See & Do

 
 
 

Food

By and far, our favorite thing to do in Chicago is eat. Fortunately, there is so much excellent food besides deep dish pizza – but don't forget to grab at least one slice if you haven't tried it yet. We have pulled some of our favorite haunts. Be sure to pace yourself. There is no shortage of good eats in the Windy City. 

 
Ada Street. 1664 N. Ada Street, Chicago, Illinois 60642.
This is the restaurant where Chris popped the question to B. It is an adventurous restaurant and the plates are set up to share. Order the cheese puffs. Trust us. You won't regret it. Make sure to say hi to Scott if you stop by!
Big Star. 1531 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622.
Best tacos in the city. Need we say more? (Word to the wise, there are no reservations and the wait can be pretty long. I wouldn't let that deter you – best. tacos. ever.)
Beatrix. 519 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654.
Beatrix. 834 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, Illinois 60607.
If you find yourself on the hunt for more brunch food, Beatrix is a must. Beatrix does a tremendous job pairing delicious tasting recipes with fresh, healthy ingredients. Don't forget to check out their coffee and pastry bar as well -- Chris' favorite is the lemon glazed angel food muffin.
Doc B's Fresh Kitchen. 55 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
Doc B's Fresh Kitchen. 100 E. Walton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
In the mood for a hardy salad and sweet potato fries? Then look no further. This is our go-to spot when shopping on the Magnificent Mile. But rest assured non-salad lovers, this place also serves up a variety of sandwiches and burgers.
Restaurant Row. 800 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607.
This vibrant strip of Randolph Street in Chicago's West Loop is packed full of world-class restaurants, including some of our favorites in the city! We've taken the guess work out of which restaurants to visit with a few selections below. Make sure to come hungry!
- Duck Duck Goat. 857 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 (B's favorite restaurant!)
- The Publican. 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
- Maude's Liquor Bar. 840 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
- Green Street Smoked Meats. 112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Goddess and the Baker. 225 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
This adorable place serves great coffee and pastries. They also have a pretty good selection of sandwiches and flatbreads if you're a little hungrier. They are famous for their rainbow cake slices. If you get one, send us a pic!
Doughnut Vault. 401 N. Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654.
Okay, so it's not an actual vault full of doughnuts but it's a pretty close second. This joint serves up some of the best fried dough offerings this side of the Mississippi. Just make sure to get there sooner rather than later -- Doughnut Vault closes once hungry patrons snap up the last doughnut!
 

play

There's no place we would rather be in early fall than Chicago. The city is at its peak during this time as the temperature cools off from the summer months. Be sure to set aside some time during the weekend to have a little fun in the city we call home.

 

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. 111 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
This is easily the best way to experience Chicago and the beautiful architecture that abounds along the Chicago River. Consider purchasing tickets in advance online because these cruises are popular with both tourists and locals alike!

The Second City. 1616 N. Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614
What do Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Steve Carell, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey all have in common? They are all alumni of The Second City. This improv and sketch comedy club has been making Chicagoans laugh for over 50 years. If you're in the mood for more jokes than the ones we will be dropping at our wedding, then make sure to reserve your seat at this storied haunt. 

Chicago Riverwalk. From Franklin Street to Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Teeming with life, Chicago's Riverwalk is an urban oasis that has transformed what was once an eyesore into a crown jewel. While here, you'll find several stopping-off points to enjoy a cold beverage, as well as more puppies than your heart can handle. 

WhirlyBall. 1825 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614
A little competition among family and friends never hurt anyone, right?! If you've never played before, WhirlyBall is a mix of bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball (we're guessing that you are thinking the same thing we are -- who in their right mind came up with this?!). Just make sure to buckle up because things are sure to get physical if you set foot inside one of the courts! 

 

visit

Chicago has it all but with so little time, we've picked a few of our favorite places to visit in the city. But don't worry if you can't see it all this time around -- it's just an excuse to come back and see us again after the wedding! 

 
Magnificent Mile. Chicago, Illinois 60611
Who doesn't love to shop?! The Magnificent Mile, also known as Michigan Avenue, has it all. B's favorite store of all time, Nordstrom, is located here. And towards the north end of the shopping district is Uniqlo, where you can snag some great staples at a fair price and re-energize with some caffeine at the Starbucks hidden away on the sixth floor.
Cloud Gate ("The Bean") at Millennium Park. Chicago, Illinois 60601
Probably Chicago's most well-known sculpture, The Bean is located in the beautiful Millennium Park. Once you have snapped a few Instagram-worthy pictures, be sure to roam throughout the rest of Millennium Park and the adjoining Maggie Daly Park.
The Signature Lounge. 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Perched atop 875 N. Michigan Avenue (formerly known as the John Hancock Center) on the 96th floor is The Signature Lounge. Skip the line for the observatory and head straight up without having to pay the admission price. There is no better spot in the city to enjoy an adult beverage and take in the view from 1,000 feet up. Cheers!
Field Museum of Natural History. 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605
Home to Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, this natural history museum is one of the largest in the world! Opened back in 1893 for the World's Fair, the Field Museum is sure to impress. It's also where B's dad would take her to explore the world as a little girl. 
Adler Planetarium. 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Space rocks! If you are looking for an adventure that is out of this galaxy, make sure to set aside some time to visit the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere! Once you've successfully landed back in Chicago, be sure to snap that quintessential Chicago-skyline picture from the lakefront just a few steps away from mission control.
Lincoln Park Zoo. 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
Home to some pretty cool species, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a fun adventure right in the heart of Chicago! Stop by and say hello to an African lion, a polar bear, Chilean flamingos, or for you Harry Potter fans (looking at you, B!), a Kenyan boa constrictor. Admission is free and the beautiful Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, located just north of the zoo, is well worth a quick visit.