Back in 2014, I spent a fun-filled, albeit cold, long weekend in Chicago. Even though it’s a short one-hour flight from Toronto, I’d never once visited the Windy City. My time in Chicago was so great, that it now competes with San Francisco for being my all-time favorite American City.
A Weekend in Chicago, Illinois
To follow is an “Instatrip” photo recap of all the things I did when I spent a weekend in Chicago. I’ve featured where I stayed, the places I ate, the things I saw, and what I did. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a little mini-guide, which you may want to use when you’re planning your next trip to Chicago.
Recommended reading: This post about the best things to do in Chicago or this one full of local tips about how to spend 48 hours in Chicago.
1) SLEEP: Holiday Jones Hostel
This was the front desk of my hostel in Wicker Park, Holiday Jones. The modern and chilled hostel has shared rooms, as well as private ones which start at around $30 US. Although I love hostels, like the super cool and beautiful Living Lounge Hostel in Lisbon, I’m now at the age where I’d rather have a room to myself. I booked a private room and was happy to have some personal space.
Update: Holiday Jones is now closed. You can find more places to stay in Chicago with booking.com.
2) DRINK: Bangers & Lace
Bangers and Lace, a bar just across the street from the hostel, serves up a fabulous drink list in a beautiful Wes Anderson-like setting. I came here for a locally brewed beer shortly after checking into my hostel.
Address: 1670 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
3) EAT: Big Star
Although I have no pictures from my meal experience, I had some very tasty tacos and another great IPA at Big Star in Wicker Park. On a Friday night, it was packed to the brim with people and exuded an overall “good feelings” kind of vibe.
The restaurant is also not far from the Holiday Jones hostel.
Address: 1531 N Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
4) SEE: “The Bean” At Millennium Park
Seeing “The Bean” in Millenium Park was really something else and the whole park looked pretty, even in the midst of winter. It was also fun posing for silly pictures like this one.
Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602
5) EAT: Park Grill
While you’re visiting The Bean, be sure to stop by Park Grill to grab some traditional American fare. It was here that I had my first Chicago-styled hot dog for lunch.
Address: 11 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602
6) DRINK: Signature Lounge
Warm up for a drink with a view at the Signature Lounge in the John Hancock Center. It sounds weird, but trust me, and go to the bathroom while there. You’ll be treated to even more spectacular views over Chicago.
Address: 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
7) DO: International Museum of Surgical Science
If you like weird and offbeat things like me, check out the International Museum of Surgical Science. It’s a museum dedicated to the history of surgery and you’ll see all sorts of things (some of which are very creepy!) from both Eastern and Western medicine featured there.
Recommended reading: A couple of other weird and offbeat museums – The Romanian Kitsch Museum in Bucharest, as well as the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade.
Aside from the fascinating exhibition, the building is also a really beautiful one to tour.
Address: 1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610
8) SEE: Chicago Architecture
Spend a lot of time walking around. Many of the buildings in Chicago have such character and charm.
9) DO: An Escape Room
At the Fine Arts Building (home to America’s oldest artist colony), you can partake in yet another weird and offbeat activity, Trapped In A Room With a Zombie, a very fun escape game.
Sadly, my group lost. I didn’t know anyone in my group, but we became fast friends and I tagged along with them for dinner after our game finished.
Address: 410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
10) EAT: Shaw’s Crab House
Shaw’s Crab House is a great place to come for seafood. They have all sorts of items on their menu like fish and chips, grilled yellowfin tuna, crab cake platters, and more.
Address: 21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611
11) DO: Winter WonderFest
It’s always fun to check out local events when they’re happening. While in Chicago, I went to the last day of Winter WonderFest, when Navy Pier is transformed into an indoor amusement park. Christmas gets to linger here well into January. It even included this skating rink.
12) SEE: Navy Pier
Although it was cold, it was nice to wander around Navy Pier and see the frozen Lake Michigan.
Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
13) SEE: Navy Pier At Sunset
Navy Pier is a great place to go for photos, most especially at sunset.
A sunset that night in Chicago left me speechless. It was very different from viewing Iceland’s Geysir Geothermal Field at sunset but equally as stunning and powerful.
What do you think about our recommendations for a weekend in Chicago? Have we missed anything good? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Locations
To make it easier for you to enjoy the activities I did, here’s a Google Maps with all of the locations listed above.
Good To Know
1) Check out Chicago accommodation options on booking.com.
Booking.com2) Have fun when you’re in Chicago and book a guided tour.
3) If you love traveling through the US and Canada as much as I do, read my other blog posts:
- A Canadian Outdoor Adventure Canoeing The Grand River In Paris – Canoeing the Grand River on a guided Voyageur canoe tour to experience the SW ON landscape, see wildlife, & enjoy Six Nations storytelling.
- Detroit Bookstores: John K. King Used & Rare Books – When it comes to Detroit bookstores, John K. King Used & Rare Books is the top bookstore in the city, if not America. With more than 1,000,000 books in stock, this place is must visit for bibliophiles.
- New York City Street Art On The Lower East Side – Check out this collection of photos highlighting some of the most iconic pieces of New York City street art right now.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Such beautiful photos of Chicago – I like especially the frozen lake landscape!
Love the photos Cheryl! I never really thought of Chicago as very colorful but your photos do a good job of disproving my theory.
Adam – Thanks! It certainly is a colorful city. That sunset was incredible.
Thanks Reeta. Yes, winter has it’s own lovely beauty! I personally can’t wait for Spring though. 🙂
I sometimes forget how gorgeous my hometown is, thanks for making me just a tiny bit homesick… ok that’s over now =P
It’s a great city! I’d love to return during the summer. =)
Awwww – we missed you by like 2 weeks 🙁
Awww – darn!! Would have been fun to hang out. 🙂
Your photos of Chicago are beautiful. Love them, Cheryl.
Thank you Leigh! I’ve become a sunset addict, I think. 🙂
I’ve only hung out at the ORD airport on multiple occasions, but someday I’ll actually get out of there and visit the city like it deserves. Awesome pictures!
Stunning – Instagram is so much fun and really shows how you can get great shots with so little. The propeller is my fav Cheryl.
The sunsets are amazing but you had me at the beer on top of the world.
Thanks Kea. You must get there soon and hopefully, you’ll love it as much as I did.
Thanks Maria! The camera’s in the iPhone are of a really good quality, as are the photo editing apps. And an iPhone certainly makes for lighter packing then heavier camera equipment does.
Summertime is great in Chicago, sooo many damned festivals, I’d recommend the neighborhood ones instead of doing the Taste. Also ton’s of art shows in Logan Square & Bucktown on the Northside as well as Pilsen & Bridgeport on the Southside, plenty of street art style stuff.
Grew up in Chicago. You’re making my city look good. Really nice photos, especially love the one with all the lights.
Now I miss it… Cheers!
Thank you Amanda. I’m so happy you like my photos. 🙂
Ha ha, yeah hear ya there! The view was fantastic, but the food/drinks too overpriced for my taste.
Thanks Devlin, I definitely need to get back there during warmer weather instead of 3 days post winter cold vortex. 😀
Looks cold! Great photos Cheryl!
Frank (bbqboy)
Thanks so much Frank! 🙂
Every one of these photos are beautiful! I had several friends post pictures by “The Bean” within the last few months. You don’t look TOO cold in the pictures! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been to Chicago many times, but it’s been a while, and I never went there with a “photographer’s mindset.” I will wait for summer though 🙂
Ha ha, I don’t blame you. I’m starting to get tired of the extreme cold. Toronto’s been brutal this year too, same polar vortex as Chicago had. BURR!!
Thank you Mary! 😀
Well, great job. It looks amazing! Keep on instagramming…
Thanks so much Laura. Your comment means a lot. 🙂
Fantastic photos! My husband is from Chicago and his family still lives there. Chicago is a great city and I’m glad to see you enjoyed it so much even with the Polar Vortex!
Thank you Jennifer! I’m still swooning over that sunset.
I love the picture with the phone taking the picture — very meta. It was a gorgeous sunset.
Thanks Tamara. It was a pretty spectacular moment in my life. 🙂
Great photos of one of my favorite cities. I’d live there if it weren’t for the brutal winters.
Thank you Brianna! This past winter was the worst, especially with all those polar vortexes happening. I loved Chicago but I could never see myself living in the US. I want to go back to Europe ASAP. 🙂
These are great photos Cheryl, well done! Dave and I haven’t been to Chicago yet. Maybe we’ll take a road trip this summer to check it out. Your photos are making me want to go! I’ve always wondered where that silver water bubble thing was from, now I know. It’s a Bean not a water bubble:)
Thanks Deb! Means a lot coming from you guys. This was also my first visit there, hope you guys can get there soon too as it’s a fantastic city! 🙂