I always love sharing my home town with the people I love. That's why when Kristen and Joe booked plane tickets I knew I would have to create another travel guide for all of you! Chicago is a huge city with so many things to do. I had a streamlined winter itinerary for them. When there are so many options, it's hard to pick just a few things to do. Kristen and I brainstormed, and we had quite the long weekend! If you followed along on my Instagram Stories you may have already seen most of our adventures but I thought that it would be a good idea to compile another travel guide for an easy way to see the city in a few days in the winter.

Food:




Bombo Bar Attached to Bar Siena is a fun and festive dessert bar! Their deluxe hot chocolates are insane and worth every calorie. You can also spike them which is a little something extra.

Portillo’s THIS is a Chicago classic. One of the few places I’ve ever been that truly has nothing bad on the menu! I love their chopped salad, but I always take my friends here for Italian Beef (dipped, with peppers) or a traditional Chicago Dog (no ketchup)!

Big Star This newer restaurant is across the street from Wrigley Field and their tacos are to die for! I loved every taco I had, definitely try the Walking Taco, that was my favorite.



Lou Malnatti’s Every Chicagoan will have a different opinion. I prefer Lou Malnatti’s deep dish, but honestly you can’t go wrong with any place that serves that type of pie.

Sights:



Chriskindlt Market A Chicago tradition adapted from the original German markets, this little pop up has all of the sights, smells and tastes of Christmas in Germany.

Zoo Lights: The Lincoln Park Zoo is free zoo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood that comes alive at night during the holiday season! Their light displays are fun for the whole family and a fun activity with some hot chocolate in hand. 


The Bean: The Bean is one of the most requested when my friends come visit me! It’s so funny because it is so simple but you can truly see the whole city reflected into this magnificent sculpture. Definitely a Chicago staple! It’s located on the Mag Mile by some many great bars and restaurants. 

Wrigley Field: Located right off the Addison stop on the L, a lot of my friends want to at least see the stadium! The nightlife scene around there is always lively and is easy to walk from bar to bar! If you’re ever in town during the season, do yourself a favor and try to see a game in there! The history and energy of the stadium is electrifying.

The Museum Campus: Located next to Soldier Field, the museum campus offers a lot of different ways to learn. There’s the planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. I grew up going to there places and like different things about each of them. You can’t really go wrong with any, it just depends what your interests are!


The Chicago Theater sign: Located off the State and Lake L stop, this is one of the more famous theaters in Chicago. The sign is gorgeous and definitely a fun photo opp!

Bars:


Santa Baby: There are a lot of Christmas-themed bars throughout the country for the holiday season! I checked this bar out in Wrigley in early December and we had a blast.

The Hange Uppe: Pronounced: The Hang Up. This is strictly an 80’s music bar that you should check out if you like experiencing joy. If you like dancing and a good time: this is your place. This is a bar my mom used to go to when she was my age!

The Game Room: Located across the street from the Bean in the same building as Cindy’s, this bar is classic Chicago. Nestled in the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Club, which is a hotel, it has full size Booche ball, billiards, chess and other games you can reserve. Their appetizers are delicious and they’re cocktails are unique!



There's always something to appreciate where you are. Sometimes it's easy to glance over details when we're just trying to hustle in our daily lives, but it's so important to celebrate and enjoy the things that make where you live special and great.

I know that this past year after college, I didn't enjoy everything that I could've in the beginning. I was trying to speed through a chapter in my life to get me somewhere else. That is no way to live. You have to life in the moment of your life, don't skip the chapters. You're here for a reason.

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