The First of Many | Chicago, Illinois

My sister, Erin, recently took a new job in Chicago, Illinois and moved back close to us from Phoenix, Arizona! Although I really loved the chance to visit her, explore the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix area, and experience southwestern US culture, I am beyond incredibly excited to have her so near to me as I will live in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the next year come August.

Looking at my crazy summer calendar and her still mostly empty (but ever so charming) new apartment, we decided that last weekend would be perfect for me to come visit, keep her company, and help her settle in. Spontaneous trips are some of the best, and that's precisely what this was when I bought my bus and train tickets less than 24 hours before my departure and threw together a suitcase full of essentials.

My roommate dropped me off at the Megabus station in East Lansing Friday morning and before I knew it we pulled into Union Station. She was still at works so, of course, I patiently waited for her by camping out in Starbucks by the river. Walking in a bit flustered as I was dragging a suitcase through a crowded city while tired and hungry, I ran into a friend from Midland, Michigan! So random. He happened to be visiting his brother for the weekend and was waiting for him, as well. What are the chances?!

Throughout the weekend, my love for the Windy City continued to grow. There's such a friendly, mid-western feel in Chicago. It's a big city with a million things to do, but people are so warm and kind at every corner. I got free Starbucks when my app would not work, doors held open for me while struggling with a suitcase, was offered directions trying to make my way onto the L, and offered lots of smiles and friendly greetings by kind strangers. It's a definitely place I could make myself home in. 

It ended up being a perfect weekend balancing a fun night at the bar and comedy show, morning workouts by the lake, and a day long trip to Ikea. A couch was purchased, clothes found their way to the closet, I experienced Trader Joe's for the first time, and we filled our bellies with lots of good foods. Just getting to spend time together was the highlight of my weekend, but here are a few of the highlights we found near (and maybe not so near to) her new Lakeview home.
 

[Strolling by North Pond nestled in Lincoln Park]

[A skyline I could get used to]

[Michigan is over there somewhere...]

[Art in the park]

[Maybe one day we'll own one of these yachts]

[The Brewster, her new building]

[The "Titanic elevator" run by the doorman]

• Galway Bar: This little dive bar in the basement of her building was the most cozy place for a $3 happy hour drink. It had old school video games, a reading nook, darts, delicious popcorn, and a warm glow from the Christmas light decor. It totally would fulfill my dream to have a local neighborhood bar like the one in How I Met Your Mother. 
• The Rocks: We discovered this place in search of a good burger for a late dinner. It definitely hit the spot! Try one of their signature styles or create your own. Get the curly fries, too. 
• The Laugh Factory: Groupon led us to this little gem. Seven comedians provided a little variety and a lot of adult-only laughs for a fun Friday night out. 

• Stan's Donuts: Erin had already discovered these for my dad's birthday, but we made a visit for coffee before our six mile walk along the lakeshore. Next time I need to return for donuts and one of their signature gelato shakes (but maybe not in the same visit). 
• Revolution Brewery & Taproom: Found on a list of free things to do around the northern neighborhoods, this was one of our favorites! Revolution has a taproom and offers free tours of their brewing facility on the weekends. They fill up fast so we went early to enjoy a few pints before the free tour where they actually provide a free pint. Did I mention both were free? There's also a Revolution pub downtown with some great looking food to go with their awesome beer that we might have to check out next time. 

• Renaldi's Pizza: I loved this place just down the street from Erin as it totally brought me back to Italian street pizza! They serve huge, paper thin slices to-go that are warmed up in an oven behind the counter. It felt just like what I used to enjoy as I strolled through the streets of Rome. It helped that their margherita pizza was deliciously fresh and their breadsticks stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese that totally hit the spot. 
• I Dream of Falafel: Our brother Patrick guided us to his favorite Mediterranean food downtown. We got plates full of quinoa, couscous, hummus, baba ganoush, chickpeas, falafel, tahini, tzatziki, pita, and more that was all delightful. So was the baklava and other desserts we sampled. Definitely dreaming of returning!

On my list for next time: 

• Eat at Slurping Turtle: As I love to bake (and eat sweets), Erin sent me a list of the best cookie places in the US. Chicago, of course, made it on the list twice. Slurping Turtle was heralded for its macarons, and upon further research their ramen was raved about, too. 
• Drinks at top of Hancock Building: It's a bit cliche and pricey, but instead of going up to the Sky Deck of Sears (or Willis as its now called) Tower, I want to spend my money on a drink at the Signature Lounge while taking in a view of the skyline. 
• Walking along The Bloomingdale Trail: Supposedly an old rail line, the city is turning this into a three-mile walking and running trail. Not necessarily a nature-filled path to run along, but I'm intrigued by the urban feel it will offer during a morning or evening stroll.

Erin had to work Monday morning but I got to go for a run by the lake before meeting up with her for lunch and hopping on the train home. It was quite perfect. I'm sure this weekend trip was the first of many.