Tamahagane

CenturyLink Field, even though it has been renamed, will always be the "CLINK" to the fans. It is a stadium with a magnificent view of the mountains and, most importantly, it is surely the loudest stadium in the entire NFL. Seeing a game there is an impressive and often unforgettable experience. Now it also hosts games for a men's and women's soccer team, but unfortunately the atmosphere is nothing like it.

After visiting Pike Place Market and before heading to the Space Needle, it is always nice to stop for a bite to eat or maybe do a little shopping. Westlake Center is right next to these two city attractions and remains a really nice spot. You find luxury brands there, but also local producers in very warm, small shops. The restaurants are pretty good and affordable. It is a pleasant place to take a break and get your shopping done.

First off, the museum is in Volunteer Park, which is worth a visit all on its own. If you are like me and a fan of Asian cultures, you clearly will not be disappointed by the visit. Whether it is the statues from Thailand, the Chinese paintings, or the Japanese yukatas, everything is magnificent. I learned so many things there about certain less popular but equally fascinating cultures.

I love this aquarium, which is right next to the maritime museum. For starters, it is huge, so you really have to set aside some time to see it all. Then, you can see some impressive re-created environments, like coral reefs. And most of all, I love the shark tank. An animal that has never ceased to fascinate me. There are plenty of explanations throughout the tour that let you learn a lot of things during your visit. I think there is enough here to amaze the whole family.

This museum is clearly as much for families as it is for science lovers. The IMAX theater and the planetarium have the same effect on kids and adults alike, it is spectacular. As for the exhibits, you can really find everything, astronomy, biology, physics, chemistry... there is something for everyone. Most of the exhibits are interactive too, so it does not have that boring side you might imagine. Really a great discovery and an educational visit.

First off, the museum is located in the Inner Harbor, which is a really nice place to walk around. Then, it is outdoors and lets you visit some picturesque ships and even climb aboard a World War II submarine. I even discovered the existence of lightships there. Lots of explanations and interactive activities round out a very pleasant visit. A great time that makes you dream of setting sail.

The Baltimore Museum of Art isn't anything super exceptional, and it has a very classic layout, but the collections are really interesting and, above all, the number of rotating exhibits is unusually large. When I went, in addition to seeing some Warhol and Picasso, I was able to take a really nice walk through the sculpture garden, and most importantly, there were 4 temporary exhibits. It makes me think the museum's content must change a lot and that you could surely come back regularly. Also worth noting is a huge collection of African art that should delight any enthusiasts.

As a fan of American football, Soldier Field is kind of like Camp Nou for a soccer fan. It is one of those must-see places. You can see a lot of things there too. I have seen a few football games there (even if I am not really a Bears fan), but also Guns N' Roses in concert and a rugby match. I am not a fan of the architecture, but the seating is pretty good and the acoustics are awesome.

With its massive vertical beams and wrought iron gates, I have never seen a stadium quite like it. It is the legacy of an era when sports were not yet a spectacle that brings in billions. Unfortunately, I did not fully understand baseball back then, but I have a fantastic memory of the atmosphere that reigns there and the bleachers. Very far from European soccer stadiums, this is a place where it must be nice to come on a Sunday with the family. On my next trip to Chicago, I will definitely go back.

Yeah, it is a bit cliché, I plead guilty, my wife and I did the combo of a walk by the lake, dinner on the patio, and sunset from the Ferris wheel. But I have to admit that we really loved this evening and it is the absolutely perfect place for the occasion. It also seems like a great spot to go with the family.

With architecture that definitely gets a reaction (whether you like it or not), it is a pretty disorienting concert venue. A huge lawn with sound-system arches, an outdoor hall with enormous speakers. We spent an hour and a half there during a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and it was really pleasant (the nice weather had a lot to do with it too). It is the perfect outdoor concert venue, with sound quality that is rare to find.

We visited this museum while it was hosting an exhibit on the Vikings. On top of that, we were able to see things as varied as ancient textiles, paintings by Impressionist masters, and modern works. For its size, I find that this museum really offers great diversity and beautiful quality in its collections.

When I went, I was able to see a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, and it is rare for a band like that to play in such a small venue. For me, that is what makes the place so charming. The price of drinks is a bit excessive and you have to get in line pretty early to get a good spot for big shows, but it is really worth the trouble. It is a chance to see some great bands in a way other than in a stadium.

A beautiful cemetery, calm and green, where you can admire the graves of Rudolph Valentino or Judy Garland. It is quite large, and it would deserve to have maps here and there to better figure out where the sought-after graves are, but since they sell maps for $6, it is unlikely to happen. In any case, it is really quiet and pleasant. Too bad, when we were there, the mausoleum was closed, we would have liked to be able to visit the inside.

The observatory offers a magnificent view of Los Angeles. It is such a popular spot that every evening the traffic is a nightmare an hour before sunset. The planetarium is very good and mostly free (except for the film). You are right in front of the HOLLYWOOD sign, overlooking the city. What more could you ask for?

A very beautiful park at the top of a hill, where many locals come to picnic as soon as the sun comes out, right among the olive trees. Because it is set up high, you get a superb view of the city. Within the park, you will also find a museum, a theater, and an art school. In the summer, the performances move out of the theater for open-air shows. A nice spot for sunny weekends.

Motorsports lovers all know the circuit and the driver for whom it is named, which is why it is so nice to be able to access it, and for free too. It is possible to travel the track on foot, by bike, and even to book a lap of the circuit in a car. It is, of course, a place that will mainly interest fans of motorsport.

The first thing you notice is the building. Its very unique architecture doesn't leave you indifferent, one way or another. Inside, it is everything you expect from a casino, with tons of machines and a huge variety of games. Note that if you decide to eat on-site, the restaurant is very high quality.

What will strike you after your visit is the huge variety of styles and works. You will go from Inuit art to expressionism in the blink of an eye. It is a very bright and comfortable museum where sofas are available to enjoy the exhibited works. A calm atmosphere, perfect for contemplation, which will allow you to enjoy both the permanent collections and the temporary exhibitions.

The Redpath Museum is not very well known, even in Canada. It is a modest-sized museum, but it holds a few treasures, like its incredible collection of minerals or the one featuring fossils. This natural history museum is packed with fascinating exhibits for all ages. Note that admission is free, but a donation for the museum's upkeep is highly appreciated.