Author: rebeccawanderlusting

My name is Rebecca Peters. I work in the hotel industry, which allows for many amusing hours of people watching. I spend my days googling new destinations to explore and writing checklists. I live in Chicago, where I harbor a deep lust for any other destination, which is the basis for my recently started travel blog. I'm also into knitting, champagne and reading Stephen King novels. Instagram: WanderConstantReader Twitter: @rwanderlusting Find Me On Bloglovin' !

27 in 27: Halfway Point

On June 5, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle2 Comments

It’s official. The move is over, the wedding is over, we are unpacked and comfy in our new home, and I can finally get back to business. We love the new apartment and our new neighborhood! We moved from West Town up to Logan Square and I think it suits us. The 606 (Chicago’s answer to the High Line in New York) is a couple blocks South of us and we are so close to so many fantastic restaurants and bars. Plus, our apartment is full of sunshine and has so much more space than what we had before! Here’s a sneak peak:

Though I could write about the new place all day, that’s not what I’m here to talk about! I wrote one of these posts last year, detailing my goals for the year and where I’m at so far. Yesterday marked my half birthday, and I’m not nearly close to being halfway through this list. But, I’m confident this second half of the year is going to be much more productive. I’ve got big plans for the next six months, not limited to the following list. So, without further ado, here are my 27 in 27 goals:

Visit Canada (for the first time) – we have plans to head north in the Fall to visit Toronto and Niagara Falls. I’ll keep you posted on this one.
Take a trip on an Amtrak train – no plan on this one yet.
Run a race – Almost done! I’m signed up to run a half marathon with my sister in September.
Have an article published in a magazine – I haven’t even begun to think about this one but it has always been a dream of mine to be published in a travel magazine
Read more non-fiction – DONE! and still working on it! So far I’ve read “My Life on the Road” by Gloria Steinem, “No Baggage” by Clara Bensen, “All About Love” by Bell Hooks, “The White Album” by Joan Didion, and “The Lost Continent” by Bill Bryson.
Be better about networking – DONE! Thanks to a little app called Shapr
Collaborate on a new project – DONE! My friend Jen and I created a new blog called A Strong Female Lead which focuses on female empowerment
Figure out my personal style – This is a work in progress. Because most of my wardrobe consists of work clothes, I’m trying to find some sort of happy medium.
Invest in a solid wardrobe staple – To piggy back on the last one, this is still on my to do list.
Go to Mexico – I’m trying to work this out for my next birthday, but we will see!
Write more fiction – my writing habits have fallen by the wayside so far this year, but as I said, I’m picking it back up now.
Make & sell candles – Halfway there. I made the candles, I have the Etsy shop, I just need to put the two together.
Try a new yoga class – DONE! There was a studio by our old apartment that I went to quite a few times. Now I have to find a new one by us.
Try meditating – DONE! I’m amazed I can sit still for that long.
Get a new tattoo – still trying to decide what I want, I’m thinking nature themed.
Explore a new neighborhood – DONE! I’m looking at you Lincoln Square!
Get a new job – DONE! Happily employed as a Catering Sales Manager now.
Visit a National Park – Not done. Any suggestions?
Master Conversational French – Non. But I do have Duolingo and I will be better about using it.
Get a massage – DONE! Read all about that here.
Get new art for home – DONE! A beautiful flamingo print that is currently hanging above our record player.
Make homemade pasta – Not done yet, but I’m really looking forward to this. Thanks for the inspiration Master of None!
Take a new class – I don’t know what kind of class I’d like to take yet. Maybe a cooking class, or maybe I should pair this with #19 and head to the Alliance Francaise.
Go on a trip & not write about it – It’s planned! Fourth of July in Northern Wisconsin.
Organize a clothing swap – This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I have yet to plan it. But I will.
Make something for the new apartment – Maybe some art or maybe some shelves, who knows. I’ll keep you posted.
See a play I’ve never seen – Nope. Suggestions?

Wow… that’s a lot of goals to accomplish in six months. 9/27 Done and 18 left to tackle. Wish me luck!

Share your goals for the year in the comments!

Monthly Memo: May

On May 21, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hello, Hello Strangers! Long time no talk. I believe I owe some sort of an explanation for that. Things have been a little hectic lately, especially this beautiful, rainy month of May, because of a few separate factors. It seems as though things have been snowballing a bit, but we’ll be out of the woods soon I think. We’re moving in a couple weeks; not too far away but it’s still a hassle as I’m sure most of you know. We’re moving to the Logan Square Neighborhood, which is just a bit Northwest from where we are now.

On top of that, I’m making all of the desserts for my cousins wedding next weekend, which comes with its own stress. Thankfully, I’ve tested each of the recipes and they are all delicious. What am I making, you ask? Well I’d love to tell you! Here’s the menu:

Mini Cheesecakes topped with berries
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie Tartlets
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Brownie Bites with Caramel (I actually found this recipe on Pinterest and it’s awesome, try it!!)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Pretzels

I’m very excited to see the finished products and finally celebrate this lovely couple. They actually hosted me when I visited them in Seoul, South Korea and met Mike and I for dinner when we were in San Francisco, so it’s safe to say that I owe them one.

Travel has taken a back seat to everyday life this year so far, and that’s OK. I do miss it a lot, the thrill of discovering a new place, but other exciting things are happening instead. Exciting things like finally living in an apartment with a separate kitchen, and buying a couch that’s all ours and not a hand-me-down, and really enjoying my new job. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop writing here of course, but it may be a little slower (like 1 post a week instead of 2) for a bit, until I can save up a little to travel more again. We are planning on heading to Canada in the Fall, so I am very much looking forward to that.

In the meantime though, keep checking back here for new blogs, and you can also find me at A Strong Female Lead (a kick ass feminist blog) regularly too.

But what about you… What are your plans for the rest of May? Where are you traveling next? Tell me all about it.

West Town, Chicago, RebeccaWanderlusting

Neighborhood Spotlight: West Town

On May 7, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, US Travel5 Comments

West Town is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago, though I may be a bit biased because I’ve lived here for two years now. Located directly west of the Gold Coast, straight down Chicago Avenue, West Town is a perfect mix of friendly neighborhood and big city cool. It has a ton of fun and unique shops, bars, and restaurants, plus plenty of beautiful homes and parks to stroll through. Just recently, we’ve decided to depart this lovely neighborhood, as our lease was up and it felt like it was time for a change of scenery. We have a few weeks before we move, but we’ve been trying to hit all of our favorite spots before we go. Without further ado, here’s a comprehensive list of my favorite shops, restaurants and bars in West Town, Chicago:

For Breakfast:

Whisk – one of the most popular brunch spots in the neighborhood, with decadent menu items and Ron Swanson on the wall.
West Town Bakery – a casual bakery café with delectable baked goods, great coffee and a lovely atmosphere.
Breakfast House – our absolute favorite/most frequented breakfast joint in the city. Try the vanilla waffle with berries and bananas or the supreme chorizo hash.

For Coffee & Sweet Treats:

Hoosier Mama Pie Company – a sweet little pie shop with a VIP table right in the front window and the best assortment of delectable pies.
Pickwick Coffee – a cozy coffee shop where they roast their coffee beans in house and craft the most delicious espresso drinks.

For Lunch:

Kasia’s – this famous Polish deli has fantastic soups and sandwiches, along with fresh ingredients you can take home with you.
High Dive – a great beer list and the best burgers in the neighborhood, I promise. Try their togarashi fries, they’ll change your life.
Roots Pizza – the pizza at Roots is fantastic, particularly the ones inspired by local Chicago chefs. We like to sit at the bar and have a beer and split a small pie.

For Shopping:

Paperish Mess – art, home goods and jewelry from local designers fill this cute little shop. Be sure to check out their big selection of clever greeting cards!
Sprout Home – a green-thumb’s dream of a plant shop with indoor and outdoor plants and all the accessories. Don’t forget to take a look at their home goods store across the street.
Seek Vintage – the best vintage store on the avenue with decent prices and an excellent selection of vintage costume jewelry.
RR #1 – my favorite place to get unique gifts, this store is stocked from floor to ceiling with stationary, home goods, clothing and jewelry. Set aside enough time to explore it fully.
Study Hall – airy and beautiful new and vintage clothing and locally sourced jewelry.

For Dinner:

Forbidden Root – a Chicago brewery restaurant with a great menu and a long list of brews to choose from. Any beer you choose will be delicious, enjoy!
Yuzu – sushi to die for in a relaxed BYOB restaurant where you’ll want to sit a savor each bite.
Charlatan – a fresh take on classic Italian fare with fantastic cocktails and the best happy hour deal in the neighborhood: $10 for a happy hour drink and a portion of their daily pasta.

For Drinks:

Bar Deville – this classy bar has amazing drinks in a hip setting. Fair warning, it’s cash only, but the drinks are worth it.
Five Star Bar – a punk twist on the typical sports bar with pool tables and cheap beer. The food is also very good, for when you need some appetizers to soak up the booze.
EZ Inn – one of my favorite bars in the city, mostly because it’s jukebox is free and they have cocktails on tap.

Have you been to West Town in Chicago? Where’s your favorite spot?

Beer City Redux

On April 23, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Grand Rapids, Michigan, US Travel3 Comments

We started the trips off on a Thursday morning, dropping Brody off in Joliet at Mike’s parents’ and the ride took three hours from there. We arrived just in time for lunch, so we stopped at HopCat to get a bite to eat and our first Beer City brew of the trip.

We just got a sandwich and a salad there but the food was good, and it gave us a chance to plan our time there. We wanted to check out some different antique stores from the last time we were in Grand Rapids, so we headed to Captain Bizzaro’s Treasure World first. The store was haphazardly arranged but fun to explore. We particularly enjoyed talking with the proprietor. I found a pretty short story collection by Ray Bradbury that I decided I needed and Mike enjoyed the record selection.

Our next stop was the Blue Door Antique store in the Uptown neighborhood. This store was an Instagrammer’s dream: beautifully arranged and color coordinated. It was a little bit pricey but everything there was just gorgeous. After we drooled over everything in the store (especially their refurbished furniture), we moved down two doors to City Antiques.

This store had more jewelry and knickknacks than anything else, but most of it was behind glass. The lovely woman managing the store chatted us up a bit and ended up giving us some great recommendations for places to get dinner. We stayed at the Amway Grand Plaza this time around and we really liked it! The rooms were big enough and the lobby was just beautiful.

Reserve Wine Bar (one of the suggestions we were given), was right next door to the hotel, so we walked over and were seated upstairs. We both ordered a cocktail; Mike got the Kentucky Red head and I ordered the Reserve Press, a delicious gin and St. Germaine drink. For food, we shared the cheese and charcuterie plate, the tortellini en brood and the pierogi.

The cheese plate was excellent, as most are, and we really liked the pierogi, which had pork and apple filling and a cabbage slaw underneath. The tortellini left a little to be desired, and we wished it came with a little bit more food. After dinner, it was time for the main event, the whole reason we were in Grand Rapids in the first place: Aretha Franklin at the DeVos Performance Hall.

I don’t even have words to describe how much this concert meant to me. Aretha has forever been my favorite and I’m so grateful to have been able to see her live. She came out on stage in peak Diva fashion, in a blue sequined dress and a huge fur coat and had a full band behind her. She sang a lot of great hits like “Do Right Woman” and “Freeway of Love” and of course “Respect”. I ugly cried for the first three songs. She’s still got it!

After the show, we went back to the hotel to check out their bar on the 27^th floor, aptly named Cygnus27. This snazzy bar has to have the best view of Grand Rapids. We sat at the bar, ordered some signature cocktails and made friends with the couple next to us. They gave us A TON of great suggestions for places to check out. We chit-chatted for a while, comparing dining experiences and sharing travel stories.

After they left, we had one more round and caught the end of the Blackhawks game. The drinks were so delicious and they put us right to sleep once we got back to our room. We slept in a bit the next day, and then headed to breakfast at Anna’s House which was one of the suggestions from our friends the night before.

There was a small wait for a table, but it was so worth it. The inside of the restaurant was pastel and cozy. We sat at a booth and were served big mugs of coffee. Mike got a skillet and I got biscuits and gravy, with one of their red velvet pancakes on the side. The food was absolutely amazing; it was such a nice way to start our day. The cream cheese frosting that came with the pancake was honestly to die for.

After breakfast we revisited a couple of stores we saw the last time we were there: Woosah and Vertigo Records. Woosah is a really cool outfitter with beautiful printed t-shirts. Mike and I each got one. Then, next door, we perused the new and used records. We went around to a couple other stores in the area before heading to lunch at Vander Mill Brewery.

We sat at the bar there and ordered a good number of five ounce pours of ciders to try. We also got fried pickles and a soft pretzel with beer cheese to soak up some of the cider. The food was great and we loved all of the ciders we tried. Our favorites were the Cherry Chuckle and the Nitro Fluff, which was described to us as how a cloud would taste after a unicorn danced on it. I’d say that’s accurate.

The woman manning the bar was a delight, and she gave us yet more recommendations. One of which was a duplicate of one we’d heard the night before. So that’s where we went for dinner. Broadway Bar was a twenty minute walk from our hotel, over the river and along it, through the westside of town.

It was nestled into a neighborhood, set apart from the main strand of restaurants and bars. The inside was decorated with Easter themed tablecloths and string lights and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off played on a screen on the wall. It’s operation was a family affair, with one sister waitressing, one was behind the bar and mom was on the grill. We ordered the tallest glasses I’ve ever seen and an olive burger and a swiss and mushroom burger. The burgers were so damn good. We were in heaven.

Who knew olives were so good on burgers?? The whole experience was fantastic, if a bit rough around the edges. We walked back to the main drag and stopped into the Knickerbocker for a flight of New Holland beers and a couple of fresh Michigan distilled cocktails. The bar was gorgeous and had a lovely beer garden in the back.

Our next stop in our makeshift bar crawl was Stella’s – an arcade bar with an excellent selection of beet and whiskey. This bar was crowded and had a fun atmosphere. We only stayed for one drink, but it was an excellent place to get a beverage.

Across the street is the Pyramid Scheme, which was my favorite stop of the evening. The bar featured a large area of pinball machines and a ton of great beers on tap. We spent far too many quarters and maybe and had a bit too much beer because we left the bar with a framed, hand-painted “High Fidelity” movie poster.

We had to tote it with us for the rest of the night, which continued at The BOB for a beer on their rooftop. It was a beautiful evening for it. We also decided to play pool, but soon discovered we had imbibed too much to play well. We walked back to the hotel, ordered a pizza from room service and watched American Ninja Warriors. It was the perfect ending to another successful trip to Grand Rapids.

Have you been to Grand Rapids? Which is your favorite place to get a beer in Beer City USA?

Grands Rapids Revisited, RebeccaWanderlusting

Grand Rapids Revisited

On April 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Grand Rapids, Michigan, US Travel3 Comments

It’s not often that I get the chance to revisit a destination, but there’s certain places I’ve been that I wouldn’t pass up seeing again. Grand Rapids, MI is one of these places. I know, it’s strange that out of all of the places I’ve been, Grand Rapids always sticks in my mind as one of my favorites. Maybe it’s how much fun we had last time, or maybe I just like the pace of things there, whatever the case may be, we’re heading back there this weekend.

Mike got me tickets to see Aretha Franklin at the Devos Performance Hall to make up for the cancelled Aretha concert in Chicago last November. She’s my favorite and Grand Rapids is one of my favorites, so making a trip out of it seemed like a no-brainer. The best part of revisiting a city you’ve been to before is you can skip all of the touristy things and jump ahead to the deeper cuts.

One of the best things about Grand Rapids is that it is chock-full of my two favorite things: breweries and antique stores. Last time we were there, we tried Brewery Vivant, Founders, Grand Rapids Brewing Co and the BOB for the breweries and checked out Warehouse One, Lost + Found, Century Antiques and Eastown Antiques for the antique stores. We may hit up some of the same places again, but I would like to check out some new spots too. Here are some of the shops and restaurants we’re hoping to try:

Captain’s Bizzaro’s Treasure World – to be honest I didn’t look any further into this than the name but… do I need to??
Bluedoor Antiques – their website makes everything in their store look dainty and Instagram-worthy and I’m dying to check it out in person.
Stella’s Lounge – a fun arcade bar with delicious burgers? Sign me up.
The Pyramid Scheme – a dive bar with a music venue in the back. They do have a show on Friday that we may check out, but either way this is a must-see on my list.
HopCat – a beer joint with lots of local brews and a casual menu that we’re both wanting to try.
Elk Brewing – a new brewery to try. Grand Rapids has a Brewsader Passport to try and get to all the breweries in the city and I really wish we would have known about this last time.
Anna’s House – this place is supposed to be super cute and we plan on checking it out for a filling breakfast before we head back to Chicago.

That’s all I’m planning for now. I’m really looking forward to this trip and I don’t want to over-plan too much. I hope we can raise a freshly brewed beer at the end of this trip and cheers to a nice relaxing vacation. And of course I’ll let you know how it goes!

Have you ever been to Grand Rapids? What was your favorite thing to do there?

Top Five Friday, Favorite Chicago Restaurants, RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #17

On March 30, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Top Five Friday3 Comments

Favorite Chicago Restaurants

As much as I love to cook, I love letting someone else cook for me even more. There are obviously a ton of fantastic restaurants in Chicago, and I haven’t even gotten close to trying them all. However, I do have my favorites. These restaurants are our go-tos, the ones we frequent when we can’t decide on anywhere else or we want to go somewhere we know the food will always be excellent. Because Mike and I have discovered a lot of these restaurants together, they have come to be our happy places. We have plenty of great memories at each one. So, without further ado, here are my favorite Chicago restaurants, in no particular order:

Honky Tonk: We will make the trek to Pilsen any night of the week to get a delicious barbecue dinner from Honky Tonk. Besides the food, one of the best parts of Honky Tonk is the bacon and brew (a decadent piece of candied bacon atop a pint of OldStyle beer) and the live music. Mike and I like to split the goat cheese salad and the barbecue platter with macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. The food is so damn good. Pro-Tip: head to Punch House down the street for a cocktail after dinner.
Takito Kitchen: Come for the tacos and stay for the margaritas! This fantastic taco joint is located in Wicker Park. We have tried a good amount of the tacos here and I can tell you that they are all delicious. My favorite are the pork belly tacos. The salsas and avocado pine nut puree make for a great start to a fantastic meal, and the atmosphere is fun and comfortable. As for the drinks, try the cucumber margarita and you won’t regret it!
Furious Spoon: Where else can you get amazing ramen with a side of old school hip hop? Like the Shoyu Ramen with a Kirin on the side. This place is responsible for my newborn obsession with ramen, and the reason I started trying to make it at home. There are two Furious Spoon locations, one in Wicker Park and one in Logan Square, and both are fantastic. I prefer the one in Wicker Park because it is directly across the street from my favorite book store: Myopic Books.
Geja’s Café: Geja’s is probably the most romantic restaurant I’ve ever been to. If it isn’t the suave waiters or the Spanish guitar player, it’ll be the large pot of melted cheese that does you in. Mike and I like to split the beef tenderloin and scallops, but all the meals come with cheese fondue, salad, veggies and chocolate fondue and coffee to top it all off. Located in Lincoln Park, this idyllic date spot will provide you with so much food, you might need a nap afterwards.
Yuzu: If you are looking for the most beautiful and delicious sushi rolls, Yuzu is the place to go. Not only does this West Town gem serve the best sushi and robata, it’s also BYOB. The art on the walls and the atmosphere are super fun. Try the My Favorite Midwest Roll and you won’t be sorry. Pro-Tip: make a reservation as this place gets super busy, but for very good reason!

Have you been to Chicago? What is your favorite Chicago restaurant?

Monthly Memo: March

On March 20, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hi All! Happy March! Life has been a little hectic lately. I recently started a new job, which I love, but resulted in working longer hours. It’s been mostly fine, but I’m definitely still adjusting to the new schedule. As you may have noticed, my writing has fallen behind a bit. But, I’m positive that things will be getting back on track soon! Contributing to the chaos, I’ve started a new, additional, blog focused on female empowerment with my friend Jen. I am really excited about this project, which you can check out here.

Mike and I are starting to look for a new apartment, which is fun right now but I’m sure will get a little stressful as we get closer to our move-in date in a couple of months. Having a pup makes it a little trickier to look for an apartment in Chicago, but we’ve found a few that we like the look of in our neighborhood (West Town). Brody is getting more and more comfortable with us. He used to favor Mike a little bit more, but he’s been coming to snuggle with me more lately. He likes to sit on my lap while I write, and rest his little head in the crook of my arm. It’s the absolute best.

As far as our travel plans are concerned, we have a trip to Grand Rapids coming up to see Ms. Aretha Franklin live. I’m also trying to plan a trip in May somewhere in the United States, but I’m not sure where quite yet. My travel plans were cut a bit this year with having the new job (no vacation days) and the fact that I just had to buy a new laptop to replace my old, broken one. The big plan for this year is to go on a Canadian Road Trip in the Fall to hit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal. I’ve started the preliminary plans, and it’s enough to hold me over for now.

I’ve been chipping away at my goals for the year, like reading more non-fiction (most recently: “My Life on the Road” by Gloria Steinem) and planning the above Canada trip. I’ve also discovered an amazing yoga studio just blocks from our apartment, called Yoga For All Beings, and have been loving it! I also come out of the classes in such a good mood. Plus, now that it’s warmer here in Chicago, I can start running again. There’s still quite a few things I’d like to accomplish, as always, but I can definitely say I’m making progress.

What about you? What are you reading? What have you accomplished during the month of March?

Four Seasons Spa Chicago

On March 13, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel2 Comments

Last year, my dear friend Amber and I started a tradition of enjoying a spa day in the bleak winter months. This year, it took a little extra planning but we finally made it happen. We found a great Groupon for a massage and exfoliation at the Four Seasons Spa in Chicago that we couldn’t pass up, so that’s where we ended up this past Thursday evening.

We met after work and ran into some bad rush hour traffic, which means we didn’t have a ton of time to relax prior to our massages. However, as soon as we walked off the elevator into the spa, we were instantly calm. We rushed into our cozy robes and slippers and quickly utilized the steam room and showers. The locker rooms, as you’d expect from a five-star hotel, had every amenity we could possibly need.

After only a few minutes in their small but peaceful relaxation lounge, my massage therapist, Leslee, picked me up for the massage. After a quick consultation, I chose the lavender oil (please, help me relax!!) and the massage began. My wonderful massage therapist sought out every knot in my back and worked them out. I felt like a new woman afterwards.

I met Amber back in the relaxation lounge, where we sipped the fruit infused water and melted into the couches. Once we could finally move again, we made our way to the locker rooms to change and then on to the pool area. Let me just say, the pool at the Four Seasons is absolutely gorgeous.

There’s a large hot tub nestled into one end of the pool, lounge chairs all around the perimeter, and a view of Michigan Avenue through the windows. The pool area was mostly empty, save for a family of three and us. It was a beautiful setting to sit and catch up. We wanted to order dinner by the pool and were provided with the “Spa Menu”, which included much healthier options than the cheeseburgers we were craving.

Even though we were forced to eat healthier than we wanted, we were still happy to be able to eat poolside. The food was just alright, the setting made the dinner much more enjoyable. We ended the evening after polishing off our meals, and wandering serenely back through the hotel lobby. It was a perfect spa night, and a great antidote to a long week of work.

How do you treat yourself? Have you ever been to the Four Seasons Spa?

My Ten Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

My 10 Favorite U.S. Hikes

On March 5, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Ten, US TravelLeave a comment

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the State and National Parks and all that they offer, so I think it’s high time I share a round-up of my favorite U.S. hikes within these parks. As you may or may not know, the National Park Service is offering ten free admission days this year to celebrate its centennial.

I’ve written about this momentous occasion before, but was reminded of it by Cotopaxi, the socially-conscious, Gear for Good creators that specialize in adventure-wear, like these backpacks, and donate some of their revenue towards making the world better. This inspiring company reminded me of the upcoming free-entry days for the National Parks. The next free days are on April 15 & 16 and on April 22 & 23, so hopefully my favorite U.S. hikes will inspire you to get out and find your own.

Clingman’s Dome, Smoky Mountains National Park: The top of this steep hike and cement overlook features one of the best views in the Smoky Mountains. We visited Gatlinburg, TN last summer with my family and it was one of my favorite trips. All of the hikes we took through the park were fantastic, but this one stands out in my memory for its view and its crossing of the Appalachian Trail.
Matthiessen State Park: Any hike at Matthiessen State Park is guaranteed to give you beautiful views and at least one waterfall. This state park is about an hour and half outside of Chicago and gives a much needed dose of natural beauty to us city dwellers. The trails wind through canyons and over bridges suspended over creeks and waterfalls, and sometimes hopping over stepping stones to clear pools of water filled by yet more waterfalls.
Starved Rock State Park: Starved Rock is very close to Matthiessen State Park and equally as pretty, making it possible to visit both in one day. There are sixteen different trails, but the Lover’s Leap hike and view are my favorite. We tried a good number of the trails and each held their own beauty. There’s also a beautiful lodge on one end of the park that is the perfect spot for a well-earned, mid-hike meal.
Muir Woods: On a visit to San Francisco, we rented a car and drove to Muir Woods to hike for a day. This beautiful park includes multiple amazing hikes, and we chose the Fern path. The hike was steep and we had to stop to catch our breath more than once, but the view from the top was so worth it. Fun fact: Muir Woods also served as the set of the film Return of the Jedi, so if you hike here, you’re hiking through Endor.
Kettle Moraine State Park: Every winter, the Wisconsin State Parks host candlelit hikes across the state in which they line the paths with candles in white paper bags. I enjoyed one of these hikes at Kettle Moraine State Park, which is just a little ways north from Lake Geneva. The hike, with the candles and sporadic bonfires along the way, is gorgeous and unique.
Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park: My family and I visited this area when I was young, driving from San Francisco up to Seattle and stopping at National Parks in between. This rainforest was the most exotic thing I had seen to date and it instantly captured me. I did not love hiking when I was a kid, but this particular hike amazed me.
Wave Organ to Baker Beach, Golden Gate National Park: One of my favorite memories of San Francisco was walking from the Wave Organ (just pass the Yacht Club on the harbor) to the Golden Gate Bridge and then on to Baker Beach and Presidio. This hike took much longer than we had originally planned, and it started to rain halfway through, but the beauty of the ocean and the bridge and the area surrounding it made it perfect.
Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Forest: Located near New Orleans, LA, this mystical boardwalk crosses over the home of alligators, lizards, snakes, egrets, and the biggest spiders you’ve ever seen. We traipsed through the humid swamp, searching through the mossy surroundings for a gator. We eventually spotted one, which made our whole trip. This park is other-worldly and provided a scenery like I’ve never experienced before.
Chimney Rock State Park: This state park is a little ways outside of Asheville, North Carolina and holds a special place in my heart as my first solo travel hike. The park is famous for its fantastic view from the top of the rock, which shows the canyon below and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also hiked the trail that leads to Hickory Nut Falls; the scenic waterfall and it’s cool, clear water were the perfect cure for after the hot, tiring hike up the many, many steps to Chimney Rock.
Donut Falls, Big Cottonwood Canyon: Utah is chock-full of beautiful parks and scenery, but this hike will forever be my favorite. I visited this particular trail in November, when there was snow on the ground and falls were frozen, which just so happened to be the best time to see it. The trail to Donut Falls was gorgeous in of itself, but the main attraction was breath-taking. We climbed up the frozen waterfall and inside the cave at the top to see the actual “donut”. It was so worth the treacherous trip back down.

What are your favorite U.S. hikes? Which National Park do you love most?

Cindy's Rooftop Bar, Chicago Athletic Association, RebeccaWanderlusting

Girls’ Weekend at The Chicago Athletic Association

On February 27, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, Uncategorized, US Travel5 Comments

This past weekend, a group of friends and I enjoyed a marvelous staycation at the historic Chicago Athletic Association. We, Jennifer, Jessica, Adrienne and I, were there to celebrate our beautiful friend, Sarah’s birthday with her. I have to say, it was by far one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in a long time. I checked in first, as the room was under my name, and as soon I walked in I was lost.

The building is full of nooks and crannies and staircases leading to somewhere you’re not quite sure you’re supposed to be. I had to ask where the check in desk was, because it was not immediately apparent to me, at the information desk on the first floor, which also housed a Shake Shack, a gift shop through a labyrinth of hallways and a long, long line up to the famed Cindy’s Rooftop (more on that later).

Upon check-in, I received five tokens (one for each of us) for champagne in one of the six restaurants/bars at the Chicago Athletic Association, the Cherry Circle Room. After I got lost once again trying to find the elevators up to the guest rooms, I dropped off my bags in our double-bedded room and went back downstairs to get take some photos of the beautiful property.

Lo and behold, I was lost again and ran smack dab into one of my roommates for the evening, Adrienne. Gleefully, we made our way back up to the room together to set up for an evening of champagne and relaxation in our Wes Anderson meets your hip rich uncle’s spare bedroom room. We had snacks and booze and spa supplies and cards, all of which make for a perfect evening.

However, we did not get to much of what we planned in the room, as the Athletic Association had other plans for us. Once everyone had arrived, we left the room to get our free champagne and plan our evening in the Cherry Circle Room, which is adjacent to the Game Room, a bar with bocce ball and foosball and shuffleboard, on the second floor.

The Cherry Circle Room was fully committed for the evening which was fair, seeing how it was a beautiful, wood-paneled dream of a restaurant. They accommodated us in the small lounge just outside it’s doors, where they served us champagne in pretty flutes. We sipped and schemed; all of us agreed that we needed to see their ballroom before we did anything else.

After finishing the gratis bubbly, we took the elevator to the eighth floor and barged in on the set up of the evening’s event. As the staff graciously guided us back towards the elevator, we snuck peaks of the beautiful White City Ballroom. The gentleman who was ushering us good-naturedly back to approved areas overheard us talking about going up to Cindy’s and stopped what he was doing to personally escort us up via the back elevator, effectively saving us a good thirty minutes waiting in line on the ground floor.

That was the start of our good luck. Once in the bar, we ran into one of my old friends from work and the rest is a haze of champagne and charcuterie. We took the requisite photos on the terrace and marveled over the view from the top. We sipped champagne and cocktails and got a light dinner to share. It was amazing, and it was said more than once how unbelievable the service and libations were.

After having more than our fair share of expertly mixed cocktails, we made our way back to the room to continue the evening. After face masks (by Crude), nail polish, more champagne, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and drunk snacks, we all fell asleep in our cozy hotel robes.

The next morning, we awoke early to headaches and the need to see the sunrise from the ballroom we only got a small glimpse of the night before. The trip was a secret mission through the employee entrance but it was successful. The pink sky from the east facing windows was too pretty for words; it shined over the glass front buildings and the bean, with the turquoise lake in the background.

The ballroom was just stunning; a perfect mix of modern touches and classic architecture. We also peeped into the Madison Ballroom, which featured city views and grand chandeliers. When we got back to the room, we fell back asleep for a morning nap, then took turns enjoying the luxurious shower.

After pampering just a little bit more, we worked our way down to the Milk Room for a satisfying breakfast of toast, bacon, and the best hash brown cakes I’ve ever had. They were crispy on the outside and creamy with sliced green onions on the inside. The Milk Room was located in the hotel lobby, and was a warm collection of wood, mismatched chairs and colorful pillows.

The food, along with the restaurant’s amazing coffee, brought us back to life enough to pack up he room and check out. I think we all needed this weekend, it was perfectly restorative and fun and we enjoyed every minute of it.