My husband and I love to travel, and if we had our way we would be jetting off to exotic destinations every other week. But with two demanding jobs and an active social life in Denver, we have to find other ways to satisfy our travel cravings. Sometimes that can be as simple as going to Uncle for a steaming bowl of ramen to take us back to our trip to Japan in 2012. We’ve recently found that a weekend getaway does the trick as well. A weekend is not long enough that you need to put up an away message on your email, or tell anyone at work that you will be unavailable, but it is just enough time to get the feel for a new place. A great friend got married in Chicago and we used the wedding as an excuse for a weekend getaway. Zach had never visited the windy city, and I had only been in and out on work trips, so we decided to live it up and be full-on tourists. We asked friends for recommendations on things to see and do, the cool neighborhoods to check out, and of course, the best food.
Because you have limited time to tour the city, you have incentive to take some time beforehand to plan activities and get recommendations on things to do in the place you are visiting. Multiple people told us to do the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s boat tour. It was great for us. Zach, the history buff, enjoyed the stories and facts that the docent on the tour provided, and I loved looking at the amazing architecture and beautiful surroundings on the Chicago river.
Another great recommendation was brunch at Siena Tavern. Zach had Lobster Hash and I was in a decadent mood and chose Tiramisu French Toast.
We both love art museums, and the Art Institute of Chicago has some incredible pieces. This is where the famous American Gothic painting is. We had limited time but we got to see the “best of”: Monet, Van Gogh, Rodin sculptures, and a favorite artist of mine, Edward Hopper. Below is a picture of Zach checking out the Georges Seurat pointilism painting.
We went on a long walk around the city because the weather was great.
Loved taking pictures at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park!
It was a great trip and the best part was Katie and Mikes wedding at Salvage one
We would definitely recommend Chicago as a fun and easy weekend getaway!