So every now and again I get a visitor, and depending on the person there are certain obligatory places to visit as tourists. (I typically curse said tourists for driving about slowly and aimlessly.) But this is what I showed to a recent family visitor.

This is a quintessential tourist place, it sells bits of high-end and low-end souvenirs, overpriced fudge (a mostly sugar confection) and has a spot for eating. Oh yes, and there is a bear. We had dropped by specifically to eat buffalo burgers and unlike a restaurant, this place has these tourist things for entertainment.

Chicago has the “Bean”, a large chrome plated thing for tourists to take photos at. We have this globe thing at the soccer stadium and it’s a perfect place for taking this sort of picture. What it doesn’t have is any place to park, the creators of this pitch imagined that people would park elsewhere and walk to the stadium (ha-ha). So there was a quick snap and onward to the next spot (which is what happens at most tourist spots).

This place is the sort of thing one might get if a theme park and a sporting goods store had a baby (and it’s definitely a tourist landmark). This is the animatronic Abe Lincoln endlessly reciting the Gettysburg Address. Behind him is a mountain of wild creatures that have been shot and stuffed for our entertainment. There is also a Ferris wheel inside the store, with views of the store, video games, candy and other sparkly things to separate tourists from their money.

This is a bit of a British pub that was imported over 60 years ago, it still draws tourists and the occasional local (me, I do like the place when I can find a parking space).

The most visited tourist spot is this city park, which is now the second most visited city park in America (just behind Central Park in NYC). I also admit to really liking the place in spite of the tourists.

But there is more to this place than just bits for tourists. Like any tourist town there are those who make a living off of tourists and those who have regular jobs and never visit these places (too many tourists to enjoy it). But, when visitors come to town they are sure to see at least one of these places, even when the tour guide is me. 😉