First off, I did in fact run around Chicago with another “Stephanie!” Hahaha! Secondly, I am glad I had the opportunity to travel and explore Chicago, especially while my friend lived there, but gosh, it was COLD. Known as the “windy city” was no joke!! I thought I was going to be swept off my feet one night walking around! Haha! Thirdly, I decided to leave my camera at home and test out the iPhone X! Man, I was so IMPRESSED with the quality of2 a phone!!!
I definitely recommend traveling during the warmer seasons of the year, but because Chicago has incredible food options, the restaurants will keep you warm. π That was basically our strategy!! Haha! As a fair warning, you’re going to see a LOT of food below!!! The funniest part was when I had friends of mine ask me recently about my trip to Chicago … All I could remember was the food! I swear I went into a food coma and forgot about the other actual activities we did besides eat. Haha! But honestly, the city is known for their excellent food, and I really wanted the “full experience!” Pizza … Hot dog … Donut … bring it. But my poor body STRUGGLED after the trip, but it was worth it. π Check out my full experience below!!!
Day One
I cannot remember if my mom or IΒ stumbled across the fact that Chicago was hosting their “Restuarant Week,” but I knew I had to experience good food! Stephanie was gracious enough to find a super cool restaurant participating in the event, called the Allis! The interior was a mix of industrial meets class. Loved it!! And the food? Oh, gosh! Just check out the menu we enjoyed! Thanks to my sweet tooth, my favorite thing on the menu was the sea salt chocolate chip cookie! So heavenly!!
Look at this cute set up where we sat!! I would totally work here every day if I lived in Chicago. π After our incredible long lunch of catching up, she showed me her adorable apartment, and we were off to explore some breweries! We ended at a place that was a serve your own beer bar β Definitely more expensive compared to the beer bar in Richmond, but it was a great experience!
Day Two
Well, less than 24-hours into my trip and Stephanie had to teach me the ways of dressing for Chicago! The theme of the trip was #bundlestruggle! No joke. It’s comical because it took so long to get dressed in all of the layers every time we had to head outside! I would like to hashtag the right photo below: #scarf-stache!
Stephanie did an incredible job planning out my visit with plenty of things to do! Even though, after everything was set and done, I think I went into a food coma and forgot about the actual activities we did besides eat. HA! To justify that note, Chicago is one of the top foodieΒ cities in the country, and I can see why!!! I didn’t know Chicago had a thing with hot dogs. Of course, I had to see what the hype was all about.
Let me tell you, I REALLY wanted to try everything else on the menu at Chicago’s Dog House except a regular hot dog. Look at their menu below!!! Although, I’m glad I can say IΒ had the “Chicago Dog!” Next time, though, I’m trying alligator or rabbit! π Look at the color of the relish!! A little … actually … VERY weird, but it’s a signature!
Stephanie told me right before my trip that we were doing the “Tilt” over Chicago. I told her I was down for anything, but I had no idea what the heck “the Tilt” was!!! Even when we were getting ready to go up in the elevator, a woman told me that we better hold on for dear life and then mentioned how she would never do it … And she WORKED there. I thought, “Okay, what the heck did I sign up for?” HA! It wasn’t until we were standing in the observatory before I saw what it was for the first time and I didn’t really see the big hype about it. But I also realize if you are scared of heights, then maybe this activity isn’t for you!
Basically, this machine tilts the wall and platform you’re standing on forward, 30 degrees, over the city. It was a cool experience, but I almost wondered if walking on glass over the city at the Sears tower would have been scarier? But it was still a unique and fun thing to do while visiting the city!!
The views were spectacular from above!!!!
Stephanie showed me around her office and it didn’t even seem like was in an office building β It was gorgeous!!! Every room had a different personality and energy. I didn’t take too many photos, but you can get a sense of the interior from these photos below! A cool little side venture!
Of course, I had to do the most touristy thing ever and go visit “the bean!!” I don’t really know what it is called or why it’s so famous, but it was worth the visit!!! Although, FREEZING. Hence why I didn’t look too much into what “the bean” is all about. π
Chicago knows me well … NUTELLA restaurant!!!!! HECK YES. Although, I’m very proud of myself for not doing in and indulging onΒ Nutella everything. π Also, I had to include this right photo below because the Chicago Tribune had little pieces of history randomly on the exterior of the building! What a cool detail!
We stopped by the “Purple Pig” for wine and food β Oh, it was so good!!! We had pig tongue, which was scrumptious! This food documented below was a whipped feta. I love unique foods and this place had so many options. π I REALLY enjoyed our time here, between the conversations, wine and the food!!
While I was in Missouri last month, I ran into some Chicago natives who HIGHLY recommended checking out a Thai rolled ice cream shop in China Town called, Legends Tasty House. Holy moly. That place did not disappoint!!! I believe I ordered the Oreo ice cream? SOOOOO good!!
We ended the night with some friends at a Comedy Bar! We somehow managed to get front row seating? HA! But it was SOOOO much fun and hilarious!
Day Three
This day was easy going, but we definitely had to gear up for the cold weather! Despite the fact that the temps were in the teens, I still ordered a frozen hot chocolate. π HA! My favorite!!! Reminded me of New York City’sΒ Serendipity restaurant!! Frozen Hot Chocolate, anyone?! π π π We enjoyed a DELICIOUS and unique donut at Stan’s Donuts β I had to try their Nutella (of course) donut stuffed with fresh banana. I think I just indulged the calories all over again by looking at this photo. HA!
To work off the unforgiving breakfast, we went to the Chicago zoo and walked around. Even though the majority of the zoo was limited due to the winter season, there was a lot to see!!! My personal favorite part was seeing the lion and hearing him ROAR!
While we were going through the African exhibit, I couldn’t help but think of Alex and his adventures in Africa. Then I ran across a sign talking about the most poisonous spiders out there… YIKES. I didn’t want to read too much into it because I didn’t want to worry about Alex encountering a scary orb spider… Anywayssssss, while wandering the African exhibit, I laughed when I turned a corner and discovered this sleeping anteater… Lol! Stephanie commented by saying that’s how we felt after the food we had indulged! Spot onnnnn!
Stephanie took me to a place to make our own bloody marys!! YUM. It was a cool experience, but also a bit overwhelming for someone who has never made their own bloody mary from scratch. They had sooooo many different types of seasonings, peppers, hot sauces, veggies, etc. Somehow mine turned out yummy!!!! I want to do it again. π
Okay, so this place is LEGIT. You hear about the deep dish pizza, but here’s something unique Chicago is also known for β Pot pie pizza! Well, I guess it’s not really a “Chicago thing,” but this place called the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. made it a thing! It was 3 p.m. and we still had a wait an hour to get a seat!! GOODNESS, it was a great experience!!! Their story is really unique too, but their pizza is top-notch! They lay the cheese down first followed by the meat sauce and topped by the crust. Once it makes it out to your table, they flip the dish over. FUN and GOOD!!!!
After our awesome evening, we met up with some of Stephanie’s friends and adventured around Chicago at night. I totally understand why they call it the windy city because I was almost blown over trying to walk along the sidewalk!!! Even though it was fun going out, I loved hanging out and watching Friends while it was snowing outside! π
Day Four
The trip went by SO fast!!! To conclude my last day in the city, we took it easy by enjoying brunch and shopping. π The snow was magical, but I was a little concerned my plane wasn’t going to make it off the ground. Fortunately, it was Chicago and even their planes have snow plows on the front … jk. π Brunch at Hutch was delicious and I totally appreciated the fact that Stephanie wanted to split our meals, so we had the opportunity to taste test everything! The french toast and eggs benedict were both fabulous dishes I would recommend!! The place was VERY popular, so I guess you cannot go wrong with any of their food. π Soon after shopping, I was off on my way back to Virginia. Overall, a great, filling experience in Chicago!!!
I hope to travel back to Chicago during the warmer season. π I’m sure it’s a way different experience! It was still a great time, especially checking out the foodie spots … Still trying to work it off! HA! I hope you find this post helpful if you plan to travel/explore Chicago sometime soon. π
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