For our 14th Anniversary (and Conference for Dan) we decided to make it a long weekend in Chicago--with no kids! Since I didn't get the camera out once to share the trip that way I decided to do a tribute to one of my favorite places to visit--here goes;
Say what you want to about the Midwest, but Chicago is a seriously hip oasis smack dab in the middle of the Midwest. If you haven’t been to the windy city in a while or ever, check out your frequent flyer miles, gas up the car, but just think twice before you take the train. Amtrak's scheduled four hour ride was 8 1/2 hours long--which made me happy I had a book, and I had left the kids home! (sorry Elizabeth!)
Back to the main point, plan a trip now before the weather changes to a subzero frozen ice cube. I am sure you have heard about the wonderful museums, they are world famous, and everything you have heard is true, so I won’t waste any more of your time there. I'll head strait to the best shopping and food! When you get to the streets of Chicago, go straight to Michigan Avenue and Chicago's world famous Magnificent Mile. Michigan Avenue is crammed full of excellent high-end shopping, including; Bloomingdale's, Tiffany's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, pretty much you name it and you will find it there. My favorites which are a little less pricey include;
H&M (Love this store--great kids and adults clothes)
Crate and Barrel (started in Chicago and, if you don't know how great this store is--I feel sorry for you)
Apple Store (fun to check out, sometimes they have refurbished things like ipods at the back at huge discounts!)
Lego store (great Lego sculptures; Star Wars characters, Ronald Reagan, giant spider and more--very cool, plus they always have something we don't have on clearance!)
American Girl (if you have a daughter--you already know this store)
Garrett's Popcorn (best popcorn you will EVER eat! Get the Chicago mix which is caramel and cheese. I know it sounds weird, but just trust me)
Ghiradelli Chocolate when shopping and tired, chocolate will help! Ghiradelli is always waiting with a free sample right when you walk in!
Aldo has great bags, purses and shoes. I know they have these all over but I like to go to this one on Mich Ave.
Now that you have run up your credit cards, it's time to eat! Chicago has so many great places, but here are some we never want to miss.
Signature Room--95th floor of the Hancock Tower. The view is to die for and windows are the walls on all sides. Don't forget to use the ladies room girls, the view might be the best in there! Oh, and the food is probably better than the view--you should make a reservation if you want to go for dinner.
Grand Lux Cafe (right on Michigan Ave, fairly inexpensive, soooo good. Go for breakfast and get the beignets, actually just get them anytime you go! I am salivating just thinking of them)
Giordano's (best pizza I have ever eaten, and that is saying something. Must get Chicago style! Uno's pizza is also very tasty and a Chicago original)
Walnut Room at Macy's besides it being an architectural landmark for nearly 100 years, and having traffic-stopping window displays the food here is also a 100 year classic! At Christmas they have a giant tree which you eat "under" very fun!
Baisi Thai (Thai and Japanese Cuisine, this one is a little hard to find unless you know where it is. It's on the 6th floor of a shopping mall right on the Magnificent Mile. Ask to sit at the back where you will have a view of the Lake and the bustling street down below. I consider this to be a hidden gem b/c it is very inexpensive, food is very good, never a wait--even on Saturday night at 7, plus the view is awesome. Shh, don't spread the word!
Some people don’t bother looking past Michigan Avenue, which is a shame since Chicago has much more to offer. I have heard there is a first class music scene, Broadway shows that rival, well, Broadway (I really wanted to hit one while on our childless weekend, but we ran out of time). The much talked about boat tours, I have only been on the Architecture tour and I highly recommend it. I have heard they have a pretty good night club scene but I have no personal experience since I am an old married woman and a practicing Mormon. We did, however, check out the piano bar that was in our hotel--DaddyO’s Pub. I have to say it was really good! I love live music and you could request all the tunes you wanted. Along with my Diet Coke--it was some good clean fun!
On this trip to Chicago we stayed on the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue. We enjoyed a somewhat romantic walk on the river walk over to Navy Pier and walked to the end of the pier where a live band was playing. We listened for a while and left before the fireworks which happen every Friday and Saturday night.
We ran along the lake front the next morning and encountered the AIDS run/walk. We joined up in the cause for part of our run then broke off and ran around the Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, which wound us along the water and made for a much more peaceful run. At one point Dan and his superior lung capacity left me in the dust--how's that for romantic? But then again, maybe he was just showing off for me?
All in all we had a super relaxing fun weekend. Thanks so much to Elizabeth (and Andrea, Telia and anyone else who helped in any way) for watching my big crew of children! Friends are the best!
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