As out train journey from New York was slower than expected, it actually took us 22 hours to get to our next destination, Chicago. This was our last train journey using the 30 Day East Rail Pass, as our next mode of transport will be by plane. The Amtrak trains are a really good way to travel America and we got to see alot of places we would not have seen from the air. Following the directions the hostel gave us, we got a bus from Union Station. The bus driver was really helpful and happy to point us where we wanted to be. The bus journey took a while as we went through the heart of the city and there was so much traffic, but it gave us chance to see some of the sights of Chicago. The Arlington House Internation Hostel is situated in a really nice and quiet neighbourhood, but we are close to the metro trains to take us into downtown. It doesn't seem like your typical travellers hostel as there are people of all ages and different walks of life staying here. We got a big room with our own bathroom, which was nice after the previous hostel experience! After we unpacked we went out in the local district to see what was about, but as we didn't get much sleep on the train we were both back within a hour or so and planned what we wanted to do for the rest of the week here.

On Sunday we sorted out all our washing then headed into downtown, we booked tickets to see Mamma Mia on Broadway, which we are both looking forward to. As expected Chicago was all set for christmas and there was a German christmas market in the city centre called Christkindlmarket. We took a look around, everything looked really nice all lit up in christmas lights and you could see everyone had made a big effort. After that walked around to see where everything was and had a look in Macys and a few other shops, but as it was Sunday not everything was open, so we headed back to our hostel.

Today we have been to the Chicago History Museum, which was really good. Its nice to learn the history of the place you are visiting. Did you know the worlds first ever fun fair was first held in Chicago, called Worlds Fair? The museum was very informative and laid back, the staff were really nice and helpful, which made our visit to the museum much easier. After the museum we headed uptown and went to see the home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, Wrigleys Stadium. It was quite old and the surrounding area wasn't great, a few of the tall buildings around the stadium had been converted into baseball social clubs and on the roofs they had made mini stands, which overlooked the baseball field on the lower side of one of the stands, which was quite cool. We had a walk around the surrounding area, Wrigleyville, but as it started to rain we called it a day and headed back to our local area.