Chicago…..Again!
Yes another trip to Chicago! I was just there a few weeks ago for the Chicago Marathon, but back again for the wedding of two special people. It never gets old and I can always find something new and fun to do.
My kind of town!
I tried something different this time - took Amtrak from Kansas City to Chicago, and then back to KC, I had heard good things about the train and when I checked on prices a few months ago and saw a fare of $50 each way I thought why not try it. The train leaves from Union Station which is close to where I live and should arrive in Chicago in 7 hours and 20 minutes - so less then drive time. The wedding was downtown so I wouldn’t need a car and I’m here to report that it turned out just fine. Full disclosure - the train was late getting to KC because of a problem out west so we got to Chicago almost 2 and a half hours late - but they kept us posted so I was able to stay home until 30 minutes before the train arrived. And the return was totally on time. Definitely less stressful then driving and I would do it again if the right circumstances presented.
Me getting on the train in KC. A beautiful day!
I stayed on Michigan Ave at a newly remodeled hotel called the St Jane located just south of Wacker Drive and the river. Fantastic location and a really nice place. I got a great rate through Travel Zoo. If you haven’t signed up for their daily email you should do it! They have great offers and there is no charge to use their site. My pictures didn’t turn out so you’ll just have to take my word for it - but comfy bed, great bathroom, super clean and a friendly helpful staff.
The talk of the town was the Grand Opening of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery - the largest Starbucks in the world! It opened November 15th and was a mob scene through the weekend. Hundreds of people standing outside waiting to get in even though the store is huge. Super cool and worth stopping by to see.
Saturday morning walking by Starbucks. I waited till it slowed down on Monday morning and walked right in to see it.
Inside the front door of Starbucks - to the left is a circular escalator- very cool!
Top left - roasting small batch coffee, Bottom left - barrel aged coffee and an awesome Warhol image in the background advertising the big exhibit currently at the Art Institute.
Bottom left - you can do coffee tasting on the 3rd floor. Amazing food on every floor.
It’s that time of year - so another opening was the Christkindlmarket down in the loop. Having spent last Christmas in Austria this was right up my alley. It reminded me a lot of those markets so fun to see all the handmade ornaments, knitted goods, food and gifts. Just like in Europe they have the ceramic mugs for the hot chocolate and mulled wine. And you can keep it as a souvenir 😊
Top - A Christmas Angel walking around for pictures Bottom left - Krampus. The opposite of Santa. Comes to take away the bad children. What?? It’s a German and Austrian thing - so scary! But you can get it in lots of forms - candy, ornaments, masks etc. Seems horrible. Bottom right - the ceramic mugs.
Got to see my friends Robin and Mike, and they took me to a wonderful theater called The Den located in the Wicker Park neighborhood. They are totally in-the-know on everything happening performing art related in the metro, and they said they really love this theater. I can understand why. A very cool building with 4 small stages creating a very intimate setting to see a performance. We saw the musical Always…Patsy Cline and it was really wonderful. Our seats were the best in the house and I felt like I was in the show! Having just returned from Nashville and discovering that I love country music felt like an added bonus. Thanks so much Robin and Mike for planning such a special time!
The Den
After the show we walked right across the street to the original location of Antique Taco to share a bite.
Chicken tacos, Elote corn with chips and a beer for Mike that he really enjoyed! Delicious!
Lunch at one of my favorite places - Hampton Social. A number of locations now around the Chicago area. I had the Beach Bowl - quinoa, black beans, plantains, avocado and an over easy egg.
Chicago is quite famous for its architecture, and one of the best things to do is take the Architectural Boat Tour. I’ve done it a couple of times and always recommend to people visiting. Well a new place to add to your To Do list is the Chicago Architecture Center. Julie and I visited on Monday and both enjoyed it very much. It’s located right on Wacker and Michigan Ave. and you can purchase the boat tour and/or a number of walking tours in addition to touring the center there.
Entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center.
The Center has two levels and you should allow at least an hour and maybe more to see it. The first floor is the Chicago Gallery featuring the most prominent architects like Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham and Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a cool movie and a scale model of the entire city. Lots of info on Chicago history. The second floor has a skyscraper gallery and an exhibit called From Me to We - what will Chicago look like in 2050.
Two of my favorite buildings through the window of the Architecture Center - The Wrigley building on the left and the Tribune Tower on the right - both being renovated and still so beautiful.
There are always new and fun things popping up on Michigan Ave - so let life surprise you and enjoy! The AT&T store going BIG for the 25th anniversary of the Friends sitcom. Walking by we just had to join in the fun and pretend we were at Central Perk😊
Two Friends having a big cup of coffee. Such a great show. It’s timeless! Just like my friendship with Julie❤️
Let’s not forget the wedding! The reason I was in Chicago. It was a beautiful ceremony and lovely reception to celebrate Nick and Britt! Best wishes always to this great couple!
Nick and Britt!
Goodbye for now Chicago! You know I’ll be back soon💕