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**

Weekend Getaway Essentials

On July 25, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel TipsLeave a comment

This summer has consisted of multiple weekend excursions that I’ve had to pack quickly and rush off to. From a quick trip up to our lake house in Wisconsin to a last minute trip to St. Louis, I’ve had to throw things together and go a couple of times. Now, I’m not complaining, I think better when there’s a time limit and pack minimally when I can only bring a small duffle bag. The preparation for the trips I’ve had so far have made me into a little bit of an expert in the quick weekend getaway essentials. There’s still some summer weekends left this year, which means I’m sure there will be a couple more getaways in my future (and hopefully yours too!). So, without further ado, here’s my complete list of weekend getaway essentials, ready for you to pack and go and a moment’s notice:

Clothes:

Jean Shorts
Pants
(1) Dress
(1) Skirt
(2) T Shirts
(2) Tank Tops
(1) Blouse
Pajamas
Swimsuit & Cover Up
Undergarments & Socks

Shoes:

Flats
Sandals
Comfy sneakers

Accessories:

Versatile Necklace
Watch
Default Earrings
Lightweight Scarf
Small Purse

This little capsule wardrobe gives you plenty of options for casual, comfortable or more dressed-up. With these few items, you can have about ten different outfits for whatever activities and outings your getaway throws at you.

Beauty:

Whatever’s in Your Normal Make-Up Bag
Face Wipes
Moisturizer
Deodorant
Razor (if you aren’t flying with only a carry-on)
Hair Serum
Sunscreen
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Hairbrush & Hairties

Extras:

A Good Book (see my summer reading list)
Phone Charger
Camera
Notebook
Water Bottle & Snack

All of these items would fit in my duffle bag and tote, which makes for an easy check in for flights, train rides, buses or however you are getting to your destination. Safe travels to all and enjoy your weekend getaways!

What are your weekend getaway essentials? Where are you headed next?

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!**

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?

A Weekend in Milwaukee, WI

On October 24, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, Wisconsin2 Comments

Our first stop in Milwaukee, WI was the Art Museum, housed in the iconic, postmodern building right on Lake Michigan. The fee to get into the museum is a little steep, at $17/person, but it’s also pretty worth it. The entryway is beautiful, with a view of the lake through a convex wall of windows.

The best part for me was the collection of contemporary art and the special exhibit of Rembrandts on the top floor. The museum was having a used book sale while we were there as well, which was fun to browse. As we walked back along the lake to our car, the sun finally started to peak out, highlighting the beautiful and well-maintained parks.

From there we drove to Lakefront Brewery to meet up with our friends Colton and Sarah, who were en route to Green Bay for the Packers Game. The brewery tours were sold out for the day (learn from our mistake – buy tickets ahead of time!), but we were happy just to partake in the beer and food at the brewery.

Between the four of us, we ordered pretzel bites, cheese curds, fish tacos, smothered fries, pulled pork flatbread and fresh, delicious, Wisconsin-brewed beers. The food was excellent and everything you could want in Wisconsin food: fried, cheesy, comforting and indulgent. The dining room was open with long tables filled with guests. Brewery tours ran through every half hour, with the guide riling up the crowd loudly. I was a little bummed not to be participating, but we taste tested quite a few beers on our own.

Our next stop was the Riverview Antique Market, a ten minute drive away. The store was huge and full of a curated collection of antiques, split into stalls by vendor. My favorite feature were the large Barnum & Bailey circus posters hanging from the walls throughout the warehouse. The four of us had a blast walking through the store, picking out memorabilia and antique home goods.

The staff was friendly and willing to point us in the direction of more antique stores in the area if we felt so inclined to keep shopping. After we left the store, it was time to go our separate ways; Sarah and Colton heading to Green Bay and Mike and I going to check into our hotel. The Hilton City Center was a little outdated but still glamorous, with ornate chandeliers and gold accents.

Our room was small, but comfortable, with a view of the lake and the soft, white bedding that I love so much. When we were looking for somewhere to go for dinner, we did some research and stumbled upon a list of “Essential Milwaukee Restaurants”. One of said restaurants was one I had read about before, famed for their great Friday fish fry. And although it was Saturday, we decided to try it anyways; their German menu fit in nicely with the Oktoberfest celebrations around the city. Kegel’s Inn was a ten minute cab ride away, across the highway.

Milwaukee is interesting because the highway bisects the city, which makes it not all that walkable. This means that we spent a pretty penny on uber rides that evening. The restaurant was in a residential neighborhood and when we walked in, the locals sitting at the bar gave us the stink eye. That to me, seemed like a good sign, but I could tell by the look on Mike’s face that he wasn’t so sure. The host sat us at a table in the corner, where we ascertained that we were the youngest patrons in the place by about 20 years. We ordered “traditional” German food, which came with soup and salad and bread with herbed butter.

Definite supper club vibes here. The soup and salad were good, but the entrees… were not delicious. They were unappetizing looking and didn’t taste any better. We did our best to push the food around the plate and make it look like we ate some of it to appease our very sweet waitress. We got the check and hustled out, keeping our heads down. Perhaps next time, we’ll stick to the fish fry. We went to the Rave next for the main event, the Thrice concert. The show was fantastic and the venue is very pretty, but it’s not run very well.

After ordering $9 Bud Lights, we decided this would not be a show we would drink during. Luckily, Thrice is amazing live, and that made up for the expensive drinks. As soon as the band started playing their encore, we high-tailed it out of there to catch yet another cab to the Cactus Club, a bar that I knew both Mike and I would love. It was a long cab ride there and the place was mobbed with people, so by the time we got into the bar, Mike was not a happy camper.

But! Once we were seated at the bar with a couple of New Glarus beers, there was punk music playing and Star Wars on the TVs. I could see that Mike was trying hard not to smile. This was so his type of place. They had live music playing in the back room (with a cover charge), but we were perfectly happy sitting at the bar. The beer was cheap and the bartenders were friendly and attentive; it’s easy to say that this was our favorite stop of the evening. We made our way back to the hotel (another uber) happy and a little drunk.

The next morning, we checked out early and headed to Café Benelux for breakfast. The area the restaurant was located in, the Historic 3^rd Ward neighborhood, is super cute and fun to explore. We sat on the amazing rooftop terrace where you can enjoy your brunch in the sunshine and with a view. Mike got the Hodge Podge scramble and I got the waffle with berries along with our coffee.

Both entrees were delicious, but Mike’s was the best and of course I snuck a couple of bites. We walked across the street to the Public Market next, which was very similar to the one in Grand Rapids, MI. There was a mixture of shops and food vendors, selling everything from fine cheeses to handmade jewelry to local brews (both coffee and beer).

We particularly liked the t-shirts and magnets at Brew City, where we bought a Milwookie Chewbacca t-shirt for my niece. The market deserved more attention, but we were determined to keep moving.

We went to Downtown Books, where it was entirely possible to get lost amongst the stacks. The vast variety of genres would make any bibliophile very happy. I ended up getting a Hunter S. Thompson book before we went on our way.

Our last real stop of our Milwaukee trip was the County Clare, a family-style restaurant with an Irish theme and a bar on one side. Mike and I sat at the bar and both ordered one of their famed Bloody Mary’s, his spicy and mine not. The drinks came with a beef stick, string cheese, a pickle, a potato and a small glass of Harp beer to chase it all down. I had never had a Bloody Mary before and wasn’t sure how much I’d like it.

It turns out I don’t have to wonder anymore, I definitely don’t like them. They’re just not my cup of tea, I guess. But the bartender serving us was so sweet that I drank the whole thing, gulping beer or water after each sip. We caught some of the Packer’s game before rolling out, thanking the kind bartender profusely as we went. We grabbed coffee at the hip Collectivo before starting the drive back to Chicago.

The café was warm and welcoming, with tables filled with people working on their computers contentedly. The coffee was just what we needed to propel us home. Thank you for a fun weekend Milwaukee!

Have you ever been to Milwaukee, WI? What did you like most about the city?

Grand Rapids, MI – Day 1

On April 19, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Michigan, US Travel6 Comments

I don’t know if it’s because of the first reappearance of warm weather or all of the brewery visits, but I absolutely loved our time in Grand Rapids, MI. While it was a pretty short trip, we certainly made the most of our time there. We left early Saturday morning after stopping for coffee, and arrived in Grand Rapids around noon (because of the hour time difference). We started at the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Garden, where it seemed everyone else was starting as well.

There was a line to get in, a $14.50 entrance fee and another line to move through the butterfly sanctuary. BUT! Once we got outside into the sculpture garden proper, we were very happy. The walk through the park was really, truly lovely. The weather was perfect and the sculptures were spread throughout the park so there wasn’t so much of a crowd.

We waltzed through the sculptures and headed to the Japanese Garden to walk around the pond. It was beautiful and tranquil. The walk took us past multiple waterfalls, a gorgeous gazebo, a Japanese Tea House, and a life-size zen garden.

After we had taken it all in, we decided we deserved some lunch and headed to the Electric Cheetah. There was a twenty minute wait, which we spent out in the sunshine. Once we were seated, we perused their extensive root beer list and both chose the Brix Soda Co. The root beer gave us enough pep to devour our amazing “Hot Goat Blast” (goat cheese, cream cheese, veggies and naan) appetizer.

For the main course, I ordered the “I’m not your bro, bro” sandwich which was chicken, bacon, and provolone deliciousness, and Mike had a gigantic reuben sandwich. The Electric Cheetah was everything I wanted it to be: fun décor, delicious food, great service, and root beer to spare. After lunch, we walked down the block to The Sparrows coffee shop for a little more caffeine. The café was super cute inside and they have a bevy of unique periodicals and magazines. They also have an outdoor seating area that was perfect for days like the one we were enjoying.

From there we zipped over to the highly anticipated (to me, anyways) antique stores. As we approached the large warehouse across from the Amtrak Station, I thought perhaps our Google Maps had made a mistake. But no, this HUGE warehouse was just what we were looking for and was chock-full of antiques. I couldn’t wait to explore it. The warehouse was comprised of three different shops: Warehouse One, Lost + Found, and Century Antiques.

I loved exploring the zig-zagging booths of antiques, piled high in Warehouse One and Century, but I really loved the beautifully curated antiques and furniture at Lost + Found. Though rummaging the booths and treasure hunting are a few of my favorite things, there’s something to be said for a well laid out antique store.

Once I had my fill of heirlooms and trinkets, we headed to our hotel to check in. I know I said we were staying at the City Flats Hotel, but it turns out they had overbooked themselves and needed to bump our reservation. So Mike upgraded us to The JW Marriott Grand Rapids instead.

Our room was gorgeous. It had a huge fluffy bed, a city view and a prime shower. Needless to say, we were pretty happy with the change. After reading ourselves for a night on the town, we hit the road. We drove over to Brewery Vivant in the East Hills Neighborhood first. It is a beautiful brewery, with a great outdoor area and a regal dining room with stained glass windows.

We ordered the Vivant taster which included the Farm Hand, Triomphe, Big Red Coq, and Undertaker beers. We also got the marinated olives and the bone marrow to go with our beverages. It was my first time trying bone marrow and I hate to admit it, but it wasn’t for me. Mike liked it though. The beers, however, were all amazing. We bought a 4-pack of the Undertaker to bring home with us.

From there we parked back at the hotel and walked over to Founder’s Brewery. As it turned out, we were there the night of their annual Black Party, celebrating the success of their black beers (stouts, porters…). We bee-lined for the bar and ordered a couple ales (palm reader for me) and settled in to enjoy the live music.
The band, The Animal Years, was fantastic! In fact, they were so good, we are going to see them again on Thursday here in Chicago.

We stuck around until the end of their set and then headed to our next brewery: Grand Rapids Brewing Co. I ordered the Violet MacMillan, a cranberry beer that tasted like ale mixed with cranberry Sprite in a really delicious way. At this point in the night, we were ready for something cheesy, so we ordered a couple of small plates. We got the BBQ quesadilla and a chorizo pizza bread concoction that really hit the spot. The atmosphere of this brewery was more sports bar-like than the other two, but we enjoyed our time there and Mike was happy he could catch up with the hockey game on that night. Our last stop on our self-guided brewery tour was The BOB, a multilevel super bar situated in downtown Grand Rapids. We started in their brewery on the basement level where I tried the Blondie beer and discovered where my craft beer limit ends.

We made our way up to the rooftop that we spotted from the street, walking past what looked like some sort of rave and multiple bachelorette parties. The floor with the roof top terrace provided city views and a sliver of the Grand River. We sat and drank our beers and gushed over the beautiful city. More beer, 14 holes of Golden Tee and a truly awful cover band later, we headed back to the hotel to crash into our heavenly cloud of a bed.

To be continued…

Top 5 Friday #8

On February 12, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, Travel Tips4 Comments

Tips to Maximize Weekend Travel

I, like a lot of people out there, am mostly confined to weekend travel due to my job. Because of this, I am constantly trying to find ways to make the most of my weekend adventures. Sure, there are times when I splurge on trips and use my vacation days to travel longer, but since I prefer to travel more often than not, plain old weekends usually just have to do. If this sounds familiar to your own travel situation, you’re in luck! Below are my top five tips for maximizing your weekend travels:

Pick a destination that doesn’t take a ton of time to get to: Whether you’re driving, flying, taking a train, boating, whatever, don’t spend the entire weekend in transit. The “it’s the journey, not the destination” theory does not apply here. It’s the destination that matters when you only have a few days to enjoy the trip. My preferred maximum travel time is 4-5 hours each way, and even that’s pushing it. Any more than that won’t give you enough time to explore your chosen destination.

When choosing a destination, choose a theme for your trip: This is an important step: what do you want to do over this weekend trip? Do you want to relax by the pool and read? Do you want to get out and walk around and explore? Do you want to do extreme sports? Pick a destination that fits what you want to accomplish best. Or, fits your budget best. I’m a big fan of picking the cheapest air fare and then planning accordingly (see: “Trip Planning: Washington, D.C.“), but that’s not for everyone. Take a minute to think about your budget and what you want out of the trip.

Make note of restaurants you wouldn’t want to miss while you’re there: You certainly do not have to plan out every meal, but I think it’s important to make sure you hit the restaurants that you really wanted to go to. Make reservations if you have to, or plan to explore around that certain restaurant in order to make it a part of your itinerary. I don’t know about you, but I really do not enjoy wandering around aimlessly trying to find somewhere great for dinner only to settle for something mediocre because I’m too hungry to keep looking. I usually do a little restaurant research online before a trip and pick one or two that look too delicious to skip.

Don’t over-plan: To piggy back on my last point, make note of the things that you really want to see/do/eat, but don’t schedule every minute of your trip. Allow some time to explore and discover some new things. I usually make a list of attractions I’d like to see, then try to walk to them all so I can find new attractions along the way. When you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to explore somewhere new, it’s great to have a good idea of what you want to accomplish while you’re there. But it’s also great to not drive yourself crazy with a strict itinerary. Find a happy medium.

When all else fails – Staycation!: I am of the belief that a staycation can be just as restorative as a vacation. Sometimes all it takes to recharge and lift your spirits is to get out of your house/apartment and break up your routine. Explore your own city or kick back for a spa day and room service in those wonderful fluffy white hotel beds. If you want more tips on planning a fantastic staycation, check here.

What is the best weekend trip you’ve been on lately? How did you plan it?

Top Five Friday #8

On February 12, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday4 Comments

Tips to Maximize Weekend Travel

Pick a destination that doesn’t take a ton of time to get to: Whether you’re driving, flying, taking a train, boating, whatever, don’t spend the entire weekend in transit. The “it’s the journey, not the destination” theory does not apply here. It’s the destination that matters when you only have a few days to enjoy the trip. My preferred maximum travel time is 4-5 hours each way, and even that’s pushing it. Any more than that won’t give you enough time to explore your chosen destination.

When choosing a destination, choose a theme for your trip: This is an important step: what do you want to do over this weekend trip? Do you want to relax by the pool and read? Do you want to get out and walk around and explore? Do you want to do extreme sports? Pick a destination that fits what you want to accomplish best. Or, fits your budget best. I’m a big fan of picking the cheapest air fare and then planning accordingly (see: “Trip Planning: Washington, D.C.“), but that’s not for everyone. Take a minute to think about your budget and what you want out of the trip.

Make note of restaurants you wouldn’t want to miss while you’re there: You certainly do not have to plan out every meal, but I think it’s important to make sure you hit the restaurants that you really wanted to go to. Make reservations if you have to, or plan to explore around that certain restaurant in order to make it a part of your itinerary. I don’t know about you, but I really do not enjoy wandering around aimlessly trying to find somewhere great for dinner only to settle for something mediocre because I’m too hungry to keep looking. I usually do a little restaurant research online before a trip and pick one or two that look too delicious to skip.

Don’t over-plan: To piggy back on my last point, make note of the things that you really want to see/do/eat, but don’t schedule every minute of your trip. Allow some time to explore and discover some new things. I usually make a list of attractions I’d like to see, then try to walk to them all so I can find new attractions along the way. When you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to explore somewhere new, it’s great to have a good idea of what you want to accomplish while you’re there. But it’s also great to not drive yourself crazy with a strict itinerary. Find a happy medium.

When all else fails – Staycation!: I am of the belief that a staycation can be just as restorative as a vacation. Sometimes all it takes to recharge and lift your spirits is to get out of your house/apartment and break up your routine. Explore your own city or kick back for a spa day and room service in those wonderful fluffy white hotel beds. If you want more tips on planning a fantastic staycation, check here.

What is the best weekend trip you’ve been on lately? How did you plan it?

Harvest Time Apple Orchard: A Photo Blog

On September 29, 2015December 1, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, WisconsinLeave a comment

Harvest Time Apple Orchard: A Photo Blog

Every fall, my family and drive up to Twin Lakes, WI to pick apples, always on a Sunday. It’s a tradition we’ve kept for as long as I can remember, and it goes hand in hand with our tradition to enjoy the fruits of our labor (heh heh) afterwards, while watching the Bears game. Harvest Time/Oriole Springs Orchard is about an hour and twenty-five minutes drive from Chicago. It’s technically in Twin Lakes, WI (home of Country Thunder, if that’s your thing). The Orchard has apples, pumpkins, and cherries to pick, as well as a smokehouse, donut shop, cider barn, brat shop, petting zoo and a newly added deck to enjoy all the goodies with an unparalleled view of the orchard.
We always start with the apple picking. We enter through the end of the orchard where we are greeted by orchard workers who direct us to the Golden Delicious apples and supply us with the bags to contain them.

The trees are always full of apples, just ready to be plucked and taken home. They have an ingenious device to pick apples on the top branches scattered throughout the orchard. It’s a something like a broom handle with a wire covered in denim, fashioned to catch the apple as you pull it from the branch. It’s like hitting the jackpot any time you can find one hidden in the neat rows of trees.

They patio and small shop next to the smokehouse were dotted with batches of pumpkins, squash and gourds. I am a sucker for tiny pumpkins, so I bought one for a dollar, such a bargain.

The petting zoo is off to the side of the main barn, where you can pay a dollar to feed the small ragtag group of animals. There are goats, a pig (Mike the Pig, to be exact), and a few ugly turkeys.

Before leaving, we stopped at the cider barn, for a half gallon of the juice they make from the not so perfect apples. We couldn’t pass up the cider milkshakes they were selling, they were amazing. Like creamy apple pie. I would definitely drive up again solely for another cider shake.
Once we had our share of Harvest Time, we went back to my parent’s house to feast on apples, cheese and charcuterie. We parted ways at the end of the evening, all toting our bags of apples and leftovers home with us.
Until next time, Harvest Time.

If you’re interested in visiting this beautiful orchard, check out their website for a harvest schedule.

Harvest Time Orchards, Wisconsin, Apple Picking

Harvest Time Apple Orchard

On September 29, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, Wisconsin2 Comments

Every fall, my family and drive up to Twin Lakes, WI to pick apples, always on a Sunday. It’s a tradition we’ve kept for as long as I can remember, and it goes hand in hand with our tradition to enjoy the fruits of our labor (heh heh) afterwards, while watching the Bears game.

Harvest Time/Oriole Springs Orchard is about an hour and twenty-five minutes drive from Chicago. It’s technically in Twin Lakes, WI (home of Country Thunder, if that’s your thing). The Orchard has apples, pumpkins, and cherries to pick, as well as a smokehouse, donut shop, cider barn, brat shop, petting zoo and a newly added deck to enjoy all the goodies with an unparalleled view of the orchard.

We always start with the apple picking. We enter through the end of the orchard where we are greeted by orchard workers who direct us to the Golden Delicious apples and supply us with the bags to contain them.

After we fill our bags with apples, we head over to the smokehouse, paying for the apples as we exit the orchard.

The smokehouse is full of delicious meats and cheeses, specifically the best deli ham I have ever tasted. There is also summer sausage, apple butter, honey, pie filling, and all sorts of assorted goodies. The brat shop is just outside the smokehouse that sells hot dogs and brats to be enjoyed with a cold cup of cider.

The donut shop is next door, with a line that stretches past the patio and into the grass. The wait for the delectable fried dough was almost an hour, but oh so worth it. They make them to order and cover them in cinnamon sugar, coconut, frosting or sprinkles.

They patio and small shop next to the smokehouse were dotted with batches of pumpkins, squash and gourds. I am a sucker for tiny pumpkins, so I bought one for a dollar, such a bargain.

The petting zoo is off to the side of the main barn, where you can pay a dollar to feed the small ragtag group of animals. There are goats, a pig (Mike the Pig, to be exact), and a few ugly turkeys.

Before leaving, we stopped at the cider barn, for a half gallon of the juice they make from the not so perfect apples. We couldn’t pass up the cider milkshakes they were selling, they were amazing. Like creamy apple pie. I would definitely drive up again solely for another cider shake.
Once we had our share of Harvest Time, we went back to my parent’s house to feast on apples, cheese and charcuterie. We parted ways at the end of the evening, all toting our bags of apples and leftovers home with us.

Until next time, Harvest Time.