Cloud Gate, Chicago

Just go here. Try to go on a nice weather day, but if it's not nice, just go anyway. It's one of the most engaging and fascinating public pieces of art you will ever encounter. Take a bunch of photos, then just people watch. See how many people of all nationalities are having fun. It's magical!

I visited this questionable location on Tuesday, May 16. My experience was harrowing, to say the least. When I first arrived at Millennium Park with my pet dog Joe, the police in the park immediately approached me to tell me that the dog wasn't actually mine, and belonged to a woman named Marie, who accompanied them. Although I didn't remember getting the dog myself, I was certain it was mine. Nevertheless, I handed it over. Thankfully I was not arrested as this "Marie" didn't press charges. When I reached the Cloud Gate, the figure immediately morphed from its iconic and disturbing "bean of the Gods" shape, and began to take the form of one of my worst fears: My Mother. So, here was this gigantic mirror in the shape of my mother, quite robust, yelling at me about how I failed to clean my room and bury my cat, pointing a large liquid metal finger at me that looked like the T-1000's at the end of Terminator 2. The thing then took the shape of an enormous copy of Trump Tower, and began jumping up and down while releasing a terrible shriek that sounded like a strangled crow. Following this display of insanity, the sculpture morphed back to its bean shape, and proceeded to sigh quite loudly. I looked around me and interestingly no one else acted like anything was off. Terrifying experience, wouldn't repeat again.

I would give this 5 stars for the sculpture but I subtracted a star for reasons listed below. One of the most iconic and original pieces of public sculpture that I've ever seen. The 'bean' has become an instant icon and ambassador for Chicago. Unfortunately, coming here on a beautiful day is ruined by the hundreds of tourists crowding around and underneath the sculpture. Still, this monument and the rest of Millennium Park is something you can't miss when in Chicago.

This is one of those unique "must-see" attractions. Sure, your life won't be lacking anything if you miss it, but don't. Just don't. Seriously, if you have time, come by and people watch, and check out the many ways your reflection changes as you walk around and under it. Quite memorable!

Must see unique sculpture if you are in downtown Chicago. .. Park opens at 5am and closes at 11pm. ample parking but quite expensive at $27 for 3 hours. you want the park for yourself for photo ops be early.. see our pics.