Days 2/3/4 Highlights

Let’s get right to it. Here’s where I went and where you should go next time you’re in town.

Sights

Navy Pier. Nice walk along the water! I grew up on the Eastern Shore so definitely an agua gal at heart. There’s restaurants and breweries to keep you fed and watered, and even a Shakespearean theater? Had I more time I would have stayed for a show as tickets were well-priced.

Magnificent Mile. One word: shopping. Y’all better be proud, because I stayed out of Bloomingdale’s lest I ruin my credit and chances for making rent the remainder of this year. But for those of you with more self-control than me, this street (which is Michigan Avenue, by the way) was repeatedly flagged as a must-see for shopping.

The Bean. Known formally as Cloud Gate. This whopping sculpture cost a cool $23 million to make and transfer to its home in Millenium Park. It’s where everyone else and their dog is going, so like any other tourist-trap-queen landmark, it’s pretty crowded most of the day, but you should at least pay it a visit/give it a lap.

Millenium Park. …which you’ve already reached, if you’re at the Bean. Features several architectural treats unique to this area. Notice the colorful fixtures behind me in the shots above - they were pieces of blown glass art suspended in the park. Millenium also boasts several other architectural treats, like Pritzker Pavilion. a mammoth bandshell (you can’t miss it) on the south side of Randolph Street.

The American Writer’s Museum. I wrote a special feature post on it here. I spent nearly two hours in this small but incredibly moving museum. They did an incredible job narrating our country’s history by piecing together voices of some of American’s most renowned writers. Lots of exhibits were interactive (I may have punched away furiously at a typewriter for a bit).

River Walk. Having crossed this several times to visit different neighborhoods, I quite enjoyed it, given it’s sparkling waters and outdoor seating and proximity to several bars and restaurants. Best enjoyed in warm weather.

Food

Eataly. It tops my list for a reason. I came across a two-course special they were having for Chicago’s Restaurant Week (foodie friends unite!) and it was absolutely worth the trip. A two-story Italian market that houses two restaurants, cafes, counters, and even a cooking school. Google promises a “bustling modern trattoria in an Italian marketplace for Neapolitan pizza & homemade, al dente pasta,” and patrons won’t be disappointed. I opted for Osteria del Mercato and enjoyed one of the best pasta dishes of my life.

Giordano’s. For that famous deep-dish. It takes 45 minutes to make, so plan accordingly and come hungry (but not too hungry or that’ll escalate to hangry). Get a personal pie, it’s more food than you think.

Beatrix. For brunch. I recommend the quinoa cakes.

The Goddess and the Baker. For a coffee and a pastry near Millenium Park (or River Walk, and other places).

hat: H&M

scarf: Top Shop

gloves: One Day

bag: Kate Spade

jacket: French Connection

denim: Hudson

boots: Toms