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?

Top Five Friday #20

On September 1, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, Travel Writing1 Comment

Travel Writing Tools

Over the years of writing this blog, I’ve come up with a pretty solid routine for writing and documenting my travels. After some trial and error, I’ve found what works best and what I can leave behind. I’ve found my favorite travel writing tools that I can easily throw into my bag and go. It’s really been made into a science to be the most productive and still be able to enjoy the trip I’m on without getting bogged down trying to record it. Through many adventures, here is what has worked best for me:

Notebooks & Pencils: I prefer to write everything longhand first. For some reason, I feel like this is the best way to go through and write down my adventures of the day, journal-style, without self-editing too much while I go. I’ve gone through quite a few notebooks over the years, and I have to say, there is no better feeling than completely filling up a notebook with my travel stories. Also, I’m a pencil-over-pens girl, always. I just like them.
Camera: I use a combination of my iPhone camera and a D3300 Nikon DSLR camera. If we’re going out for the night, I prefer to leave my big ol’ camera at the hotel so I’m not lugging it around; I’ll just rely on my phone camera for the evening. I like to bring my camera with us for all of the daytime adventures to get the best quality photos. After the photos are taken, I edit them using BeFunky.com, which is a free service, because I can’t bring myself to pay for Lightroom quite yet. I know, I know, eventually I’ll break down and get it.
iPhone Notes: I utilize my iPhone notes to keep a running list of all the stores, restaurants, bars and attractions we visit, as well as what we ordered there or other first impressions. I find this is the easiest and most efficient way to keep track of things, and I’ll go back to these notes when I journal at the end of the day.
Lonely Planet & Online Travel Resources: Of course before I go anywhere, I do some pretty extensive research and make a list of everything I want to see and do. This research helps us streamline our choices when we’re on a trip and ensures that we get to try out everything we want to while we’re there. I make note of operation hours, best times to visit and admission charges to stay on top of things.
Laptop: I used to own a clunky old Dell laptop that I purchased right out of college. I’d never bring this heavy thing anywhere because it only worked when it was plugged in and it was too much to carry. Recently, I upgraded to a Lenovo Yoga, which is very light and thin, and I can’t wait to bring it with on our longer trips to write, research and post from the road.

What are your go-to travel writing tools? What’s your prefered method of documenting your travels?

Trying to Do it All, Lifestyle, RebeccaWanderlusting

A Note on Trying to Do It All

On August 29, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle3 Comments

Nowadays, I think it’s very easy to feel like we need to be always be doing something of note. Between social media, blogs, and books detailing the adventures and successes of others, there’s a pressure to jump in and make a name for yourself as well. At least, I know I feel that way sometimes; the pressure of trying to do it all is definitely there. The tricky part is knowing what to go for and finding the time to go for it.

As you probably know by now, I write this blog in addition to working 50 hours a week at my full-time job. I’m not complaining, because I love both equally, but it does get a little tricky trying to plan for both. For example, I work about every other weekend for my normal job, depending on when we have events and whether or not I need to be there for said events. Sometimes I work two weekends in a row and am off three weekends in a row and sometimes I work only one weekend a month. It really just depends. Which, as you can imagine, makes it a little bit difficult to plan little weekend trips unless I know well ahead of time and can request them off. It takes some of the spontaneity out of my travel plans.

But, as I said, I love both my jobs and I don’t think (actually, I know) that I would like to have a typical 9-5 Monday-Friday job. I like that everything is up in the air, most of the time. It only gets a little bit frustrating when I’m trying to plan for a project I need to get done in a specific time frame and I can’t nail down a weekend to go. As a result of these circumstances, I’ve gotten very good at projecting which weekends will be busy and which weekends I can coerce Mike into checking out some new Midwestern destinations. I’ve gotten better at planning larger trips well ahead of time so I can request the days off months in advance so someone can cover for me. It takes some work, but I’m happy to do it. It’s been awhile since I could truly say I like my day job.

While I do think it is entirely possible to have both a career and a successful side hustle/passion project, it certainly does take quite a bit of work and time-management. Being passionate about both things in equal measure is key, and so is having a good support system behind you (thank you, Michael!).

Anyways… those are my musings for today! I hope you can relate and that this particular post lets you know that yes, it’s hard, but you’re not alone in the hustle.

How do you deal with the pressure of trying to do it all? What tools and tricks do you use to be most productive?

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?

Monthly Memo: August

On August 22, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hello friends! Happy August! Man, this month is juts flying by. With work being so busy and our hectic schedule of weddings this year, I feel like I haven’t been able to slow down and enjoy the summer at all this year. Which is fine, but I still have so much left on my Summer Bucket List that I want to accomplish! Like:

Taking a trip out to the Warren Dunes in Michigan
Going to the Logan Square Farmer’s Market
Doing one of the Architectural Boat Tours on the River & walking along the Riverwalk
Seeking out new rooftop bars to enjoy
Going to some of the street fests in the city

It might be a little too late for the street fests, but I’d like to get to the other few things before Fall begins. We have three more weddings to attend before the year is over and, while I’m having a blast dressing up and dancing with my friends and family, I’m also having a hard time scheduling trips around these special days. So much so that I was thinking about writing a post about making weekend trips out of weddings. Is this something there would be some interest in? (Let me know in the comments).

Besides, or maybe because, it’s been crazy busy this summer, I’ve also been crazy productive. I just finished reading “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero and it was life-changingly good. If you haven’t read it yet, I would 1000% recommend it for everyone. She is so inspiring and the book itself is just one big push towards your biggest goals. For me, it was another kick in the butt to put more time and effort into my writing. I think it’s paying off too, because I was just noted as one of the top 10 travel bloggers in the Midwest to read by ALIVE Magazine! So, that was a very happy surprise indeed.

Reading Ms. Sincero’s book was such a great experience, that I immediately went online and bought a few other books in the same vein to read on my commute to work (“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”, “Getting to Yes”, and “Furiously Happy”).

As I mentioned in this post, I am going to be heading to Toronto in a couple of months with Mike and we are so excited to be taking this trip! I’m having so much fun researching places to go and restaurants to try. I’m hoping to get in a few more trips before the end of the year.

What about you? What have you been up to in August? What’s on your end of Summer bucket list?

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?

Save Money While Trip Planning, RebeccaWanderlusting

6 Unique Tips to Save Money While Trip Planning

On August 15, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip PlanningLeave a comment

I’ve touched on this a little bit here and there, but this year did not start out very well. Slowly, each month it’s gotten better and better, due to a change in career, a change in neighborhood and an all-around change in attitude. I think one of the big things that has helped is for the first time all year, I’m planning a trip outside the Midwest. Oh man, it feels so good to be making travel plans again!

Mike and I are heading to Toronto in a couple of months, and planning all the details has been such a joy. More on the specifics of this trip later, but I forgot how much I love looking into new destinations and picking out hotels and restaurants. I got a little bit carried away and started planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta for my birthday in December too.

It was one of my goals this year to visit Canada and Mexico, so I’m trying to make it happen as well. Because I’m trying to fit in two larger trips for the last few months of the year, I’m currently saving up and working on a budget to make it doable. I’m always on the lookout for new ways to save some money, especially when traveling as it’s my most expensive habit. I’ve tried out quite a few different tips and tricks to save money while trip planning and here’s what has worked best:

Be flexible: The best way to start trip planning is by having no plan at all. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you open yourself up to the cheapest options available.
Clear Your Search History & Utilize the Right Websites: Your search history can impede your ability to get the best deal out there on airfare and hotels. Before you start your trip planning online, clear your search history and use the right websites to find the best deals. My personal favorites are skyscanner.com, rome2rio.com, and tripadvisor.com.
Join Ibotta: This app allows you to get money back from your everyday purchases and in the way of rebates, which can be used towards your travels. You can also use it to search for deals on popular travel booking sites.
Check Groupon/LivingSocial: Either of these sites can provide you with discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and activities. We’ve used both to save money at restaurants when we travel or to book tours and attractions.
Master Travel Credit Card Points: I am, admittedly, a novice at this skill, but it’s still a great way to get money back when you pay for trips with your travel credit card. (If you’re looking for a great resource on this, check out The Points Guy).
Use Raise Marketplace: I just started using this online hub for discounted gift cards and it’s quite the handy resource. On it, you can purchase gift card for your trip from airlines, hotel brands, AirBnB, and more for a percentage off the total. As an added bonus, use my code (WANDER20) for $20 off your first purchase (of $40 or more).

How do you save money while trip planning? What are your best travel budgeting tips?

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?

Eclipse Plans, 2017 Eclipse, RebeccaWanderlusting

Making Plans for the Eclipse

On July 31, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel TipsLeave a comment

In exactly three weeks, a rare eclipse will happen occur over the United States. This eclipse can be seen in totality in a diagonal line across the country, but can also be partially seen from most areas in the U.S. as well. When I was in St. Louis last month, there was a lot of excited talk about this eclipse, as the city was directly in the path of totality. This path stretches from Oregon across the U.S. to the East Coast, in South Carolina.

Unfortunately, I’ll be at work in Chicago at 11:54am on Monday, August 21, but, barring any cloudy weather, I fully intend on watching it from the Riverwalk on my lunch break. I’ve even sent out a calendar invite for my coworkers to come join me, as I can’t imagine why anyone would want to miss this piece of history. This one will be the closest to a total solar eclipse Chicago has seen in over ninety years. But, wherever you are in the United States, you’ll be able to see a partial eclipse, which is what makes this event so exciting. If you aren’t able to get to a destination in the path of the total eclipse, you’ll still be able to see something really amazing. So, what should you do to get ready? I’m glad you asked:

Make sure you’re properly equipped. You will need special viewing glasses, this is non-negotiable. You won’t be safe in regular sunglasses or anything homemade. Luckily for you (and me!), Warby Parker is handing out free viewing glasses is handing out free viewing glasses at any of their stores starting tomorrow. You can find a store nearest you here. This is serious though, you don’t want to do any damage to your eyes by not having the correct viewing glasses.
Be in your chosen viewing point early to ensure you won’t miss a thing. This is crucial, because the eclipse won’t last very long (probably about two minutes, depending where you are in the U.S.)
Photo via NASA’s Eclipse Website
Make an event out of it if you can, but get outside either way to see it. This will be an amazing sight! Like I said, I’m making sure to get out on my lunch break to enjoy this beauty, but even if you can’t take an hour to sit outside to see it, try to get outside to take a peak (with your eclipse glasses of course).
If you’re planning on traveling to a point of totality, be sure to make your arrangements as soon as possible, if they aren’t made already. This is a major astronomical event, and believe it or not, many people are traveling just to see it. In case you don’t already know, here is the map depicting the cities in which the total eclipse will occur:

I am so excited to see this eclipse, and I hope you are too! Please be safe when viewing it and, if you’re willing, share your experiences seeing this beauty with me in the comments!