you less than ten bucks. Do it every year to teach your children the joys of the holidays, and that Christmas spirit doesn't have a big price tag or come from Wal-Mart -- it's just the joy of being with someone you love.

Need tips on getting in, getting out, getting around and things to see for free with your kids?  Just e-mail me at editor@chicagoarchitecture.info and I'll be happy to help you out.

Now -- more pictures of the trains.  And thanks to everyone who e-mails in their pictures of Christmas in Chicagoland.

What's That Smell? That Glorious Smell?!

The glorious smell of popcorn is once again wafting down Michigan Avenue as Garrett Popcorn has reopened on Michigan Avenue.

You'll remember that the building that Garrett was in was torn down to make way for the Ritz Carlton Residences (664 North Michigan Avenue).  Garret is back on the Magnificent Mile at 625 North Michigan Avenue.

Unfortunately, the new Garrett store is on Michigan Avenue in the same way the new Culti store is on Michigan Avenue -- meaning, not at all.  Garrett is actually around the corner on Ontario Street, behind the Coach store in the space that used to be a Chinese restaurant.  But finding it is easy.  Just go to Michigan and Ontario and follow your nose.