Planning is my nature. It’s what I do – literally – every single day. When it comes to travel, I am no different. I research top restaurants to the hole-in-the-wall favorites, shopping, and all the must see attractions. I come up with a very ambitious gameplan for seeing the sites. Having had only a very brief and unfavorable visit to Chicago a few years ago coupled with the fact I would be gone 6 long days to attend a work related conference while in the Windy City, I somehow let my planning go way-side. Maybe I should blame the movie Adventures in Babysitting for perpetuating the unfavorable rap.
I arrived in Chicago not expecting to be wooed, but open to letting the city change my mind.
With 6 days ahead of me with several breaks between meetings, I set out to enjoy the sites.
Humor me, as I share some of my highlights, iphone pictures, and tips from my little adventure.
(if you follow me on Insta.gram- these may look familiar)
FRIDAY:
Upon arrival and settling into my hotel, I googled the location of Neiman Marcus. Off I went to the mother ship.
On my first walk down Michigan Avenue towards NM, I marveled at all the gorgeous tulips. I was smitten.
Travel Tip: When you arrive at your destination, Make an appointment to have your hair done or stop by a make-up counter. Spending time in the chair while you get pretty, allows conversation on where to shop and eat from a locals point-of-view.
You may even be invited on fun adventures to attend a local fundraising event or tour local homes or gardens.
The sweetest older lady working the fragrance counter at Neimans wanted to arrange for me to tour her friend’s historic home featured in Architectural Digest. She made the call.
I left the counter with new parfum and a phone number for the homeowner.
Also- use good judgement. SInce I was going it alone – I opted not to give the homeowner the call. I found the Architecture Digest article online and toured the home virtually.
It was nice to be invited.
Saturday:
The Start of the Conference
This is the Conference I attended
I spotted this guy on the street. I assume he was attending another conference in town – the Comic Conference.
One can only hope he didn’t wake up and decide to put this on and walk around downtown Chicago just for kicks.
I’m not afraid of no ghost – but I am kind of afraid of grown men who dress like this.
Saturday Evening, The Joint Commission — yeah, those guys who put us healthcare types into an utter tizzy and under the microscope every 3 years,
hosted a lovely reception a the Art Insitute of Chicago.
We had the privilege of private viewing of the Impressionist and Post Impressionist Galleries.
I was in awe of the Hall of Degas
Amazed by the scale and detail of Seaurat
I also enjoyed Monet, VanGogh, Renoir….
then
some office building ode to the light-bright on my walk back to the hotel
SUNDAY:
After our session on Sunday, lured by the rosemary containers and happy umbrellas, I stopped in this fabulous place called The Gage - where I enjoyed the best little pot of mint tea.
- Hot Tea, that is. Not iced like we Southerns like it. It was still quite yummy. Even if I did put a few ice cubes in my cup when others weren’t looking.
I followed my delicious mint tea with their Venison burger which was dressed with smoked gouda, pickled red onions, fried fresh jalapenos, smoked wild mushrooms, and a red wine ketchup. I think it also had the kitchen sink thrown in. This was about the time I started missing The Angler. I usually split this kind of madness with him.
I barely made a dent in it – and yes, it was delicious. Don’t get me started on the fact it came with a half of a kosher dill AND cornichons. sigh.
I might’ve eaten here again on Monday and had the more redeeming and delicious seared Salmon and rutabaga puree.
After I was well nourished, I headed a 1.5 miles north on Michigan towards the old water tower.
And I scored a new pair of kicks…
or two…or three
MONDAY:
While we are talking shoes….here’s some evidence that I actually attended a conference. Where else but a conference center or hotel ballroom would have carpet this hideous?
Monday entailed more walking through Gotham
and an encounter with the Giant Marilyn
After all that tacky, it was time for some pretty. I found my way over to Rush / Bellevue Area
This is where I discovered BHLDN — Anthropologie’s wedding inspired store.
It was more beautiful in person than I had imagined.
the wedding details
the wedding dresses
I might’ve bought another pair of shoes.
Tuesday:
I finally made my way into Milleneum Park.
Hey! Look! It’s me….the only one not dressed in all black.
I saw the bean.
All that walking means, I earned myself a pedicure.
The Hard Rock Hotel -offers in-room spa services. And they’re decor may have influenced my polish choice.
Also – If you need a spa recommendation or personal nail tech – this is Sophie. She was awesome.
I also earned some Chicago Style Pizza. I can see what the fuss it all about.
Wednesday:
It was finally time to pack it all up and head back to Arkansas.
Grabbed some fuel for the journey
Hopped a plane.
A couple of hours later…
It was time to refuel again.
At my neighborhood starbucks…
where the barista knows my name and the tea is iced.
Then by grabbing some sunshine and fresh air in the beauty of our city.
I can honestly say, I fell in total like with Chicago. I’m ready to go back and enjoy it again with my honey or my fun girlfriends by my side.
Unlike the heroine of Adventures in Babysitting, I did not encounter the Lords of Hell. I didn’t have to scale the Smurfit Stone Building .
My adventures in conferencing were a success.
The shopping was grand. The food was yummy. The folks were down right hospitable.
It truly was a model city.
Thank You, Chicago!
xoxo,
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