What to do when you have a flight credit about to expire? See where that dollar amount gets you and go! We had somehow never been to Chicago, and the flight price and times were just right. Steve was NOT interested in seeing Chicago, and worried it would be cold and blehhh in September, but it turned out to be nicer weather than D.C.! Our weekend timed perfectly with Hurricane Florence, so we escaped the rain and 100% humidity in D.C. and arrived to 70s/80s with virtually no sticky air in Chicago.
We both agreed we really liked Chicago. Like NYC, but cleaner and greener. I’m sure our opinions would change in the winter, but hey, we survived life in upstate NY…it can’t be THAT bad, right?
WHERE TO STAY:
We stayed in an AirBnb in Lincoln Park. It was pricey, but in a nice neighborhood within walking distance of the park and beach. It was a little walk to the subway, but there were also buses running nearby.
WHERE TO EAT:
The most important part of travel is obviously the food, which Chicago has no shortage of. Let’s start with caffeine, shall we?
Hero Coffee: Multiple locations, but this one was just the cutest. There’s no inside space here, but the little alley way seating area was a perfect respite from the warm temps and sunshine. It was also Instagrammable paradise for the fashion bloggers who kept coming in to snap pics casually sipping their drinks with the twinkle lights in the background.
Left Coast Juice: WHY do we not have more of this in D.C.? I love South Block, but wish we had something like this, too. Healthy eats, smoothies, and coffee. They have multiple locations, and we ended up visiting 2 of them.
It can be hard to find a savory breakfast when you don’t do gluten or eggs, but this hit the spot!
This mural, on the backside of the restaurant, is just one of the Kind Way murals found across the U.S. Check them out, what a happy series!
On our walk to Left Coast, we encountered a Bill’s bar. I didn’t catch the name, but I understand that Bill’s fans need a place to drown their sorrows in every city.
Ipsento 606: This coffee shop is located right off the 606 park trail. We enjoyed the green space adjacent to the coffee shop to soak up a little more sunshine.
Paradise Park: This place was so fun! It is half inside, half outside with a kitschy retro trailer park theme, if that is a thing? They have gluten free pizza and cheap champagne. A win in my book!
Bad Hunter: Described as a “veg forward” restaurant. Pretty interior, probably should have opted to sit inside because no shade patio was not forgiving.
Real Good Juice Co.: Apparently they have since changed their name to Real Good Stuff. Maybe they have more food now? Either way, this gluten free avocado toast was delicious. I was a bit envious of the real deal bread; it was so thick and luxurious looking.
Goddess and Grocer: Prepared foods, salad bar, and small grocery selection. Multiple locations and another concept called Goddess and The Baker, too.
Three Arts Cafe at Restoration Hardware: We walked in to see it, but there was a long wait. Look how beautiful it is, though!
WHAT TO DO:
We stopped through the Green City Market in Lincoln Park and it was huge! And pumpkins had arrived!
The 606: This is similar to the High Line in NYC. If I were a biker, this is where I would go! It’s also a great running trail.
There are beaches! The beach is accessible via an underground tunnel, so you don’t have to cross the busy street above. There’s a paved pedestrian road right next to the beach with plenty of bikers and runners. I saw a few runners post-workout jump into the lake to refresh. What a great reward after a sweaty workout!
We stopped through a fall festival at Fulton Market District, which was lined with a bunch of restaurants.
Lincoln Park: The lily pad garden in the park was specifically recommended to us, and it was well worth a visit. What a serene little pocket of the park.
Millenium Park: Go be touristy and see Cloud Gate, aka The Bean. The park has a whole series of gardens and a little waterway. A number of people were cooling their feet off in the water, but I’m not sure how clean it was…
Street art: Go wander the streets and you’ll discover some fun art along the way!
Although we didn’t get around to it, I hear the architectural boat tours are worthwhile as well.
TRANSPORTATION:
We walked almost everywhere. About 11 miles on Saturday to be exact. I didn’t realize how big the city was until weThe subway was great getting mostly North-South. We Ubered across the city East-West direction. The bus system is supposed to be easy to navigate as well. There are Divvy bikes if you want to cruise around on 2 wheels.
Below is a map of everything listed above, and then some.
Do you have any tips for Chicago? I can’t wait to find a reason to go back!