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exploring the chicago loop
This content contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Chicago Loop photo by Patrick Robert Doyle – Unsplash Find yourself in downtown Chicago (aka the Loop, the central business district), and you have a few hours to explore? Here’s what to go/see/do in the Chicago Loop. Make sure you read until the end for new & updated things happening in the Loop! cultural center First, head over to the Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St. (Washington & Michigan), across the street from Millennium Park, which happens to be my favorite building in the city. The…
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the perfect 3-day Chicago travel guide
Here is my guide to help you plan the perfect 3-days in Chicago with insight from a local (born & raised) & a tour guide. It is for first-time visitors to Chicago, including solo travelers, couples & families with kids. It includes an itinerary for each of your 3-days in Chicago. I’m warning you now, 3-days won’t be enough time, but it’s a good start! day #1 – explore the Loop I suggest starting in the Loop. The Loop is the central business district in downtown Chicago. It’s close to everything: world-class public art & architecture, the Lakefront, museums, and green space, so it’s a good place to begin. Make…
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windy city coop & eco-yards tour – 10th year
Yep, you read the headline correctly, coop as in chickens. This post will introduce you to some fabulous urban chickens, the eco-yards they call home & their owners. If I had the space, I would consider getting some. The photo above is from the first time I went on the Annual Windy City Coop & Eco-Yards Tour a few years ago when one of my friends told me about it. I was hooked. Who knew that raising chickens in the city was a thing? Well, it is a thing and has been since the founding days of the country. Even the Lincoln family had a pet turkey at the White…
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secret gardens of chicago – part 2 – garden of the phoenix
This post is the second in a series revealing the Secret Gardens of Chicago – Part 2 – Garden of the Phoenix. If you missed Secret Gardens of Chicago – Part 1 – Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond you can read it here. Some content in this posts uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Full disclosure, it took me a couple of times to find this garden. Seriously, it was not easy to find even for this native Chicagoan. Currently it is closed because of erosion but I encourage you to put…
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blt (boulevard lakefront tour) bike tour in chicago
This content has affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Since living in this new reality and currently in Phase 4 ‘Gradually Resuming’ here in Chicago (July 2020), I have been riding my bike quite a bit. Mostly by myself, but sometimes meeting friends for socially distanced picnics or other outside activities. I don’t own a car (by choice) and not quite ready to get on public transportation yet so it is my main form of transportation. Here’s some good news, at least bike sales have skyrocketed since the pandemic hit. Less cars & more bikes, always a good…
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secret gardens of chicago – part 1 – alfred caldwell lily pool
This is the first in a series of posts about the secret gardens in Chicago and is in honor of my Mom and Mother’s Day. She has the unique ability to identify so many flowers & plants. A trait that I, sadly, did not inherit. Love you, little Momma! alfred caldwell lily pool One of my favorite escapes from the hectic, urban jungle is the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (aka Lincoln Park Lily Pool). It is a serene outdoor oasis located in the south section of the Lincoln Park Zoo (Cannon & Fullerton). Originally part of a Victorian Garden built in 1889, it fell out of popularity and into disrepair…
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it’s still february in chicago – THINK SPRING
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. This is going to be a short post. I have to switch gears to my tour guide business since I’ve gotten quite busy early this year. Also, I’m working on creating a few new routes. Check out my tour routes & reviews. Click here & search for Mimi in Chicago. Yes, it’s still February in Chicago, but we’ve been very lucky this year. It’s been a pretty mild winter so far. Fingers crossed, but don’t even think we are out of the woods…
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chicago winter survival guide – part 2
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. I just heard on the news that Monday, January 20 is Blue Monday. Apparently, it’s the most depressing day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Um, yeah and we’ve just broken a record of no sun for the last 10 days. Which really sucks but I’d rather suffer through not seeing the sun than experiencing the frigid temperatures of the Polar Vortex that we had last year. I remember I hunkered down for 3 days straight not leaving my apartment. Even the…
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where to celebrate chinese new year 2020 chicago style
This is the Year of the Rat 4718. According to the Chinese zodiac if you were born in one of the following years 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 you are a Rat. Rats generally get a bad rap but here they are in the first position of the 12-year cycle and a symbol of wealth. They are believed to be very industrious, thrifty, diligent & positive. I have a newfound respect for Rats! Here’s where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 Chicago style. Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, January 25 with two Lunar New Year parades being held in the city. The first is on Saturday,…
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where to dine for chicago restaurant week 2020 & soup’s on
where to dine for chicago restaurant week Chicago Restaurant Week is coming! You will want to make some reservations and get this on your calendar now. Here you’ll find information to help you decide where to dine for Chicago Restaurant Week 2020. This guide will direct you to explore participating restaurants, view menus and book your reservations. You should check back regularly since new restaurants are being added daily. You won’t want to miss this 17-day celebration of Chicago’s award-winning culinary scene. It starts on January 24 and runs through February 9, 2020. The 13th annual event includes over 400 hundred of the city’s top restaurants. Here’s your chance to…
