CHICAGO AT CHRISTMASTIME

There is nothing like the city of Chicago during the Christmas season! Definitely a FAVORITE for this Friday! Although I love small town Christmases, the Windy City always has our hearts. Back in July my mom saw a great Christmas in July special going on that involved the beautiful Drake hotel tea at the Palm Court. So, this has been in the works for months, but of course it would have to fall on the coldest day of the year so far, we are talking windchills in the single digits. But that did not deter us. We may have had to cut our evening short and miss a couple of the things on the itinerary I had planned, but we had an absolute blast so I’m sharing some highlights. Even if you just have one night in Chicago, you can do so many fun Christmas things. The possibilities are endless. All the holiday tees and lights made me dream of bringing the twin granddaughters here someday which we will definitely do when they get older.

 I didn’t get pictures of everything, especially the things outside, because quite honestly, my hands were too cold, even in my mittens to do so, lol. But I will share my favorites with you. I will also link to some of the festivities in case you want to plan them yourself.

We took the train in this time because now our South Shore line is faster, it takes the same amount of time to take the train in as it does to drive, two hours for us so at least we didn’t have to worry about driving in the city or parking.

 

 Our first stop fresh off the train was the London House hotel, which had a Holiday Tea in their Bridges lobby. 

The dessert tier here was so cute and we had lovely views overlooking the river. Savory Scones too.

Of course, I forgot my phone charger so a trip to the Apple Store was warranted and then we were able to check into our lovely suite. The Drake hotel is known to be haunted, and I think my mom felt a presence once, lol. BUT we LOVED having two bathrooms!

 

Next step was a little shopping, but I have to say I’m so sad at the state of malls. We wanted to go in and out of the outside shops, but it was just too darn cold, so we opted for Water Tower place and it’s another mall that is falling by the wayside just like all the others even the Macy’s store there has gone. But the Lego store is still there so had to snap a pic some of Chicago’s coolest buildings made out of Legos.

Now it gets really exciting, I got us tickets to Frosty's Bar (the original Christmas pop-up) on the northwest side of the city. It was so charming, the looks on everyone’s faces when they walked in and saw the lights was part of the fun. 

Plus, the cocktails were delicious. I even had to get some pictures on a pole to send back to Mr. Nine, ha ha ha.

 How cute is mom in the big chair!

Had a yummy shot with Sprinkles too.

So many great photo ops!

Then we went to Macy’s on State Street to check out the tree in the Walnut Room. You may remember we ate there once before in This Post. 

We were hoping the window displays would be spectacular, but unfortunately, they weren’t that great.

We walked up the road to the Daley Plaza for the Chriskindlmarkt. That’s the German market that comes to Chicago every year. Mr. Nine and I used to go every Thanksgiving weekend, but it had been a while. Mom had never been there, and it was so delightful to go on this night, even though it was freezing because it wasn’t as busy as it normally is on the weekends. Keep that in mind if you go to places like this as the weekends are crazy!.

I did my research on the best food there. I had followed an Influencer who had eaten everything there and gave her best booth options and she wasn’t wrong, number eight for Bob's Belgian, hot chocolate and number 16 for the Raclettte...hot cheese shaved and melted onto chewy baguettes! So good. 

Unfortunately, here is where we ended our night despite having your reservations for more Christmas cocktails, ha ha, but it was just too darn cold. You would think since we were leaving the market as it was closing there would be a ton of taxis around and for some reason, GPS was not jiving with where the Uber was to pick so we did not even get the Uber until the sixth attempt. Usually we walk everywhere in Chicago, but it was just too darn cold even bundled up to do it on this night. NO worries he hotel beds were warm and cozy!

I was so excited for coffee the next morning because we were going to Ralph's Coffee on Michigan, it is the coffee shop located in front of the Ralph Lauren store, and it did not disappoint! 

Delicious and precious and preppy! 

AND THIS RED COATis such a winner from Old Navy. 

Plaid Scarf is only $10 and with the Cute Socks, it was extra festive! LOVE this coat too!

Next the toured the Peninsula Hotel to see their beautiful Christmas decorations.

Time to get dressed for our second tea right within our hotel at the Palm Court. It was beautifully decorated! And how exciting that we got there just in time for the Christmas carolers and then the harpest! 

I must say I liked the savory tier of this tea better. Mom and I were contrasting the two teas and there were good things and things that could’ve been approved upon for both. But overall, wonderful experiences!

Delicious Crantini's!

Our last stop after the tea before our 4:05 train was the Mart, formally known as the Merchandise Mart, the biggest building in Chicago. On the seventh floor, they had an amazing vendor market Called One of a Kind with everything from art to food to fashion with so many unique options it wasn’t just some flea market, It was craftsman from all over the country in Canada selling their beautiful pieces.
The photo with the lights on the building is when Mr. Nine and I saw the light show there five years ago (Post Here), unfortunately this did not start until the night after mom and I were there or we would have gone to see it. It’s spectacular!

Missed on our itinerary were Pinkmas, Hubbard Inn, JoJo's Shake Bar and Santa Baby but we'll hit em' next year.

Fun little Holiday getaway 

with my mama! 

Have a festive weekend my dears!

Linking up with Momfessionals and Between Naps on The Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Hello Monday

xoxo

PS: Mom and I got compliments on how festive we always looked, people told us it made them happy....it makes me happy too friends!