Before I even get into the Windy City all the wonderful things we love to do there and share some pictures from a recent weekend there, I have to ask you to bear with me. Today is the day I leave my oldest at college. Today we will be busy doing last minute things and getting his dorm room all set so if I'm not able to comment or email you back, know I'll be reading blogs in full force tomorrow to keep my mind off of this mixed emotion milestone.
Mr. Nine did a great job of erasing my worries for one weekend in our favorite city before these little birdies fly off on their own.
We are so blessed to live just two hours away from Chicago and have been there many times. However, it never ceases to amaze us how many new things we stumble upon during each visit. I thought it would be fun to compile "Nine" of our favorite things in case you ever get the chance to explore this great city.
1. Riverwalk
All our trips to the city and we've never walked along the Riverwalk. What an amazing stroll on a sunshiny day. With its gorgeous scenery, pop up bars, boat watching and architecture admiring, it's a great way to see a fun part if the city. They are currently in construction to expand it so you can walk even further. Tiny Hat was a new, fun bistro. Had a delicious frozen rum concoction.
2. Michigan Avenue
I never really buy much on Michigan Ave, it's a little touristy but so fun to stroll for a bit on every trip. I always like to see what is new. There is a cool new Under Amour store and I just love how they dress the giant mannequin.
Also loved that they dedicated a display to our beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish and of course using the number "9"!! Less than a month to kick off!!!
3. Marina/Lake Michigan Shore
After we were done along the Riverwalk, we turned around and walked the opposite way to Lake Michigan and admired the view with all the boats in the marina. Such a lovely day!
4. Rooftop Terrace
I am a sucker for a rooftop terrance and this one was right at our hotel. We went for a drink in the afternoon where we enjoyed sitting in comfy oversized chairs, watching corn hole and admiring the view. We went back that evening after dinner where we got to see fireworks over the lake and met some couples who told us that actually rooftop terraces made public are a rarity in Chicago. Lucky us, this one was an elevator ride away. It's called Steeterville Social.
5. Eataly
I told you about this place after my Mom's Birthday Trip so of course had to take Mr. Nine. He loved it, especially the brewery and found a new brew he loved. Just look at this meat and cheese plate we indulged in and I had my favorite moscato...Brandini
6. Food
You know when you go to Chicago, you can literally have anything you want to eat!! Pure bliss, if you find the right spots.
Here are some of our favs...
Yolk for breakfast, great "get in line" app..hour wait but we literally walked right up and our table was ready thanks to my husband and the app.....fabulous Eggs Benedict!
Love West Egg for breakfast as well.
From our April trip for my Birthday...Our other favorite Steak place...The Capitol Grille
Our Favorite Italian: Carmine's, RPM Italian and Maggianos
Such a great caprese salad at Carmines.
7. Deep Dish Pizza
There is nothing like pizza in Chicago and because the wait is usually a couple hours and the pizza itself another 45-60 min, we don't always have the time to indulge but oh when we do....so worth it! The spots we know and love are Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's and where we devoured it recently: Gino's East
8. The Hotels
I think we found our new Favorite! We have stayed at the James, the Trump, the Hard Rock (back in its Heyday when it was great) among many others but The Loews is our new favorite and we WILL be returning. The smell in the lobby is intoxicating and probably enough to bring me back, lol, not to mention this is were the rooftop terrace is!!
The Trump is indeed amazing but pricey so cannot stay there every visit.
Last time we stayed there for our Luke Bryan concert weekend
9. Christkindlmartket
If you find your self in Chicago around Christmas, this is a Must. For many years , we went to Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving and this market was a tradition as we both have ties to Germany and love the culture.
Inspired by the Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. It's the city's largest open-air Christmas festival an is held every year in Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
Warm Glühwein mulled wine is a treat on a crisp, cool night.
Have you been to Chicago? What are your favorite things to do and eat there?
All our trips to the city and we've never walked along the Riverwalk. What an amazing stroll on a sunshiny day. With its gorgeous scenery, pop up bars, boat watching and architecture admiring, it's a great way to see a fun part if the city. They are currently in construction to expand it so you can walk even further. Tiny Hat was a new, fun bistro. Had a delicious frozen rum concoction.
2. Michigan Avenue
I never really buy much on Michigan Ave, it's a little touristy but so fun to stroll for a bit on every trip. I always like to see what is new. There is a cool new Under Amour store and I just love how they dress the giant mannequin.
3. Marina/Lake Michigan Shore
After we were done along the Riverwalk, we turned around and walked the opposite way to Lake Michigan and admired the view with all the boats in the marina. Such a lovely day!
4. Rooftop Terrace
I am a sucker for a rooftop terrance and this one was right at our hotel. We went for a drink in the afternoon where we enjoyed sitting in comfy oversized chairs, watching corn hole and admiring the view. We went back that evening after dinner where we got to see fireworks over the lake and met some couples who told us that actually rooftop terraces made public are a rarity in Chicago. Lucky us, this one was an elevator ride away. It's called Steeterville Social.
I told you about this place after my Mom's Birthday Trip so of course had to take Mr. Nine. He loved it, especially the brewery and found a new brew he loved. Just look at this meat and cheese plate we indulged in and I had my favorite moscato...Brandini
6. Food
You know when you go to Chicago, you can literally have anything you want to eat!! Pure bliss, if you find the right spots.
Here are some of our favs...
Yolk for breakfast, great "get in line" app..hour wait but we literally walked right up and our table was ready thanks to my husband and the app.....fabulous Eggs Benedict!
Love West Egg for breakfast as well.
From my trip with Mom last November for her birthday...RPM Steak!
From our April trip for my Birthday...Our other favorite Steak place...The Capitol Grille
Our Favorite Italian: Carmine's, RPM Italian and Maggianos
7. Deep Dish Pizza
There is nothing like pizza in Chicago and because the wait is usually a couple hours and the pizza itself another 45-60 min, we don't always have the time to indulge but oh when we do....so worth it! The spots we know and love are Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's and where we devoured it recently: Gino's East
8. The Hotels
I think we found our new Favorite! We have stayed at the James, the Trump, the Hard Rock (back in its Heyday when it was great) among many others but The Loews is our new favorite and we WILL be returning. The smell in the lobby is intoxicating and probably enough to bring me back, lol, not to mention this is were the rooftop terrace is!!
The Hard Rock was our thing and you can get great deals there but its getting older and just doesn't have the same punch.
9. Christkindlmartket
If you find your self in Chicago around Christmas, this is a Must. For many years , we went to Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving and this market was a tradition as we both have ties to Germany and love the culture.
Inspired by the Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. It's the city's largest open-air Christmas festival an is held every year in Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
I am so excited for Wednesday as I mentioned on Friday that Wednesday is National Smore's Day so get ready for food and fashion to celebrate this campfire holiday!
Happy Monday sweet friends....I can do this, right?
Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Show and Tell Tuesdays // Wordless Wednesday // Inspire Me Monday // Share The joy// Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's Blog Hop // Thoughts on Thursday // Waiting On Wednesday // Create It Thursday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // The Alder Collective // Feathered Nest Friday // Dishing It & Digging It
xoxo
