I am very excited to share with you my experience visiting Chicago this year. If I could it repeat all over again, I would. So, if you are planning a trip there and need some recommendations on what to do, I got you.
During my stay in the windy city (that isn’t an understatement by the way), I lodged at a close family friend’s house. Lucky for me, she lived near a few bus stations which made it easy to commute. To get around, I purchased the Ventra Unlimited 7-Day Ride Pass for $20. What I appreciated about this pass is that you can use it on all CTA buses and trains. Even to and from the airport (Chicago O’Hare International Airport). So, if you plan on saving money and avoiding taking cabs, get yourself a ride pass.
Before arriving in Chicago, I experienced a 7-hour delayed flight. That was frustrating at first but my uncle gave me the idea of asking for a food voucher from my airline. And luckily, I was gifted a complimentary $10 voucher from American Airlines, to use at any store or restaurant. That came in handy after arriving at O’Hare. I used my voucher to grab a bag of Second Nature Dark Chocolate Medley from the concession stand. It’s so good, it’s worth every penny especially if you’re someone like me who has a sweet tooth.
After settling in Chicago, the first full day there was spent sightseeing. I walked in areas like the famous RiverWalk and the Magnificent Mile. Although I did miss some places like the Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, you may want to add those to your visit.
The next day, was a more relaxing day. After chilling indoors, my friend and I took the bus to dinner at Au Cheval. They say that Chicago is known for their food and they’re not wrong. I loved every meal I had, especially at Au Cheval and their tasty french fries, yum. I ordered their single cheese burger which came with pickles, onions, dijonnaise, & sharp american cheese. Additionally, what I loved about this restaurant is that if you sit at the bar, you can see the chefs make the food which was a lively experience.
Since I visited Chicago during the Spring, my goal was to stay indoors as much as possible because the temperature wasn’t warm to my liking. So for the next two days, I decided to go cafe-hopping. But this was hard to do because there were so many unique places to choose from. So, after looking on social media, I decided to go to Good Ambler, Foxtrot Cafe, and Drip Collective. For starters both of these places are gorgeous and unique in their own way. They are also the perfect hang out spots. I am not really a coffee person so, I just purchased a latte for fun therefore, I can’t tell you how exquisite it was. In other words, if it tastes good, then I’m satisfied. However, what really matters to me is finding comfortable seating, having access to the wifi and an outlet. If you like listening to music while working, then Drip Collective is great for you, it has that urban vibe and what makes them interesting is that they have events every month where an awesome DJ plays music. As for the Good Ambler, I loved this spot as well because it was comfy, spacious, and sophisticated. I also felt protected because there were security guards present. If you are looking for a place to work and eat a good meal at, then this is the place for you. You can order from their menu which consists of pastries, salads, soups, and sandwiches.
The next day, my friend and I had another girls day where we spent time at Lip Lab. Oh my goodness, this was one of the coolest places I have ever been to. Coming from a lipgloss lover and DIY queen, I felt like I was in heaven. I placed an order for a lipgloss and found the experience to be therapeutic. Watching the lip artist patiently combine colors together to my liking was the cherry on top top. I felt satisfied leaving there with a gloss that was in a customized shade that complimented my honey blonde highlights and my skin complexion. To top it off, I asked them to engrave my name Yani B. onto the bottle as well. If I could repeat the experience I would. Therefore, this shoudl be among the list of things you do, when you visit Chicago. You won’t regret it!
During my last day in Chicago, my friend and I went to the movies to see Sinners at AMC theaters, which was an great film. After that we walked in the mall where I had rich banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery and then we rode the bus to a Thai restaurant for dinner. But before getting there, we stopped at Gangnam Market, where I tried the Oyster Lays chips for the first time. It sounds gross but to my surprise it was delicious.
Despite the wind almost blowing me up and away, I felt connected to Chicago because it reminded me of New York. I could honestly see myself living there. All I need is good food, convenient transportation, and fun things to do. If you are heading to Chicago, you will have a great time, especially when you visit the places I listed in this blog.
