Jordan and Jaxs World Tour

5:15am. Most people were sleeping. Not us. We were just hopping of the bus and walking into Chicago’s Union Station. Being so early in the morning we knew that we couldn’t check into a hotel and freshen up – especially since check in`s at 3pm! But luckily the hotel was happy to hold our bags until later in the afternoon, giving us the morning to explore Chicago…..alone! The advantage of being up so early was that no-one else was! This gave us the chance to get some great, rare perspectives of Chicago favourites such as the `Chicago Bean` sculpture in the centre of Millennium Park. The bean provides spectacular mirror images of the surrounding buildings and the person take the picture. Usually your joined by hundreds of tourists all trying to get the same shot – but at 6am in the morning you had the Bean all to yourself giving you spectacular views.

Soon we found ourselves continuing along the Magnificent Mile. One shop that has stood out for both of us was a store called Àmerican Girl`. Firstly to clarify this is a store for girls dolls, and secondly don’t rush to the conclusion that we are now doll fans – this store just fascinating! We first noticed it as a crowd of mothers, daughters and dolls were lined outside waiting for the doors to open. Why? Inside the store was like a street in itself, complete with a Doll Hair Salon, Doctor, Photo Studio and even restaurant (compete with table settings for the dolls!) While walking around the store, we found the Mothers and Daughters rushing around looking for new outfits for the dolls, the typical Dads being used as a virtual shopping trolley, and the Sons being dragged behind.

The question we asked was, is this store for the girls or the Mums??!

Its certainly an investment at $100 a doll and a $50 per head reservation for the restaurant (which is what the line outside was for, it was Mother, Daughter and Doll Breakfast morning!) We decided not to get a doll and join the American Girl dining room – instead opting for a traditional Chicago Deep Dish Pizza!

We dined at the birthplaces brother, of this local food, and were blown away! After waiting in line for an hour, we were presented with the small Deep Dish Pizza Uno, it was HUGE! It was a real cross between a Pie and a Pizza, with delicious fresh fillings. Its easy to work out why this is a popular Pizza and an even popular Pizzeria!

The one down point of getting up early…you don’t have the energy to have a late night!