Top Five Friday: Winter Activities in Chicago | RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #26

On November 24, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Top Five Friday, US Travel2 Comments

Winter Activities in Chicago

As you may or may not know, winters in Chicago can be pretty brutal. There’s freezing rain/sleet/snow, darkness before work, darkness after work, slippery sidewalks, falling icicles, you name it. It’s a dangerous, frozen tundra (Chiberia, anyone?), but there are ways we Chicagoans find silver linings to the cold weather.

Winter activities in Chicago range from the adventurous to the cozy and everywhere in between. There’s something for everyone in this beautiful city, especially during the holidays and that problematic time between New Year’s and springtime. So, without further ado, here are my personal favorite winter activities in Chicago:

Skating at Maggie Daley Park: There are many places to go ice skating in Chicago, but Maggie Daley Park is probably the most unique. The shape of this rink is a ribbon set in a wavy circle with peaks and valleys set into the ice. Admission is free and skate rentals are $12 during the week and $14 on the weekends. This attraction has already opened for the year.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo: Every year, Lincoln Park Zoo puts on a free event where guests can enjoy the zoo at night in all its twinkly light glory. They have winter activities for families, warm spiced wine and ice sculpture carving, along with all the normal zoo activities. ZooLights starts today actually, and is open select dates through January 7.
Walk Down Michigan Avenue: Michigan Avenue can be one of the most magical, albeit crowded, places in the city during the holidays. Every space imaginable is decorated in twinkly lights and holiday ornamentation. Plus, it’s mostly free, unless you decide to partake in the many, many stores that line the Magnificent Mile.
Christkindlmarket: This outdoor Christmas market is located in Daley Plaza downtown and his home to a ton of small markets selling holiday fare. Nestled in between the stores are vendors selling traditional German fare, hot chocolate and mulled wine. Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, this market is super fun to walk around while you sip your hot wine. It’s open now through Christmas Eve.
Grab a Drink in a Cozy Bar: There are number of cozy places in Chicago to obtain a booze blanket to fight the cold. The best ones have a fireplace and comfy chairs for that extra homey warmth. My favorite bars for winter are Drumbar in the Raffaello Hotel (Gold Coast), The Broken Shaker in the Freehand (River North), and Scofflaw (Logan Square), all of which have excellent cocktails and cozy ambiance.

What are your favorite winter activities in Chicago?

A Weekend In Rockford, IL

On October 6, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel4 Comments

Last weekend, Mike and I drove the hour and a half from Chicago to Rockford to see what this suburban city had to offer. We left bright and early on Saturday morning, with our puppy in tow as our hotel was dog-friendly (so was the rest of Rockford, as we learned). I’m not sure why in the world I thought we would be able to check into our room at 9:30am ( I worked at a hotel for five years, I really should know better), but I did and we couldn’t. This resulted in Mike and I parting ways for the first stop in our tour of Rockford, the Anderson Japanese Gardens.

I have to say, we were a little frazzled when we arrived at the gardens, but, once I started walking through, I felt much calmer. The path wove through ponds, over bridges, and next to waterfalls. It was so beautiful and tranquil. There weren’t many people there, but there were quite a few photographers shuffling around each other, trying to get the best shot. My favorite part of the park was the koi fish pond and the area around it, particularly the boardwalk that passed under a huge, perfect willow tree. I really could have grabbed a book and sat there all day.

But we had a lot more on our schedule, so we moved on to downtown Rockford. The main drag, State Street, was lined with cute stores, coffee shops, breweries and restaurants. We popped into Salvaged by Sonja, an amazing antique store, first. The gentleman behind the counter was so friendly and happy to give us more information on the city and recommendations for dinner and activities in the area.

I bought a beautiful bracelet and ring and we crossed the street to Art Deli. This store is the epitome of city pride. Their freshly pressed t-shirts advertise Rockford in all it’s glory and nicknames (Screw City??). The shirts were so cute and soft, but I opted for a tote bag emblazoned with “Explore the Midwest” – it suited me. The proprietors of the shop were also more than happy to discuss the area and tell us all of their favorite places to go for dinner and drinks. We were finding that this was a trend among all of the people we met while in Rockford. Everyone was wonderful, kind and brimming with city pride.

We popped into a couple more stores (CD Source, Minglewood and EuroStyle) before heading to Taco Betty’s for lunch. What a fun restaurant! They’re decor was colorful and whimsical (they had Dirty Harry’s famous line proudly displayed at the front of the restaurant). As soon as we sat down, a bowl of spicy pork rinds was brought to the table, and we ordered some sangria (beer for mike) and poblano guacamole to enjoy while we poured over the menu. We decided to split 3 sets of tacos (each order came with 2): Mole Chicken, Crispy Fish, and Pork & Poblano. Everything was delicious, but the fish tacos were without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. Actually, I wish I had some now.

We were lucky enough to meet the owner, Paul, who also operates two other restaurants on State Street: Abreo and Social Urban. He was another enthusiastic Rockfordian who was happy to tell us how far along the city has come in the past five years.

We finished up our lunch and headed back out onto the main drag to get some coffee from Wired (a cozy cafe with delicious espresso). We finally got a call from the hotel saying we could check in, so we made our way to the Holiday Inn Express 15 minutes outside downtown to do so. We then drove into Rock Cut State Park, which was very close by, to meet Andrea from Go Rockford for some boating on Pierce Lake.

We chose a paddle boat because we thought it would be the easiest, but it took a surprising amount of effort to propel that thing. There were a lot of other boats on the lake (kayaks, row boats, fishing boats…), and once we got to the middle, we stopped to take it all in. The scenery was really just stunning, especially with the leaves changing color along the shore. It was so peaceful out in the middle of the lake, even with the hollering fisherman and rowdy family reunions in the park.

After a while, we headed back in, peddling hard and moving slowly. Once we finally made it to the dock, we turned in our life jackets and headed back to the hotel to grab my camera and make sure Brody was comfortable. From there, we moved onto Prairie Street Brewhouse, which was close to the main drag downtown. The old warehouse still had the train tracks running through it and was both a restaurant/bar and event space. We were meeting the CEO of Go Rockford, John, who graciously showed us through the first two floors of the building. They were set up for a wedding in their larger event space and it was gorgeous (made me want to start making some plans…). The three of us sat outside on the pier to drink our house-brewed beers. I had their Black & Blue Kolsch, which was tart and delicious.

The weather, scenery, and conversation were all perfect and Mike and I agreed that we’d need to come back to this beautiful brewhouse sooner rather than later. The next stop in our makeshift bar hop was Social Urban, a lounge-style restaurant with community seating and wonderful, smoke-filled bourbon cocktails that taste like cinnamon. The making of said cocktails was a show all its own, with smoke and sparks and requiring two bartenders. We also ordered the cheese curds (a recommendation from our friends at Art Deli), the cheese plate and the charcuterie plate.

Everything was local or from one of the surrounding areas and it was all so damn good. The cheese plate came with this amazing jalapeno & cherry jelly and the charcuterie plate had HOMEMADE BOLOGNA!! We were in heaven. At one point, the waiter came over to chat, quipping that most people only get cheese plates to start or end the meal. To which I answered “we get it for an entree, RESPECT THE CHEESE!” Mike noted that I said it too forcefully to be taken as a joke, but I meant it. I just really like cheese.

After we finished every last bite, we decided to stroll down State street again, and popped into the local skate shop, Ground Level. We met the owners, yet more proof that Rockford is full of proud citizens/wonderful people, who were happy to give us more recommendations and convinced us to go to Carlyle Brewing next door. Though their main selling point, the shuffle board & dart boards in the back room, were closed for a private event, we thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the bar sipping CBR’s (Carlyle Beer Rocks). This crisp, delicious beer was the breweries take on the classic PBR recipe.

We next made our way to the Pig Minds, a vegan brewery in an industrial area outside of downtown. They were having their Oktoberfest with a live band out on their patio and a full (vegan) German menu. The restaurant was bustling, and we had to do a couple laps before we found a spot at the bar. We both loved our chosen beers (a blueberry ale and a coffee stout) so much that we left with two growlers to take home. We ordered some vegan pretzel sticks and cheese to enjoy while we listened to the band. The bar had such a fun atmosphere.

Our last stop of the night was the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. They were (and still are – until November 5) showcasing the Bruce Munro light show, which took place within the greenhouse and through the gardens. I’m so happy we didn’t skip it to turn in early like we discussed at Pigs Mind. It was so much fun. We walked the length of the gardens, through each exhibit, reading the inspiring explanations as we went. I really loved the flamingos exhibit and the fields of twinkling lights. I hope they do a show like this again, because it really was so pretty.

We drove back to the hotel afterwards and promptly fell asleep as soon as we got our pajamas on. The next morning, we met Andrea and her husband, Nick, for breakfast at Lydia’s Cafe, a local favorite. It was a sweet little spot with local art on the walls. I got a plate-sized blueberry pancake and Mike got a skillet named for the a park in the area. The meal was perfect and delicious comfort food and the company was fantastic. We chatted like old friends and made plans to meet up again in Chicago.

We had such a wonderful time! Who knew there was such a perfect oasis so close to Chicago?! I can confidently say that we will be making our way back to Rockford very soon.

Have you ever been to Rockford? Where is your favorite oasis near your city?

**A huge thank you to the wonderful people at Go Rockford for hosting us and showing us the best parts of this fun town**

Fall in Chicago, Bucket List | RebeccaWanderlusting

Fall in Chicago: A Bucket List

On October 3, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, US Travel3 Comments

Call me cliche, but I love Fall in Chicago. This season is amazing everywhere, but I think this city, and the surrounding area, does it best. From the Fests, to the leaves changing in our many beautiful parks to the apple and pumpkin picking in the nearby suburbs, Chicago has everything you could want for your Fall bucket list. Last weekend, we went apple picking with my family in Wisconsin and it made me think of all the other Fall activities I’d like to get to before it gets too cold. We have about a month and a half before the cold sets in and the craziness of the holidays begin. Here’s hoping we get to everything before then!

Jump on a haunted boat tour with Seadog: I saw an ad for this on Facebook and was instantly interested. I love the boat tours here in Chicago and a haunted tour would a fun twist on an already great experience.
Take a Midwestern road trip: I’m getting a little greedy with all of my Midwestern road trips, but I can’t resist seeing the colors change across state lines. I would love to head down to Nashville, IN or up to La Crosse, WI for a night or two just to take in the scenery.
Walk along the lake on the south shore: I’ve never ventured past 12th street beach on the south shore of Lake Michigan and I’ve heard it’s beautiful. I would love to head over to the South Shore Cultural Center and stroll along the lakefront in the perfect Fall weather.
Have a bonfire: This is a quintessential Fall task for me; there’s nothing better than sitting around the fire with friends. Not only is it super cozy and comes with great snacks (s’mores anyone??), there is no better smell than a Fall bonfire.
Run the Ditka Dash: This might be cheating a little bit, because I’m already signed up, which means this task is definitely happening, but I’ve always wanted to run this 5K. The registration fee includes aviators, a mustache and a shirt that looks like Coach Ditka’s classic Bears sweater!
Enjoy a classic horror flick at the Logan Theater: Every year, the Logan Theater shows classic horror movies every night during the month of October. This year, they are showing The Birds, The Shining, The Exorcist, and other such gems. We’re planning on seeing Friday The 13th on 10/13.
Carve pumpkins: Michael and I buy a pumpkin each year at the Apple Orchard, and every year we say we’re going to carve it. Then, come Thanksgiving, we’re tossing it in the garbage because it’s mushy on one side and smells weird. This is the year. We’re doing it.
Go to a Bears Game: This might be a long shot, but I love my Bears, despite their record, and would love to go to another game. Maybe since they aren’t doing so hot this year, the tickets will be cheaper. Here’s hoping!

What do you love about Fall in Chicago? What’s on your Fall bucket list?

An Ode to My Hometown

On September 12, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel4 Comments

I grew up in a town called Johnsburg, in Northwestern Illinois. You may know it from the Tom Waits song (“…and she grew up outside of McHenry, in Johnrburg, Illinois”). Born and raised in this petite village, I knew every nook and cranny by the time I was in grade school. In terms of size, it is quite small, with a total of six square acres to its name; most of which is covered in cornfields. I had my first kiss there, my first heartbreak, I wrote my first short story there, and it was my first home base in terms of travel. I always had big dreams of traveling the world and becoming a writer.

As I got older, Johnsburg began to feel smaller and smaller, so I moved to Chicago as soon as I graduated high school. I wanted to get out and live somewhere new and explore the world. Now that I’ve done some traveling, I can recognize how special this beautiful town is, especially to me and who I’ve become. I am always happy to come home for a day or a weekend to enjoy a slower pace, some beautiful landscapes and all that fresh air.

It’s interesting, the pride you gain for your hometown after being away for awhile. It has it’s issues, as every place does, but Johnsburg will always be high on my list of favorite places. I love the cornfields, the bars, the people; I will forever bleed blue and gold (We’re from Johnsburg couldn’t be prouder, if you can’t hear us we’ll shout a little louder!). I love that if I’m ever feeling overwhelmed or just need a break from the city, I can always come home.

This past weekend, Mike and I drove up north to attend one of Johnsburg’s best festivals: Saufen Und Spiel – a nod to the village’s German roots. It’s a three day fest featuring Banjo & Beer Night, Black Light Bean Bag Toss, and the main event: the parade. I try to make it home for this fun fest, because it’s become somewhat of a tradition. I missed last year because it coincided with my Iceland trip. This year, I was not going to miss it for a million bucks because I was so excited to see this little one enjoy the parade:

We got to Johnsburg just in time to head over to our parade spot on the main drag in town, Johnsburg Road. Once we were settled, beers in hand and ready to catch all the candy, the parade began. We waived to the policemen, cheerleaders, marching bands, karate kids, and local government officials driving through in old Thunderbirds. All of which were throwing candy by the handfuls at the kids that lined both sides of the street. It was fantastic.

After the parade and more Sour Patch Kids than anyone should have in one sitting, we walked through the grounds of the festival. The Thunderbirds were lined up in all their glory next to the bevy of bounce houses. There were also a number of different food trucks serving brats and beers and sweets. A few bands would later play on the main stage, which was set back from the food vendors.

We didn’t stay for too long, but it was nice to walk through and see some familiar faces. We went back to my parents to play outside with the little ones and enjoy some cocktails on the porch. The weather was perfect for our day of outdoor activities and they have the perfect yard to run around in. Brody was with us as well and we were able to let him off the leash to run around the yard, which he loved.

I made Mike drive me up to my old high school, which has change quite a bit in the ten-ish years since I graduated. Even so, I was a little overcome with memories as we walked around the grounds. When I went there, the school only had two main hallways and we had to take turns changing the letters on the announcement board out front (now it’s electric). I had a lot of really great and really angsty times there, but I’m thankful to have had the small town high school experience.

After we walked around for a bit and I talked Michael’s ear off about all of my hometown memories, we headed back to my parents’ house. Our dinner featured meat and potatoes and corn of course, and it was delicious (if you’re ever up that way, stop at Stade’s Farm for the best produce you’ll ever buy).

As always, I was sad to go back to the city after spending all day with my family. Luckily, Johnsburg is only an hour and half drive away and we’ll be back again in a couple of weeks for apple picking. No matter where I go, my little hometown will always have a big part of my heart.

Have you ever been to Johnsburg, IL? What do you love about your hometown?

Logan Square Farmers Market

On September 8, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, US Travel4 Comments

Mike and I have a new obsession in our neighborhood: The Logan Square Farmers Market. We’ve been taking the fifteen minute walk from our apartment to the market for the past few weekends to do some grocery shopping and marvel over all the delicious goods. It’s a wonderland of organic fruits and vegetables, homemade cheeses, candles, and honey, fresh baked breads and pastries, and the prettiest fresh flowers you’ve ever seen.

We’ve been setting a budget of $20 and seeing what we can come up with from the lines of stalls. In case you’re wondering what you can buy with that kind of money, I’ll tell ya: a jalapeno, a zucchini, a pound of baby bella mushrooms, a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers, dog treats and a quart of blackberries. That’s what we came up with the first weekend, and I made the best pasta and ramen using those fresh vegetables.

On the second weekend we weren’t as practical, spending the money on donuts, cheese, an aloe plant and flowers. We also got the most perfect bulb of garlic and more of those baked dog treats for Brody. He loved them the first time around, so we figured we could spoil him again. The cheese was horseradish chive havarti and it was so dang good. The vendor let us try it first and we were instantly hooked. We might have to go back again next week to get more.

There’s so many amazing vendors that I think we’re going to have to go every week now so we can try everything. I’m especially excited to try more baked goods and cheese. I think next time we go we’ll have to have lunch there too; there’s quite a few vendors selling full on meals that looked so good.

The Logan Square Farmers Market is open every Sunday, year-round. From May to October, the outdoor market is located on Milwaukee Avenue and Logan Boulevard, and in the winter months, the market moves inside just a few blocks away on Milwaukee. It does get pretty crowded, so I would recommend going early to have your pick of the produce and to avoid the big crowds.

Have you been to the Logan Square Farmers Market? Which vendor is your favorite?

Favorite Midwest Road Trips

On August 25, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, US Travel, Wisconsin4 Comments

I love the Midwest. I was born here, raised here, and it’s here where I gained my love for travel. My family has always had the travel bug, and we often explored towns closest to us as our family vacations. Once I started traveling and branching out on my own, naturally I chose to explore this region first. I haven’t been everywhere of note in the Midwest quite yet, but I have amassed a list of my favorite Midwest road trips that are tried and true. If you’re in the Midwest and are looking for a fantastic weekend trip, these destinations would fit the bill perfectly. Without further ado, here they are:

Milwaukee, WI – An easy hour and a half drive up Route 94 from Chicago, Milwaukee is the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway. Between the lakefront, the breweries and the amazing restaurants, you’re in for a treat. When we were there last summer, I fell in love with the Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery and the Milwaukee Public Market.
Warren Dunes, MI – The Warren Dunes (not to be confused with the Dunes in Indiana, which in my opinion are not as pretty) are a short-ish (2 hours) drive from Chicago. The State Park is beautifully maintained and makes for a lovely day at the beach. Bring a blanket and a picnic to make a day out of it, and if you want to spend the night, you can camp in the park as well.
Starved Rock/Matthiessen State Parks, IL – Speaking of camping, you can hike one or both of these parks in one weekend, especially if you camp near by like we did. Both parks are completely stunning, but Starved Rock offers a little more in terms of trails and lodging. Matthiessen State Park is a hiking wonderland filled with inventive bridges over streams and beautiful canyons. You can do either as a day trip as well, if you’re strapped for time.
Cedarburg, WI – Taking a trip to Cedarburg is like going back to a simpler time. It’s a super cute town just north of Milwaukee with super cute restaurants and shops. We visited this lovely destination after Kayaking the Milwaukee River and had fantastic burgers at Morton’s Wisconsin Restaurant. I’ve been trying to plan a weekend trip here ever since.
Grand Rapids, MI – It’s no secret that I love Grand Rapids; it’s one of my favorite cities in the U.S. It has all of my favorite things: breweries, antique stores and a great live music scene. I’ve been there twice in the past two years and each time we’ve found new reasons to love it. It’s an excellent choice for a fantastic weekend away.
St. Louis, MO – While St. Louis is a little bit longer of a haul from Chicago, it is definitely worth the trip. It has history, (more) breweries, baseball and beautiful parks. I had such fun time exploring this fun city, and I can’t wait to go again to hit the spots I missed. I would recommend going to a Cardinals Game, the City Museum, Delmar Loop and Four Hands brewery.
Galena, IL – Galena is wonderful. There’s no other way to put it. The city is nestled in between hills and the Galena River and has a rich history, being the home of Ulysses S. Grant. The Helluva Half Mile is a stretch of shops, restaurants and bars and runs right through downtown Galena. Pick any of the great B&Bs (I would recommend the Lamberson Guest House) in the area to stay for a weekend away and you’ll be in for a treat.
Lake Geneva, WI – Growing up, we spent many summer weekends cruising around Geneva Lake in Lake Geneva. Besides housing one of the best lakes in the Midwest for boating and swimming, the town of Lake Geneva also has some super cute hotels, restaurants and stores. Plus, it’s just an hour and a half drive from Chicago, which makes it a convenient weekend or day trip. My favorite part of the city is the trail around the lake, which is a peaceful walking path from which you can view all of the very large and very beautiful houses on the water.

What are your favorite Midwest road trips? Where’s your favorite Midwest destination?

Top Five Friday #19

On August 18, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Top Five Friday, US Travel3 Comments

Things to Do Near the Mag Mile

The Mag Mile (or Magnificent Mile if you’re not familiar) in Chicago is one of the city’s most known and visited tourist attractions. Though no one would claim it to be very original or unique in it’s restaurants and stores, there are quite a few hidden gems to find near this main drag. I recently wrote about this subject for VIVA Lifestyle & Travel and I have to say, going back to explore this neighborhood gave me some serious nostalgia. Here are my top five favorite things to do near (not on) the Chicago Mag Mile:

Enjoy a Rooftop Bar: There are so many fantastic rooftop bars in this area that it’s hard for me to choose which ones to recommend. The ones that I’ve frequented the most are Drumbar at the top of Raffaello Hotel (cool atmosphere and delicious cocktails) and GreenRiver (beautiful view and equally beautiful drink menu and small plates). Besides these two, there are a number of other great hotel and rooftop bars in the area that are sure to provide a bevy of libations and great views.
Take in Some Art: The Museum of Contemporary Art is the obvious fan favorite as far as art and culture off the Mag Mile is concerned. It’s an amazing museum with fantastic exhibits that rotate every six months or so. Besides the MCA, there are few other unique opportunities to take in some art in the area. One of my favorites is the Driehaus Museum, which is a restored 19th century mansion full of beautiful art and furniture of that era.
Shop Off the Mag Mile: If shopping at chain stores is your thing, then you will want to stay directly on Michigan Avenue. If not, you’ll have to wander off the main drag a bit to find some smaller, independent stores. There is a great bookstore, Afterwords, just West of the Mag Mile which includes two stories of books, both new and used. Another gem on the West side of Michigan Avenue is P.O.S.H. on State Street. It’s a wonderful little boutique filled with French knickknacks and local-themed gifts.
Try Some Worldly Cuisine: Chicago is full of restaurants of every origin and taste, and this theme is concentrated in the Mag Mile neighborhood. One of my favorite restaurants in the area is Le Colonial, a Vietnamese style restaurant with French style service. I also really love Gyu-Kaku, a delightful Japanese BBQ joint (I know it’s a chain, but it’s delicious so whatever), and Cafe L’Appetito, an Italian cafe known for their delectable sandwiches.
Hit the Water: Nestled between the River and the Lake, this neighborhood provides ample opportunity to get into the water. Ohio Street Beach, located right near Navy Pier, provides the perfect place to sunbathe and jump into the lake if it’s a hot day. Alternatively, most of the tour boats leave from the river and Michigan Avenue if you’re looking to learn more about Chicago’s architecture and history. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy the area’s waterfronts.

Have you ever visited Chicago’s Mag Mile? What’s your favorite hidden gem in the area?

Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago, RebeccaWanderlusting

Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory

On August 6, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel2 Comments

When I first moved to Chicago almost ten years ago (yikes), Lincoln Park was one of the few neighborhoods I knew of. I would take the red line from the loop up to Fullerton and wander around the area, visiting friends that went to DePaul and lived in the neighborhood. I always loved how many parks and green spaces there were in the area. I actually spent my 20th birthday at the Lincoln Park Zoo for Zoolights, which is a program they put on in the winter months, consisting of light shows and different winter activities. I hadn’t really been back since, up until last weekend when we met my family there to spend the day together.

The whole gang was there, mostly for the kids’ benefit, but I have to say, the grounds at the Lincoln Park Zoo are beautiful and made walking around all day a joy. My niece, who just turned two a couple of months ago, is newly obsessed with animals, especially zebras, so it was fun to walk around and discover with her. She was very excited to see each exhibit we passed and dutifully said hi to each animal.

It was really nice to spend some much needed quality-time with my family, especially in such a gorgeous setting. We got to talk and catch up between popping into each of the separate animal houses. The grounds of the zoo are beautifully landscaped, so we found ourselves stopping frequently to take in the scenery.

After walking around for awhile, we went across the street from the zoo to R.J. Grunts, the very first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, for some lunch. It seemed we weren’t original in this plan, as there was a bit of a wait, but the food was delicious. It wasn’t anything fancy, we all ended up getting burgers and sandwiches, but it hit the spot after walking around in the heat. The restaurant has a pretty lively atmosphere and was playing all the Motown hits, which I loved.

After lunch, my sister and brother in law had to take the kids home for nap-time, so Mike, my parents and I walked over to the Lincoln Park Conservatory to check it out. I had never been inside, and the lawns outside the actual building were a beautiful hint of what was to come:

Inside the conservatory, besides being so dang hot, was perfect. It was like a little oasis, full of beautiful, blooming flowers and palms. I could have stayed in there all day just wandering around, admiring. There were ponds full of Koi fish and rare orchids, cacti and so much more.

We walked around the conservatory slowly so as to take it all in properly. My favorite room was the one with the totem poles intermixed with the plants (see above). It made me want to incorporate more greenery into our apartment. My mom could tell us what each of the plant were (and whether or not I could keep them alive – the answer was usually no).

Once we were finished walking through the Conservatory, Mike and I walked my parents back to their motorcycle (yes, they drove the bike all the way from Johnsburg to the city) and said goodbye before walking back through the parks one last time.

One of my favorite areas in this part of Lincoln Park is the nature boardwalk, which is situated between the zoo proper and the children’s petting zoo. It’s a complete little ecosystem for native wildlife and provides a beautiful juxtaposition to the bustling city around it. Mike and I walked through it on our way back to catch the bus back home and it’s just gorgeous. The view from the boardwalk of the skyline beyond is perfect.

It was a beautiful day with my favorite people. Now that I know these gorgeous parks are there, I’m excited to go back and visit again when I need some nature in my life.

Have you been to the Lincoln Park Zoo or Conservatory? Where can you find some nature within your own city?

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?

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!