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?

Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, RebeccaWanderlusting

Exploring St. Louis

On July 3, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Missouri, US Travel3 Comments

We had an early start to our first and only full day in St. Louis. Everyone met in the hotel lobby restaurant for breakfast bright and early to enjoy a beautifully plated meal. At each place setting, there was a quartet of colorful fresh juices and smoothies and fruit and pastries were served family style. The chef himself brought out our entrees of eggs benedict on a cheddar biscuit and lemon pancakes with strawberry compote. I did not partake in the eggs of course, but the pancakes were delicious, as were the juices.

After we were fed, we got back on our bus and drove over to our first stop of the day: The Gateway Arch. The Arch is one of those attractions that you absolutely must see the first time you’re in a city, and afterwards you can cross it off the list and forget about it. It’s beautiful, an impressive architectural feat for sure, but I could do without the lines.

We had tickets (which I would suggest you buy ahead of time online), but this basically meant that we had a designated time to wait in the long line that led to the elevators that ascended the arch. I had a feeling that there might be a panic attack in my future, as the size of the elevator car (teeny tiny) and the ride up the arch (shaky and rough) had been a topic of much discussion.

Because of all the hype, I was nervous to go, and once I saw for myself how small the cars were, I had to trick myself into getting in. The pods sat five people each without much room to spare, and we all had to duck our heads while we sat. I looked at pictures of my adorable niece on my phone to distract from the jerky movement taking us up to the top via a vertical zig zag track.

After all that, the top seemed a little anticlimactic. The view was beautiful, of course, but you could only see it through small rectangular windows that you had to lean into to see out of. We could feel the arch sway beneath us as we stood back in line, waiting to get back on solid ground. The ride back down was three minutes, one minute less than the way up. Once we were back in the park that surrounds the Arch, which was currently under renovation, we strolled north to take in the scenery.

It was a lovely park, and it ran right along the muddy Mississippi River, lending some bright contrast to the murky water. Our next stop was Busch Stadium for a private tour, which included the many club levels of the park and a peak of the press box. My favorite part of the tour was walking out near the field and checking out the Cardinals’ dugout. They were watering the grass while we were there, which they did in a line of about 5 men, all holding the hose so it didn’t drag through the manicured field.

We had lunch in Ballpark Village, a dining and entertainment complex across the street from the field. The lunch was typical bar food, but we did get to try a St. Louis specialty: fried ravioli, which was so good.

The next stop of the day was the National Blues Museum on the main drag of Downtown St. Louis: Washington Avenue. The museum doubled as a music venue and bar, and the exhibits there were incredibly interactive. I loved all the exhibits (especially the nod to the Chicago blues scene), and our guide was very enthusiastic. It was contagious. We didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend there, but I think we all really enjoyed being able to pop in and check it out.

Down the street from the Blues Museum is a museum of a completely different school of thought. I’m not sure I even have the words to describe the City Museum. At first glance it looks like an elaborate dump, but upon further inspection, it’s clear that it is actually a giant play place of found objects and repurposed equipment.

An old school bus hung off the roof, hollowed out planes connected to tunnels that adults and children alike were scrambling through. There was a massive ball pit in the center of metal pathways. And that was just the outside. Inside was a whole other whimsical land of caves and statues and slides and ladders. It was amazing, I loved it. I probably could have spent all day there, but, sadly, we only had thirty minutes.

We only had a couple of stops left for the day before we went our separate ways for the evening. The next stop was the Delmar Loop, a neighborhood near the Washington University campus. It was full of restaurants, stores and music venues, the most exciting of which (to me, at least) were Vintage Vinyl and Blueberry Hill.

Vintage Vinyl was amazing and such an excellent selection; especially their soul music section which I loved. As we didn’t have a whole lot of time in this neighborhood, a few of us ran down the street to Blueberry Hill to have a quick drink in the legendary restaurant/music venue.

The sidewalk in front house a St. Louis walk of fame, including such celebrities as John Hamm, Miles Davis, and Chuck Berry. The restaurant itself was full of kitsch: knickknacks and novelties littered every surface and free wall and one whole room was dedicated to Pacman. This establishment is famously one of the venues Chuck Berry played in his later years, and we got to sneak downstairs and peep into the room he played in while we finished our beers.

We popped into the Fountain on Locust for a bite to eat before everyone parted ways for the evening. This fountain-style restaurant is known for its beautiful décor and ice cream martinis, so that’s what I had. I asked the waitress to bring the best one, and she served us the Thin Mint which consisted of chocolate liqueur, crème de menthe and vanilla ice cream. It was amazing.

We also split some small plates, including fig and goat cheese pizza and a roasted vegetable bruschetta. We were headed to the ballgame next, so I was saving my appetite for stadium snacks. When we left the restaurant, half of us went to the Cardinals game and the other half headed to the circus.

We met up with Beer Tony outside Ballpark Village and his enthusiasm overtook us as he led us straight into the Budweiser Brewhouse. We got drinks there and then headed up to the rooftop bar/bleachers. It was a really fun place to watch the game because we had a perfect view of the park and room to roam around in.

Because we weren’t spoiled enough, Tony insisted on taking us up to the 360 Rooftop bar at the Hilton across the street, which just so happened to have been voted one of the best rooftop bars in the country. We could still see the game from the top, as well as the whole skyline, the arch, and the Mississippi River. The sun set while we stood up there and we had the best view possible.

I tried a guava beer by 4 Hands brewery that solidified that bar as my favorite of the trip because it was so dang good. I did a couple of laps around the bar to take in the view from all angles before we had to tear ourselves away to see the last inning inside the stadium.

It was really cool to see the stadium earlier in the day, empty apart from our little group, but it was even better to see it full of passionate Cardinals fans. They are some of the fiercest and the most loyal fans in the leagues and they have a special place in my heart because my Grandpa was one of them. I loved being at the game and cheering for them because I knew he’d be so proud.

We decided to have one more drink at 4 Hands Brewery. I tried the City Wide Pride Pilsner in honor of Pride Weekend, and it continued the trend of amazing beers. We ended up talking so much that we closed the place down; it’s true what they say about time flying. Tony and his wonderful fiancé drove us back to the hotel, where I stumbled back to my room to eat the rest of my St. Louis snacks and watch a movie in bed. I had an early flight in the morning, and I was kind of bummed I had to leave with so much left to see. Who knew that the city across the river, just a short train ride away, had so much to offer. Until next time, St. Louis!

Have you ever been to St. Louis? What was your favorite attraction?

**A HUGE thank you to the wonderful people at Explore St. Louis, LHM, and DCI for having us and for being such wonderful hosts!**

Pullman Cars, St. Louis, RebeccaWanderlusting

Pullman Cars and Hotel Bars

On June 28, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Missouri, US Travel2 Comments

I have always wanted to take an Amtrak trip. It was on my bucket list last year and was carried over to this year because I just couldn’t get to it. So, when the opportunity arose to not only take an Amtrak trip to St. Louis, but to do it on a series of old Pullman Cars, I jumped on it. I was so excited about the experience, that I showed up at Union Station way early (as per usual) and waited alone for a while before I found the group.

It was a Friday morning, and the station was bustling with commuters that I had to fight through to find the group of writers, photographers and St. Louis experts I’d be traveling with. I found them in the Grand Hall, from which we walked down to the tracks to find our train. It was easy to spot, with its sleek silver design, its domed top, and the fact that it was clearly from a much classier era of train travel. As we dropped off our bags and climbed aboard via the platform on the back, I had to take a moment. It was gorgeous inside, and we had three whole Pullman cars to ourselves.

The one we boarded had a glass dome top you could sit in and watch the scenery speed by. The cars were built in 1948 and acquired by St. Louis’s Union Station (I know… it’s one of the many parallels between Chicago & St. Louis). As we pulled out of the station, a few of us stood on the back platform, watching Chicago get farther and farther away. It was a beautiful view, and the sun came out of the clouds just as we got up to speed.

They had laid out a beautiful continental breakfast for us in the middle car, including pastries and fruit and candied bacon, which was catered by the Union Station Hotel’s Executive Chef. I spent most of my time in the domed car, because it was just so good. Riding in it was exactly how you would expect it to be if you romanticize train travel (like me!). Most of my fellow riders sat there with me, and we talked about books and movies and what we’d do in St. Louis as we all stared out the windows. It was amazing how pretty Southern Illinois can be when filtered by a train window.

Lunch was also served in the middle car, and consisted of sandwiches, salad and chips, which I enjoyed while sitting at the built in bar before moving on to the next car to drool over the amazing selection of petit fours and truffles.

Directly after lunch, we had a beer tasting with the aptly named Beer Tony from Ballpark Village (the huge complex across the street from Busch Stadium). They had placed little plates of cheese, prosciutto, and bar mix and little baskets of homemade soft pretzels (with a delicious mustard, beer and cheese filling) on the tables in the dome car while we were at lunch, as if we needed more food (we ate it anyways).

Tony took us through five different local beers, including Urban Chestnut Schnickelfritz (light and wheaty), Schlafly Coconut Cream Ale (not my favorite), Four Hands City Wide Pale Ale (yum), O’Fallon 5 Day IPA (so good), and Schlafly Oatmeal Stout (made up for the coconut beer), while describing each to us. It was really fun and a great way to pass the time. However, it may have been poor timing to have a beer tasting right before a history of St. Louis presentation. I think we all were fighting to keep our eyes open. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but because of the beer, and the sun, and the gentle rocking of the train. We began our arrival into St. Louis shortly after, and everyone jumped up and scrambled to take photos of the approaching skyline.

(I was so, so happy that we got to take this particular train to St. Louis, but I also fully understand that not everyone can do this. However, if you have the time and resources, you are able to rent the Pullman Cars for parties or private trips. That information is here).

We took a bus to the hotel from the train station. The buildings were quite pretty in downtown St. Louis; the prettiest one, which was stone with an orange roof and looked like a castle, happened to be our hotel: The St. Louis Union Station Hotel. It was just stunning, and that was just the outside. The inside was even better, breathtaking, even. We entered through the Grand Hall, and we couldn’t have timed it any better. As soon as we walked into the lobby and set our bags down, their nightly/hourly light show began.

The lights dimmed and the music started as the lights began to trace the intricate pattern of the ceiling and walls and create new shapes. It would be a unique experience as long as you didn’t sit in the lobby for hours, as the show happens every hour on the hour after 5pm until 11pm. After the show, we were instructed to head up to our rooms to freshen up and meet back in the lobby in an hour. My room was gorgeous, with hardwood floors and pale blue and silver and white curtains and bedding.

The bathroom was lovely, with a stand up shower and huge vanity. There was a delightful little welcome box of St. Louis-themed treats on the bed, which I would break into later. I sat down for a minute and then it was time to head back down. They had laid out a lovely buffet of hors d’oeuvres for us, including bone marrow, crab Rangoon, beet salad and other delicacies.

We also had an open bar, from which I ordered a glass of Chardonnay that cost more than what I usually spend on a bottle of wine back home. It was worth it. We sat and chit-chatted and enjoyed the food (good, but could have been warmer) before heading to Forest Park for an al fresco performance of Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale”. We arrived early enough to take a stroll through the park before the play, and it’s a good thing too, because the park was amazing.

It contains their Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum, a golf course, and much more. We soon took our seats near the stage (there is also lawn seating, where many people enjoyed picnic dinners during the play). I truly enjoyed the play, but halfway through the first act, hunger took over and a couple of us walked over to the concession stands to get some wine and a hot dog. The hot dog was not so delicious, but the wine was surprisingly good, so we doubled down on that and went back to our seats with a second glass.

Though the play was very good and the acting far better than any outdoor production I’ve ever seen, it was also quite long. We didn’t get back to the hotel until 11pm, and by that time we were so, so hungry. I, along with a couple of people from the group, decided to have a couple of cocktails in the hotel bar and hopefully some bar snacks. Unfortunately for us, the kitchen was closed, but they did offer to have some food delivered for us from a selection of nearby restaurants. We decided that would take too long, so we sat and drank and complained about how hungry we were for about as long as delivery would take, and then went up to our rooms. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow and dreamed of Chicago– style hot dogs and cupcakes.

To be continued…

**A HUGE thank you to the wonderful people at Explore St. Louis, LHM, and DCI for having us and for being such wonderful hosts!**

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?

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.