By the Fairmont Hotel He has more than 3,000 friends he’s never met on a Facebook account he never created. Chicago locals talk about him every day but few (if any) have ever heard him speak. The sight of him strolling the streets sends onlookers into a frenzied search for their cameras and phones to document his fleeting presence. There are more rumors about him—about his life, his reason for walking and his journey in general– than the number of steps he takes each day. He is the Walking Guy of Chicago. An icon, a recognizable stranger, and a man who hits the pavement as much as frustrated Chicago drivers hit their horns. Often compared to Sam Elliott and Yanni, the Walking Guy has a distinguished style: a white v-neck shirt under a grey suit with the jacket open, of course. His unmistakable walk–head bent forward, always on a mission–can be traced along Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive and Illinois. The best place to see him is at the Fairmont Hotel on Columbus Drive, where he’s been seen selling watches to cab drivers. He’s also been spotted on Wabash Avenue over the Illinois Street underpass and frequently walks along Clark. Of course, the mustached man is always on the move so there’s no guarantee you’ll ever find him. Best of Chicago 2012
